PixelHaze Coronavirus Update 19/03/20

If you’d told me three months ago that a bug invisible to the naked eye would shut down the world, I’d have said you’d had too much coffee. But here we are: shops shuttered, pubs closed, just you and the faint hum of your laptop for company. Like everyone else, we at PixelHaze found ourselves wondering how we keep businesses afloat, growing, learning, and connected when “meeting up” now means slippers and Zoom backgrounds instead of high-street coffee shops.

You’re probably facing more questions than answers. So, put the kettle on, settle in, and I’ll walk you through exactly what PixelHaze has put in place to help you, your team, and the wider community muddle through this COVID-19 storm with as much good humour and practical support as we can muster.

Why This Matters

There’s no gentle way to say it: if your business isn’t adapting, it’s treading water. The coronavirus didn’t only cut footfall; it threw a spanner in the works for anything that relied on faces, handshakes, or the odd natter by the kettle. For small businesses, freelancers, and community groups, the overnight shift to lockdown handed out new headaches:

• Clients wanting remote help, but no plan for delivering it
• Team members stuck at home without tools or training
• Regulars missing activities, support, and that feeling of being “in the loop”
• Local events, support groups, and networks, all suddenly digital or nothing at all

And while “digital solutions” are everywhere, most come with a learning curve sharp enough to make your eyes water, or price tags that were just fine until your income dried up.

If you haven’t felt frazzled trying to work out Zoom settings or help a client who’s still on dial-up, you’re either a liar or some sort of magician. And if your business is the lifeline for others in your area, the stakes feel even higher.

Wasted time means lost work, missed opportunities, and (let’s be honest) a headful of unnecessary stress. Our job at PixelHaze is to take away the faff, offer real support, and help your business and community find something useful and sustainable instead of just “pivoting”.

Common Pitfalls

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Most people jump headfirst into remote working, online events, and new tools, then hit the wall harder than a Windows update on bin day. Here’s what we’ve seen go wrong most often:

• Diving into video calls without checking your internet speed or camera setup
• Picking tools because everyone else does, then realising your team has no idea how to use them
• Paying for expensive software or “COVID packages” that are mostly smoke and mirrors
• Running the same-old events, but now awkwardly “online”, hoping for the best
• Focusing on shiny tech, but leaving your least tech-savvy clients and community members stranded

It’s all too easy to spend hours hunting for instructions or, worse, to give up entirely. The result is valuable time lost, missed connections, and the odd fit of rage at a wifi signal that drops out as soon as someone mentions “pivoting”.

We’ve taken all those headaches and turned them into a simple, step-by-step approach that anyone can use without wanting to throw the laptop out the window.

Step-by-Step Fix

Alright, let’s tackle the fix with practical, PixelHaze-style steps. No jargon, no daft promises, just clear actions to keep you, your business, and your community connected, supported, and learning.

Step 1: Move Your Support to Zoom and Keep it Simple

We know Zoom’s everywhere, but jumping on a call isn’t always straightforward, especially if you’ve never had to use it for work before. That’s why we shifted our support to Zoom, but made booking and setup child’s play.

How to do it:

• Book Your Slot: Pop over to https://www.pixelhaze.academy/schedule-a-121. Pick a time that suits you. No endless email chains.
• Check Your Tech: Make sure your computer, tablet, or phone has a front camera and microphone (most do these days). We recommend a stable internet connection at 5mbps or higher. If you’re not sure, see our tip below.
• Download Zoom: If you haven’t already, grab the free Zoom app. We’ve uploaded easy-as-pie video guides (without any corporate waffle) on how to get started, made for the non-techie.
• Join the Call: At your booked time, click the link we send.
• Get Support: Whether you’re dealing with a website issue, branding fix, or just wondering where to start, we’re here for you, live.

Step 2: Choose the Right Membership with No Nonsense

Falling into the trap of paying for “all the bells and whistles” is easily done, especially when everyone seems to be flogging premium COVID packages right now. At PixelHaze, we binned the gimmicks and came up with support options that give you real value without draining your wallet.

How to do it:

• Standard Plan: £35 per year. Full access to all current PixelHaze Academy courses, plus every new resource we’re creating: workshops, guides, and more. Perfect for self-starters who want to learn at their own pace.
• Plus Plan: £75 per year. Everything in Standard and three blocks of 25-minute one-to-one support via Zoom. Think tech troubleshooting, course advice, or brainstorming. Ideal for anyone wanting a bit of handholding while adapting to remote working or moving the business online.

You can jump in right away through PixelHaze Academy or pixelhaze.co.uk.

Step 3: Stay Connected (and Sane) with Project Cabin Fever

A tech solution only goes so far if you’re still staring at your walls all day. With isolation biting, we cooked up Project Cabin Fever, a local and online planner filled with remote activities, classes, and events to help you and your neighbours keep moving, learning, and laughing.

