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Branson Proposal & Family Photography, formally Amy Fillinger Photography

Branson Proposal & Family Photography, formally Amy Fillinger Photography

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5 ways to support a small business (without spending a dime!)

February 19, 2019 by Virginia
Fort Smith Wedding photographer

How to support a small business without buying anything

I’ve seen some posts like this before but they are mostly related to friends working in network marketing or MLMs. I don’t want to make anyone mad, but starting your own business from scratch is very different from being part of an MLM. Most network marketing businesses tell you to reach out to your family and friends first. In reality, this turns a lot of people off and may not be helpful to your business.

One thing that I’ve always told others starting businesses is not to expect friends and family to be clients. Many small business owners would even tell you that friends and family are some of the worst clients. 😉 This isn’t always the case, but it often is. Friends and family can make the worst clients because they expect more, for less.

That being said, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you have a friend or family member starting a new business, there are plenty of ways to show your support. There are several ways to support a small business beyond purchasing their product or services. Here are 5 ways to support a small business without being a customer.

1. Follow their social media pages and interact

If their business has social media pages (and in 2019, every business should be on social media) follow and interact. Simply liking or following isn’t enough. Social media business pages (especially Facebook) need interaction in order for Facebook to find them “relevant.”

It only takes a few minutes to like and make a quick comment. Something more meaningful than “cool” or “nice” is always good. If the content is relevant to you, why not share it too?  A simple comment or share on a business page can make a big difference with the ever-changing social media algorithms.

2. Sign up for their newsletters

If their business has an online newsletter, sign up for it! Open the newsletters regularly, click on links too. Just like on social media, this helps the email provider understand that this newsletter is relevant and important.

3. Recommend to friends

Let’s just say that you have a friend who makes adorable baby rompers, but you don’t have a baby. Why not recommend them to your friends who have babies? Better yet, buy one of those adorable baby rompers and give it away as a baby shower or birthday gift. I know that this one does include a purchase, but you can always recommend the business even if you don’t purchase anything yourself.

Not only does that support your friend, but it also gets the word out about her business. You can also take some business cards to share with friends or share around town. You never know what could happen.

4. Write a review

Just to be clear, if someone starts a business that they know nothing about, that isn’t the time to leave a review. However, if you see that your friend is killing it in their business but not getting many quality reviews, it can be very helpful for you to leave one. You don’t have to lie or pretend to be a former client either. If your friend is a Travel Agent you can say:

“Mary is a wonderful travel agent. She really goes above and beyond for her clients. I can’t wait for her to plan my 10-year anniversary trip.”

See, easy-peasy and it only takes a few minutes if your time. If it’s a handmade item, you can say something like “I’ve seen this product in person and the quality is amazing.” Don’t pretend to be a client, just be a friend!

In my photography business, I have been fortunate to have many clients leave wonderful reviews. However, I’ve also had many clients who raved about their session and promised to leave reviews and never found the time. As a small business owner, it can be very hard to get reviews no matter how hard you work. Leaving a review is a great way to help any small business owner.

5. Encourage them

If you do nothing else on this list, do this. What small business owners need the most is an encouragement. When I started my photography business in 2012, I had no idea what I was doing. The first couple of years were the most difficult. I felt like I would never make any money and that I was wasting my time.

Every single small business owner feels like this from time to time. One of the best things that you can do for a friend who is a small business owner is to check in and encourage them.

There you have it, how to support a small business without buying anything. Do you have any other tips to support your friends’ and families small businesses? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.

If you want to support my small businesses, I’d love for you to follow me on social media!

Amy Fillinger Photography

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How to support a small business. 5 ways to support a small business owner without buying their product or service. #smallbusinessowner #smallbusiness #photography #businesstips #businessadvice #smallbusinesstips

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Branson Proposal & Family Photography

Branson Proposal & Family Photography, formally Amy Fillinger Photography, is a photography business based in Branson, MO specializing in extended family photography, proposal photography, senior portrait photography, and small weddings and elopements. We also serve the Springfield, Nixa, and Ozark areas.

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Yesterday was spent at Dogwood Canyon with the Cro Yesterday was spent at Dogwood Canyon with the Cross family getting these adorable family portraits! I promised George and Henry that I would make them a special "moon" photo when they wanted photos on this giant rock. Since I haven't been to the moon yet, I had to come up with my best guess as to what it would look like if I took their portraits there! Hopefully they like it! 😆
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I have so many favorites from John & Gracie's prop I have so many favorites from John & Gracie's proposal that I had to do another sneak peak! 😍 Aren't they adorable!?
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It's photo season! I was so excited to get to kick It's photo season! I was so excited to get to kick off spring at @dogwood_canyon with this beautiful proposal! John has been planning this for weeks, and Gracie said yes! 😍 The weather was a little chilly and windy, but the overcast was great. Aren't they the cutest couple!?
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I will never grow tired of capturing "I wills"! 😍
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It's not too late to book your senior portraits fo It's not too late to book your senior portraits for the 2022-2023 seniors! The Branson Landing is an excellent spot to do senior photos this time of year, and Dogwood Canyon is beautiful year round. Spring break is filling up fast!
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Did you know I offer professional headshots? Well Did you know I offer professional headshots? Well I do! I come to you and can work in most indoor spaces! ☺️ Contact me to get a personalized quote for your business!
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While Branson Proposal & Family Photography specia While Branson Proposal & Family Photography specializes in proposals and family reunion photography, we also photograph high end vehicles and luxury sports cars. Professional photos can make all the difference when selling your car online!
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Missouri weather can be so unpredictable, and our Missouri weather can be so unpredictable, and our forecast called for rain at our originally scheduled session time, but thankfully Zach was able to move it earlier in the day without Megan suspecting anything! She said yes!! And the rain held off the entire time we were shooting! It was a little cold, but definitely the perfect proposal to start the 2023 season! 😍 Congratulations Zach and Megan!!
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The Jenkins Family is here in Branson celebrating The Jenkins Family is here in Branson celebrating their parents/grandparents 40th anniversary! Happy Anniversary, and a Happy New Years! The Jenkins Family was my last family of 2022, and it was a great session to wrap up the year! It's been a great year for Branson Proposal & Family Photography, and I have gotten to work with some wonderful people - my client are the best out there! Here's to an even better 2023! 🎉
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When you can get couples to laugh just by having t When you can get couples to laugh just by having them look at each other, you know you have a fun group! 😍
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We got so many great shots of the Bear family yest We got so many great shots of the Bear family yesterday that it was hard for me to pick my favorites! I'll have a second post coming later with some adorable couples shots from the session, but I think these family and kid shots are pretty great too! 😍 The snow looks deceiving, as it wasn't nearly as cold as it was last week! ☺️
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Here is part two for Nick and Megan! Congrats agai Here is part two for Nick and Megan! Congrats again you two!
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Hi there! I’m Virginia…

I love coffee, racquetball, and photography! Branson Proposal & Family Photography has been documenting "I will's" and "I do's" since 2012. Read More…

about

Branson Proposal & Family Photography, formally Amy Fillinger Photography, is a Branson, Missouri based photography business specializing in extended family photography, proposal photography, and more. Branson Proposal & Family Photography serves Branson and the surrounding areas, including Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, and Republic, MO.

Contact me:

 417.259.9142
 virginia@bransonfamilyphotos.com
Send availability inquiries here.

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