The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult on individuals and local businesses alike. And as the weather heats up and more people are vaccinated, we’re getting closer to our new normal.
Although life may be different, many beliefs will remain the same. And supporting local businesses is one of those beliefs. You may wonder, what can I do to prepare for this new normal? And what can I be doing to help grow my local business and help my local community? Independent businesses are the backbone of local economies, so you must know how to help your local business thrive in this new normal.
UNDERSTAND YOUR IMPACT
Independent businesses are a staple of the local economy. From creating jobs to recycling revenue into the community, your business is important to the success of your local community. Local business owners also step up and become involved with community initiatives like sponsoring sports teams, donating time or products to charitable events, offering vocational opportunities to high school students, and much more. Studies have shown that more than half of the revenue generated by local businesses is recycled back into the local community, strengthening programs and the community as a whole.
REMEMBER THAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
As a result of stay-at-home orders over the last year, individuals have spent much more time on social media. This has become an important part of daily life for many as a means of acquiring information about recent events, so it’s expected that individuals will have the same habits in a post-pandemic world. If nothing else, the pandemic has taught us that social media is a great and efficient way for local businesses to communicate with customers, returning and new alike. Whether you’d like to communicate a promotion or hour changes, or just build a customer relationship, open communication on social media is a perfect tool.
MAKE E-COMMERCE A STAPLE
Due to strict restrictions, e-commerce has become a staple for individuals when shopping not only for essential items but also for material and pleasure items. In the absence of brick-and-mortar stores being open, online sales in the e-commerce space have exploded. And if you’re not on board, your business is going to lose out. Making the large jump to online sales with an e-commerce site may be scary, but if done correctly, it can allow you to not only connect with customers you may have lost but reach new ones, as well!
JOIN A LOCAL BUSINESS COLLECTIVE
In cities across the country, every local community has a Chamber of Commerce, small business collective or Main Street Alliance. It’s important, as a local business, that you’re involved in your local community. By joining these organizations, you’re able to be an active member in your community while also banding together with like-sized businesses and strengthening your local economy
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE RESOURCES INDEPENDENT WE STAND PROVIDES
Independent We Stand provides a full suite of “buy local” marketing resources to help you build your local brand and stand out from the Big Box stores and national chains. And the best part is – they’re FREE, courtesy of Nationwide Marketing Group. You can download all these marketing materials and more from the Independent We Stand website in the Premium Member Resources section (https://www.independentwestand.org/premium-member-resources/) or download them from MemberNet.
For more information about your FREE Premium Membership and its benefits, call the NMG Member Activation Hotline tollfree at 1.888.787.8497 or email us at bill@independentwestand.org.
Visit https://bit.ly/3f5ykpQ to download these new “Making Your House a Home” social media graphics.
