While it may seem sometimes like large, national or chain store brands have a major advantage over small, local businesses, this isn’t always the case. Like so many other things in life, it’s not what you have that matters, it’s what you do with what you have. There are actually a number of advantages that small, local businesses have over giant chains. One thing that is crucial, however, is for small, local businesses to help each other out, which is one more advantage that small businesses have over giant chains. Here are 3 ways small businesses can help build each other up.

Cross promote

Whether it’s offering business cards, flyers or coupons for another business in your business or simply referring customers or clients to a fellow small business owner, small businesses can all benefit from helping each other promote their businesses or services. Sometimes, this can actually be mutually beneficial. A local nail or hair salon may be able to provide spa services at a small hotel that can’t afford to have an onsite spa or the hotel can place menus in their rooms from a local restaurant that offers delivery when they don’t have a restaurant on site.

Buy local

If you are a small business owner, you know the challenges of being a small business, so don’t buy from a giant chain like Hostess when you can buy from Klosterman Baking Company. This shows that you care about the local economy more than just profit. Sometimes, your best customers will be other small business owners, so be sure and try and be their best customer as well. If you are catering an event, use local restaurants and if you offer goods for sale, try and use local artisans and craftspeople.

Scratch each other’s backs

Local politics often have a direct impact on local businesses. By working together with other small business owners, you can have a significant impact on local politics, which in turn has a significant impact on your business. While giant corporations may have the money to affect politics all by themselves, small businesses will find the greatest safety and strength in numbers. It’s also important to not just participate in government and politics when it comes to policies that directly affect you or your business. If you and other small business owners support another small business owner in combatting community propositions that have a detrimental effect on their business but not yours, they will be more likely to align themselves with you when community politics threaten to interfere with your business as well.

Small businesses have the advantage of being able to develop better relationships with their customers and clients, which can often lead to loyalty and retention even when bigger stores and national chains can offer lower prices. The success of small businesses, however, is often dependent on their involvement and participation with other small businesses. Working together can often help you achieve far more than trying to go it alone.