{"id":2500,"date":"2020-12-08T19:28:33","date_gmt":"2020-12-08T19:28:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/?p=2500"},"modified":"2020-12-18T01:02:39","modified_gmt":"2020-12-18T01:02:39","slug":"from-my-all-night-im-going-to-share-this-to-anyone-these-will-help-scouring-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/2020\/12\/08\/from-my-all-night-im-going-to-share-this-to-anyone-these-will-help-scouring-session\/","title":{"rendered":"From my all\u2014night-I\u2019m going to share this to anyone these will help \u2013 scouring session"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Connect on social media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reaching out to your favorite local shops and services through social media platforms can go a long way to drive optimism and boost morale. Even if you aren\u2019t able to offer financial support, simply engaging online and providing words of encouragement can help ease the loneliness business owners are feeling as they adjust to not seeing their regular customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou miss that community that you would normally have,\u201d explains Rebekah Cook, owner of Forage Modern Workshop<\/span><\/a>, a small Minneapolis business featuring home goods, furniture and work from independent artists and designers. \u201cWhether you’re a store, a restaurant, or a coffee shop, you’re so used to connecting with your people all the time. Remembering to stay connected with [these businesses] online is a huge support. Plus, it also helps with [social media] algorithms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of brick and mortar locations may not have had the time to focus on their social media and online presence before, and now it\u2019s a lifeline for them. Connecting on social media will help those owners build their networks and bolster their brand during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many small businesses that were storefront-only have transitioned into online services as much as possible. Connecting with them on social media helps them to build out their new way of marketing and adjust their business model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase electronic gift cards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying electronic gift cards is another great way to invest in the future of your favorite small businesses. Whether you purchase one for yourself to use at a later date or send them to friends <\/p>\n\n\n\n

or family, the gesture helps local companies maintain revenue so they can reopen their brick and mortar locations in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe do electronic gift cards online in any amount for when you\u2019re ready to come back and go shopping,\u201d says Stephanie Sauer, owner of Stephanie\u2019s<\/span><\/a>, a women\u2019s clothing boutique in St. Paul, Minn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reach out to local businesses to find out whether they have this option available. Many shops have convenient transaction options that are compatible with different customer preferences. \u201cIf you\u2019re not an online shopper, we can do it over the phone,\u201d says Stephanie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some local stores are also shifting their business to online platforms for the time being. Stephanie\u2019s shop already had e-commerce set up and is now also offering FaceTime appointments so customers can safely receive style recommendations while social distancing. \u201cWe have only had one [staff member] in the store at a time, and right now, it’s just to get deliveries out and check on inventory when it comes in,\u201d says Stephanie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forage Modern Workshop is also working hard to shift over to the online space. \u201cWe’re doing everything we can to try to get our products online and shipping safely when it’s possible, and so going and shopping online helps. Because we support small makers, designers, and artists, we are also trying to think of new ways that we can promote them and help them sell what they make.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take some time to browse local shop websites and see what\u2019s available on their sites. If you need to make a particular purchase online, find out whether a local business can fulfill the need and look into ordering the item directly from them instead of a big-box retailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Send a gift to a friend <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing a gift from a small business to send to a friend is a great way to reach out and stay connected during social distancing while helping your community at the same time. \u201cYou can send someone a little something to brighten their day, because everyone’s kind of stuck of their houses, and that’s not fun. We have candles and jewelry online,\u201d says Stephanie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of family or friends who might be alone or going through an especially tough time and consider whether there\u2019s a gift item you could send to raise their spirits. Forage Modern Workshop offers locally designed notes of encouragement send out to those you\u2019re thinking of during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond your social circle, buying meals or treats from small businesses can be a way to show gratitude to workers on the frontlines of responding to this crisis. You can pay it forward and show your appreciation to the people who are keeping our communities safe, cared for and fed while also helping out a small business in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contribute to donation pages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some businesses have also set up donation pages as a way to support their employees who are struggling financially due to COVID-19 and the lack of work it\u2019s caused. \u201cWe were really hopeful that we could keep our staff on, but we quickly realized we had to lay off all of our staff,\u201d explains Rebekah. \u201cIf you’re able to financially support the businesses, they can bring back as many of them as possible when they can reopen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributions to these types of funds are greatly appreciated, no matter how big or small the amount. Receiving donations gives owners hope that their local shops will be able to survive the current period of uncertainty, and eventually reopen and rehire staff who they may have had to lay off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep checking in over time<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As our communities and local economies evolve, it will be important to continue caring for local businesses as much as possible. \u201cWe just have to keep the momentum going, because it starts getting harder,\u201d says Stephanie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs much as we need the financial support to be here on the other side of this, we also need the moral support, because it\u2019s so hard to stay motivated,\u201d adds Rebekah. As time goes by, keep offering encouragement, support and making purchases to help out your local businesses as you are able \u2013 these meaningful gestures will help sustain businesses and create hope for a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORE TIPS \u2013 YES, THERE MIGHT BE DUPLICATES \u2013 BUT THESE TIPS ALL CAME FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES \u2013 MUST BE THE RIGHT IDEA – Ails<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1) Buy gift cards: <\/em><\/strong>As Jonathan Alward, director of provincial affairs at CFIB, <\/em>explains<\/span><\/em><\/a>, this could help a retailer or other small business stay alive and keep their staff working and paid as well. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Make a reservation\u2014and keep appointments:<\/em><\/strong> Consider booking a dinner at a local restaurant for a few months down the road, says Kelly. You can also pay for cancelled appointments with hairdressers, cleaners and so on. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Ask how you can help: <\/em><\/strong>Lending a hand to a small operator who is already grappling with the financial fallout of a closure or semi-closure can make a big difference.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Buy now, pick up later: <\/em><\/strong>If you were planning to buy a manufactured product such as an electronic device or book, call to see if you can pay for it now and pick it up at a later date, <\/em>suggests<\/span><\/em><\/a> the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Keep an earlier order:<\/em><\/strong> Kelly says he heard \u201ca great example about a bar mitzvah that was cancelled, and the family that had booked the caterer still took delivery of all the food and then had it delivered to all of their friends.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6) Get takeout:<\/em><\/strong> Many local restaurants that didn\u2019t have takeout and delivery now offer those options\u2014and some patrons are stepping up. \u201cThey need [us] to survive. I really want to help them,\u201d <\/em>explained<\/span> <\/em><\/a>one customer who picked up lunch at the downtown location of Edmonton\u2019s Filistix. \u201cI love this place.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7) Consider other products for takeout or delivery:<\/em><\/strong> For example, Windsor\u2019s Wagner Orchards & Estate Winery delivers not only wine but pies and other products. Other companies sell frozen meals, preserves, etc. that can be stored in your freezer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8) Take credit, not a refund:<\/em><\/strong> As Adriano Ciotoli of WindsorEats <\/em>points out<\/span><\/em><\/a>, \u201cIf you\u2019ve purchased tickets for an event, consider taking a credit instead of a refund while businesses work to put a solid plan in place.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9) Pay with plastic:<\/em><\/strong> Bypass cash payment with debit or credit cards\u2014and use the contactless \u201ctap\u201d feature whenever possible.<\/em> \u2013 do this for sure<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10) Share small business posts: <\/em><\/strong>This will help small businesses stay connected and maintain their visibility, even if have had to shut down temporarily.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11) Buy or renew a membership: <\/em><\/strong>If you have a subscription or a membership to a local business that provides a service (gyms\/fitness studios, dance lessons, and so on), don\u2019t cancel it because you aren\u2019t attending at the moment, says Ciotoli. \u201cMany businesses depend on that support to keep their doors open and pay their employees.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12) Subscribe to news publications:<\/em><\/strong> Some news organizations are lifting paywalls on content to make sure the public gets access to information about what is happening. As <\/em>one article puts it<\/span><\/em><\/a>, \u201cBy subscribing even to just one newspaper or media outlet that you trust, you can help support these people.\u201d   <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

