Strengthen your small business though supporting your community. What goes around, comes around.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” 

Joe Cocker famously sang “I get by with a little help from my friends.” When applied to marketing, this rings ever so true. It’s easy to be so enthralled with “the big things,” that we miss out on what’s right in front of us. 

“I get by with a little help from my friends…” Make a point to engage with your community. Support other small businesses genuinely.

Ask yourself what you can do to support the other businesses in your area. And, confidently ask them if they’d consider doing the same. Buy from local shops, and let them know what you do too. Involve your community in your business. Consider a special incentive for other local business owners. Host a networking event. Share goals, and find out where your talents can serve one another. It doesn’t always have to be about money either. Maybe you need a website, and the web designer needs what your business offers. Get the conversation started. It’s the only way to learn about each of your unique needs and goals.   

Find common ground and ways to collaborate

Like kindness and strong branding, collaboration, when strategic is a superpower. Let’s say you and three other local businesses host an event or open house together. You’ll have a better turn out, it will be more engaging, and you will share audiences, thus expanding success for everyone. And, that new audience to whom you were just introduced, cost you very little compared to a faceless digital ad. 

Never just say “thanks” when someone supports you on social media

If there is one thing you take away from this article, it should be this. The cardinal sin of social media. When someone takes the time to thoughtfully comment on your post, they are supporting you. It is not enough to simply “like” the comment, or type “thanks”. That’s like waving at someone and getting a blank stare. It’s like hugging someone who doesn’t hug you back. It’s like saying “hello,” and being ignored. You get our point. It’s very rude to not comment back thoughtfully when someone is trying to be supportive of you. 

Return the favor, or better yet, initiate the communication yourself.

It’s best to be a leader, not a follower, (pun intended). And, if you’re wondering why your followers aren’t seeing your posts, we have an in depth article available to you here. Take the first step in supporting others genuinely and in earnest. If someone is supporting you on social by liking and commenting, return the favor and actually go to their posts. Take the time to write a thoughtful comment, discover what they do, and support them. Recent marketing studies have suggested that social media provides an opportunity to involve stakeholders, (external link) and that’s a great thing! What goes around comes around. 

In summary:

1. Get by with help from your friends. Make friends in your community and make a point to support them

2. Let them know what would help you in your business

3. Network and find common ground and themes

4. Find a meeting of needs and collaborate where you can

5. Share audiences to cost effectively expand your reach

6. Be reciprocal on social media. Like, comment, and share

7. Always be genuine and be a leader in supporting others. 

Always remember that collaborating with your community is a win win. We’re stronger when we support one another.