Shop Small: 3 ways to support the entrepreneur in your life when you are not the target audience

Your friend has stepped out to embrace her next step as an entrepreneur.

She’s launched her blog.
She’s started her business.
She’s published the book.

You love what she’s doing, and you cheer her on. You know firsthand how hard she’s worked and the sacrifices she’s made. You know she needs the support of family and friends.

But how do you support your friend who has a blog, runs a business, or wrote a book when you are not the target audience?

Supporting the entrepreneur in your life when you are not the target audience is much easier than you realize. That’s why today, I am going to share three easy ways you can support her right away.

Support an Entrepreneur tip #1: Like. Share. Post.

While you may not need a financial coach, a professional organizer, or enjoy a blog on military life, someone you know might. Sharing your friend’s post on your social media is quick and easy, plus it will help boost the number of viewers who see her content. Actually, it takes less than a minute to share any of your friend’s content on social media.

Did you know when you share blog posts, videos, or posts you are helping your friend grow their viewers organically?

So repost on Instagram, share on Facebook, pin in Pinterest, retweet on Twitter, subscribe to the website, and invite others to the page. When you do, be sure to tag the business, the blog, or the book. I encourage you to make it a priority to share her work at least once a week. This exposure will, hopefully, lead to more readers, more viewers, and more business. Word of mouth is a strong marketing tool! Use your voice and your influence to introduce your friend to the world.

Support an entrepreneur tip #2. Buy. Give. Refer.

Now I know I said we would talk about how to support the entrepreneur in your life when you are not the target audience. So why would I encourage you to purchase something you would not use? Isn’t this a waste?

Well, I encourage you to buy from your friend then use it as a gift for someone in your life who would enjoy the present or the service. You get to financially support your friend while also introducing someone new to what your friend has to offer. This is an effective way to give a gift with meaning while helping the entrepreneur hopefully gain a new customer. But please—DO NOT ask your friend for a discount. Be willing to pay full price for the product, the service or the book.

I encourage you to identify one person who would benefit from the product or service your entrepreneurial friend offers. This season, shop small and support locally.

Support an Entrepreneur tip #3. Listen. Advise. Cheer.

People who are stepping out to write or own a business often want to talk out the process. They have ideas running around in their heads and want to discuss what do next. Be available. Give feedback on their product, service or writing. Even if you don’t use the service, how could your friend increase her reach toward her target market? You may have a different point of view to help your friend improve her posts and reach her audience.

Be sure to cheer on your friend. Remind her why she started her business. Remind her of the strength of her story. Remind her of God’s truth for her journey. Your relationship can help make the difference on a tough day when no one has read her blog, purchased a book, or used her service.

Being an entrepreneur takes bravery. It’s not easy taking a risk to start a business. It’s okay if you are not the target audience for the entrepreneur in your life, but your support matters. Make a decision to take one step to show up in ways that you can for your friend or family member.

Cheering your on,