It is no secret, business as we know it is different now. The first half of 2020 has impacted small businesses in Southwest Florida and the rest of the country. If you were lucky enough not to have to close your doors, such as salons, gyms, restaurants, and bars, you might have struggled to generate new business. Also, some companies have boomed due to the current circumstances. Most companies are needing to do more with less, which includes their marketing budgets.
Small businesses need to consider working with one another where applicable. Working together can extend budgets, leverage strengths, and expand customer bases. All of which will be critical to future success. Below are a few ideas on how small businesses can work together to increase sales and revenue.
- Leverage each other’s social media by offering cross-promotions. Find a local business that yours has some synergy with and offer discounts and or specials to each other’s social followings. Not only can this be an effective way to expand your customer base, but it also does not cost either business money, just your time and effort.
- Provide customers who purchase from when business with a code or coupon to purchase at the other company. For example, if a customer orders a pizza from Sal’s, they get a 20% discount to Ice Queen’s Ice Cream Parlor and vice versa. Once again, this has no cash expense for either business.
- Collaborate on local content. Work together to create content about your local community and something you both support. Let people know how both companies participate in the city. Creating content is another low to no-cost approach. Each business has a story, and often those stories overlap with other companies, embrace that.
These are just some examples that local businesses can do to help grow their business. Of course, there are many other ways companies can work with one another, and we highly recommend exploring all options. As a local business, we are also here to help if you have any questions, feel free to contact us for a free consultation.