How to do it:

• Visit the Planner: Our new online hub (built on Squarespace) pulls together remote workshops and activities from local heroes—everything from home fitness, dance classes, boxing, to virtual wine groups and yes, even “pubs”.
• Choose Your Jam: There’s both free and paid-for stuff. So whether you want to break a sweat in the lounge or get tipsy (responsibly, of course) with your mates via webcam, it’s all listed.
• Jump In: Activities are open, grab the link and join in on the day. For locals, Back to Roots is kick-starting a daily wellbeing program, and more from other clubs and groups will be added soon.

Step 4: Tackle Tech Troubles Before They Trip You Up

If you’ve ever watched someone try to join their first online meeting—with the camera pointing at the ceiling and the microphone picking up the neighbour’s telly—you’ll know half the battle is getting the tech to work. We’re all about making life easier, not harder.

How to do it:

1. Check Your Internet: Use Speedtest.net as above. If you’re below 5Mbps, try moving closer to your router, pausing other devices, or even switching to a wired connection for the call.
2. Test Your Camera and Mic: Open Zoom ahead of time. Use the built-in “Test Speaker and Microphone” option. If it sounds like you’re shouting through a pillow, try unplugging any headsets or using your mobile.
3. Set Up Your Workstation: For longer calls or workshops, position your device somewhere steady, at face height. If you’ve got a TV and HDMI cable, you can even share your screen for a more “big stage” feeling. We’ll send a guide for this soon.
4. Back-Up Plan: Have your phone ready. If your computer’s having a tantrum, you can always join the session via mobile (with a strong 4G/WiFi signal).

Step 5: Grow Project Cabin Fever in Your Own Patch

Cabin Fever can be useful for your town, whether you are in Builth Wells or not.

How to do it:

• Request a Starter Pack: We’re preparing a DIY guide to help you build a local version of Project Cabin Fever for your own area, whether you’re a community organiser, teacher, or business owner.
• Site Set-Up Help: If you’re new to Squarespace or want help getting your site live, we offer reduced-fee builds and remote setup support. If you can use email, you can do this with a little nudge from us where needed.
• Connect Your Community: Use your planner as a hub for local activities such as fitness, support groups, craft sessions, or just a virtual chat over tea.

Step 6: Keep Networking (Just With Fewer Biscuits)

Our local “Commotion” networking events have been the backbone of business chat and idea-swapping for ages. COVID isn’t stopping that; it’s just changing the venue.

How to do it:

• Virtual Meet-Ups: Our next Commotion event is online. Join us with your own beverage (tea, wine, or whatever’s left in the cupboard) at 5:15 pm on Friday 3rd April. Expect fun, friendly faces, and more than a few awkward camera angles.
• Joining In: We’ll post a how-to guide, and it’s as easy as clicking a link. Everyone’s welcome, no secret passwords required.
• Stay Social: Keep up the habit—sign up for updates so you never miss a virtual meet-up, workshop, or pop-up event.

What Most People Miss

It’s tempting to think you have to get it all perfect from day one. But nobody’s business, event, or community group looked “right” the first time we went remote. Every single person, from the most tech-savvy designer to the beginner with a 2012 laptop, has had a hiccup (or three).

Starting simple is key. Use what you have and don’t fret about looking slick—people care that you show up, not that your logo is pixel-perfect on webcam.

And if something flakes out, just take a breath, laugh, and try again. You’re building skills that will serve you for years. Every botched video call or bug is one less thing to worry about next time.

PixelHaze Bonus Tip: Save the jargon for the salesmen. Speak plainly, ask for help, and keep the mood light. We’ll handle the tricky bits so you can focus on your business (or your latest Yoga pose, if that’s more your speed).

The Bigger Picture

Adapting fast is more than just about short-term survival. This is how local businesses, creatives, charities, and communities stay resilient long after coronavirus is headline news. If you can master running support online, leading remote workshops, or keeping community spirit alive from a distance, you’re building a toolkit to weather future storms of any variety.

When this is all in the rear-view mirror, you’ll have set up new ways of working that actually improve how you operate rather than patching things up “for now.” You’re gaining faster support, more time with family, access to clients and collaborators across the UK (or the globe), and the freedom to keep learning and connecting wherever you are.

You’re doing more than sidestepping disaster. You’re building a stronger, more flexible business and community.

Wrap-Up

If you take anything from this, remember you don’t need to do it all at once. Take one step at a time. We’re sharing every shortcut, lesson learned, and handy resource we can, straight from our farm in Mid Wales to your home office, kitchen table, or garden shed.

Tough times are easier together, even when “together” looks like a sea of square Zoom faces. So, if you’ve got questions, worries, or ideas you want to try, hit the “Contact” button on our site or book a support slot. We’re here for tech queries, website wobbles, or even just a friendly chat.

Jargon Buster

• Zoom: That app everyone’s talking about for video chats and support.
• Squarespace: Website builder where we host planners, support guides, and project kits.
• Remote Support: Real, live help through the internet (usually by video).
• Workstation: Your desk/table/kitchen counter where you muddle through your workday.
• PixelHaze Academy: Our online home for doing, learning, and surviving with less faff.

Want more helpful systems like this? Join Pixelhaze Academy for free.

Stay safe, stay learning, and remember: if you spill tea on your keyboard, you’re in good company.