Hello, all. Welcome back!

Small Business Saturday took place over the weekend, and I got a few questions from friends about what they could do to support my small business this year. And I figured that if they had questions, maybe you do too!

Supporting small businesses is more important than ever, as they have been hit especially hard by the pandemic and the economic downturn. Obviously, the very best way to support any small business is to shop there often. But there are many ways to support them for FREE that have just as big of an impact!

1. Write a review

Many people check for reviews before making a purchase or deciding on a place to eat, so reviews are incredibly important for small businesses. Next time you visit a small business, in person or online, consider leaving them a review on their website or on public sites like Yelp, Google, and Facebook!

2. Tell your friends and family

I don’t know about you, but when I find a product or business I love, I often check out their Instagram or Facebook posts, make a purchase (or two), and share about it with everyone I know. So tell your friends and family, because chances are they’ll love it just as much as you do.

3. Follow them on social media

Following a friend’s business on social media really helps them to get found and stand out, without spending a fortune on marketing. Many small businesses rely completely on social media and word of mouth to grow!

4. Engage with their social media posts

Once you’re following them, make sure to engage with their posts and stories. This can mean a like, a comment, tagging a friend, sending a direct message, or sharing their post with your own followers and friends. Social media algorithms respond to engagement, showing posts to more and more people based on how much engagement a post generates.

5. Sign up for their email list

Email lists help small business owners speak directly to you, often offering exclusive news and discounts, in exchange for learning more about what you want from them as a company. This one’s easy, and comes with perks!

And there you go! Five ways to support your friend’s small business without spending a dime! Easy, right?

Let me know how you support small businesses and share one of your favorite small businesses in the comments.

Until next week,

Carrie