There are loads of fantastic reasons to support a small business; the local economy benefits, the sense of community is heightened and it creates more local jobs to name just a few. Here are a 5 easy ways to support small businesses – that aren’t all about spending money.
Get Social
One of the easiest ways to support a small business is to follow them on their social media accounts, and interact. If they post an Instagram picture you love, give it a tap. Enter their competitions, retweet their tweets. Business owners spend a lot of time and energy on their online presence, so as well as helping to spread the word about them you can be sure that someone is smiling every time you interact.
Recommend
When you purchase a product or service from a small business leave a review. This can be done in a few places, but social media and Google are good places to start. Most people don’t purchase anything without looking at reviews first, from dishwasher tablets to holidays, reviews make all the difference. If you can’t review online, tell your family and friends. Word of mouth goes a long way.
Buy Stuff
This one seems pretty obvious, but not everyone realises how simple it can be. For small businesses every purchase counts. Selling the cheapest product is just as important as selling the most expensive, so don’t feel like you have to spend a fortune. Plus, every time you buy something from a small business an actual person directly benefits!
Get To Know Them
Behind every small business is a person. Unlike large corporations, they are the lifeblood of the business. And they’re accessible. If you like their products or service, speak to them! Start by looking at their about sections. Comment on social media, say ‘hello’ in the street and go to their open days. You’ll soon become part of their community and support network.
Say Thank You
Saying thank you is a really easy way to support small businesses. It’s slightly different to recommendations or reviews. It’s a much more personal gesture. Sending an email personally thanking someone for their work means an awful lot. Putting a card in the post is fantastic too – who doesn’t love post? Remember, small businesses are run by real people. You never know, you might just make their day.
If you’re not sure where to find small businesses, take a look at The Crafty Business Network. It’s full of people from around Yorkshire who offer a variety of products and services. If they can’t provide what you’re looking for directly, they’ll point you in the right direction.