Supporting a friend’s small business is one of the most impactful ways you can show your encouragement and belief in their entrepreneurial journey. Small businesses are the backbone of many communities, and your support can help them thrive. Whether it’s sharing their products with your network, writing a glowing review, or simply spreading the word, there are numerous meaningful ways to contribute to their success. In this guide, we’ll explore various strategies you can use to support your friend’s small business and make a real difference in their growth and visibility.
Here are 8 ways you can help:
1. Buy from Their Business
One of the most direct and impactful ways to support a friend’s small business is by purchasing their products or services. This not only provides financial support, which is essential for their growth, but also shows that you believe in the value they offer. Here’s how buying from their business can make a big difference and some specific ways you can do it:
Make Regular Purchases
Consistently buying from your friend’s business, whether it’s a product you love or a service you need, helps provide a steady stream of revenue. Unlike big corporations, small businesses often rely heavily on recurring customers to stay afloat. By becoming a loyal customer, you help them maintain financial stability, especially during slow periods.
Buy as Gifts for Others
When it comes to birthdays, holidays, or special occasions, consider purchasing gifts from your friend’s business. Whether it’s handmade goods, unique services, or specialty products, these can make for thoughtful and personalized presents. You can introduce your friends and family to their business, which may even lead to new customers for them. Plus, gift recipients may appreciate the personalized and local touch of small business offerings.
Invest in Larger Purchases or Services
If your friend offers premium products or higher-value services, consider investing in those when it fits your needs. This can make a big impact, especially for service-based businesses that often rely on larger contracts or orders. For example, if your friend owns a bakery, you could order desserts for a party or event. If they’re a graphic designer, you could hire them for a rebranding project. These larger purchases can provide a much-needed boost to their cash flow.
Share Your Purchase on Social Media
After you make a purchase, sharing your experience on social media is another way to further support their business. A simple post, story, or photo tagging their business can expose your network to their products or services. Positive recommendations from trusted friends can often lead others to make a purchase themselves. Adding a genuine review or showcasing the uniqueness of what you bought helps create word-of-mouth marketing for them.
Leave a Tip or Bonus
If your friend’s business provides services like catering, personal care, or creative work, consider leaving a tip or offering a bonus. Even though it may not always be expected, tipping or adding a little extra to the payment is a generous way to show you appreciate their hard work and dedication. It can also motivate them to continue doing their best and reinforce that their efforts are valued.
2. Spread the Word
Spreading the word about your friend’s small business is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to support them. Word-of-mouth marketing, especially when it comes from trusted friends and family, is incredibly effective for small businesses looking to grow their customer base. When you share their business with your network, you help increase their visibility, credibility, and the potential to attract new customers. Here are some practical ways you can spread the word:
Leverage Social Media
Social media is one of the best tools for spreading the word about your friend’s small business. You can easily share their posts, tag them in your stories, or even create a dedicated post to highlight their business. Sharing content from your personal accounts introduces their business to your followers, helping them reach an audience they might not have access to. Even a quick mention or tag on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter can generate interest and engagement.
- Tag the Business: When you share something you purchased from them or used their service, tag their business to ensure they get exposure.
- Create a Testimonial Post: Highlight your experience with their business, such as how much you enjoyed a product or how helpful their service was.
- Use Hashtags: If applicable, use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your post and potentially attract an even wider audience.
Write a Blog or Newsletter Feature
If you have your own blog, website, or newsletter, consider featuring your friend’s business in a post or email blast. Writing about their business, services, or products can give them a significant boost in visibility, especially if your readership aligns with their target audience. Even a small mention in a broader topic related to their industry can introduce their brand to potential customers.
- Write a Spotlight Article: Create a dedicated post on your blog or newsletter about your friend’s business, explaining what makes their products or services special.
- Interview Them: If you run a content platform, offer to interview them about their business journey. This can be an inspiring story for your audience while also promoting their brand.
