Do you want to support local businesses? These are the things you can do!
In times of rapid economic change and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to support local businesses and create jobs. Local businesses are at the core of every community, not only providing goods and services but also jobs and creating a sense of connection. There are many ways you can show your support as these businesses face challenges such as fluctuating demand and new health and safety regulations, or changing consumer habits.
Shopping locally is one of the best ways to directly support local businesses. Your spending, whether it is purchasing products, ordering food from a local eatery, or booking services at a salon or repair shop nearby, helps these businesses remain afloat. Spreading the word about local businesses, even if you aren’t able to make a purchase immediately, can have a big impact. Small businesses that want to expand their client base can benefit greatly from word-of-mouth referrals.
Support Local Businesses
- Getting Social – like, and follow local businesses on social media is one of the most efficient and effective ways to show support. You’re not only showing interest in the products and services of local businesses when you follow them. You’re also helping boost their visibility organically. Businesses can share the latest updates, products, and promotions directly with their audience on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Your comments, likes and shares will help them to reach more people and gain new customers.
As part of the growing movement to support local businesses, consider taking part in the #FollowYourFavourites campaign. This challenge asks you to support at least 10 local businesses that you would like to see flourish and survive in uncertain times. By using the hashtag #FollowYourFavouritesGeelong on social media, you can also inspire friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. This simple and free action can have a huge impact on the reach and success of a local business. The more people that engage and follow a local business on social media, the greater the chance of growing their online community. This can lead to more customers and revenue.
- Comment on their posts – Let them know if you love a local business and appreciate what they do! Share your positive feedback with a local business and tell them why you like their products, services or overall experience. Businesses thrive on feedback from customers, whether it is through a private message, a social media comment, or a public review. It boosts the morale of business owners and teams. It also helps them to understand what’s working and what resonates best with customers. Don’t be afraid to express your appreciation for a product or service you enjoyed, or an employee who went above and beyond. The power of word-of-mouth can be immense, and hearing from customers directly can motivate businesses to continue doing their best.
Share the posts of businesses that are creating great content. Sharing what a company posts on social media can help expose it to more people. It is simple, free and helps local businesses.
- Tag and tell your friends – Tag friends when you think they will enjoy what a company is offering, or something that you would like to do with them. You can send a simple shout-out to a friend you meet regularly for coffee or arrange a Zoom date with your family for a delicious takeaway delivery.
- Review your favourite local businesses – Taking the time and effort to review businesses you like can be of great help to those businesses. It can encourage others to follow you, boost the traffic to the business’s website and Google ranking and give customers accurate information about the products and services. It is more likely that a review of a local business will be seen by your friends.
- Subscribe to their mailing lists or newsletters – This allows businesses to build relationships with customers and tell you directly about their products and services. Signing up for their newsletters or mailing lists allows you to be the first to hear about new products, specials and important updates.
- Subscribe to YouTube or Podcast App – Many businesses offer parts of their service via online methods such as YouTube channels, podcasts, or live feeds. Subscribers who watch videos, such as a yoga class or professional advice from a service provider, can help the video gain momentum. This can help businesses reach more customers and show up on search engines. It is important to share great video content with your family and friends.
Like, Share, Follow Bubble With Clip Hanging
Feeling lucky? Enter a contest – If you see an online business offering the chance to win something, it’s because they want their customers to support them by sharing with their family and friends. Enter the competition to see if you can win. You might be lucky. But even if not, you will have helped the local business by sharing what they offer.
These simple ways to support the local businesses that you love won’t cost you anything and can make a big difference for them. When you’re deciding where to spend the money that you earn, always think about these options to support local businesses even more.
- Shop Local – Spending money at local businesses keeps the money in your community, creates jobs locally, reduces carbon footprints, provides great customer service, and promotes a unique, thriving business community. By supporting and purchasing from local businesses, you will be helping more businesses survive the pandemic.
- Support companies that do things differently – While many Central Geelong businesses have found innovative and new ways to continue operating in recent weeks, others have not. Cafés and restaurants offer new options for take-out or delivery to cook or eat at home. Online consultations are offered by professional services. Businesses that are involved in health and wellness live stream yoga or meditation sessions or provide products and tutorials to help with at-home treatments or classes. Central Geelong’s best entertainment and cultural venues offer amazing content that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
