What Is Small Business Saturday and What Does It Mean For Entrepreneurs?

ttention entrepreneur! Have you been asking, “what is Small Business Saturday?” If you do or even if you don’t, we’re going to cover what this national holiday is about. We are quickly approaching Small Business Saturday, which falls on the last Saturday of this month, which is November 30.  

The shopping holiday shines a spotlight on small businesses, which create two out of every three new jobs. And if you’re wondering how big it is, spending during the holiday has reached $103 billion since the day started in 2010. In 2018, the day reached a new spending high of $17.8 billion.

With that in mind, read on to get our scoop on best practices for Small Business Saturday 2019.

What Is Small Business Saturday?

So you know how Black Friday is the unofficial shopping holiday of the U.S.? And you know how Cyber Monday is an online extension of that? Small Business Saturday is on that same vein, and is usually between the two, but it’s a less hectic version of those.  More specifically, the day wants consumers to show up at their local small businesses or shop at a homegrown online store. These businesses build communities, both physically and digitally, and Small Business Saturday 2019 is a chance to give back to those communities.

If you’re a small business owner, you can use the day to roll out some promotions or take part in events. Doing so can improve your sales, and create value for your local community.  Consider the holiday an opportunity to do something extra cool with your business, like adding exclusive deals for Small Business Saturday 2019.

5 Best Practices for Small Business Saturday

Show Them You Care With Promotions

The holiday is coming up quickly, so you could create some promotions that show customers what makes your business unique. Think about your core products and services, and highlight them with Small Business Saturday deals and promotions.

You can always go with a classic option like a “buy one, get one free” option. Or maybe it’s worth getting creative by adding coupons in your local town’s magazine, newspaper, or online publication. Even something like a small gift can encourage consumers to enter your store or website on Small Business Saturday.

Canva is a website with a graphic design tool, and they have a free coupon generator!  And with the holidays coming up, feel comfortable making your deals and your store a little festive. People love this time of the year, and it can be especially important for small business owners, so don’t be afraid to shine your entrepreneurial light.

Take Part in Small Business Saturday Events

There may be some Small Business Saturday activities happening near you. If there is an event on that day, consider joining, which can be a good move if you’re looking to bring more attention to your business.  You could also start your own event or join forces with another business. Think about what makes your local community tick, and create an activity that consumers near you might like.

Perhaps it’s a combination of multiple activities that take place throughout the day, taking consumers on a journey. It provides your local community an opportunity to be social, while also helping you market your products or services. By creating an experience, you’re making memories, which can foster customer loyalty.

Check out this guide for activities that may be happening close to you.

Market on Social Media for Starters

Once you decide what approach you’re taking to Small Business Saturday 2019, it’s time to get the word out there. There is no single way of doing this, but there are some best practices to use when marketing for the holiday.  Social media is continuing to grow as one of the best ways to market your product. Share information on your Small Business Saturday deals or events in platforms such as Twitter (add emojis and check out hashtags like #shopsmall which are dedicated to the holiday to help you reach a wider audience).  

Take a look at LinkedIn (keep it professional), and Facebook (maybe find a local page for small businesses to post promotions and events) too. Oh, and don’t be afraid to include posters and other visual aids you create through Canva (Instagram!).

Here are some already-crafted social media marketing advice from the Small Business Administration for Small Business Saturday.

Email Marketing Is Powerful Too

Also, market your products and services on email if you want to continue creating buzz for your Small Business Saturday events or deals. By launching an email marketing campaign, you can bring more attention to what your small business is doing, and also to what is happening in your surroundings.

If you have a brick-and-mortar business, share the love by including information on what stores and other businesses have going on for Small Business Saturday. Helping out the rest of your community matters too. For online and digital businesses, share some of your inspiration with the world. You can partner up with other businesses and advertise each other. Remember, there is strength in numbers.

And if you’re new to email marketing, consider software such as AWeber or Mailchimp.  

Rock Their Socks Off With Guerrilla Marketing

There is truly no substitute for the things in life that take us for surprise, and that’s what guerrilla marketing is all about. It’s an advertising technique that takes consumers outside of their daily routine with something like a robot on a dating app or giant French fries you can walk on. Or you can go with something simpler, like creating witty stickers or posters you share around town.

The point of guerrilla marketing is that it disrupts people from their daily lives with something fresh, inspiring them to do business with you.   So tap into your creative side, create edgy window displays or floor stenciling, and reel in the Small Business Saturday love this year.

The Takeaway

It’s a great time of the year to be an entrepreneur with Small Business Saturday 2019 and the holidays on the horizon. We hope this opportunity pushes your business forward with deals and promotions. Show the world who you are, and get involved in an event as you continue cultivating your entrepreneurial magic into your community.

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