5 Free (and Quick) Ways To Support Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Online
Chances are that you know, bought from, or worked with an entrepreneur or small business owner. They chased their dream, took over a family business, or became a licensed realtor, electrician, or plumber. Maybe they’re your neighbour, family member, or someone you went to school with. Without them, our options would be left to big box corporations and our communities would feel less ‘local.’
But how can we show more love to them? The best way to support small businesses and entrepreneurs is to hire them for their services or buy their products. For the days where you don’t require your fixtures tended to, a new home, or whatever they’re selling, here are 5 other ways to support a small business that makes just as big an impact (without even leaving your house).
1) Check in on their website as often as possible
Visit their digital storefront, online showroom, and domain to their 24/7 sales representative. Say hello by leaving your unique visit to their monthly stats from the other side of town/world. Check out their promotions, new blog, or product launch. If you see a typo or have ideas on how they can make it better, let them know! Help them not become a victim of collecting digital dust. They’ll appreciate you more for it.
2) Support their social media efforts
Quickly becoming a sign of trust and credibility, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are quickly becoming one of the first stops for brand information (sometimes even before an official website). Help their position in the algorithm by giving their page a follow, and their content a like and save. Become a ‘real one’ by leaving a comment, sharing their post, tagging their products/services in your posts/stories, participating in their contests, and using their hashtag. Are they also on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter? I know, “social media overwhelm,” but consider showing them love on those platforms too! Doing any (or all) of these things will do wonders for their social media reach. Learn more about how to feed the Instagram and TikTok algorithm here.
3) Write a five-star Google review
A few minutes of writing here will go a long way. “But I haven’t bought or used their service in a long time…” This doesn’t matter! Recall your previous experience with them and write a raving review about it. Include unique details or reasons why you’d recommend their services or products. This not only helps other people search for their product/service, but it also helps with their SEO and will surely make their day. Not to mention, it gives them content to repurpose as a testimonial post on social media and other marketing material.
4) Comment on their blogs and sign up for their mailing list
Although blogging can be fun to write and can help with a website’s SEO, clicking ‘publish’ can feel like letting go of a balloon outdoors. Time was invested into research, drafting and finalizing the work. So when a comment is received, that balloon that was drifting into the abyss is suddenly secured to the blogger’s wrist! Bloggers appreciate you taking the time to comment, and wanting to stay up to date with their updates by signing up to their mailing list.
5) Slide into their DMs with thanks or constructive criticism
If you appreciate their work, tell them! If you had a great experience or noticed ways they could improve, be kind about it and let them know. Send them a few rock star words of encouragement or offer some constructive criticism. There are countless hours poured into the production and upkeep of running a business, and a lot of the time they’re doing it all on their own. We’re all humans. Reach out and check in on them. Every bit counts!