As a company that services and supports small businesses, we’re always thinking about them. But as the holidays and Small Business Saturday approach, we tend to think about them even more.
The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy reports that there are 33,185,550 small businesses in the United States. That’s 99.9% of all American businesses. To put it quite simply, small businesses are the lifeblood of many communities, and they have a huge impact on fueling the economy. However, we’ll also note that one in five businesses will fail within the first year of operation.
So, what can you do as a consumer or even a fellow small business owner to make sure all these local businesses are able to thrive? We’ve put together this guide for how to support a small business to help you answer that question.
Read on and then start taking steps to support your favorite local business so they can keep thriving for years to come.
Before we get into the how of supporting small businesses, let’s first get into the why.
Probably most importantly, local businesses are run by people who are a part of your community. They’re your neighbors, friends and maybe even family members. Supporting them is an excellent way to show them some love and give back to your community. You might even be a fellow small business owner within that community. So the more you can spread your support, the more support will be shown to your business as well.
Also importantly, as we mentioned, the sheer number of small businesses in the U.S. makes them an integral part of the economy. All of the small businesses that employ between 10-19 employees collectively add more than 500,000 jobs to the U.S. economy over 10 years. Without them, the economy takes a major hit.
Now for the good stuff—learning how you can support your favorite local businesses in order to make an impact! Here are nine ideas to keep in mind:
Did you know that during a typical week, over 90% of Americans interact with a small business, and more than half visit at least three of them? This means you’re probably already doing your part to make the most impact you can make—purchasing! Next time you’re driving to get your morning coffee, opt for your local coffee shop instead of the mermaid brand. Or visit a family-owned market for your weekly groceries instead of one of those major corporations. Conscious choices like this in your everyday life show major support for small businesses.
Second best to making a direct purchase from a small business is to get yourself or someone else a gift card to use for future purchases. Check out local bookstores, boutiques and restaurants to see if they offer gift cards, they most likely do!
This also has the potential to be a double whammy for small businesses because if you will be giving the gift card to someone else, you’re introducing that person to a new business that they might continue to visit later.
You might not always have time to go sit down at your favorite local restaurants, but you can still support them by ordering takeout or delivery. Since the pandemic, many restaurants pivoted to offering this service and have continued to offer it since.
Treat yourself to lunch every once in a while or use local restaurants to cater any events you might be hosting.
Looking for a way you can show love to your favorite business without spending a dime? Do it on social media! Share their posts, leave comments and like everything. Social media algorithms reward accounts with the most engagement, so all those likes and comments and shares will go a long way in boosting a small business’s account on these platforms. The more they show up, the more opportunity they have to be found by more potential customers.
Oh, and don’t forget to share any purchases you have made from them and tag their account! Small businesses love user-generated content because it helps to build trust with other potential customers.
Along that same vein of sharing and tagging on social media, another great way to support a small business is by leaving an online review. 50% of consumers trust reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family. So the more reviews a small business can get, the better.
Obviously, positive reviews are going to be the most impactful when it comes to helping a business attract more customers, but all reviews are helpful. So, leave that glowing review if you had a good experience, but don’t be afraid to leave some constructive criticism as well. Small biz owners love the chance to make things right with you and implement any changes necessary to make sure others don’t experience the same hiccups.
When you leave an online review you tell strangers your opinion of a local business, but don’t forget to share your thoughts and feelings in person with friends and family too! Tell your coffee-loving sister about the delicious latte you had at a local café, or rave to your friend about the new boutique in town that had items in their style. Both the business owners and your circle will thank you.
Communities will often put together local events like makers markets, craft fairs and bazaars where small businesses can showcase their products or services. You can show your support by attending these events. They also offer an opportunity to connect with other local entrepreneurs if you’re a business owner yourself.
Let your favorite small businesses know you’re a fan by signing up for their loyalty programs and subscribing to their emails, newsletters or blogs. Not only does this encourage them that their efforts are getting visibility, but it also helps keep you informed of events they may be participating in or promotions they may be running.
You’ve made product purchases from small businesses, but let’s not forget about your local service providers. Next time your fridge is in the fritz, or you need new windows installed (in your home or your own business!) check to see if someone local can perform those services instead of opting for a bigger company.
Supporting the small, local businesses in your community is important anytime of the year, but around the holidays it’s extra important. Whether you own a small business yourself and are looking to help out your fellow entrepreneurs, or you’re just a customer who wants to keep your local businesses thriving, we hope this guide provides you with plenty of ideas for how to support a small business that you love.
At RevLocal, we love supporting small businesses with our affordable digital marketing services. If you’re a local business owner looking to amplify your presence online, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a marketing expert.
Mideya Kinney, Junior Content Writer
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