Ah, Small Business Saturday. A time to reevaluate where you’re making your purchases and reaffirm your commitment to shopping local, buying small and supporting entrepreneurs – of which there are many. In 2021, a record breaking 5.4 million new business applications were filed in the U.S.
Small businesses aren’t just dreamers and doers hustling to bring their visions to life. They’re maintaining livelihoods (and supporting the livelihoods of their employees), innovating to make the world a better place and working each day to meet the needs of those they serve. While making a purchase from a small business is always a good thing, you may not have the means or the need to buy. Or, for service-based businesses, maybe the offering isn’t something you need or that is tailored to you.
In honor of Small Business Saturday (and everyday!), here are Bestola’s top non-financial tips for supporting the SMBs in your network.
1. Share Feedback
If you had an experience with a small business that wasn’t to your standard, tell them! Word-of-mouth goes a long way in the small business community – which means less-than chatter can become a small business owner’s worst nightmare.
Next time you find yourself leaving a small shop thinking, “that could have been better,” you need to speak up. A few ways to do that in a thoughtful-yet-direct way:
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Put yourself in their shoes. How would you want to receive tough feedback about your business? Lead with empathy.
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Give feedback in private. Don’t add to the sting by sharing your perspective in front of other store patrons or within earshot of employees.
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If you can, have the conversation in-person or over the phone. If those options aren’t feasible, send an email to the right contact. Tip: In your closing, open the door to a conversation if they’d like to discuss more.
Most business owners are open to feedback and will be grateful for the insight and the opportunity to improve.
2. Write a review.
Reviews are a big deal.
No, really.
93% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase. Further, 58% would travel further and pay more for companies with quality reviews.
A solid review includes a few key elements:
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It’s sincere. In your review, talk about what you truly love most about the business and why it’s one of your faves.
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It’s specific. Helpful reviews are those that have some detail. Highlight a specific story or scenario you experienced where the company really shined.
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It’s succinct. On the review length spectrum, lengthy reviews and ultra short reviews are less helpful to other patrons. Try to write a thoughtful review somewhere in the middle that offers substance but isn’t a novel.
3. Give free publicity.
People like to frequent businesses that those within their sphere enjoy (influencer marketing is a real thing!). From talking about your go-to shops on social media to referring them to friends and family, free publicity is a much-appreciated way to support the SMBs you love.
4. Lend (solicited) advice.
Real talk: Being a business owner is tough. Give your fellow entrepreneurs a shoulder to cry on, an ear to vent to and a pat on the back (and whatever other body part pun) when they need it most. Advice, encouragement, idea sharing and more that comes from a trusted source and that has the business’ best interest at heart (last body part pun, we promise!) can do wonders for helping business owners stay the course through the inevitable ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of many communities. They supply jobs, they create a marketplace for goods and services, and they foster entrepreneurial innovation. However you choose to support them, do so frequently and thoughtfully – it goes a long way.
Happy Small Business Saturday to our fellow entrepreneurs!
