Can you feel the love in the air? Tis’ the season, after all. It’s that time of year when we pause to appreciate the loved ones in our lives and open our hearts to receiving a little extra love ourselves. But, as our busy schedules fill to the brim and we begin to notice all the helping hands that support our businesses, goals, and projects, we realized we have a very important collection of people on our minds that we want to celebrate as well—our beloved service providers. Our partners get plenty of love from us, so let’s cast the love net a bit wider this year–don’t you think? We sincerely appreciate our fellow graphic designers, photographers, small business owners, and countless others. So, as a fun twist to Valentine’s Day, we wanted to highlight five easy ways to support, share, and celebrate these vital people in our lives because, ultimately, it’s these small acts of kindness that make all the difference. 

Without further ado, here are our favorite ways to show your service providers some love this month (and every month).

This one’s simple, yet incredibly impactful.

This is an easy way to support your service providers, and express your gratitude for their work. After all, one review goes a long way in this digital age. The next time you complete a successful project with someone, take some time to write a personalized review (or answer their testimonial request!). Highlight how they made you feel, what they accomplished, or any little gleaming detail on the overall experience. Oftentimes, it’s these small details that set a company apart and lend a unique perspective that will be appreciated for many clients to come. Depending on the industry, it can be helpful to include emotive words like “they deeply understood my goals and values,” or, “I’m so excited to share our work”. Sentiments like these convey just how special your collaboration was, and in turn, how your service provider served your needs.

We live in a digital world, so why not embrace it?

Here in the studio, we always like to give our clients and fellow service providers a shoutout, no matter where we are in the process with them. Through the beauty of social media and website channels, there are endless ways to share the love online. Mention them in your story, link them in a post, schedule an Instagram Live, make sure to give other creatives due credit on your website, feature them in a blog post, etc. In these ways, you can direct traffic from your page to theirs, too. Beyond building traffic and sales for other service providers, this is simply a loving way to show respect and create trust within our creative industry and community. This is helpful for you, your audience, and your service provider. Win, win, annnd win! In this industry, it’s always a good move to be transparent and showcase aligned businesses that we love and support. While this seems simple enough, it’s truly small acts like this that could make all the difference for business owners.

Small acts of kindness can leave a lasting effect.

Here in the studio, we love connecting with our clients and fellow business owners on a deeper level. Our partnerships go beyond convention, beyond transaction, and become something more—a wholehearted friendship. 

As with any friend, you celebrate them and congratulate them on their milestones, and your actions towards them are full of love and thoughtfulness. The same can be said for your service providers. Handwritten thank you and holiday cards can go a long way by making those in our lives feel remembered and cared for. Additionally, paying attention to little details like birthdays, or any noteworthy news they share from their life, work-related or not, is incredibly meaningful. Not only does this forge a positive relationship between you, but you make them feel truly seen and valued. These small love notes and moments of thoughtful detail can truly make anyone’s day (or year).

Treat your service providers how you want to be treated. 

If nothing else, just be courteous. Easy as that! Few things make a service provider happier than working with someone who is timely with revisions, email responses, feedback, etc. Your time is precious and so is theirs; operating in this way is a sincere sign of respect for their time and appreciation for the work they’re doing. Looking for bonus points? Don’t just be punctual, be thorough. Providing thorough feedback through the creative process can be invaluable to service providers when working on a project. Be sure to make note *specifically* of why you liked or disliked something rather than just stating the overall fact that something is either good or bad. This offers people the chance to learn, grow, and really work their magic. Nothing sparks love like reminding someone why they do the job they do–let’s be that reminder for someone. 

Don’t forget to look out for #1.

Yes, we’re looking at you. Have you taken the time to show yourself or your own business some love? Now is the time to tend to yourself as well. Finally check off that personal to-do list, refresh that old about me page, or request those testimonials that your business needs and deserves. For some added support with this one, snag our Testimonial Request Bundle. Within the bundle, you’ll find everything you need to get those rave reviews flowing in with ease; customizable questions, templates, and tips for how to use a testimonial on your website and social channels effectively. Trust us, we know how hard it can be to find time in a busy schedule for self-care but don’t forget that your business is an extension of you, so when you take care of one, you are taking care of the other. This year, don’t forget, you can be your own valentine.

---

No matter what you do, the point here is to take a little time out of your day to celebrate those in your life—even those who are part of your day job! We encourage you to surprise a service provider you love and shower them with all the compliments this month. This heartfelt holiday is a reminder to share love, appreciation, and support–to others, and to ourselves.

Subscribe to the studio newsletter or follow us on Instagram for more insights, information on our services, and plenty of copywriting tips!