With flu season well underway, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) making international headlines, and colds, viruses and stomach bugs floating around, it is crucial to follow everyday measures to prevent the spread of sickness. It’s best to wash your hands often and thoroughly, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, clean your space frequently – including doorknobs and countertops, and get the flu shot. And most importantly, the best way to protect yourself from getting sick is by avoiding crowds and sick people. With the possible outbreak of the Coronavirus, experts are suggesting to cancel large group gatherings to help with prevention.

But what if you have important information or urgent updates you need to share with a large audience? Or have to keep your community informed? There are ways to get content in front of your audience members without having to meet face-to-face.

Connecting with followers on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, is an easy and cost-effective way to keep your constituents informed. Whether you’re writing a press release, have a news article you want to share, or simply want to type out a statement online, social media is the fastest way to engage with those who follow you.

One of the most effective ways to communicate with your audience members without spreading germs is by hosting a virtual Q&A session. During virtual town halls or webinars, you can have multiple hosts who can join remotely from different locations. Your audience members can participate from the comfort and safety of their own home via landline, on their mobile phones, or by streaming the audio of your event online. Tell your audience why you’re calling, then invite them to ask you questions. You can take callers live and have a one-on-one conversation with them, plus answer questions from those listening to your online stream. Access Live works for internal communications with employees (even a small group of people, similar to a webinar), or it can act as an in-person town hall, but without the possibility of spreading illness.

From a studio, host an event that gives your audience members the ability to still see you without having to be in the same location as you. Video streaming events are similar to virtual town halls, but without having audience members join by phone. Instead, they can watch you on their mobile device or computer and ask questions through an online form. Video streaming events are the next best thing to an in-person town hall when trying to stop the spread of germs – and Broadnet has video streaming solutions and partnerships with studios should you need one.

Quickly and effectively inform your audience with important information using both Auto-Calls and SMS Broadcast notifications. You can easily record a message that will automatically go out to thousands at once, making sure they all hear your voice. And you can also easily send a text message to your audience members on their mobile devices, captivating their attention (98% of text messages are read within two minutes) and communicating with your audience on a device they have with them everywhere they go. Notifications can include ways to receive additional information, links to supporting documents, or even invite them to participate in virtual town halls.

Continue speaking with your audience without coming into contact with the germs associated with flu, Coronavirus, common colds, and stomach bugs. Instead, give your audience the option to be updated in the safety of their own homes.