During this pandemic, it’s not the big box stores that have seen the biggest hits in their sales; it’s the small business owners. If you know a small business owner or know of a small business that you’d like to support, these tips are so helpful! There are cheap and even free ways you can support small businesses without going broke! And our small business favorites need all the help they can get right now as life is starting to go back to normal. 

My Go-To Tips for Supporting Small Business Without Going Broke

Buy gift cards to use later

If you don’t feel safe shopping in the stores or going out to eat, consider buying a gift card to be used at a later date. The small business will get your money and be able to use it to keep their business afloat. When you feel safer or are ready to make your purchase, you can then use it to either use it as a gift for someone else or to buy something for yourself.

 

Leave a review

Reviews help you and the people you know, but for strangers who are looking for new businesses to work with! If you’re looking for a place to leave a review, try Facebook, Yelp, and/or Google. Leaving a review about your positive experience is a great way to share your support to another business owner. This could help them gain new clients through the review, or even show others that this is a business worth looking into.

 

Refer a friend

If you don’t have the money to make a purchase, your friends might! If you see a product or something that a friend might like, send them the link! They might not purchase everything you send, but that small gesture can increase their awareness and even lead to future sales for that business! You can share these on social media or direct messages if you’d like!

 

Buy their affiliate products

We all have seen affiliate marketing at work on Facebook and in our inbox daily! The next time you need to purchase something, go to your favorite business owner and click that affiliate link. Many business owners {myself included!} receive a commission on those purchases and anything else you purchase after that! While you might be in the market for a new course or product, see what your favorite business owners are offering first!

Aren't sure if they have an affiliate product? Ask! The small business owner will be ecstatic that you asked!

 

Offer emotional support

As I mentioned earlier, these are tough times for small business owners. Show them you care with a quick message or a note on their wall! Let them know that you appreciate their hard work and all that they do for you! You can even ask them how you can help out if you can’t spend any money. They may be able to share a link with you or even have you help out with a recommendation on Yelp or Google. A simple Facebook like or a comment on their website could be the difference from getting sponsored posts and other opportunities as well, so offer them help wherever you can!

 

Pin this for later:

Use this pandemic to help show your support for small business owners by giving them your business! During these crazy times, it’s the small business owners who need your help the most!

 

disclaimer: this post may have affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing through them, I may receive a small commission. These small purchases help me to continue to keep writing content and creating at Rachel Teodoro. Thank you!