Why & How to Support Your Local Small Business
Why Should You Support Small Business?
Let me count the ways…
1. It supports your local economy
Buying local keeps money in your community to support other important initiatives through local sales tax earned: from education, to the police and fire departments, to parks, and other publicly funded programs. According to American Express, about two-thirds of every dollar spent at a small business stays within the community.
2. It creates local jobs
According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses make up 99.7% of U.S. employer firms, and since the 2009, they accounted for 67% of the net new jobs created. When you buy from a local small businesses it aids in supporting jobs in your community. Simple.
3. You get a unique shopping experience, plus the chance to interact with your community.
Compared to impersonal online shopping, small businesses tend to provide a more personal customer experience and offer. Often you can find more unique products with a different level of care and quality, as many small business owners see their products as a reflection of themselves.
They are what makes towns unique and what creates an experience versus a chore or task. Often the store owner of a small business will be in the shop and ready to serve your unique needs. Small businesses tie communities together and form the character of a town.
4. It’s an act of respect & supports their dreams
Starting a business is risky. Buying local is an acknowledgement of that risk and the challenges inherent in starting the endeavor. Show the small business owner that you are choosing them over a larger competitor with more resources makes their day - collectively it makes their year.
A small business is often the realization of a life-long goal or dream. The products sold represent the imagination, passion, and dedication of the small business owner. We all have dreams, and we all want them to be supported. Know that when you shop local, you are supporting the dreams of another human being.
How Should You Support Small Businesses?
Again, let me count the ways…
1. Shop at Small Businesses (especially on “Small Business Saturday”)
The best and easiest way to support small business is to patron their stores. Pretty easy.
Small Business Saturday is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. it’s a day for small businesses to entice more customers by offering deals and discounts or something special.
2. Spread the Word & Encourage Others
If you have a good experience at a small business, talk about it! Word-of-mouth marketing drives $6 trillion in annual consumer spending and accounts for 13% of all consumer sales. The more people you can tell about a small business, the more you are helping that business. That also includes recognizing and sharing on social media which broadens your reach and makes a small business owner smile ear to ear. Sharing on social media when you patronize a small business is free advertising for that business and a great way to encourage others to patronize them as well.
3. Leave Positive Reviews of Small Businesses Online
You can help small businesses by taking the time to leave positive reviews on sites like Yelp, Foursquare, and Google. This will increase their visibility in search results when consumers go to find specific stores in their area and will foster a sense of trust in small businesses.
4. Show Your Appreciation
Small business owners work hard for their customers. What better way to reward them than by showing them how much they mean to you and the community. You can do this in a number of different ways. Maybe send them a thank you card, or drop off a gift. You could also just say “thank you” after every visit. Demonstrating your gratitude for their hard work motivates small business owners to keep doing a great job.