Small Businesses are the heart and soul of our communities! Small business owners can succeed with the support of the community. This year, small businesses have been forced to get creative and adapt their business to survive. During these tough times, communities rallied behind the small and local businesses and their support made a big difference. Support for small businesses can come in many forms. Our easy access to technology makes online and social support for small businesses easier than ever. It’s time for all small businesses to get the support they deserve.
This article gives small business owners 5 simple steps to take to build support for your business online. These tips will work for local or online small business with or without an online presence. The past 4 months have proven that a social media business account can be enough to get small business support. After reading this article, remember to sign up for our email list to get access to tutorials, ideas, and designs for small business support and growth.
1. Have a page for your small business on Facebook
Your small business should have a Facebook business page. It is a free and easy tool with endless possibilities for promotion. Having a business page opens up many ways for others to support your small business. It also allows you to share your business page with your personal contacts and join groups that will be able to support your business. A compelling cover photo, clear description, and some product or service images are all you need to get started. Facebook also allows you to cross post on Instagram, so you get two posts in one . The methods we use are not based on big audiences, likes, or followers. We find it is best for small businesses to start off simple and focus on awareness of your business and goodwill for the communities you serve.
2. Participate in online community groups.
Facebook gives you access to many social networking opportunities for your business. You should join community groups using your personal Facebook account or business page. This allows you to interact with potential customers and be able to share your expertise and business with others. In 2020, community groups on Facebook grew quicker than ever before. These groups have allowed small businesses owners to get in front of an audience that wants to support them. It is best to join more groups than you will need, so that you can choose the ones that are best for you to engage with. Local community groups on Facebook get great results because people tend to support small business owners in their area, even if the business is run online.
3. Be a part of a movement
One of the most important thing you can do for your business is to build a positive presence online. You must walk the walk and show that you are willing to support others. In the community groups, you should make sure you interact and support others by liking, commenting, and sharing within relevant posts. It’s not enough to post about your business, you must also take the time to comment on other relevant posts and be part of the movement to support the community. Your presence will be appreciated and your support will be returned by others. You are not only a small business owner, but you are a potential customer to other businesses in the community. These Facebook groups give you the opportunity to participate in the community and build social partnerships that will prove valuable for everyone involved.
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4. Post content that inspires support
Facebook and other social media platforms are very visual so the quality of your content is important. Sharing the right type of images and photos related to your business can inspire more action then any words. Think of that small ice cream shop that posts a photo of a yummy banana split. That photo has the power to stop others from scrolling the feed. Using hashtags related to small business support will help get the photo and post in front of customers interested in small businesses. The yummy banana split posted in front of the right audience is a win for both the small business and the customer that wants to support a small business. Posting in groups and on your own feed with small business hashtags such as #supportsmall is a winning combination on social media. A full list of small business hashtags with our post graphic is available free at the end of this article.
5. Appreciate customers and support
Small business support doesn’t always have to result in a direct sale. A new person liking your page or sharing your page with others could prove to be much more valuable than a single sale. A grateful attitude towards those who support your business is an extremely effective way to build goodwill. A simple task like a weekly thank you post that tags those who have supported your small business can have a huge impact. Acknowledging the support of others and showing gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to grow support for your small business. Check out our Ways To Say Thank You For Supporting My Small Business article and get the graphic below, to start using the ideas with your supporters!
We hope we that we inspire some of you to share your small business to get the support you deserve.
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