August 2023 Economic Development Update:
With summer in full swing, Sunrise Corner wants to remind everyone that supporting local means more than just shopping locally. It also means moral support. Here are some no-cost, online ways to support our local businesses.
Follow Local Businesses – Many local businesses use social media to market themselves, and it’s easy to like and follow their pages. The more people who follow and comment on posts, the more exposure the business gets which can translate into more sales.
Share a Post With a Friend – Have you seen something on a local shop’s social media page that is just what a friend or family member is looking for? Don’t just tell them about it, share the post to their social media page. Your friend and the business will appreciate your thoughtfulness. And the online engagement improves the visibility of the page so even more people see it.
Write a Review for a Local Shop – If you’ve had a great experience with a local business, write a review on their Facebook page. Just click the “Reviews” tab near the top of their page, rate them and write a few words about your experience. It lets the business owner know they’re appreciated and gives others a reason to shop there. (On the other hand, if you’re not completely satisfied with the product or service, speak with the vendor directly rather than hashing it out online.)
Repost Local Business Post – Has your favorite local business shared a post about an upcoming event or special promotion? Repost it on your page so all your friends can see it. Wouldn’t it be great to know you may be the reason a local business owner gets a few new customers?
Post About a Local Product – If you’ve bought something made by a local baker, maker, artisan or artist that you absolutely love, write a post about it on social media. Don’t forget to include a product photo and tag the maker; it’s a simple as adding the @ symbol in front of their social account name. Your friends will be more likely to buy the product – and that’s a gift every small business loves to receive.
Whether they have a bricks and mortar location, sell online, or sell their wares at farmer’s markets and vendor pop-ups, local businesses are essential to our communities. Let’s invest a few moments to show our appreciation.
Monique Chenier
monique@sunrisecornermb.ca