Small Business Saturday is November 27th! Trademarked by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is a public awareness campaign for ‘promoting public awareness of shopping locally.’ 1
Small Business Saturday is a welcome addition to the calendar of shopping events that kick-off the holiday shopping season, so here are 5 tips to help your business have a successful Small Business Saturday.
1. Update your Directory Listings
Directory listings are a great tool for getting discovered by new customers. The three primary online directories are Google, Bing and Apple Maps. There are also industry-specific directories such as Yelp, Trip Advisor and The Knot, just to name a few.
Make sure you’ve updated your business hours for the holidays and added any special offers you’ll have. This is also a great time to make sure your contact info and graphics are correct. If you have reviews you haven’t responded to, make sure to reply.
2. Keep your website up to date
Websites have played an increasingly important role for many businesses over the last few years. This is where your prospects arrive when they’re ready to learn more about your products. When designing your website, think about the reason your customer buys your products, and how to successfully complete the sale with as few clicks as possible.
Make sure that your website also looks great on smartphones and has the SSL enabled to protect your customer’s information when they’re ready to buy.
3. Focus your social media strategy
Social media is a great place to reach new customers and keep your customers coming back. Focus on the 2 or 3 social media networks your prospects use. We put together an article earlier this year about social media demographics here (https://www.inspiresmall.biz/2021-social-media-stats).
Each social media network you use should have the same username, bio, contact info and graphics. This helps enforce brand consistency, which builds trust with your customers. And remember to keep your content informative and entertaining.
4. Engage your customers with email marketing
Email has and astronomical return on investment. Each $1 invested in email marketing could return about $42 to your business. Email also gives you the opportunity to focus your message more directly to each of your customers.
For example, you could setup campaigns to reward your best customers, convert inactive customers, send a birthday offer and ask customers to review your business automatically.
5. Announce your Small Business Saturday Sales early
Over the years, large retailers have started ‘leaking’ their biggest holiday deals well in advance. Advanced notice helps customers plan their holiday shopping strategy.
Bonus Tips
Go Live on Small Business Saturday
Live video is an excellent way to get the word out about your business. Most social media networks promote live content further than other content types. This is an excellent way to reach a larger audience when talking about your sales.
Ask for Reviews
Make sure you’re asking your customers for reviews. These reviews help more potential customers feel confident about doing business with you. Most directories also prioritize listings with great reviews. This incredibly simple tip can really pay-off as word about your business gets out.
American Express Shop Small Resource Hub
Download and order marketing material to market your business from the American Express Shop Small Resource Hub here.
What are you offering this Small Business Saturday? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to catch Small Business Saturday Live on November 27th starting at 1:00 PM Eastern.
