Support Your Friend’s Small Business with These 7 Tips

Small businesses are everywhere you look in the United States. Bakeries, plumbers, and artists. Electricians, life-coaches, and cafes. The list goes on and on, and no doubt someone you know owns one of these fine small businesses too. The thing is, many small businesses are struggling this year. So, you may be wondering what you can do to support a friend’s small business during the holidays. If you are, don’t fret! We’ve got a list of 7 tips that will help you do just that! Read on to find out more and go large in your support for small (businesses).

Tip #1: Support a Friend’s Small Business By Helping

Running a small business is an awful lot of work; it’s true. It’s likely your friends will occasionally need extra help (but usually don’t get it). That’s why, during the holiday season, volunteering to help out is a beautiful gesture. A couple of hours here and there, especially during their busiest times, can be a lifesaver. You could help them, for example, package up products for shipping. If they run a restaurant, you can help in the kitchen or with food prep. You don’t need any specialized skills to do a lot of things that will help them. Simply volunteer and do whatever it is they might need. It’s one of the best ways to support your friend’s small business!

Tip #2: Give Them a Social Media Shoutout

Social media is so important when figuring out how to support a friend’s small business.  ‘Liking’ and leaving comments helps your friend’s small business immensely! Take a look at their stories on Instagram and follow their Facebook page. Check them out on Twitter and share their posts on Snapchat. When a small business has a large following on social media, they stand out, get found, and flourish. Some small businesses rely almost 100% on social media to grow. The bottom line is that if you have a friend with a small business, engaging with them on social media is essential.

support your friend’s small business

Tip #3:  Purchase Your Friend’s Small Business’ Products

While this may seem like a “no-brainer,” many people forget to shop at their friend’s small business. Some believe that they’re doing “just fine” and don’t need extra help. Others simply overlook this simple fact. Whatever the case, purchasing from your friend’s small business is the best way to support it. Plus, you’ll probably get the best service you’ve ever seen and products that are a step above the rest.

Tip #4: Talk About Them at Networking Events

Talking about your friend’s small business while you’re networking is fantastic! Even better, bring some of their cards and other advertising media. Talking about your friend’s business can be especially helpful if you’re an influencer in your industry. If you are, you have a bigger audience who will take your advice and recommendations. On the list of “how to support a friend’s small business,” this is one of the best!

Tip #5: Shop Your Friend’s Small Business’ Website

Although social media is dominant right now, business websites are still important. For most small businesses, their website showcases their products and services. It also attracts potential customers looking for their specific products and services. Visiting your friend’s website can have a positive impact on their Google ranking as well. (Just be sure to linger on their website as long as possible. Short visits, known as ” bouncing,” can affect their ranking negatively.)

Support Your Friend's Small Business with These 7 Tips

Tip #6: Write a Review for Your Friend’s Small Business

This may be one of the best ways to help your friend’s small business during the holidays. Today, online reviews replace traditional “word of mouth” advertising. Seven out of ten consumers read online reviews before making a purchase. That makes reviewing vitally important. A positive review on, for example, Yelp, Angie’s List, Google Plus, and their website can do wonders! Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be perfect, but simply super flattering.

Tip #7: Get Emails from Your Friend’s Small Business

The vast majority of small businesses have an email list. Signing up for that list allows them to ‘speak’ directly to you and usually comes with some great perks. You’ll get exclusive discounts, learn about sales, and much more! It costs nothing but can help your friend’s small business in ways you don’t realize.

Bonus Tips To Help Your Friend’s Small Business

You can do so many things to help support your friend’s small business during the holidays. Most are easy, simple, and cost absolutely nothing. They might be small, but, in time, the results can be tremendous. Here are a few bonus tips to help as the holidays get closer:

  • Post a story about them on Instagram
  • Leave a comment on their Facebook page.
  • Hand out their promotional flyers on the street
  • Share their social media posts with your followers.
  • Tell friends, family, and colleagues about them.
  • Hand out their business cards and brochures wherever you go
  • Share an event they’re having on your social media.
  • Rent a storage unit for them and help organize their inventory. They’re cheap, safe, easy to access, and affordable. For that, Southern Self Storage can help.

Your friends need all the help they can get. Running a small business is difficult, stressful, and time-consuming. (It’s rewarding too, but takes a lot of effort to get to the rewards.) The more you can do to help, the better. It’s easy and, in many cases, can even be a lot of fun!

We hope you enjoyed this list! Supporting small businesses is essential in every American town and city. We’re sure that when you do, your friends will be very grateful. Thank you for all your support, help, and caring!

4 thoughts on “Support Your Friend’s Small Business with These 7 Tips”

  1. This is the right site for everyone who really wants to understand this topic.
    You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not
    that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new
    spin on a subject which has been written about for decades.
    Excellent stuff, just excellent!

  2. Great post. I really appreciate your efforts in this post. Supporting your friend’s business is great, and I really like your idea of a business card. I also suggested one of my friends choose a digital business card, which was very effective for his business. I will also try to help in other ways like, give him a social media shoutout. Thanks for sharing.

  3. i like your zeal for helping one’s friend. i actually do suuport my friends business by sharing them on my social media pages. but i dont think buying from your friend means you are helping them.

    well nice article

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