With good strategic planning, Small Business Saturday can be a fantastic promotional and recruiting opportunity for your organization. To make the most out of your time we curated a list of 6 resources to help you make the most out of Small Business Saturday. You’ll get information to understand the purpose of Small Business Saturday, tips on how to promote special events and deals, ways to collaborate with other businesses, pointers on stocking up on inventory, and how to get free marketing materials.
Remember that this material is intended to provide you with helpful information and is not to be relied upon to make decisions, nor is this material intended to be or construed as legal advice. You are encouraged to consult your legal counsel for advice on your specific business operations and responsibilities under applicable law. Trademarks used in this material are the property of their respective owners and no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
As the old proverb goes, you can lead a customer to water, but you can’t make them pull out their wallet and buy a glass. Similarly, Small Business Saturday can be a great way to gain exposure and get people in the door. However, if you’re not careful, you could end up overrun and looking like an amateur to disappointed would-be customers.
According to Forbes, 20% of small businesses fail in the first year. That means 1 in 5 businesses never make it to their first anniversary––or past their first Small Business Saturday. After all your hard work, you don’t want your company to be among those that have to close before they even really get going.
To help prevent the worst, it’s essential to do everything you can to best position your organization to succeed. This includes things like screening every potential new hire including seasonal and temporary workers. With all of the different types of employment background checks available, be sure to use a thorough background check service like ShareAble for Hires.
However, setting yourself up for prosperity also includes things like seizing excellent marketing and promotional opportunities, such as Small Business Saturday.
To help you make the most out of your efforts, this article provides some of the top resources to help you plan, promote, and execute your most impactful Small Business Saturday yet.
Jump-to:
- What Is Small Business Saturday?
- Resources to Help You Make the Most out of Small Business Saturday
- Help Protect Your Small Business Everyday with ShareAble for Hires
What is Small Business Saturday?
Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is a commercial movement that encourages people to visit and patronize small businesses and independently owned local shops. Small Business Saturday takes place on the last Saturday of November, in one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
Over the last decade, the trend has caught on. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the country participate in Small Business Saturday. It’s common for brick-and-mortar shops to hold special in-store celebrations, discounts, recruitment events and other activities to encourage people to shop local. Online shops often offer sales, promotions, and other exclusives to encourage business.
Resources to Help You Make the Most out of Small Business Saturday
Small business Saturday might encourage people to walk through your door, but it’s up to you to entice them to actually stick around, make purchases, and think of you next time they need your services.
However, it’s not always easy to know what to do. To help you get ready, we scoured the web and found the best articles with ideas and resources to help you squeeze the most out of Small Business Saturday. As you prepare, keep the following tips in mind:
Understand the Purpose and Impact of Small Business Saturday
Before jumping into the Small Business Saturday deep end, it’s helpful to first know what you’re dealing with and what to expect. Investopedia offers a detailed rundown of the history, purpose, and stats related to Small Business Saturday.
Having context can help provide a better understanding of the benefits and realistic results that Small Business Saturday can bring. For example: you might know that Small Business Saturday is a big deal, but do you know how big?
According to the article, consumers spent $19.8 billion shopping on Small Business Saturday in 2020. With numbers like that, it’s no wonder that so many small businesses are already participating in this national event.
Promote Small Business Saturday and Informing Customers
You’ve worked hard to prepare for Small Business Saturday. It’s essential to let your customers know something special is coming.
Constant Contact gives a few great ideas for how to promote your Small Business Saturday events and specials through email, social media, and other communication methods.
Tip: In addition to tips, Constant Contact provides pre-made text and Small Business Saturday templates you can use and customize.
Collaborate with Other Local Businesses Nearby
There’s greater strength in numbers. Working together with nearby businesses can help everyone attract more attention, which is a win-win situation. You could partner with local merchants to provide stamp passports that end in a raffle prize, coupon books, or even co-sponsor special events and live music.
Additionally, the site Business2Community provides a helpful list of considerations and ideas for partnering with other businesses to take Small Business Saturday even further.
Tip: Business2Community recommends partnering with your “frenemies” and direct competitors, along with complimentary services and neighbors.
Coming together with strategic partners or working with your local Chamber of Commerce can be another strategic way to benefit several local businesses––yours included.
Be Prepared with Cash Flow, Inventory, and Staff
An influx of customers is a great thing––as long as you have enough product, cashflow, and supplies to deal with the influx. If you’re not prepared, you could run out of products, be unable to fill orders, and end up looking like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Loan provider SmartBiz provides some great tips about how to financially prepare for Small Business Saturday, especially in the wake of the global pandemic.
Tip: Be prepared with a “rain check” offer or coupon for popular or promotional items, so that you still look professional if you sell out faster than expected.
Get Free Promotional Material and Swag
You don’t have to do everything all on your own. One of the best things about Small Business Saturday is that it brings companies together. There are plenty of marketing resources available to you, free of charge.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides details on how to host virtual events and how to get free Small Business Saturday marketing and promotional materials to help encourage people in your neighborhood to shop small.
Tip: You can get free customizable Small Business Saturday social media posts, physical posters, and swag, as well as exposure through American Express
Explore Your Own Ideas
Sometimes imagination is limited by budget, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay small. SmallBiz Trends offers several ideas to maximize your impact on Small Business Saturday, including where to advertise and how to get digital images for promotional purposes.
Tip: Your physical store isn’t the only place with increased traffic. Make sure your website is up-to-date and your server is prepared to handle increased visitors.
Help Protect Your Small Business Everyday with ShareAble for Hires
You might be ready for Small Business Saturday, but is your staff?
The Forbes article mentioned in the introduction listed “not having the right team” as one of the top reasons why small businesses fail. Help make sure you’re hiring the right people with pre-employment screening through ShareAble for Hires.
Are you hiring someone with a relevant history of violent assault who might snap if the store gets too busy? A criminal background check scours 370+ millions arrest and conviction records to see if there’s a match for your candidate’s information.
Meanwhile, identity verification can help you prevent a fraudster from slipping onto your staff during the busy season. Knowing exactly what you’re dealing with can lead to more confident, safer hiring decisions for your company and current staff.
Find out more about your job applicant’s level of financial responsibility with TransUnion, FCRA-complaint employee credit reports. This information can reveal details about a person’s track record with money and is especially vital if your new hire will handle finances or personal data. With the increased cash and transactions Small Business Saturday brings, it’s essential to know your new employee has a history of responsible financial management.
Small Business Saturday is a fantastic opportunity to boost your visibility and promote products. However, increasing demand and customer interactions is only a good thing if your team is prepared for the onslaught. Give yourself a better chance of success by vetting your employees with ShareAble for Hires.
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