July 3rd and 4th marked Independents' Day weekend - a national initiative to celebrate independent retail, spearheaded by Indie Retail UK. Over course of the weekend, retailers get involved by running special events and promotions. This years' event was sponsored by Local Rewards, and since Maybe* flies the flag for indies all year round, we've compiled the best posts from the campaign to inspire you to continue the amazing Independents' Day energy across social media all year round.
Celebrating the best of Independents’ Day across the UK
by Amy RountreeWhat was the best performing post in the Independents' Day conversation?
Solihull's indie lifestyle store Liv's earned the most engagement in all the posts in the #independentsday conversation. Liv's post captured the team in front of the store to mark the occasion, while the post copy delivered plenty of emotional and personal reasons to inspire followers to shop local and support indie.
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You can mimic this approach for yourself all year round. Make sure you are personal by involving your team in your social media posts so customers can get to know the faces that will greet them when they step through your doors.
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BIDs and councils get involved
It wasn't just retailers that were banging the indie drum. BIDs, councils and placemakers also took to social to show their support for Independents' Day.
Cirencester Council shone a light on the new indies it was welcoming to the town, while Visit Lincoln paired the Indie Day UK campaign with its Summer in Lincoln campaign by inviting indie businesses to share what they loved about being in business in Lincoln.
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Whether you are a BID, council, local authority or tourism body, your indie businesses are a reason for people to visit your town or place. Champion them across social media regularly, tag in the businesses you are featuring and help your audience get to know what makes your place everything it is.
Shopping centres show their indie tenants love
Shopping Centre Rushden Lakes proved its offering is more than just the national names they play home to. Featuring a different indie business in the run up to Independents' Day, the centre made sure that it shone a light on the unique products and services its indie tenants offer shoppers.
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Shopping Centres can take up space at the heart of their community as a destination to shop, eat and be entertained. As customers increasingly look for ways to shop small and shop local; introducing and supporting your tenants across social media, will inspire customers to visit you.
Key takeaway
To help businesses discover you and all the wonderful indies in your place, get your local High Street Guide from Local Rewards and share it across social media. It's choc full of special offers, prize draws and Instagram content from every business in your town or place.
To ensure you're continuing to build on the support for independent businesses now that Independents' Day is over, make sure you are using #shoplocal #supportlocal and #ilovelocal in your content alongside hashtags for your town and city.
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