How To Support A Small Business For Free In 2024: 9 Easy Tips

Ever wondered how to support a small business for free? It’s easier than you think.

Supporting local businesses is a sustainable choice that positively impacts the environment, your community, and the local economy.

But how can you show support without stretching your budget?

TL;DR

9 ways to support a small business for free in 2024:

• Spread the word by mouth
• Leave positive reviews
• Share on social media
• Wear their free promotional materials
• Ask how you can volunteer or donate
• Participate in their events
• Share you expertise
• Connect with owners
• Sign up for newsletters

1. Spread The Word By Mouth

One of the easiest ways to support a local business is by just talking about it!

When talking to a friend or family member don’t hesitate to share about a positive experience you had at a local business.

I remember how excited I was the first time I went into Painted Tree.

It’s a boutique mall filled with unique, handcrafted items from so many small, local businesses!

Next time you’re with your peeps just give a shoutout to a local business you want to support.

You never know how much good it can do!

2. Leave Positive Reviews

Online reviews can make or break a business.

I mean think about it. When was the last time you clicked on a business and saw a negative review or a 2.5-star rating and thought “Good enough for me!”? ….yeah never.

The unfortunate part is that people who have negative experiences are much more likely to leave a review than people who have positive experiences…

For example, this was a review my husband Justin wrote about a local auto repair shop he used.

It was a new shop and only had one negative review and in our opinion unfair.

But after my he had a great experience at this auto shop he left a positive review which helped their overall rating on Google which they deserved!

So to say reviews matter is an understatement.

The next time you support a local business DON’T FORGET to leave a positive review or rating.

Or maybe think back to an experience you had and go back and write a review. A positive review can go a long way!

It takes a few minutes tops and you can leave a positive review on Google, Yelp, or social media.

3. Share On Social Media

A quick share, like, or comment on social media can help a business reach and attract new customers.

Here’s a picture of a photo I shared on my personal Instagram account of my favorite local produce and garden supply store, Green’s Produce and Plants.

Here are a few ways sharing a small business on social media is beneficial:

• Increased visibility
• Free marketing
• Building community support
• Encourages consumer trust and relationship
• Showcasing unique stories
• Growth for the local economy

4. Wear Their Free Promotional Materials

Oftentimes, during events and promotional opportunities, businesses will give away apparel, stickers, bumper stickers, coffee, bugs, pens, and other items that can help bring them recognition.

Simply slapping a bumper sticker on the back of your car can bring so much attention to a local business.

Wearing a hat or t-shirt with a business’s logo is a great way to show your support and spread the word.

Here’s an example of how a sticker from a local coffee shop, Inclusion Coffee, can show support!!

5. Ask How You Can Volunteer or Donate

Offering your time as a volunteer for events or daily operations can be incredibly helpful for a local business, especially a new one!

Here’s a local café, Grounds&GoldCo, that collects classroom items from the community for teachers and their classrooms!

As a former teacher myself this is freaking awesome!!

Not only does it build unity within the community but also supports and helps out someone pursuing something they’re truly passionate about!

You can volunteer in so many ways and donate items and time if money isn’t an option.

6. Participate In Their Events

Attending events hosted by small businesses shows your support and helps build a community around the brand.

Here’s an example of an event that CatalystCreative Arts, a local arts and craft studio, had recently in our area.

These are the types of events to look out for that will help you support your local small business:

• New product or service launches
• Pop-Up shops
• Workshops and classes
• Community fairs and markets
• Grand openings
• Customer appreciation events
• Charity events and fundraisers
• Networking mixers
• Seasonal or holiday events
• Webinars and online events

7. Share Your Expertise

If you have skills or knowledge that could benefit the business, consider offering your advice or services.

This could be another way to volunteer and donate your time and expertise!

8. Connect With Owners

Getting to know the owners helps show you care and that you want to support them.

Simply having a conversation and asking about their journey to starting their business can even give confidence to a newer owner.

Also, don’t be afraid to spark up a conversation with employees of the local business.

Who knows maybe you’ll find a shop you love just as much as Lorelai and Rory loved Luke’s Diner! (Gilmore Girls reference lol).

9. Sign Up For Newsletters

Stay informed about promotions, events, and news by subscribing to their newsletter or email list.

This helps you stay in touch and allows you to be aware of any events or ways you can show your support.

This is an email list I signed up to be a part of for Fossil Creek, a local tree farm and nursery.

Now I can get awesome info and details on everything going on as well as some pretty helpful tips!

The signup sections are usually found at the bottom of a website’s page and sometimes on the page’s menu and/or sidebar.

Sustainability & Small Businesses

Small businesses often get their things from nearby places, which means not having to move stuff very far, cutting down on the carbon footprint of transporting goods and services.

Also in comparison to larger businesses, smaller businesses don’t make as much trash and waste.

So supporting them instead of large corporations is one way to be more eco-friendly.

For example, you go to a Starbucks and ask for a coffee to sit and drink and you always get a toxic polyethylene-coated coffee cup.

…BUT you go to a local coffee shop and ask for a coffee to sit and drink in the shop and get a nice cup of coffee in a glass (reusable) coffee mug.

A win-win!

Wrapping Up

Although spending money at a local business is super beneficial, there are more than a few ways to support them for free.

Simply using your resources, spending your time, and showing you care really go a long way.

Remember, when you support a small business, you’re investing in someone’s dream and contributing to the local economy and community.

Thanks for reading!