The crises of the year 2020 have hit hard on many businesses, small or big alike, particularly in the Philippines. But it’s the small ones that are greatly affected and are finding it hard to face the challenges of recovering.
In our province of Batangas, the Taal Volcano eruption at the beginning of the year has forced many local businesses to a temporarily stop their operations. Some were not able to restart and were even brought to their knees by COVID19’s health and economic effects.
Here are few things you can do to support your friend’s small business in times like this.
1. Buy their Products or Services. Stop the FREEBIE mentality.
If a friend or a relative is producing or selling something, the best thing you can do to support is to buy their products. Doing so will not only help promote their business but will also give them a confidence booster and a message that you care for them.
Let us also stop the “pengeng discount” at “manlibre ka naman dyan” mindsets because these won’t help your friend’s business at all. They might be already in deep debt and asking for freebies and discount may only cause more losses than revenues.
Pay for whatever you get, however small, and it will surely help them make profits.
2. If They Are Online, Like+Share+Comment or Subscribe to their Business Pages or Channels:
Sharing your friend’s small business online won’t cost you anything. The more views and attention they get, the more potential customers they can get.
Small business owners go through a lot of mental challenges these days, and seeing small numbers of likes on their posts can really affect their level of confidence to go on.
Show your friend or loved one that you care about them and their business by generously sharing their posts, visiting their websites, and promoting them in all ways you can online.
3. If they Are Offline, Offer to Help Them Sell through the Internet and Social Media:
When the government implemented the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) even up until it has shifted to a much relaxed General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in many places in the Philippines, not a few small enterprises closed down their shops.
In addition to that, those that remained open has struggled to get customers as there are no available public transport that could bring people to their businesses.
One way to help small community shops especially if these are owned by a friend or loved one is to offer free service to promote them online. You can create a business page for them on Facebook or Instagram.
You can also take a photo of their shops and share it in online forums. I personally did it for a local talipapa or small popo up wet market in the neighborhood and has since gained more customers even from other barangays.
4. Testify About Their Business To Your Circles and Other People
It doesn’t hurt to talk about your friend’s small business whenever you are with a new group of people whether online or offline.
Informing other people about their business always result to few more people getting interested in their products. Recommend and testify about the good quality of their products and customer service.
When a friend’s or loved one’s business is online, engage more time in their websites or channels. If they own a blog or a Youtube channel, you may comment on their pages and share their articles or videos as often as you can.
Our small Middle Eastern food kiosk Mumtaz has become known to many OFWs and former OFWs and even among millenials in our local community because of word of mouth promotion from our friends and satisfied customers.
If you know some influential people or investors, talking about your friend’s small business to them could get them interested in their products and may even consider investing in their business.
5. Collaborate and Connect with Startup Groups and Entrepreneurs:
If you are a part of a startup community, connect your friend or loved one to other entrepreneurs. Encourage them to become members and help them learn from others.
Connect them to potential investors and help them collaborate with other successful small businesses in the country. Helping them know more people and introducing them to new acquaintances can open more opportunities, fundings, and new deals for them.
I am personally happy to realize that I was able to connect some friends in the past and are now running their business together successfully.
6. Offer Your Expertise
If your business is on a better financial position than a friend’s or loved one’s, you may offer to help them in many ways for free.
If you are an accountant, you may offer to review their financials and tax compliance for free or for a very small fee.
If you are an expert in marketing, you may offer to help them reach more people and potential customers.
If you are a graphic artist, you may create a video or poster that will help your friend’s business get more views and visits.
If you are a financial adviser, help your friend or loved one know how important insurance or investing their savings is while running a small business.
What’s your expertise?
As the old adage says, it is always better to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)
7. Make Your Presence Felt
When a friend’s business has sold their products on a certain day, congratulate them.
If a loved one’s online shop has finally booked a fixed and regular monthly sale for several months, cheer for them. Send them messages of encouragement.
When they receive any award or recognition or got invited on a TV program, make sure you compliment them for their hard work. Encourage them to continue their good job.
Your emotional support during this COVID19 pandemic will let them know that their efforts are never wasted and that more chapters of success are coming their way especially when this crisis ends.
Rock your way to abundance!
#moneyliferocknroll
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