Get Ready for Small Business Saturday With These Ideas
With more than half of Americans saying they will shop on Small Business Saturday, it’s important that your business is prepared! The purpose of Small Business Saturday is to encourage people to shop small during the post-Thanksgiving weekend. Doing so supports local economies and helps small businesses compete with larger retailers.
This year, Small Business Saturday falls on November 26. As you prepare, here are some ideas you can build upon. More people are willing to shop small, so capitalize on this interest and offer great deals and promotions!
Own Your Identity
Remind people that you take pride in being a small business. Share your story and how you got started. Tell people why you love what you do and what makes you different from other businesses. This information shows that you are different from the big box stores, and that each sale makes a difference to your business and your personal livelihood.
Choose a Compelling Offer or Discount
To bring people into your store, you’ll need a special offer or promotion. Think about what your customer base is looking for and what would appeal to them. If you have an online store, free shipping, a mystery gift or a 20% coupon will motivate people to act. You can also look into other perks like free gift wrapping or double loyalty points on Saturday only.
Send Out an Email
Email is a great tool that allows you to stay in touch with your customers while also keeping them updated on new products, holiday promotions and special events. If you use an email marketing platform like Constant Contact, choose one of the Small Business Saturday email templates to encourage people to shop at your store.
Reach Customers on Social Media
Another way to spread news of Small Business Saturday is on social media. Connect with your audiences on Facebook, Instagram, etc. and let them know what sales you have going on, what products you have in stock and so forth. You can sweeten the pot by offering a free gift to the first 50 people who visit your store or buy a product online. Don’t hesitate to launch a countdown either!
Partner Up with Another Business
Think about collaborating with another business. For example, if you have a clothing store, you can partner with a local coffee or donut shop. Your customers will enjoy shopping while drinking a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. If you’re strictly online, you can collaborate with another business on giveaways, partner with an influencer or do a social media account takeover.
Donate Money to a Charity
Consider donating a percentage of your sales to a charity on Small Business Saturday. Brownie points if you can find a local charity in your area that people are familiar with. Supporting a charity is a great way to embrace the spirit of the season and give back to others. It’s also a useful PR tool that improves your reputation and increases sales.
Hopefully these ideas have given you some inspiration for a successful Small Business Saturday. Take note of what works for your business and what doesn’t, as this will give you direction for next year!