Help for Small Businesses During COVID-19

We’re definitely in uncertain times—but aren’t we always, really? If you’re like me, you want to support those around you but only have limited financial means. Everywhere we turn, we’re encouraged to shop local to save neighborhood shops, order out to save local restaurants, donate here and there to save so-and-so from dire straights. Praise God that we have a faithful God that not only provides for us but also, when we display a willingness to give, provides us with even more so that we may help others. So, let’s talk about how you can support small businesses during COVID-19 for free.

Help small businesses for free?!

Yes.

Seriously?!

Chyeah, dawg.

As a marketer and designer, I know a lot about what makes social media posts effective. However, social media is constantly at war with those trying to use it to get their messages out.

Did you know that liking someone’s Facebook page doesn’t guarantee you’ll be up-to-date on what they’re trying to share?

Did you know that liking a post doesn’t do much, but sharing someone’s website builds them crazy clout?

Do you realize how much power you have as the friend of the small businesses of the world? Without paying a dime?

Download this set of mobile-friendly graphics for your Facebook and Instagram stories (although they’re also great for regular posts AND Pinterest!).

Pin this post to spread the word!

Watch or share this video if that’s more your thing.

https://www.facebook.com/emveewatson/videos/4638590122585/

1. Like a few posts on the company’s Facebook page and Instagram.

Likes help push content to more people, as well as tell Facebook you enjoy seeing that page’s content. You’re more likely to see more from the page, and your friends get exposure, as well.

2. Share a page of their website.

When people share webpages, they improve that website’s longterm reach on Facebook. Did you know that new websites don’t get a jumpstart on Facebook? Until they’re “proven” to be “good” sites through many shares and interactions, posting from certain websites doesn’t get much traction. When people unaffiliated with the site share pages of that site that they resonate with (like blog posts or product pages and videos), the site’s quality score improves.

Shoutout to our amazing friend and wedding photographer, Justin Kunimoto! His photos will leave you speechless. (This is also a link to his blog post with our engagement photos, so engage in your stalkery for a second. Just don’t get creepy. :P)

3. Add supportive posts to your story.

This is a great time to jump in front of the camera or type up a quick story post that shouts out a few businesses, products, and services you love. Tag those pages and accounts in your posts.

4. Try out free services and samples.

Some friends offer free classes, resources, or samples. They want you to try them and provide feedback.

Shoutout to Sabrina Cullen, the Fit-ish mama with a workout plan for you to try!

5. Comment of their company FB posts.

Likes are nice, but comments and click-throughs make Facebook’s algorithm take notice and give a page more push.

6. Rate and review their products and services.

You can do this on Facebook pages, podcast pages (iTunes, Podchaser, etc.), Google Maps, and Yelp!, just to name a few.

Let me shout out a few more friends!

Copper Cul de Sac‘s aesthetic is gorgeous. She sells candles.

Proyecto Diaz coffee is delish and helps coffee farmers directly at their farms.

This book is super cute and was written by our cousin!

7. See more of their FB posts.

This one takes a few steps. Liking a Facebook page doesn’t mean you’ll see it’s posts. Go to the page you want to see more of and click the “…” beside the “Liked” button. Select “Follow Settings” and change the settings from Default and Highlights to See First and Standard. Now these pages will show up more prominently, giving you more chances to show support daily without any money needed.

8. Share sale posts.

Our local pupuseria just had a 20% discount on online orders through their website. After using the code myself to order us our lunch, I posted the sale to my Facebook page. We love this restaurant and definitely don’t want to see it go. By promoting it, they may get/have gotten more orders!

By the way, shoutout to La Casita! If you’re in Maryland, check them out.

9. Ask them.

Every business is different. You can ask how you can help—maybe they really need more traction on a specific post. Maybe they’re having a contest. Each business has a different set of unmet needs and they don’t all revolve around you being the patron.

For me, it’s really all about sharing my blog posts because first and foremost I want to help and encourage others. You can also check out Thirtyone25’s shop (launches during COVID are the worst, btw).

10. Pray for them!

You can never pray too much. Now is the time to pray for others and ask God to reveal what you can do to help those in need.

Join me and Shea twice a month as we do Livestream prayer times (prayer requests welcome!). Submit prayer requests ahead of time here.

11. Shop affiliate links.

Ok, this one isn’t free. However, you can help out affiliates without buying things you don’t need. Often, affiliate programs reward affiliates with small profits even when people who click on the links end up buying something else. But hey, maybe you need some freeze-dried chives right now to bring your homemade meals to the next level right now.

14. Listen to their podcasts/watch their videos.

I’d planned to write a post allll about our podcast rather than announce it as #14 on an vaguely related post, but hey!

Shea and I launched a podcast! Give it a listen and then give us some rate & review love. Just by listening, you improve your friends’ analytics and help push them higher in their search rankings.

15. Remember them.

Rather than promote big business in general conversation, bring up friends and favorite local spots when offering up recommendations. Yes, small business tends to be more expensive. They’re also often higher quality, support those you love, and have quality customer service.

Ask for your friends to text you a photo of their business card so you can forward them when needed.

Make a bookmark folder in your browser and bookmark your friends’ websites so they’re easily shareable.

I hope you take a moment to do a few (or all!) of these things to help your self-employed and small business friends.

And, a note for the small business owners.

Having the Holy Spirit in us offers us the richest outcome of all of this in that we know we ultimately work for the only one who saw this coming and who incorporated this pitfall into the life plan of each and every believer. Knowing that is incredibly soothing. The most important thing will be to come out of this still clinging to and following His word so that we know we are walking in the way He has for us. Some of our business may close shop, others may thrive, but regardless, we know He has our backs and that we can walk in His plan whenever we’re willing to submit to what He’s asking us to do. We can rest in the fact that no matter what, He will take care of us. I’m praying for all of us that we assess our businesses, our dreams, our plans, and our practices to ensure they’ll all grounded in Him and that when the next thing comes, we keep clear minds focused on truth. 

Post businesses you love (or your own) in the comments! But, I will delete messy/weird/sketch links. You’ve been warned.

Thirtyone25 does not endorse the businesses posted in the comments. Check them out using sound judgment and with a generous mindset.