How to Support your Small Business Friends
“Community over competition” has been a buzz phrase in the small business world for a number of years now. It’s a concept that basically means that you put people and relationships above business and monetary gain. It means that you support other small businesses, even within your industry, and it’s a concept that tears down walls and builds community!
The really great thing is that there are lots of ways to support your small business friends without spending a dime! Today I’d like to share 6 things you can do to support small businesses and build community (over competition ;)
Engage
Like and comment on their social media posts. This is the easiest way to support your small business friends. It doesn’t take much time and it will go a long way in encouraging them and helping their content gets seen in the algorithm.
Share
Share their social media profile with your friends. Another really easy way to support small businesses is to share their posts with others. You can do this by sharing their content in your stories or even DMing it directly to a friend who may find it helpful or interesting.
Refer
Send them referrals. If you have a friend looking for a particular service, refer them to your small business friends who provide that service! This is a super practical way to help everyone out.
Review
Leave a good review. Google reviews go a long way in helping businesses be seen and trusted, not to mention it’s just really encouraging to receive a good review from a past client or friend.
Respect
Respect their time. Just because you’re friends with someone doesn’t mean they should let you “pick their brain,” work for free, or be called upon outside of regular business hours for a favor. Make sure that you treat them as the professionals that they are!
Pay
If you do hire them, pay full price! Don’t expect to get a friends discount just because you know someone. Support them by paying full price for their expertise.