An important post...
on how to support small businesses and no it's not always with your money...
I had a little walk through our town centre this morning to grab a coffee from one of my favourite cafe’s. For those of you that don't know where I am based: I live in Seaford, East Sussex, where I have a design studio with a small gift shop attached to it. Seaford is a coastal town with about 24.000 inhabitants and it has most things you might need in the town centre. Let’s also keep in mind that this is Sussex and it is one of the more expensive area’s to live in the UK.
Here is what I came across on my morning walk…
So I thought I would write a post about how you can support small businesses like mine. I wrote a similar Instagram post last year and it made it into the local newspaper.
Let’s see if I can make it a top 10 ways to support small businesses…
Follow local businesses on social media so you know what they have to offer and you are aware of new products, special offers etc.
Whilst you are on social media: LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE. It might nog be your thing to share a post, that’s fine. But click LIKE, always click like. I have friends that I love and that I know love me right back, they tell me they see my posts, they are completely up to date with everything that I am doing but they never click LIKE. So here is the thing, if you click like on my post, it will increase the visibility of that post. It will simply reach more people. Click LIKE on any and all of the posts you see from small businesses. You are not selling your soul, you are just being friendly. It’s nice…
If you love a small local business, write a nice review. Restaurants and cafes might be on Tripadvisor. You can write a review on Google or Facebook. If you buy something from me on Etsy, you can leave a review there. Here is the golden rule for online reviews: If you are treated badly or you are sold something that is truly bad or broken, contact the business directly first. Write an email with your complaint and ask if there is a way to resolve the issue. I think that ten years from now there will be more etiquette around communicating online. Be on the forefront of that revolution that is yet to happen and be polite in your writing. Nobody likes a keyboard warrior.
If you buy a gift from a small shop like mine and it’s well received, tell people where you bought it. We have lovely business cards on the shop counter that double up as gift tags. I love it when people come in because they were gifted something that they really loved.
A summary of the first four points would be: SHARE the LOVE. There is absolutely nothing like a recommendation from someone whose opinion you value. Share it on social media, share it in real life or in a review. Just share it. Small businesses haven’t got much in the way of marketing budgets, word of mouth is the very best for all of us!
Now let’s spend some money! Use the small businesses in your town as much as you can. Become a local shopper. In Seaford you could easily set yourself the challenge to get all your Christmas shopping in your own town. If you think that’s a ridiculous idea, challenge yourself to get at least half of it local.
There is a beautiful national campaign that is called Just a card, which encourages people to buy at least just a card when they are in an independent shop or gallery. In all honesty, my shop wouldn’t survive if everyone that came in bought just a card. But still, small purchases matter. I have a large variety of small items in my shop: dinner candles, incense sticks, magnets and coasters, pens, decorations and lots and lots of beautiful cards.
If you can’t make it into the town centre, you can often still support the small businesses around you online. Order a take away, book an appointment or shop online. You are still supporting your local economy…
Years ago a man came into my shop just before Valentine’s day and moaned about having to buy a card and how it was all just a big money making machine. I told him that after the quiet days of January when people spend very little money, Valentine’s Day is when sales pick up a little bit again for me and just about pull me through. He went on to buy a card for his wife and a little gift and came back in after Valentine’s to tell me how delighted his wife had been that he had actually made the effort to get her a little something. Double whammy! Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day, teacher gifts, Christmas… Use the small independent shops in your town on these occasions and avoid being part of that big machine, by giving quirky, original and creative cards & gifts that delight!
Each town has special events and days when you can really show your support. These are the days that make a town centre. It’s when shop keepers and restaurant owners go out of their way even more for you and when you bump into people you know and you find little gifts that you didn’t even know existed. In Seaford the dates coming up are Saturday the 2nd of December which is Seaford Christmas Magic (check out the SCIP website for details on the incredible lantern parade they organise), and Seaford late night shopping on Thursday the 14th of December. Mark those dates on your calendar and show the town your support!
Yes! I made it to 10! And if you are still reading, so did you. The one last thing I can say, is LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE this post. Our town centre is so much better when it has small independent businesses in it. Shop, eat and drink local this festive season.
Thank you for following along,
Onneke x
I love your writing. Great post and important message. So good to hear your insights x
Great post Onneke