Is your company ready for Small Business Saturday? If not, you might be missing out on one of the biggest shopping days of the year, which can significantly boost your holiday season revenue!
Small Business Saturday was first introduced by American Express in 2010 to encourage local shopping during Thanksgiving weekend. Nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it has now become a key part of the holiday shopping period.
Shopping local is essential because for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remains within the community. In contrast, spending $100 at a national chain only keeps $43 in town. Small business owners understand the value of nurturing a vibrant local community that supports nearby shops. This effort has paid off, with shoppers spending more than $16 billion at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2015.
Simply opening your doors on the Saturday after Thanksgiving isn’t enough to achieve significant revenue. Success during this shopping event requires planning, preparation, and collaboration.
Here’s how you can get ready for Small Business Saturday:
1. Think about how you can get involved
Small Business Saturday isn’t just for boutiques. Restaurants, salons, and other service businesses can also join in. If you interact with clients or customers on Saturdays, use this day to impress them.
2. Register to participate
While registration isn’t mandatory, it can help attract new customers by putting your business on the map of participating businesses in your area. You’ll also gain access to customizable marketing materials to promote your excitement for Saturday.
3. Team up with neighbors
Small Business Saturday is an excellent chance to reconnect with neighboring small businesses and meet new ones. Ensure your neighbors are aware of the event. If they plan to participate, collaborate on offering complementary services or specials to your customers.
4. Inform your customers
Use social media, your email list, and your website to inform customers about your activities for Small Business Saturday well before the event. Given the busy weekend, make sure your customers have ample time to plan.
5. Celebrate!
Enjoy the bustling day, and capture some photos to share after the event. Then, mark your calendar to start planning for next year’s success early!
If you’re still unsure how to approach Small Business Saturday, there’s time to consult with a SCORE mentor to prepare for success!
