Small Business Saturday is an annual shopping holiday that is highlighted on the calendar for many small business owners and customers alike. Established in 2010, the day presents a unique opportunity for people to support and shop local, small businesses. It takes place on the last Saturday of November, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and this year, it falls on November 27.
Unlike Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which are the two biggest shopping extravaganzas for large retailers and online sales, Small Business Saturday emphasizes the value that small businesses bring to their local communities.
Reasons to Shop Local
As a small business owner, you already know the value of shopping local. Small Business Saturday gives you the perfect opportunity to tout the benefits!
- Community well-being - Spread the news about all the ways that small businesses strengthen the local economy and community. Small businesses create jobs for residents, donate money to non-profits, invest in local schools, and so much more.
- Personalized service - Many local business owners have a passion for their work and a commitment to their craft that goes far beyond their desire for financial gain. They view their customers as people, not just as sales opportunities. Small businesses are in a unique position to develop personal relationships with their customers, which translates to meeting needs and exceeding expectations.
- Keep dollars in the local economy - Thriving small business businesses help create thriving communities. Many small businesses needed to close their doors because of the pandemic. Those businesses that survived need support now more than ever. The support they receive from the community now will help them to continue to rebound.
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- Environmental sustainability - Shopping locally also has significant environmental benefits. Items purchased online must be shipped countless miles in fuel-consuming vehicles before they arrive at your door. For consumers who want to reduce their carbon footprint and overall ecological impact, a short trip to a local shop is a green alternative to an Amazon order.
Get Your Business Ready for the Big Day
Now is the time to start planning if you want to get the most out of the upcoming Small Business Saturday. To make the day a success, start generating excitement and anticipation well in advance!
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Begin spreading the word about Small Business Saturday as soon as possible. Whether it’s a simple flyer on the front of your business window or a comprehensive online landing page dedicated to your Small Business Saturday promotion, every marketing effort you take will help spread the word about your Small Business Saturday activities.
Social media reigns supreme among businesses that want to connect directly with existing and potential customers. Use all your existing social media pages as platforms for a Small Business Saturday promotion. Want to further your outreach? Remember that the official hashtag for Small Business Saturday is #ShopSmall.
Of course, the best way to drive foot traffic to your business on Small Business Saturday is to host a special sales event. Just be sure you are adequately staffed to meet the customer demand that this event may generate.
Keep the Goodwill Going
Small Business Saturday presents an ideal opportunity to “pay it forward” and spread goodwill through the community. Consider donating a portion of the day's proceeds to a local charity or cause. Customers often look to support the businesses that give back too. Read more about the importance of business philanthropy.
It’s also a great day to reward your loyal customers. Let them know how much you appreciate their continued patronage and support by offering them special incentives. It’s a win-win situation. And, remember to ask customers to leave a quick positive review on social media or Google My Business.
This year, encourage your customers and community to forego Black Friday and Cyber Monday and instead support Small Business Saturday. Many shoppers want to access unique products and experiences, keep their money local, and support the businesses in their community. As Small Business Saturday rapidly approaches, now is the time to position your small business for optimum success!
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If this blog was helpful, check out Simply Speaking for other important topics related to running your business.