Refer Friends, Family and Clients
Personal recommendations are some of the most trusted forms of marketing. If someone you know is looking for a product or service that your friend offers, refer them! Whether in casual conversations or through direct messages, simply mentioning your friend’s business when the opportunity arises can lead to new customers.
- Bring Them Up in Conversations: When talking to friends, family, or colleagues, mention your friend’s business if it fits naturally into the conversation.
- Send a Direct Referral: If you know someone who could benefit from your friend’s business, offer to make an introduction or provide contact information to connect them directly.
Share at Community Events
Community events, both virtual and in-person, are great places to promote your friend’s small business. Whether it’s a local market, a networking event, or a professional gathering, you can casually mention their business to other attendees. This can create valuable word-of-mouth referrals from people who trust your opinion.
- Hand Out Business Cards: If your friend has business cards or promotional material, you can take them to events and pass them out to anyone who might be interested.
- Collaborate at Local Events: If there’s an event where your friend’s business could be featured, offer to help them promote or sponsor it.
Engage with Their Content
Another easy way to spread the word is by consistently engaging with your friend’s online content. By liking, commenting, and sharing their social media posts, you help boost their visibility in social media algorithms. Your engagement also signals to other potential customers that their content is worth paying attention to.
- Leave Thoughtful Comments: Commenting on their posts not only shows support but also encourages others to engage. Your comment could catch the eye of potential customers.
- Share Posts Regularly: Instead of just liking a post, share it with your network to further amplify its reach.
Participate in Online Groups and Forums
Online communities and forums, like Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or niche online communities, are great places to promote your friend’s business—especially if those groups align with their industry. When someone asks for recommendations, be the first to suggest your friend’s business. Make sure to do this in an authentic and helpful way, so it doesn’t come across as overly promotional.
- Contribute to Discussions: Join conversations where people are asking for recommendations or discussing topics relevant to your friend’s business, and mention them when appropriate.
- Link to Their Website or Social Profiles: When allowed, share direct links to their website or social media pages to make it easier for people to explore their offerings.
Attend and Promote Their Events
If your friend hosts events like product launches, workshops, webinars, or live streams, attend and invite others to join. Showing up and participating not only encourages your friend but also introduces their business to your own network.
- Bring Guests: Encourage your friends, family, or colleagues to attend the event with you. More attendees can mean more potential customers.
- Live Post or Stream: If it’s appropriate, share live updates from the event on your social media to give your followers a behind-the-scenes look at what your friend’s business is offering.
3. Offer Skills or Time
- Volunteer Your Expertise: If you have skills in marketing, design, photography, etc., offer to help with areas they may need.
- Help at Events: If they’re hosting a pop-up or event, volunteer to assist.
4. Write a Review
Writing a thoughtful review is one of the most impactful ways you can support a friend’s small business. Here’s an expanded guide on how to craft an effective review that genuinely benefits them:
Choose the Right Platform
- Identify Key Review Sites: Depending on the type of business, different platforms might be more effective. Popular options include:
- Google My Business: Ideal for any local business with a physical location.
- Yelp: Popular for restaurants, services, and small shops.
- Facebook: Great for businesses with a social media presence.
- Industry-Specific Directories: If it’s a specialized business (e.g., Etsy for handmade goods, TripAdvisor for tourism services), leave reviews on niche platforms.
- Multiple Platforms: Write reviews on several sites to maximize reach.
Be Genuine and Specific
- Authenticity: Be sincere in your praise. People can tell when reviews are forced or exaggerated.
- Details Matter: Mention specific things you liked, such as:
- Quality of Products/Services: Describe what you purchased or experienced and why it stood out to you. For example, “The handmade candles have a wonderful scent and lasted longer than I expected.”
- Customer Service: Highlight how the business owner or staff made you feel valued. For instance, “They went above and beyond to ensure I received my product on time.”
- Atmosphere (if applicable): If it’s a physical location like a store or restaurant, mention the ambiance. “The cozy decor and friendly atmosphere made the experience memorable.”