13) Take online lessons:<\/em><\/strong> As jazz singer Beverly Taft points out, musicians such as guitarist Nathan Hiltz offer online lessons as well as concerts, and some have merchandise and recordings for purchase.   <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

14) Donate to food banks:<\/em><\/strong> Food Banks Canada has made a special $150 million donation request as a direct result of COVID-19. Consider <\/em>making a donation yourself<\/span>.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Got This! Share your thoughts, ideas, inspiration and your business \u2013 There\u2019s enough out there for all of us!!!!!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Connect on social media Reaching out to your favorite local shops and services through social media platforms can go a long way to drive optimism and boost morale. Even if you aren\u2019t able to offer financial support, simply engaging online and providing words of encouragement can help ease the loneliness business owners are feeling as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[21],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Chauffeur-Opening-Luxury-Car-D-290642344-e1580150058194.jpg",800,457,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Chauffeur-Opening-Luxury-Car-D-290642344-e1580149969733-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Chauffeur-Opening-Luxury-Car-D-290642344-e1580149969733-300x171.jpg",300,171,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Chauffeur-Opening-Luxury-Car-D-290642344-e1580149969733-768x439.jpg",768,439,true],"large":["https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Chauffeur-Opening-Luxury-Car-D-290642344-e1580149969733-1024x585.jpg",800,457,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Chauffeur-Opening-Luxury-Car-D-290642344-e1580149969733-1536x877.jpg",1536,877,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Chauffeur-Opening-Luxury-Car-D-290642344-e1580150058194.jpg",800,457,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"CMSAdmin","author_link":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/author\/cmsadmin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":40,"uagb_excerpt":"Connect on social media Reaching out to your favorite local shops and services through social media platforms can go a long way to drive optimism and boost morale. Even if you aren\u2019t able to offer financial support, simply engaging online and providing words of encouragement can help ease the loneliness business owners are feeling as…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2500"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2522,"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2500\/revisions\/2522"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigiassociates.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}