How to help small businesses during COVID-19 - Freeland Photography LLC

It has been about a month since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down our schools, states, offices and many businesses. It sent our whole country and world into a state of fear, panic and uncertainty in our lives and many of those with small businesses feel they may not be able to make it to the end of 2020. I believe small businesses are what run our community. They are the ones you turn to to help support your child's school fundraiser, donate a basket item to a silent auction, and will be the ones who support you in what you need to live your life to the fullest. So now is the time to dig deep and help out your community and your local small businesses. I have put together a few simple steps that can make a HUGE impact on your small business community.

1.) PURCHASE!

If you are able, purchase from the small business. No matter if it’s take out, a gift card, or some other online offer the business is having, try to make a purchase from them. You may think that just one small $25-50 purchase will not make a huge difference when businesses have had to close their doors, or shut down completely. But it will help. Any amount will help to weather this storm in their business. As a photographer, I know many of us are still booking sessions into the future, so that is one way you can help a small business you planned on using this year. Give them a call and book your session or if you are unsure when to book, buy a gift card. If you have a salon stylist who has had to cancel all their appointments with an unsure date of when they can come back, call them and see if you can do a gift card or prepay for your future hair appointment. There are many ways to help by still purchasing when you can.

2.) POST and TAG

The next big thing is to post about the business and tag them on social media. With everyone being home, social media is the place many are going to more often during the day. Take this time to post about a small business you love, why you love them and tag them in the post. You can take this time to spread the word about different businesses you love. If you have images from that business(a latest pic of take out, your last beautiful hair style, or a session from your photographer), post them and tag the business! Now is the time to spread love and getting the names out there of the people you love and why you love them will help put them in the front of people’s minds.

3.) WRITE A REVIEW

Now that you thought about and shared what you loved about your small business. Head over to their facebook page and give them a 5 star rating and write a short review. Many times this little feature gets left unattended but as a business, I can tell you getting 5 star reviews and great feedback is something that helps future buyers make a decision to choose a business. If you can’t give the business a 5 star review, then send a message to the owner to let them know you want to do that but there may be a reason why you can’t. Many of us business owners are working and striving to perfect our businesses during this time so we can come out of the COVID-19 pandemic with a better sense of how to serve our customers the best. My passion is to deliver an unparalleled experience so I am using this time to make sure every checkpoint with my clients will be the best. So head off and give that review to help your small business friends!

4.) DIRECTLY SHARE

Now you may have posted on FB, and wrote a review, but direct referrals are why many small businesses become successful. When was the last time you called or individually emailed a friend or family to tell them about your experience with a certain business? Word of mouth referrals are a huge source of marketing for many small businesses and contractors so if you recently had some work done with someone, and you know of friends or family members who will be needing the same, then just shoot them a quick message and let them know where you chose and why you loved them!

5.) DON’T ASK FOR FREE OR DISCOUNTS

This ones a big one. We all love a good bargain and using coupons and saving money. But if a small business is not giving discounts or has already put a deal in place then don’t ask for more. If you love the place and were already going to buy from them, try not to ask for more during this time. Sometimes the prices that are set are there so they can run their businesses. The business may be trying to pay their mortgage or their rent to stay afloat another month. Just because you may not see all the fees and expenses in a business, doesn’t mean they are there and they still need to be paid with income generated. I know many businesses who are already adding a small extra credit on gift cards that are being purchased. Or they may have discounted a service or fee already to help everyone but still try to bring income into their home and business. Remember, these small businesses are the heart of your community. If you want to ask that business to sponsor a sport or a yearbook ad later, don’t ask for the discount or free item now.

That’s it! Just a few quick things that can help your small business friends out during this time.

I hope you found this point enlightening and motivating to go out and help your small business friends. I know with the CARES act many have some help coming, but running a small business does not come without many expenses. Those funds may not be enough to keep the business afloat while also providing food and pay the bills for their family. I think many of us are all struggling either financially or emotionally from this COVID-19 Pandemic. But if we can start by spreading some good and love into the world then my hope is when we are able to resume a normal function to the world then we will all be in a better place!

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1 Comments

Apr 15, 2020, 7:45:35 AM

Susan. Freeland - Just read your article and it was great

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