Think Local, Keep it Loyal
Local businesses from all around the world suffered and are still suffering from COVID-19. Since these businesses improve the country’s economy, the least we can do is support them and be there for them in the midst of these hard times.
Photo by An-Nahar newspaper
This article is dedicated to the Lebanese local businesses. They not only endured the pandemic, but were also victims of the economic crisis in Lebanon. Here are some ways we could support local businesses nowadays:
- Shop local, Buy local
Shoppers in general are increasingly exploring local websites to make online purchases. However, almost 68% of online shoppers in Lebanon still purchase products from foreign websites. I am not saying we should stop buying imported products entirely, but we should at least give our local businesses a chance to prove that their products can be as good and efficient as imported products, if not more. I believe that people just need a little bit of encouragement to realize the importance of having these shops. Apparently, they only seem to remember the name of “branded” businesses.
2. Support, Share, Repeat
We should first and foremost make sure that these shops have social media sites, so that they get known and noticed. Social media sites help them promote themselves, share their products, and hence sell more. If they don’t have one, volunteer to do it for them! Once you do it, give them a shout-out on social media, review their products, and encourage your surroundings and other people to buy from them too. Some of the platforms you can use to promote these businesses are Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. You can also write a blog, like the one I’m doing now, about a couple of local businesses you personally like, and the reason why they should be given credit.
Photo by TheSojourner on Keepcalmandwander
3. Give out Gift Cards
Some local businesses are not heard of unless we talk about them. Some people also don’t always make the first move and buy from an unknown place for the first time. If that’s the case, a smart and helpful idea could be giving out gift cards (as a birthday gift or as a random gesture), to make that person discover and buy good local products. It could also help that business gain more customers and sell more.
It’s about time we acknowledge the presence of local businesses and appreciate their importance in our community. Nowadays, everyone is trying to make a living out of something they are good at. It could be me, a family member, a friend, a neighbor, a colleague, or any other compatriot. Let’s support one another as much as we can during these hard times, a small gesture or any other help can make a difference. If you are not able to buy at the moment, share these businesses and let them get known!
If you feel ready taking the first step of buying from local stores or at least promoting them, I highly recommend taking a look at Watani https://watani.store/, an amazing platform that backs up many Lebanese businesses and helps them grow.
Let’s keep in mind to spend local, eat local, and enjoy local!
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