15 Thoughtful Ways to Support Businesses in December

It's the Superbowl season for many businesses in the next few weeks! Maybe your budget doesn't allow for you to invest in our local businesses in the ways you would like but LOVE all that the small businesses in Bartow County represent and want a way to support them regardless? Here are 15 GREAT WAYS TO DO JUST THAT!?

1. Write Positive Reviews

• Leave glowing reviews on Google, Yelp, or Facebook for businesses you love. These reviews boost credibility and help attract new customers.

2. Share on Social Media

• Post about local businesses you support on your social media accounts. Tag them and highlight their products or services to spread the word to your followers.
• Dedicate a social media post to your favorite businesses, explaining why you love them. Tag them to ensure they see it and can engage with your post.
• Share photos or videos featuring their products, services, or storefronts (with their permission) to provide them with marketing content.

3. Engage with Their Content

• Like, comment on, and share their social media posts. This increases their visibility and helps them reach more people.

4. Recommend Them to Others

• Tell your friends, family, and coworkers about your favorite local businesses. Word-of-mouth referrals are incredibly powerful.
• Tag them in Facebook groups or on other social media apps.
• Offer to collaborate with a business by sharing their promotions or events in your own network or business communications.

5. Follow and Subscribe

• Follow their social media accounts and subscribe to their newsletters to stay updated and show your support.

6. Volunteer Your Time

• Offer to help businesses with tasks like organizing an event, setting up displays, or handing out flyers.

7. Leave Thoughtful Feedback

• Send them a kind message or email letting them know what you love about their business and how it’s positively impacted you. Better yet, add that into a review or a social media post.
• Send a written testimonial that businesses can use on their website or promotional materials. Highlight what makes their business special.

8. Host or Attend Their Events

• Participate in community events they’re hosting, like holiday markets, networking nights, or open houses.
• Attend free workshops, webinars, or events hosted by local businesses to show your interest and boost their attendance numbers.

9. Offer Skills or Expertise

• If you have a skill like photography, graphic design, or social media management, offer to help them for free or as a trade.

10. Display Their Materials

• Put up flyers, business cards, or posters for local businesses at your workplace, community center, or other public spaces to increase their exposure.

11. Celebrate Their Wins

• Congratulate businesses on milestones like anniversaries, awards, or achievements. A public congratulations or comment on their post can brighten their day.

12. Nominate Them for Awards

• Nominate your favorite businesses for local or industry awards to give them recognition and exposure.

13. Be a Connector

• Introduce them to people in your network who might be interested in their offerings, whether it’s a potential customer, supplier, or collaborator.

14. Celebrate Their Team

• Give a shoutout to the hardworking staff or owners behind the business to acknowledge their effort during the busy holiday season.

15. Participate in Online Challenges

• Join or promote hashtags or challenges they’ve created for their business (e.g., #ShopLocalChallenge or #SmallBizSpotlight). This boosts their campaign’s reach.

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These small but impactful actions demonstrate your support, help businesses grow their audience, and foster a stronger sense of community! These actions can make a big difference in helping businesses thrive during the holiday season. And from a small business owner, thank you!

Edited by Charity Gherardini

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