How to Participate in Small Business Saturday

Promote Your Business

Promote your business year-round using tools and resources provided by American Express. Download marketing materials such as in-store signage, social media posts, and email templates to inform shoppers that they can participate in Shop Small® at your business (American Express, n.d.).

Key Facts

  1. Promote your business: Utilize tools and resources to promote your business year-round. You can download marketing materials like in-store signage, social media posts, email templates, and more to show shoppers they can Shop Small® at your business.
  2. Get listed: Update your business listing so that you can be recommended to American Express Card Members. This can help drive more customers to your business. You can update your listing at americanexpress.com/marketing.
  3. Plan something special: Make Small Business Saturday a memorable day for your customers. Consider offering special promotions, hosting events, bringing in local performers or artisans, or adding extra incentives like discounts or donations to a local charity.
  4. Spread the word: Let your community know that your business is participating in Small Business Saturday. Use social media, hashtags like #SmallBusinessSaturday or #SBS, flyers, newsletters, emails, or local ads to share your business’s story and excitement for the day.
  5. Assess your business: Use Small Business Saturday as an opportunity to assess the state of your business. Evaluate if you need seasonal help, if there are new technologies to implement, or if there are popular items to stock up on.
  6. Offer special deals: Similar to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is a great day to offer special discounts and promotions. Consider limited-time offers, free gifts, coupon discounts, or “buy one, get one free” offers to entice customers.
  7. Utilize social media: Create a plan to promote your Small Business Saturday offers on social media. Decide which platforms to use, what content to post, and what goals you want to achieve. Continue to post leading up to the day, including all necessary information like your location and any relevant promotion or event details.
  8. Boost your marketing efforts: Rethink your overall marketing strategy and increase your advertising efforts. Create a comprehensive marketing campaign that highlights what you offer and why it’s unique to your store.
  9. Partner with other businesses: Consider partnering with nearby businesses that offer complementary products or services. You can offer special discounts for shopping at both stores, sell product bundles, or sponsor crossover events. This can help build relationships with other small business owners and strengthen your sense of community.
  10. Extend your hours: If possible, consider extending your business hours on Small Business Saturday. This can give customers more time to visit your store and make it easier for them to stop by before or after their other obligations or regular shopping. Make sure to communicate the extended hours in your marketing materials.

Get Listed

Update your business listing on americanexpress.com/marketing to be recommended to American Express Card Members. This can increase customer traffic to your business (American Express, n.d.).

Plan Something Special

Make Small Business Saturday memorable for your customers by offering special promotions, hosting events, featuring local performers or artisans, or providing incentives like discounts or donations to local charities (Business News Daily, 2023).

Spread the Word

Inform your community about your participation in Small Business Saturday through social media, flyers, newsletters, emails, or local advertisements. Use hashtags like #SmallBusinessSaturday or #SBS to increase visibility (Business News Daily, 2023).

Assess Your Business

Use Small Business Saturday as an opportunity to evaluate your business. Consider hiring seasonal help, implementing new technologies, or stocking up on popular items (Miller, 2020).

Offer Special Deals

Similar to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is an excellent time to offer discounts and promotions. Consider limited-time offers, free gifts, coupon discounts, or “buy one, get one free” deals to attract customers (InfusionSoft and Pollfish, 2016).

Utilize Social Media

Develop a plan to promote your Small Business Saturday offers on social media. Determine which platforms to use, what content to post, and what goals you want to achieve. Continue posting leading up to the day, including necessary information like your location and any relevant promotion or event details (Mattingly, 2020).

Boost Your Marketing Efforts

Rethink your overall marketing strategy and increase your advertising efforts. Create a comprehensive marketing campaign that highlights your unique offerings and store (Gilbert, 2020).

Partner with Other Businesses

Collaborate with nearby businesses that offer complementary products or services. Offer joint discounts, sell product bundles, or sponsor crossover events. This can foster relationships with other small business owners and strengthen your community (Business News Daily, 2023).

Extend Your Hours

If possible, extend your business hours on Small Business Saturday to provide customers with more time to visit your store and accommodate their schedules (Business News Daily, 2023).

References

FAQs

What is Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday is an annual event held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage consumers to support small businesses in their communities.

How can I participate in Small Business Saturday as a shopper?

As a shopper, you can participate in Small Business Saturday by shopping at local, independent businesses on the day of the event. You can also spread the word about the event on social media and encourage your friends and family to participate.

How can I participate in Small Business Saturday as a small business owner?

As a small business owner, you can participate in Small Business Saturday by offering special promotions, hosting events, and getting involved in your community. You can also use social media to promote your business and the event.

What are some tips for making the most of Small Business Saturday?

Here are a few tips for making the most of Small Business Saturday:

    • Plan ahead and research which small businesses you want to visit.
    • Take advantage of special promotions and discounts.
    • Shop early to avoid crowds.
    • Bring your friends and family along to support small businesses.
    • Share your experience on social media and encourage others to shop small.

What are some ways to promote Small Business Saturday?

Here are a few ways to promote Small Business Saturday:

    • Use social media to spread the word about the event.
    • Create a marketing campaign that highlights the benefits of shopping small.
    • Partner with other small businesses to offer joint promotions.
    • Get involved in your community and attend local events.

What are the benefits of participating in Small Business Saturday?

There are many benefits to participating in Small Business Saturday, including:

    • Increased sales and revenue.
    • Greater visibility for your business.
    • Opportunities to build relationships with customers.
    • A sense of community and pride.

What are some common mistakes to avoid on Small Business Saturday?

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid on Small Business Saturday:

    • Not planning ahead.
    • Offering discounts that are too deep.
    • Not promoting the event effectively.
    • Not providing excellent customer service.

How can I find participating businesses in my area?

You can find participating businesses in your area by using the Small Business Saturday website or by searching for “#ShopSmall” on social media.

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