Incorporate Keywords
- Search Engine Visibility: Include relevant keywords in your review that potential customers might search for. For example, if you’re reviewing a bakery, use terms like “best cupcakes in [City],” “vegan-friendly desserts,” or “gluten-free options.”
- Natural Flow: While it’s helpful to include keywords, ensure they fit naturally into the review. Avoid keyword stuffing.
Mention Any Unique Aspects
- Standout Features: If your friend’s business offers something special or unique, highlight it. For instance, “Their eco-friendly packaging was a nice touch,” or “I loved that the store offers local artisan crafts you can’t find anywhere else.”
- Personal Stories: Share any personal anecdotes that showcase why this business is exceptional. For example, “I was hosting a last-minute event, and they accommodated my order with no fuss.”
Provide Context
- Explain Your Experience: Give readers a sense of why you chose this business. Were you referred by someone, or did you stumble upon it while browsing? For instance, “I found this shop while looking for a unique birthday gift, and it exceeded my expectations.”
- Use-Case Scenarios: Explain how the product or service benefited you. For example, “The skincare line worked wonders on my sensitive skin.”
Include Photos
- Visual Appeal: If possible, upload pictures to accompany your review. Photos help potential customers visualize the product or service and make your review more credible.
- Before and After Photos: For services like hairdressing, home improvement, or fitness coaching, show results.
- Product Photos: If you’re reviewing a product, post pictures of it in use or how it arrived (packaging, unboxing, etc.).
- Atmosphere Photos: For restaurants or retail locations, show the setup or ambiance.
Keep it Balanced (If Necessary)
- Address Issues Constructively: If your experience wasn’t perfect, it’s okay to mention it, but balance any criticism with positives. For example, “The shipping took a little longer than expected, but the product quality more than made up for the wait.”
- Be Fair: Avoid harsh language or overly critical comments. If something went wrong, focus on how the business handled it: “There was a mix-up with my order, but the team resolved it quickly and professionally.”
Encourage Others to Visit
- Call to Action: End your review by encouraging others to check out the business. You could say something like, “I highly recommend [Business Name] if you’re looking for [what they offer],” or “If you’re in the area, definitely stop by!”
Update Your Review (Optional)
- Follow-Up: If you revisit the business or make another purchase, update your review to reflect any new experiences. This helps keep reviews fresh and relevant.
Engage with Responses
- Respond to Comments: If the business owner replies to your review with a thank you or acknowledgment, engage with them. A quick “Thank you!” or a positive response to their comment can show future customers that the business has great customer service.
Example Review:
Google Review for a Local Café:
“I recently visited [Business Name], and I was blown away by the atmosphere and service! The cozy, welcoming vibe makes it the perfect spot to relax with a coffee. I ordered the avocado toast and a lavender latte, both of which were delicious and beautifully presented. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure everything was perfect. I also appreciated their commitment to sustainability—eco-friendly packaging and locally sourced ingredients. I’ll definitely be coming back for their brunch specials, and I highly recommend [Business Name] for anyone looking for a great spot in [City].”
5. Gift Their Products or Services
- Gift to Others: Buy their products or services as gifts for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.
- Host Giveaways: Collaborate with your friend for a giveaway to introduce their brand to more people.
6. Show Moral Support
- Check In: Running a small business can be stressful. Regularly check in with your friend, offer encouragement, and be a sounding board when they need to talk.
7. Engage in Collaborations
- Collaborate on Projects: If you have a business or platform, collaborate on a promotion, event, or product. Joint efforts can help expand both of your audiences.
8. Respect Their Time and Efforts
- Pay Full Price: Don’t ask for discounts or freebies. Respect the value of their work by paying the listed price.
- Give Constructive Feedback Privately: If you have suggestions for improvement, provide them privately and thoughtfully.
These small actions can make a big difference in helping a small business succeed!