Like many things in 2020, this year’s Small Business Saturday will look a little different than usual. The annual shopping holiday, sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is a day for consumers across the country to return to America’s main streets, shop small, and show support for local, independently-owned businesses. After a tumultuous year filled with closures, health risks, and many ups and downs, small businesses could use our support now more than ever. To say the least, 2020 has been a tough year for small business owners. Rallying around initiatives like Small Business Saturday will not only help them succeed this holiday season but will also kickstart economic recovery in communities across the country.
As a small business owner, you know the power of community. This holiday season, many consumers are rallying together and pledging to support small businesses that have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Just because your small business might be operating a little differently than usual, doesn’t mean you should give up on Small Business Saturday. Don’t panic if you haven’t had the time to prepare—we’re outlining three last minute tips to help you make the most of Small Business Saturday 2020, whether online or in-person.
Focus on Community
Did you know that small businesses account for 99.7% of all registered businesses in the US? Take pride in being a local business—your community wants to support you and is committed to celebrating the smaller, mom-and-pop shops this season. If Small Business Saturday hasn’t been on the top of your radar, you’re not alone. With all the twists and turns this year has brought, most small business owners have been focused on simply keeping their doors open, not planning for the shopping season. If there’s one thing we’ve learned in 2020, it’s the importance of community and leaning on each other for help. If you don’t have a game plan, take a step back and check-in with other small businesses in your community.
Consider making a small business punch card with neighboring stores and restaurants to promote shopping locally. If customers make a purchase at all the stores in the card, consider giving them an incentive to continue shopping locally, like 5 percent off at every shop on the card. Even something as simple as offering a discount card for your business in another store and vice versa to encourage shopping will make a big difference. If your business isn’t open for in-person shopping, take any of these ideas online or to social media and encourage patrons that you’re still open for online business.
Get Connected Online
With the colder months ahead and the potential for more in-person closures—your business simply has to be online. Social media is one of the most effective ways to share your business’s story and get consumers excited about shopping local. Show patrons how you’re getting ready for Small Business Saturday, what safety measures your business is taking, and what customers can expect for a COVID safe shopping season. Create a Facebook event to remind your followers that Small Business Saturday is this week and include details of anything special you’re planning, and ways they can participate while staying safe.
On the big day, highlight popular and fast selling products, and don’t forget to share photos of your staff and customers, and how you’re keeping everyone safe. See what consumers are saying and join the conversation by leveraging hashtags like #ShopSmall, #SmallBusinessSaturday, #DineSmall, and #SmallBizSat.
Just because you’ve got your social media and website up, doesn’t mean that’s all you can do. If you don’t have an online storefront, you need one. We know that creating a website and accepting payments online can be costly and complicated, which is why we developed our own online storefront to help get you there faster, at an affordable price. We make it fast and easy to open an e-commerce store—whether or not your business already has a website. With brand customization, easy online store management, and worry-free security, this is the easiest and safest way to help your business start growing its profits online. Even if you don’t have time to get a storefront up for Small Business Saturday, consider launching one to carry you through the holiday season and into 2021.
Promote Shopping Small All Holiday Season Long
Even though 2020 has been exceptionally tough on small businesses, there’s one thing small businesses can offer that the big shops can’t—a personal touch. Small businesses offer something unique—from a sense of community to personal recommendations, supporting small businesses and their entrepreneurial spirit is a win-win for everyone. Take Small Business Saturday as an opportunity to tell customer’s how much their support means and encourage them to keep shopping small all holiday season long. If you don’t have an online shop, tell your customers how seriously you’re taking their safety, and encourage them to spread the word. If you do have your online storefront up and running, encourage customers to shop online all season by offering online-only products and deals.
Even though the holiday season looks a little different this year, it doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel for Small Business Saturday. Get online, connect with your fellow small business owners, and offer customers incentives for shopping small. As a small business owner, you have the advantage of adding a human touch to everything you do—remember, the big-box stores can’t do that. From Facebook posts to hand-written thank you cards, keep reminding your customers why supporting your business all season long is so important. As always, Beyond is here to support your business. Contact us to learn how we can help.
Download our Shop Small Marketing Toolkit:
Contents include: Customizable signs to hang up around your business and social media images you can share with your followers
