25 Ways to Help Another Small Business Owner


This list was inspired by 25 Ways to Help a Fellow Human Being Today and co-authored by my Twitter colleague @LinosVersion. When we help each other, we all grow stronger!

  1. Give them a testimonial. Make it social and do it on LinkedIn or Twitter.
  2. Tell someone about their business and products/services.
  3. Shop at their store, online or off.
  4. Offer some free advice or constructive feedback.
  5. Offer to mentor a newbie. Check out futurpreneur.ca.
  6. Welcome new business owners to your community - stop by with donuts.
  7. Send an inspirational or congratulatory card by snail mail.
  8. Introduce two business owners who may benefit from the connection.
  9. Promote 'Shop Local' and feature local small businesses.
  10. Write a blog about something you learned from another business owner and give them a shout-out.
  11. Put on a free learning event, such as a lunch and learn, and invite local business owners.
  12. On Facebook, share their business page with a shout-out.
  13. Retweet messages from small business owners.
  14. Call and chat about what they’re up to.
  15. Share hard lessons learned via your blog or newsletter.
  16. Host a networking event.
  17. Invite another small business owner to accompany you to a networking event as your guest.
  18. Offer rewards for referrals from other small business owners.
  19. When you see them, smile and ask about their business.
  20. Help out a charity that another small business owner supports.
  21. Buy a ticket to an event they are involved with.
  22. Tweet about them, their products or services, linking to their website.
  23. Ask them to collaborate with you on a project.
  24. Tell them they’re a great client, or supplier, or colleague, and why you like to work with them.
  25. Pay their invoices right away.


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