Small Business Saturday is just around the corner, so it’s time to start preparing!  With more than 93 percent of Americans believing in supporting locally owned businesses and more than $13billion being spent in 2017 for the day, you don’t want to miss out on Small Business Saturday 2018!

Here are five tips we’ve pulled together to help you get your business ready to rock it like a boss this November 24th (Small Business Saturday this year).

Create Your Small Business Saturday Plan

There are so many benefits that come with participating in Small Business Saturday.  To make the most of the day, you need to plan ahead — this is one-holiday event you don’t want to miss out on!

Decide now that you want to participate and take the steps you need to get in the game:

• Rally your staff and make sure you’ll have enough hands on deck for the day.
• Start putting up signs and reminders around your business to let your customers know the day is coming and that you’ll be participating.
• Get your supplies from the Small Business Saturday official website (it’s sponsored by American Express and supplies are free, but limited so order then now).  The branded materials will help you promote both ahead of time and during the big event.

Register with Small Business Shop

Small Business Saturday gets tons of coverage from the media and various advertising channels during the week leading up to Small Business Saturday.  Plus, lots of shoppers visit the “Small Shop” to find local businesses they can support, so you want to make sure you’ve registered.

Take the time to get listed as a participating merchant on the American Express Small Business Saturday website.  It’s super easy and will give you a competitive edge during the event.

Create Small Business Saturday Special Offer

Holiday shoppers are searching for deals this time of year, and with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday jammed packed into the ultimate shopping weekend, you want to make sure you have deals that will bring shoppers back to you each day.

Create specific deals that you’ll promote for each day of the super holiday shopping weekend.  Your Small Business Saturday deals need to be strong enough to bring tired shoppers into your business after a long night of Black Friday Shopping.

Offer something super special for the day and go the extra mile by offering coffee and pastries, cookies, or even a five-minute shoulder massage to your customers. Create a fun and inviting atmosphere that customers can’t wait to enjoy!

Partner with Another Small Business

Where one voice is good, multiple voices are even better!  Partner up with other small businesses in your area to participate and promote the big day together.

Having multiple businesses in an area that are participating in Small Business Saturday together helps to get the word out and offers additional shopping opportunities for customers.  When they come to shop for one business, odds are they’ll pop in and shop with another one close by.

To help promote the day you can:

• Put up signs in your business
• Promote it on social media
• Include notes with receipts in shopper’s bags
• Send out group holiday emails
• Hold a promotional sidewalk event

Promote Your Small Business Online

Not only do you want to promote your business online before the big day, but you also want to promote your business online all throughout the day on Small Business Saturday.

Create a feeling of excitement by sharing the fun!  Post photos of customers enjoying activities and events, shopping, or even invite your customers to promote the event themselves (like holding up a sign that says the love buying local).

Not only will this show the activities that are going on at your business, but it will also create a buzz and give you a chance to reach additional customers online.

If you’re not a social whiz or hate trying to create graphics, do fret, the Official Small Business Saturday Studio has everything you need to promote your business online.  The Official Shop Small Studio marketing package includes:

• Shop Small logos

• Digital banners

• Infographic

• Printable signage

• Sample email templates

• Social media posts

• Facebook cover image

Check out the Official Small Business Saturday website for additional tips and support.  They have made it super easy for every small business in America to participate and make the most out of the annual holiday shopping event!

If you need a little assistance updating your website or locking in your social media promotions for the big event, contact SBOS Web Solutions and we’ll help get your business ready to rock the day like a boss!