The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many businesses, with a lot of small businesses being affected by decreased customer traffic and reduced sales. Small business support for your favorite local restaurant, coffee shop, or clothing store, makes a huge difference during the pandemic.
Here are 7 ways you can support these businesses through the pandemic.
1. Shop local stores that allow for online purchasing
Many local stores have adapted to having customers place their orders online, after which customers can either pick up these orders or have them delivered. By shopping online, you can maintain pre-pandemic buying habits and purchase the same products, except that you are now shopping for them online.
Online purchasing also minimizes significant person to person interaction, keeping both the customers and the store staff safe from possible exposure to COVID-19.
2. Buy gift cards
You can also support a small business by buying gift cards to share with friends and family. A gift card is a great opportunity to market a small business and promote its products or services. For example, gifting a coworker, employee, or friend with a birthday gift card to a local restaurant would help to support this restaurant.
3. Order take out from local restaurants
As many people stay indoors for most of the day, they tend to order take out more often. Ordering take out helps to support local restaurants and keep them busy.
While some companies have had their employees work remotely, other companies providing essential services have continued to have employees physically come in to work during the pandemic. Ordering take out is a great way to show appreciation for these employees while also supporting local restaurants.
4. Share their posts on social media
Social media is an excellent marketing tool, particularly because it allows for visual marketing. Sharing posts by small businesses helps to increase the visibility of the businesses on social media. By sharing their posts on social, you can leverage your network to market and support these small businesses.
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5. Buy something extra
Unlike the usual products you buy from a small business, buying something extra helps to give the business a boost. For example, instead of buying just a cup of coffee from the local coffee shop, buying a pastry along with the coffee lends extra support to the coffee shop.
6. Leave them an online review
Most people rely on online ratings and reviews to decide whether to shop at a store or buy food from a restaurant. It helps to leave an online review for a small business, especially if the service was great, the meal was enjoyable, or the product was of great quality.
An online review written with depth and authenticity also goes a long way in promoting the small business and providing much needed support.
(Have you been pleased with our services? Go ahead and give us a shout on Google!
7. Be understanding and flexible
With the changes in logistics and operations caused by the pandemic, small businesses might be operating somewhat differently than before the pandemic. Small businesses might be operating with fewer staff or reduced hours, and processes might run slightly slower because of safety measures in place.
Products might also be temporarily unavailable to customers because of logistical delays in shipping. In times like this, it helps to support the small businesses by being flexible and understanding.
If you are looking for ways to get back on track during the pandemic, let Cross Country Specialty Advertising help you generate unique ways to get your brand seen and receive thousands of impressions through the use of promotional products. Contact us at communications@crosscountryus.com