Free Ways to Support Small Businesses Online This Christmas.
Supporting small businesses is important now, more than ever. As we move closer to a dreaded recession - small business owners are doing it tough. Too often we’re throwing our dollars at large corporations that don’t need it - meanwhile, some small businesses are struggling to keep their heads above water. So, this holiday season, we’re encouraging you to support small, and support local. By showing your support, you help to keep a business owner's dream alive; and it doesn’t only have to be through sales. You can share the love and give back free of charge with the help of social media. Here are some free ways to support small businesses on social media this Christmas.
Follow them on social media
This is the first and most important step but follow the desired account across platforms. Whether it be Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or TikTok. Keep up to date with the brand and show your support by following them.
Interact by commenting
Have you ever stumbled across a small account that isn’t receiving much love on its Instagram posts? Be a cool follower and leave a positive comment on a small business account this holiday season. The more likes and comments they receive – the better. Instagram will recognise the post as something to share in the explore feed. It also signals to potential customers that this brand is up and coming, and worth their while.
Leave a glowing testimonial
By leaving a glowing review you can seriously have a huge impact on a small business’s success. Plus, why not reward them for their efforts? If you’ve had a great experience with an up-and-coming business – share it with the world! As the business begins to build up a portfolio of reviews, it will begin to establish itself. People trust reviews and are more likely to pay this business a visit or shop with them if they know other people have had a good experience.
Take it a step further by sharing the account to your Instagram stories or personal feed
Help to get the brand out there by sharing the account publicly with your followers. Even if you don’t think you have enough followers to make a difference - every new follow counts and can make a serious impact. If even 2 new people follow the business and become a customer, this could bring in a decent chunk of revenue for this business.
Be sure to like their posts
It feels like this one should go without saying, but it can be easily forgotten. Like their posts! If a business is active across its socials, show you’re watching and that you like what they’re putting out there! When a post gains new likes and comments in a short amount of time; this signals to the Instagram algorithm that your post is a quality, engaging piece of content that more people will want to see, so the Instagram algorithm will show it to more users.
Use Instagram’s “support small” sticker
Instagram’s ‘Support Small’ sticker for Instagram stories, allows users to tag their favorite businesses on a story with a clickable link! How cool is that? This way, whoever views the story can click and be directed to their business account to check out their stuff. This is a great tool to show some love to the local businesses you know and love.
In a nutshell:
👉🏼 Like it as soon as you see it.
👉🏼 Comment.
👉🏼 Tag a friend.
👉🏼 Share it.
👉🏼 Save it.
Do small businesses a solid and actively show your support.