7 Tips For Supporting Small Business

So you get a new notification on LinkedIn .

Your friend has updated their profile with a new funky job title and post - "Congratulate Sam for starting a new position as CEO of Groovy Trainers Ltd."

Same applies to seeing a business anniversary post from your friend Lucy, who has run their business successfully for the last year.

Your first reaction... Wow, this is cool!

Then you realise; whilst listening to your internal monologue... I haven't spoken to Sam / Lucy in quite a while - what should I say or do?

Hold up.

I've got you covered.

Outlined below is 7 ways you can help someone like Sam or Lucy.

After all, the statistics don't favour them well. Fact of the matter is that a whopping 60% of businesses fail within their first 3 years and one of the biggest reasons of failure is lack of finance . Which I will argue, that in my opinion, a healthy bank account requires successfully sold products/services. To get sales though, requires a number of things like good marketing positioning and the ability to create relationships. Yes you might have a strong product offering, but, if you don't have those first initial customers that love, want and need your product then you will fail, according to the statistics of course.

Let's not forget, small businesses bring in ￡600 billion pound to the UK and they employ 60% of the workforce . SME's are critical to the economy.

So why don't we lend them a hand?

Here's how:

Pay in full. No discounts.

So you perceive their product could be valuable to you. New shoes after all are always nice.

But, you believe the price (value-proposition ) of an eye watering ￡249.99 RRP is slightly out of your price range. Tough.

Pay up and refuse discounts or special mates-rates and don't ask for freebies.

Be light on critiquing

It's easy to say throw-away negative comments. Whether it be in person or online via a few clicks. Understand that they have a passion for their business - after all, they could have chosen to run with a 1000 other ideas instead.

They picked this one for a reason.

Challenge yourself to say or write something meaningful, impactful and positive about them or their business, it will mean the world to them.

Refer them business

Know a family member or friend that you think might like their product or service?

Hit that big WhatsApp green button and ping them over the link to their website.

Tell that connection how you know the business owner, what you like about them as a person and how you recommend them. Does it fix a problem? Tell them. It takes 30 seconds.

Be a kind soundboard and help them relieve stress

Listen out for cries of help. Don't take things personally, they might just be going through a tough situation right now. Make sure they know that support is available for funding, advice and guidance such as Citizens Advice Bureau .

Sympathise and Protect Boundaries

Whether it be a solely work or friend relationship; protect your boundaries.

You can support someone in a professional setting but don't let that ruin or interrupt your personal relationship with that person.

It's absolutely okay to not talk about their business 24/7 when you next see them. Respect that they might have it on their mind and would like your thoughts or feedback (this is a massive compliment) but keep that connection strong.

Be a good friend and champion

Business Owners tend to work longer than the 9 to 5, they also might not work on a typical Mon-Fri work week like you. You're way more likely to be able to catchup with them at peculiar times and more spontaneously - so work around it.

Do an activity that gets them completely out of their normal routine... Karaoke for two?

Comment, Like and Share

Every like, comment, share or subscribe counts. No matter how small it is.

With the way social media algorithms work, the amount of reach and impressions are really important. A generic tip that I have even found is posts will get further reach depending on how quickly that first like or comment comes in.

No one else is liking or commenting? So what. If you like it, show it. It helps out more than you think.

Hopefully you enjoyed reading through my thoughts on how to champion and cheerlead small businesses.

You can see some of the amazing start ups and small businesses I help to support via my LinkedIn page - check it out Bradley Cottington | LinkedIn

Agree with the above? Something I missed? Add it below.