American small businesses account for 44% of the economic activity of the United States. They are also responsible for creating 2/3 of new jobs.
But with so many American companies outsourcing labor on top of a global pandemic that has shuttered thousands of businesses nationwide, we don't want to see a future where all we see on the street are big-box, chain stores.
If we don't support small businesses, we lose out on the quality craftsmanship, innovation, and customer service that small business is known for. We also stop giving back to our communities, which harms all of us and only serves large corporations that don't share our American values.
Thankfully, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on product purchases or donations to support small businesses.
Below, we've got the top 7 realistic ways you can support American small businesses so they can thrive and grow.
1. Shop Local
Shopping local is one of the best and easiest ways to support American small businesses.
Some places you can shop locally include:
- Farmer's markets
- Local boutiques
- Specialty stores
- Online shops
If you don't usually shop local, check social media for ideas on which local businesses you could shop at. You could even see if there are any hashtags for businesses in your area for an easy search.
And if you usually do shop local for some items, consider shopping online. Many local stores made their products available online during the pandemic, so you should be able to get some good finds.
Plus, you'll pay less for shipping or have the option for curbside pickup, which makes your order a lot cheaper.
2. Get Gift Cards
Another great way to support American businesses is to buy their gift cards.
Instead of getting your friend's gifts from large companies, see if a local small business that your friend would like has the option to buy gift cards.
And if you have friends or family that live in a different city or town than you do, you could see if there is a small business near them that would offer a product or service you think they'll love.
Another benefit of gift cards is that you can still use them to support small businesses without worrying about whether your friend will return the gift, as they can pick out whatever they like with the gift card.
You can also get gift cards for yourself if you'd like to go to a specific small business in the future, such as a gym or hair salon.
This helps small businesses keep their cash flow up during difficult times.
3. Share on Social Media
Supporting businesses doesn't mean that you always have to spend money. If you're on a budget, you can still show your support for a business by liking and following their social media pages.
You could comment on their posts to give them engagement and exposure, as your friends can see your comments on their own feed.
And for businesses whose products and messages you love, you can share their page on your social media. This gives the small business valuable exposure to potential customers who may not have found out about them otherwise.
4. Sign Up for Emails
Another budget-friendly way to support small businesses is to sign up for their email lists.
This way, even if you're not buying anything from them right away, you'll stay up-to-date on their newest products and offerings.
Emails are also how the business will let you know when they have sales. Plus, you can easily forward these emails to friends and family who might be interested in buying the products for themselves.
5. Order a Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are a much-needed source of reoccurring revenue for small businesses in this uncertain time.
You can get subscription boxes for all sorts of items, from snacks to makeup to even pet products!
To support local and small businesses during this time, you can make sure that the subscription box has only American products, like our All-American Box.
One of the biggest benefits of subscription boxes is that they can introduce you to new businesses and products, especially if they're not sold in stores you usually go to.
6. Leave a Review
If you've had a great experience with an American small business, why not take a few minutes to write them a positive review online?
93% of consumers say that reading online reviews influences their purchasing decisions. Think about how many times you've gone out to eat at a local restaurant because it had 5 stars or higher on online reviews.
When you leave a positive review, you're giving social proof that comes from an unbiased source. This will encourage other people to buy from the business, especially if you include photos in your review.
You can leave online reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Google Reviews, and the company's Facebook page.
7. Show Your Support Through Tips
Finally, supporting local businesses is also possible by tweaking what you've always done.
For example, you may be used to tipping 15-20% of your bill at restaurants, hair salons, and to delivery drivers.
But with the number of people only buying takeout these days, think about tipping just a little more than you usually would.
You might think that a few dollars more won't make a difference, but think about the difference it would make to a waiter or delivery driver if all their customers gave them just a dollar or two more in tips.
Support American Small Businesses Today
It doesn't take thousands of dollars to support American small businesses. By expanding the ways you engage with small businesses, you can help give your favorite small businesses both financial support and valuable exposure.
For an easy way to support small businesses while getting useful new products, you'll love our monthly subscription boxes with products made in the USA.
Not only will your purchase help American families like yours, but you'll get some of the best quality craftsmanship that American small business is known for.
Check out our online store and pick out a subscription box today!