3 Ways Influencers Can Help During the Pandemic

Admittedly, I was just trying to throw my hat into the ring as a travel blogger before the pandemic hit and everything crashed. So, I guess I don’t exactly qualify as an influencer.

However, I do feel like the drastic shift that has happened thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic has made travel blogging seem rather frivolous, if not a little more self-indulgent than usual, as the world continues to try and tackle a serious threat. Even if airlines were operating as normal and borders weren’t closed around this globe many of us have travelled numerous times, the fact remains that things will most likely never go back to the normal we all knew around the end of 2019.

And so, where does that put those people who were spending their time pitching a better life to those who were stuck in one they weren’t happy with? When the travel guides and countless photos from some beach resort are the farthest thing from anyone’s mind while they self-isolate and worry about their loved ones, what can those people do to contribute beyond dropping some hashtags and holding yoga poses?

Personally, as someone who spent far too long (especially now in hindsight) digging around travel blogs to reach out to people about my book release, I feel like there are plenty of things all of those with #wanderlust and a #blessed life can do to help others. Here are just a few ideas:

Share your knowledge of how to work remotely.

With so many people now working from home, there’s bound to be lots of folks with questions. Not to mention, thousands of people are faced with the dilemma of no longer having the structure they’ve grown accustomed to. Plus, there are cats, dogs, children, and numerous other distractions at home that may seem harder to ignore than the chatty coworker in the nearby cubicle at the office.

Of course, as digital nomads and those accustomed to working remotely or from home, it’s likely that we have plenty of tips and tricks that could be helpful to all these people that are now faced with the dilemma of whether or not they really need to put on pants or even get out of bed to get things done today.

So, share that knowledge. Instruct people on how to type work emails while a cat rests on your arm. Show them how to ensure they eat properly when they no longer have their officemate asking them if they want to go grab a bite. Better yet, suggest links to software, websites, and other things that have helped you be as successful as your Work With Me page suggests you are.

And yes, at the very least, I’m suggesting you do this at a discounted rate or for free. I know times are tough for everyone, but I’m thinking perhaps stuff is going a little easier for those of us who spend most of our days hustling online to promote the latest top ten lists filled with great shots of the last destination trip we took.

Help spread awareness related to the pandemic

Obviously, now is not the time to keep promoting #wanderlust and what the best carry-on backpack is, but there’s plenty of opportunity for you to use the network you’ve developed to do more than profit from an affiliate link.

With fake news, conspiracy theories, and bad presidents proving deadly during this time of panic and concern, it’s important for people to be informed by well-educated and reliable sources. Organizations such as the CDC, WHO, and the UN are great sources of information that rely more on science than ratings, and they’re the kind of places you can promote to ensure your followers stay informed.

Along with that, there are plenty of more entertaining ways to keep people aware of what needs to be done, and lots of folks are already seeing success with videos on hand washing, social distancing, and other things related to the pandemic.

So, get creative and start spreading the word about the need to keep your hands clean, avoid touching your face, and other helpful tips that can help keep this pandemic from continuing on forever.

Stay home

Although I’ve been writing this mainly with travel bloggers in mind, this last point should apply to almost everyone. I say “almost” because there are folks who unfortunately cannot choose to stay home during all of this. Chances are, if you’re some sort of influencer or full-time blogger, you probably can though.

So, if for some strange reason your next big trip hasn’t already been cancelled, please cancel it. The world doesn’t need more people hopping from place to place, especially since the novel coronavirus is asymptomatic and you could be infected without even knowing it. Thus, while you’re snapping photos in empty streets #forthegram, you could be spreading the virus to those you meet, including front-line health care workers on their way to or from work. I shouldn’t have to explain to you why it’s important that they don’t get sick, but, trust me, we want them to remain healthy and able to work.

Granted, staying at home will probably mean that you don’t have as easy a job to take stunning photos as you would while trekking through Nepal, but maybe that can be a challenge to get better at your photography? There are plenty of amazing adventures to be had in your own home, you just have to look at things the right way.

Above all else though, please take the time to ensure that you’re doing okay, both physically and mentally, as well. Check-in with your family and loved ones as often as you can, and preferably at a distance. No matter where you are right now, it’s likely that we’re going to be dealing with this (and its ramifications) for quite some time, so it’s important that we all be open and honest with each other when it’s getting to be too much, and try to help those we can when it’s maybe too much for them.

On that note, in case I haven’t convinced you of the importance of staying home and keeping healthy, maybe one of the greatest travellers and self-isolationists can?