The Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend is Small Business Saturday – a day when consumers are specifically encouraged to support their local communities by shopping at independently owned businesses.
American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010 to help businesses get more customers. The next year, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution supporting Small Business Saturday, and it’s grown into a bigger and more anticipated event each year since then. Now that folks are getting out and about again after the worst of the pandemic, it's the perfect time to make a splash.
Resources and ideas
If you’re a customer-facing small-business owner, you can benefit significantly from Small Business Saturday. Use the day as an opportunity to connect with your customers and thank them for their support not just on the busy Thanksgiving shopping weekend, but throughout the year.
American Express provides free posters, email templates, social posts and more from the Shop Small Resource Hub so you can show you’re involved and promoting this small business movement.
Need ideas on how you can participate? Consider:
Special sales – Negotiate deep discounts on a few key items from your suppliers, and slash your margins on merchandise your customers will get excited about.
Exclusive offers – Sell something that will only be available that day, either in-store or online.
Extended hours – Make it extra-easy for people to drop in at their convenience, regardless of their schedule.
Special experiences – Offer free coffee and pastries in the morning, a beverage and cookies or cheese in the afternoon. Perhaps provide special entertainment by local children or musicians.
Showcase unique products and services – Shoppers visit small businesses to discover unique products. Create a special display of the one-of-a-kind products your store offers. Pair items that would make a great fits ides to help customers find the perfect holiday gifts.
Parking perks – Make parking lots and valet parking convenient and safe to customers and the public. Free parking vouchers can help attract new customers.
Use social media – Promote your involvement in Small Business Saturday on your social media accounts. Share your special deals and use hashtags such as #SmallBusinessSaturday or #ShopSmall in your posts.
Read the full article at the link below.
Article File: Make the Most of Small Business Saturday.pdf