November 25th – Small Business Saturday; Shop Local

By Andrea Feinberg

We know you’ve already figured out how to take advantage of Small Business Saturday, this year on November 25th. It’s an excellent opportunity for small business owners to boost sales, engage with your community, and foster a sense of unity within your team. Here are some ideas that may boost this year’s plans. And we wish you a great event on Small Business Saturday:

1. Special Discounts and Promotions: Offer exclusive discounts or promotions on Small Business Saturday to entice customers. Consider bundling products or offering buy-one-get-one deals.
2. Engage Specific Audiences: Attract new business with a targeted promotion to a desired segment – union members, teachers, first responders, etc.
3. Collaborate with Other Small Businesses: Partner with nearby small businesses to cross-promote each other. Joint promotions or events can attract a wider audience. And, if you have related yet noncompeting services or goods, you’ll attract each other’s buyers without negative consequence.
4. Create a Festive Atmosphere: Have a physical location? Decorate your store or office to make it feel festive and inviting. Offer complimentary refreshments or host live music, and, if appropriate, consider engaging with local artists or performers.
5. Loyalty Programs: Launch a loyalty program for your regular customers, rewarding them for their support. Small Business Saturday can be a great day to enroll new members. Offer something similar – yet less beneficial – for new customers to entice them t ‘regular’ status.
6. Online Presence: Make sure your website and social media profiles are up to date. And always ensure your site functions beautifully, behind the scenes as well as its ‘face’. Utilize social media to promote your Small Business Saturday deals, share stories about your team, and engage with your audience.
7. Email Marketing: Send out email campaigns to your existing customer base, informing them about your Small Business Saturday promotions.
8. Local Partnerships: Partner with local charities or community organizations. Donate a percentage of your profits on Small Business Saturday or host events that benefit these groups. And promote it!

In-Store Events: Brick ‘n’ mortar? Consider hosting in-store events like product demonstrations, workshops, or meet-and-greets with local influencers or experts.

1. Customer Appreciation: Show your gratitude to your customers. Offer small tokens of appreciation, samples, gift cards or handwritten notes with purchases.
2. Employee Engagement: Involve your team in the planning and execution of Small Business Saturday. Encourage them to suggest ideas and reward their hard work. Happy and motivated employees can create a positive shopping experience for customers. And, it reinforces your company values. 
3. Customer Feedback: Collect feedback from customers. Use this feedback to improve your business and make necessary changes or to feel great about your accomplishments.
4. Extend the Celebration: Consider extending the Small Business Saturday promotions over a weekend or a longer period to maximize customer engagement.
5. Local Advertising: Advertise in local newspapers, magazines, and relevant online platforms to get the word out about your Small Business Saturday deals.
6. Thank Your Community: After Small Business Saturday, thank your community for their support. Share photos and stories of the day on social media. And thank your team for its involvement.
7. Plan for Next Year: Make sure to collect data and feedback to inform your strategy for the following year’s Small Business Saturday. Smart planning!

Remember, the key to a successful Small Business Saturday is creating a memorable experience for your customers and your team. Show them that you value their support, and use this day as an opportunity to connect with new and existing customers alike.