5 Easy Ways to Support Your Favorite Authors (and Small Businesses)

“Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

Hello, everyone!

I know these have been going around IG lately, but it’s always good to remember there’s several things we can do to help support and promote our favorite authors (and small businesses) that don’t always require money or more than a few minutes, but can make a world of difference if you’re looking for ways to help.

While I was working on my post for IG, I realized that this would make a great blog post idea.

Would you like to see more posts like this one? Let me know in the comments section below.

1. Follow them on social media –

Whether that’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or one of the many other social media sites, this is one of the best ways to meet new authors, keep up-to-date on any new releases, and even catch some sales or fun giveaways the might be hosting or part of. The same is true for many small businesses. 

For authors, following them on Goodreads and BookBub type sites also count and are great ways to connect with other reads too. 

2. Subscribe to their newsletter –

Both authors and many small businesses also often have a newsletter. This might be monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly newsletters. Some have more frequency while others only send out a few a year, or when a big event or sale warrants it. These are great ways to stay connected and up-to-date with any news, upcoming releases, changes or updates, and sometimes they have newsletter exclusive giveaways for subscriber as a thrilling perk for subscribers as well!

3. Like, Share, and Comment on their posts –

Pretty self explanatory, but social media (as well a blogs) and pretty interaction based. They like high traffic posts and accounts, so long as it’s organic and relevant. So a quick comment answering a question they might have asked in a post, responding to a QOTD, liking and sharing their post in your stories, or tagging a friend and letting them know about that amazing author or businesses your sure they will love are all great ways to spread the word and help others find their posts and account along the way.

4. Add them to your TBR, Wishlist, or Favorites List –

Whether this is on sites like Goodreads, or somewhere like Amazon or Etsy, it all matters. It helps make their shop or page easier for you to return to, and TBRs and Wishlists can be viewable by others. This makes it a convenient way for others wanting to send you a gift to give you one of your Wishlist items , while also serving as a possible recommendation! I know I have seen things or interesting looking books on other’s list, and ended up adding it to my own TBR or wishlist in the process. Win-win!

5. Write a Review, and let others know about their books or products and why you love them… –

A mouthful, I know. But it’s still true! Word of mouth is still a tried-and-true method to help well… spread the word. If you love it, tell somebody! This can be anything from writing a short review on their website or the site you bought it from, or for books (and products, too really) sharing a brief review on sites like Instagram, Facebook, or even your blog. Even better if you share a photo, but reviews can be really simple, yet still be helpful. Just say what you liked, and if you enjoyed it but didn’t love it, why not? And what could make your experience better?

Be nice and remain courteous, these are real people who likely put a lot of time, effort, and care into providing a positive experience and a good product. But also strive to be honest, and let others know if there’s something that didn’t work for you and why. Even a slightly lower review can be helpful, and sometimes I even find them to be the ones I look to, that way I can see what others didn’t like about a book or product, sometimes those things are the very things I’m looking for, making me the perfect fit, even if it wasn’t completely perfect for the one who left the review.

These are just a few simple and easy ways to help support your favorite authors and small businesses. There’s so many things we can do to be intentional and give back.

Share some of your favorite ways to give back and support your favorite shops and authors in the comments below. I’m excited to hear your ideas.