Support Small Business This Holiday
Have you started your holiday shopping? Well, if you want to support small and/or local businesses, it's not too early to start. Supporting small businesses has never been easier! You have access to so many small businesses because of tools like Facebook, Instagram, Esty and google! If there's something you want, you can probably find a small business that makes it with a little searching on google. But I want to remind you of a few simple, free or cheap ways you can support your favorite small and local businesses this holiday season.
Talk them up! It’s human nature to try out a new service or product when someone you know can’t stop talking about their great experience. So be that person who brags up your favorite businesses
Write a review on Google - This is as easy as 1-2 simple sentences about your great experience. Go the extra step and email them to let them know! They will likely pull your kind words to share with their audience on social media. Not to mention how great it will make them feel that you were thinking of them.
Share your favorite product/service on your facebook or instagram - Same idea as talking them up, this time it has the opportunity to reach your whole network.
Buy a gift card - Keep this for yourself to use later. You know you love their business, and will be spending time with them in the future. Purchasing that gift card helps that small business keep up a cash flow in lean months. Most businesses have a seasonality to them, this really helps businesses create a buffer.
Give a gift card - As much as you might want to keep this one for yourself the idea is to gift it to someone. This gift card is a means of introducing your favorite small business to your favorite people.
Share their post - You are helping get new eyes on their business, by expanding their reach hopefully you find them a new client while also helping someone else shop small.
Sign up for the newsletter - This way you will know what is going on in their business and you can share with a friend when something relevant to them comes your way.
Attend their events- Don’t forget to bring a few friends. Even if you don’t buy anything, businesses need to know what their audience sees and is interested in the efforts they are making. So much of business is trial and error, when you show up, speak out and are there for what they are doing, it lets them know they are doing the right things to serve you.
Offer your feedback- reach out and let them know if the business is ever taking surveys, looking for client feedback on the service, merchandise or customer experience that you’d be happy to help! Let them know how much you want them to succeed.
Next time you go to your favorite spot, check in with your local business owner and see how things are going. They may have opportunities they are looking to explore and just need the right connection, or person to spread the word. Business owners wear so many different hats, a little help from a friend is always welcome. Go and love on your favorite businesses, it's never too early to start your holiday shopping!