How to Support Small Businesses
To say it’s been a weird year would be an understatement. But it’s interesting to see how quickly we all adapted to this new normal. Shops that used to be against it started e-commerce. Restaurants we never thought possible started delivering meals - yes, even Michelin star meals.
When you’re stuck at home and need something delivered fast, it’s natural to reach for the most popular option. The most convenient one. The industry giant. And their sales have increased like crazy this year.
But what about the mom and pop noodle shop down the corner? What about the artist selling her handmade jewelry on Etsy?
Small businesses are doing their best to adapt, and they’re doing so in the most creative ways possible. I know I’ve ordered ready-made pizza dough AND hand sanitizer from my favorite pizzeria! And it was a revelation.
If you’re up for it, support small businesses during these unusual times. Here are some things you can do, with or without spending money:
Shop small, shop local. The holidays are coming and you’re probably gonna buy gifts. Start with the shops around you, on your street or in your city. Support your favorite restaurant by buying gift cards for your family. Ask your favorite illustrator or photographer if they sell prints. Go to Etsy and filter your search results by country to find sellers in your area. Not sure where to even start? I’m curating a small business gift guide, which can be a great starting point. The goodies are organized by country, so you can shop local. I’m updating it with beautiful objects, so make sure you follow along!
Go online. If your usual yoga studio is closed, how about trying their online class? If they don’t have one yet, you could suggest it! And make sure you tell your friends, too. Word of mouth is the best marketing strategy!
Pay full price. Small businesses are struggling to come up with ways to sell their product and stay in business. This might include discounts, but don’t just jump into them. If you can afford it, pay full price when you’re shopping small! That means you might skip Black Friday, but a small business owner somewhere might do a little dance of joy.
But I don’t have any money…
You might argue that shopping small is expensive, and it can be. If you don’t have money to spend, here’s how you can support your favorite small businesses for free:
Love their social media. Follow small businesses on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok or Snapchat. Comment on their posts. Like and save their content. Subscribe to their newsletter. You help them increase their reach and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Share, share, share. Unleash the power of social media and become a micro-influencer in your own circle. Share photos of the products you love on Instagram. Share or repost (with credit, of course) your favorite content with friends, to help small businesses “beat” the algorithm.
Leave a review. Remember that great meal you had at the restaurant down the street? Or that awesome haircut your stylist gave you last year? The really nice seller at the toy shop? Now go over on Google or TripAdvisor or Facebook and write them a five-star review! It’s free for you, but it can convince other people decide to spend their money there.
If you’re in need of beautiful, local gift ideas, I’ve got just the thing! I’m curating a gift guide with lots of cute, colorful objects you should consider for this holiday season. Spread the word about my small business gift guide so more people find out and shop small!