Simple Ways to Support Your Friends and Their Businesses
I’ve had my blog for about 2 years and y’all… starting a business is hard. Yes, I consider my blog a business because I’m constantly looking at contracts, negotiating payments, creating content, and more. It’s very time consuming, very expensive, and sometimes it can get emotional. When you’re starting from the very bottom and even throughout the process, the support from those around you always means so much and can lead to the success of your business.
I always make a mental note of every person who has been so supportive throughout my blog journey and try to acknowledge them and thank them as much as I can. I also, unfortunately, make a note of all of the people who I thought were close friends but haven’t shown any support. Having said that, I’m all about sharing the love and want to shed some light on simple ways that you can support your friends that are killing it and starting their own businesses!
– Give a like, comment, or even a share! People don’t understand how important a simple like or a comment is in the blogging world. Sometimes getting a collaboration or not comes down to how many followers you have or the average engagement you receive on a post. Therefore, one little like makes a huge difference! P.S. THIS IS COMPLETELY FREE!!!
– Purchase their products and/or use their affiliate links! This is an easy one. Just support their business by giving them your money! (hehe) If you’re unfamiliar with affiliate links, this is how us bloggers make money – aka this is very important. If you see a dress I’ve posted about and you buy through a link I’ve used, I receive a small commission (read more about this whole process here). This is at no extra cost to you and helps me continue to make this little website happen.
I know this is a huge ask. I’m not saying buying everything, every day. I have so many friends that own their own businesses and sometimes I can’t always buy their products, but I try to share the love in other ways and purchase whenever I can.
– Venmo them $5 for a coffee! I love this idea! If your friends have started their own business, just know they are hustling nonstop. A free cup of joe is sure to bring a smile to their face!
– Send them a sweet note! Honestly, a simple acknowledgment of “hey girl, I see you doing your thing” is all you need sometimes. It shows that you’re aware of what’s going on in their life and takes no more than a minute. Take this one step further and send them a little snail mail!
– Tell a friend! Finally, spread the word and tell others about this business! Know someone who loves pretty dresses? Tell them about hillheady.com. And now you’ve just given me one new reader!
The list truly goes on. You can never give too much support and I’m sure whichever way you choose, it’ll be greatly appreciated! P.S. While we’re on the topic of supporting people, this is my friend, Laura, and she’s amazing! Give her a follow on Instagram here and check out her blog, Louella Reese, here!
SHOP MY LOOK
Dress: H&M | Shoes: c/o Viscata | Bag: c/o Patricia Nash | Earrings: c/o Lisi Lerch | Photography: Kim Graham Photo
I love this post and I support everything! I think a lot of friends who don’t have businesses (especially blogs), don’t understand it, so they aren’t sure how to support. This is such a good post, my friend!
Dana | The Champagne Edit
Yes yes yes! So true!! Thanks for the love girl!
xo, Hillary
I can totally relate to this post! Having the support of others and supporting them in return is so important in this industry!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
I love this!! I’m all about supporting friends and their business. I call my blog a business too. So much work goes behind it.
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
this is such a great post on friendship and community! thanks for sharing!
So much truth! Thanks for always supporting my biz, you are a star!
Haha love you!!!
xo, Hillary
Supporting other business owners (especially boss babes) is so incredibly important to me. It always has been, even before I owned my own business. Now it’s just intensified. I think it’s awesome to see women supporting women – even if they’re in the same field and considered competitors!
YES YES YES! Love this and sharing with everyone I know! A great way for friends to show support.
Love all of these ways to support your friends who have small businesses!! Liking and commenting on social media posts is so important, especially with the drop in engagement on Instagram lately.
You guys look so pretty, too!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
I love this Hillary!! And you are such a great support! More people need friends like you!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
This is the sweetest thing!! Thank you, Morgan!
xo, Hillary
Sharing this post! These are all wonderful suggestions– it’s so nice to support others, especially their businesses and blogs. Even a like or comment goes a long way <3
You two are adorable! This is such a cute post idea.
These are great ideas! I love the idea to gift a cup of coffee! bloggers need alllll the coffee!
I love everything about this blogpost! It’s nothing but facts!!
Amen to this!!!! Some great ideas!!
These are great!! We got to do our best to support all the small businesses!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
These are really great ideas for supporting a friend’s business! Definitely going to share this 🙂 Thanks girl!
Lizzie
wwww.lizzieinlace.com
these are great tips! so important to support businesses during this tough time and it doesn’t always have to cost money!
kileen
cute & little
oh my gosh i love this so much and it is even more important now than ever!!! so important to support each other and all of our endeavors.
xx rebecca // http://www.thecrystalpress.com/blog/
This is a great idea. I am trying to support whatever businesses I can during this tough time.
❥ tanvii.com
Just standing up in front of my laptop wildly applauding this post. Seriously THANK YOU for sharing this. I hope more people take your advice after reading this. I know every single blogger/small business owner can appreciate what you’ve written about!
Aww love the idea of sending them $5 for coffee! The world needs more of these right now
These are all such great points/ideas! Love the venmo them for a cup of coffee – that really is just such a sweet gesture. Love these photos of us!!!! MISS YOU, MISS CHARLESTON!
xo Laura Leigh
http://louellareese.com
This was a post that hit close to home. I don’t think people outside of the blogging industry realize how much work it can be. And loved your suggestions on how to show friends support during these tough times. Stay well friend!
This is a WONDERFUL post, and more of us need to do them because a lot of small businesses (including us!) need the support of our fellow family and friends!
This is great! I’m the same way – I can’t help but also notice friends who have never really taken the time to read, comment or share my blog to support. It makes me appreciate the ones who do even more!
Kara | Politics of Pretty
This is such a great list – what a heartwarming and fun post. I LOVED it! Thanks for sharing these tips 🙂
Yes! I couldn’t agree more. I urge this in my women entrepreneur’s networking group. I’m going to share this there,
This is such a great post Hillary and something I needed to hear. Blogging can be lonely but finding friends through this community is nice and priceless. I haven’t quite found my tribe but I know they are out there! In terms of support, I do my best to do what I can. I definitely visit blogs and give out comments and likes as much as I can. I also do my best to use affiliate links when I am able to. Thanks for these wonderful tips!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com