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For Your Small Business November 3, 2023

Small Business Owners: Prepare for Small Business Saturday

On Saturday, November 25th, businesses around the country will take part in Small Business Saturday, a shopping holiday that was created to highlight and drive business to small companies. Although relatively new to the scene, Small Business Saturday is making big waves. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, greater awareness of the event led to a record $17.9 billion in sales in 2022. Making the most of this year’s Small Business Saturday opportunities means implementing a few strategies before the big day. Here are some ideas to help capitalize on your participation.

Spread the word early

How it helps: Consumers who know about Small Business Saturday are more likely to support the day and shop during it. Let your customers know early and often that you will be participating in the big day through strategic marketing promotions. Social media and email are excellent vehicles to get the word out to existing customers for free, while flyers and newsletters can help alert new customers to your business.

Host an event

How it helps: Consider participating in some of the additional marketing opportunities available. Small Business Saturday is often accompanied by plenty of other sponsored events like pop-up markets, welcome stations, and more. These offer additional avenues for small business owners to meet new people and gain new customers. Check with your Chamber of Commerce or local business organizations to see if they have already started to plan events. There may be opportunities for you to join their community.

Make the day unique

How it helps: Create a Small Business Saturday campaign that will stand out and get the attention of customers. For example, a café might offer curbside treats to get guests in the door or rent a food truck to drive around, drumming up more business for the day. A gift shop, on the other hand, might create individually themed gift baskets available only on Small Business Saturday. Whatever makes your businesses one-of-a-kind, this is a great time to showcase and highlight your value proposition.

Create strategic partnerships

How it helps: Two business marketing campaigns (or three, or four …) are better than one. In promoting Small Business Saturday, consider partnering with other like-minded businesses in your area to maximize potential exposure for your brand.

Offer special deals

How it helps: Draw in those customers on the fence about shopping locally by offering added incentives to support the local business in the community. For example, exclusive deals and discounts that are only available on that day — like two-for-one sales, friends and family discounts, and coupons for other small business owners — are sure to be a big hit.

Get prepared

How it helps: Put thought behind how you will handle the increased traffic and business that you expect for the day. If you are really hoping to pull more people in the door, be sure to have enough staff on hand to handle the influx. If you want to build customer loyalty, have a method of capturing customer information and a way to follow up with future communication.

Create a contest

How it helps: Incentivize people to participate actively in your Small Business Saturday endeavors with a contest. Whether you use social media to leverage free advertising by suggesting people post photos of their purchases or their participation in your Small Business Saturday events with a specific hashtag for a chance at a free prize, or keep it small with a bowl full of business cards for a prize, everyone loves an opportunity to be a winner.

Personalize your participation

How it helps: Focus on stellar customer service during Small Business Saturday. This is a great way to earn repeat customers. It could be as simply providing specialized training to your staff before the big day to ensure everyone is ready to make the best impression. Or consider offering everyone who makes a purchase on that day a free workshop or class to get them back in the door in the future.

Small Business Saturday can be a great way to grow your business, get your name out there, and have fun, but it does take planning. Saturday, November 25th, will be a day to remember, and using some of the ideas above will only help propel your participation to all-star status.

For more ideas to drive your business forward, connect with a Small Business Banker today!

 

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