Let’s be honest; starting a business or a side hustle isn’t for everyone. It comes with sacrificing nights and weekends, less time spent with loved ones, an unpredictable income, investing your own money (and losing it), self-doubt, failure, lack of support, and a whole list of other headaches. 

However, as a friend, you can play a pivotal role in their success. Supporting your friend’s latest venture doesn’t always have to cost you money. Even though “cash is king” when it comes to running a business, there are plenty of ways to show your support, which will help their business succeed and propel them closer to reaching their entrepreneurial goals. For starters, it costs you absolutely nothing to encourage and show support to your family and friends’ business. It’s literally $FREE.99.

Here are a few easy yet impactful ways you can help the people you love achieve their dreams, with eight out of nine being completely free. 

1. Follow, Share, Like, Comment

Today, social media platforms are key to building a business and play a significant role in helping businesses grow in various ways. Sharing, liking, and commenting on your friend’s posts helps boost engagement and get their brand out to a wider audience. This will help them attract new customers, strengthen their relationships with existing customers, and increase sales and brand awareness.

2. Word of Mouth, aka Referral

What better way to help your friend build their business than to spread the word and send them referrals. When you refer your friend’s brand to others, it establishes trust and loyalty, and people are more willing to support those they have a connection with. By suggesting your friend’s business, you are helping spread the word for one friend while assisting another in finding a particular product or service they might need. Everybody wins.

3. Leave a Good Review

A good (or bad) review goes a long way. But let’s focus on the positive. Leaving a good review on their website, Google, Facebook, Yelp, or anywhere they do business plays a pivotal role in attracting future customers, which can relate to increased sales. In addition, receiving a genuine and heartening review from a friend or past customer is super encouraging, and the feedback is invaluable.

4. Sign Up For Their Email List

Another excellent way to support everything your friend is working on is to sign up for their email list. By subscribing, you’re building a more intimate relationship and connecting on a deeper level because they’re sharing details about something near and dear to their heart, and that’s their dreams. In addition to receiving special offers, updates, event invitations, information, and other things you may find valuable, you also get to connect on a more personal level over social media.

5. Tell Them About Opportunities

Let them know what’s going on in your community. Is there an upcoming farmer’s market or street festival in your area they might be interested in participating in? Is there a networking event or workshop they should know about? If so, then let them know. This is a great way to put your friend on to new opportunities they may not be aware of, giving them a chance to get their name out there. Even if your friend isn’t from the area, don’t assume they won’t be interested; it may give them the perfect excuse to come to visit you and network at the same time.

6. Respect Their Hustle

Going into business is a life-changing endeavor. Your friend put a lot of time and thought into making this critical decision, and you should respect that. They have enough on their plate without having to cater to friends who are only looking for a handout. As a friend, you should want to support their endeavor. Asking for a discount instead of paying the full price tells them you don’t value their work or business. This added stress can even weaken your relationship. Even if you two have been friends for years, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat them as professionals.

7. Volunteer

As small business owners, it can be difficult to ask for help even when we know we need it (AAGH). If you have some extra time on your hands and the capacity, reach out and see if you can lend a helping hand. Whether it’s assisting with handing out flyers, helping to set up and operate their booth at a local festival, or going to their event just to show your support, your presence can make a world of difference.

8. Cheer For Them

It goes without saying that entrepreneurship is complex, and a little support means more than you know. As an entrepreneur, your friends are constantly doubting themselves and letting the comments from haters and naysayers gradually creep into their thoughts. The pressures from the outside world to give up on their dreams of owning a business, on top of all the stressors that come with running a business, can take its toll. Even if you don’t quite understand why they would ever want to work for themselves, still make a conscious effort to support them. Give them a call, text, or email, and let them know you’re thinking of them and excited to hear about their new venture. Share how proud you are and how much you believe in their vision. These little gestures can reassure them that you’ll support them in any way you can. This type of love and encouragement is rare these days, and your friends will never forget how your kind words and actions got them through the rough days.

9. Buy Their Product or Service

Last but certainly not least is to make it a point to purchase your friend’s product or service. Please show your support by paying the total price for their expertise and supporting their business financially. You can order something for yourself or as a gift for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Purchasing products and or services from our friends is the most important way we can help their business grow and gain traction. Don’t expect to receive a discount just because they’re your friend. Every sale counts to a small business owner. There’s a feeling of excitement receiving orders, but it’s even more special when they come from the people you love.

Supporting Friends Isn’t Difficult

There are countless ways we can support our friends’ businesses and side hustles while advocating for them. Championing entrepreneurs, artists, and creators further strengthens our neighborhoods. It inspires people to pursue their dreams, especially when they know the community will show up and support them. 

Supporting your friend’s business is more than just spending money; it’s about showing them that you believe in them and their dreams. 

Remember, you’re playing a meaningful role in their success and helping them make an impact.