Small Business Saturday is just around the corner! It falls on Saturday, November 26, 2022. As a small business owner, this event represents a significant opportunity to highlight your business’s importance in the local community, showcase what makes your products or services unique, and increase sales during the critical holiday shopping season. So where do you start?
Here are 5 ways to help you prepare for this special event.
1. Create special sales events to encourage spending on Small Business Saturday with food, drinks, music, contests, or promotional items to draw shoppers in. Consider special discounts or free offerings for loyal customers and set up an in-store activity that demonstrates your products or services. Promote gift cards. Many holiday shoppers buy gift cards or gift certificates for family and friends, representing a huge opportunity for new customers to try your products or services.
2. Have a meeting with your employees. Remind them to greet each shopper when they enter and exit your business to show how much you appreciate them for supporting your business. Making Small Business Saturday a success for your business is a total team effort!
3. Partner with other small businesses to raise awareness surrounding Small Business Saturday. See how you can team up to provide special offers or discounts with complementary products or services to create the ultimate shopping experience. Consider highlighting a local charity at your business. It’s a great way to embrace the spirit of the season and give back to the community.
4. Stay open longer. Small Business Saturday might be one of your busiest days of the year. Extending your hours by opening earlier and closing later could have a big impact on sales. Longer hours could draw in new customers that normally could not shop there during your normal business hours.
5. Get social on social media. Promote Small Business Saturday deals and share how you’re preparing your store. Focus on what you offer, where you’re located, and how customers can contact you. Use #ShopSmall on your social media posts to join the overall conversation and encourage shoppers to snap a selfie and tag your business. This can increase the engagement of your posts, potentially reaching new customers.
The Small Business Saturday concept was first introduced by American Express in 2010 to showcase the importance and value of small businesses. You can go to the American Express website to easily create customizable marketing materials for your business such as downloadable flyers, website badges, social posts, blog posts, and digital banners to help promote your business during this exciting event.
According to US Chamber.com, consumers have been eager to support their local small business community. Last year, the U.S. Small Business Administration reported Americans spent nearly $20 billion on Small Business Saturday. So, on Saturday, November 26, be prepared, have fun, stay safe, and promote Shop Small!
About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.