support-local-red-deer-lacombe-blackfalds-web-design

Unappreciated. Undervalued. Insecure.

How’s that for conjuring up words that make you feel like shit?

That’s how it feels when we are busting our butt and it feels like either:

  • no one is noticing
  • no one appreciates it
  • no one gives a shit

And this isn’t just things that affect us as humans, they suck just as bad for a business owner.

I’ve seen it over the years, the passive aggressive #supportlocal posts with an undertone of guilt or shaming. Maybe just not being used in the most positive context. By all means, support local because the benefits are insurmountable to our community, but don’t use #supportlocal as a…

NO ONE IS SUPPORTING ME AND I'M MAD Click To Tweet

Or a #supportlocal for:

I'M JEALOUS, NOTICE ME! Click To Tweet

or…

I'm struggling, for &$@! sake. If you don't support me, you are ruining me. Click To Tweet

Here’s the best solution I can come up with to slow that usage.

Let’s build each other up in our business community.

Build each other up every single chance we get.

Not because they’re your customer, not because they’re your friend, although YA do that too!  All up. All the time.

Had good customer service?

  • Tweet, Facebook, Insta…whatever you do, share it there
  • Write a blog post about it
  • Tell a friend, or 10 friends.
  • Tell the business! Say it, or send it “Hey you frickin rocked today!”

Purchased the best product?

  • Tell everyone you know 🙂
  • Social it – Facebook, Twitter, Insta
  • Tell that artist, designer, business owner

Here’s the important part..do that EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

Save the “your business should be here, therefore you don’t deserve the social shout outs” bullshit.

Not everyone does social, nor do they need to. Just like not every business needs a website.

THAT’S RIGHT, I SAID IT.

Does that mean we shouldn’t send the kudos?

Check yourself. Of course we should.

In conclusion…

Less using #supportlocal as a call for #supportme and more in the context of #supportthiscommunity. Click To Tweet

Ok?

Let’s try it. More building up. ALL UP ALL THE TIME.

I vow to work on that.

 

You joining me?

 

 

12 replies
  1. Andrea
    Andrea says:

    Excellent post Brenda! I agree that there’s an undertone of shaming with #supportlocal. Let’s not forget that the employees of the “not local” stores are your neighbors and need their jobs too.

    Reply
    • Brenda Sargeant
      Brenda Sargeant says:

      Good point Andrea!

      And for the record, I think a lot of people use it totally clear of the shaming and demands, it’s just those that don’t that have created a bad spin on the hashtag 🙁

      Reply

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