Since I’ve been wanting to talk about the subject that I’m about to go into for a while now, I thought this was the perfect time to do so. There’s really no need to feel salty about anybody else’s growth. We can find ways to support one another and still grow our own business.
There are enough people out here to serve that we can support each other and still all have plenty of customers. There’s enough money out here to be made that we can lift each other up and still all make a shit ton of money. There’s enough drip out here that we can all glow up. There’s enough of everything to go around so that we all eat.
Remember that the energy you give others comes back to you. If you’re running around disparaging other businesses and business owners for no reason, then don’t be surprised when no one wants to do business with you.
It’s really not that hard to extend encouragement to others or — if you see that someone could use it — a word of advice. No matter where you are on your success journey, there’s always someone you could reach back to help. Be kind and supportive of other business owners, so that energy returns to you.
I know we’re all super busy chasing our dreams, so I thought I’d come up with a few ways we can all support one another with minimal effort. Here are 5 ways you can support another business owner without even putting your cup of coffee down.
- Like, share, and comment on their post on social media.
It’s a jungle out there in the world of social media. Everyone wants to be somebody and no one wants to be “normal”. If you’ve ever organically grown a decent sized following on any platform, you know how hard that is and how much work you had to put in to do it.
You know that, in the beginning, every single like, share, comment, and follow really, really mattered. It only takes a second to leave an engaging comment on someone’s post or to like, share, follow or tag a friend. It’s a simple way to help another entrepreneur and it only takes a second.
2. Offer a word of encouragement.
We all know how stressful starting a business is. A kind word to a new entrepreneur can go a long, long way. Don’t be afraid to wish an entrepreneur you know well. Tell them how awesome they are and if you think the product or service they sell is a good one, let them know. They probably need to hear it, so don’t be afraid to say it.
3. Tell someone about a business owner you know.
Referrals are golden in any business, but they’re especially gold for new business owners. If you know someone is looking for a particular item that they can get from an entrepreneur you know, be sure to give that person the entrepreneur’s info.
We don’t hesitate to tell someone we saw something at Wal-Mart or some other big box store, so why not do that with smaller businesses?
4. Give them something of value.
If it’s easy for you to do, give another business owner something of value. I’m in the business of selling information, so it’s not difficult for me to give another business owner something that I sell for free. I’m actually putting together a plan to do just that.
If you have anything at all that you can give away to another business owner, without putting yourself in a bind, do so. No matter how big or small it is to you, the business owner you gift it to will probably appreciate it greatly.
5. And of course, buy something.
Money can be really tight when you’re running a business, but if you can support another entrepreneur just by buying a product they sell, do so. And here’s a pro tip. If you can buy something from one entrepreneur and gift it to another, you’ve killed two birds with one stone.
Be supportive of other business owners, and they’ll be supportive of you. Give the energy you want to get in life and in business. People will never forget the kindness and support you showed them, and you never know who someone will become. So be kind, support other entrepreneurs and always pay it forward.