Prepare for Small Business Saturday Tips | Tory Burch Foundation

The holiday season and Small Business Saturday in particular are major opportunities for entrepreneurs.  The revenue generated by Small Business Saturday is big. Shoppers spent have spent $201 billion at independent businesses on Small Business Saturday since its 2010 inception, according to American Express. Celebrated the Saturday following Thanksgiving Day, this shopping holiday is a chance for entrepreneurs to shine and for customers to support their communities.

We’ve rounded up Small Business Saturday tips and tools to help you prepare for one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

1. Register for Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is an American Express program launched in 2010 to highlight the companies and business owners making an impact in their communities. Register your business with Small Business Saturday to get listed on their Shop Small map, plus access to free digital and print marketing assets and discounts on business services.

2. Get the word out.

Let shoppers know about your products or services, whether they’re new or long-time favorites. Develop your holiday messaging before starting a public relations campaign ahead of Small Business Saturday. Remember: an email newsletter is still the primary way to engage your customers.

3. Keep your customers’ info safe.

So many of the systems that make your business run are connected to the Internet, which means there are plenty of opportunities for security breaches. Make sure your cybersecurity is up to date so that credit card numbers and other personal information stay out of scammers’ hands.

4. Make the most of markets.

Holiday markets and pop-up shops can be a huge opportunity. With careful curation and social media strategy, you stand to build buzz that lasts long after the holidays.

5. Focus on your current fans.

It costs more to acquire a new customer than it does to re-engage the ones you have and returning customers usually spend more. Think about customer retention strategies this small Business Saturday and the rest of the holiday shopping season.

6. Consider a promotion.

Small businesses can’t compete with the prices at big-box stores but you can still catch customers’ attention with a special offer. Try coming up with new ways to entice them or encourage them to share how much they love your business with a friend.

7. Find out how your town or city supports the holiday.

Your Chamber of Commerce may be hosting events in support of Small Business Saturday. They may also have advertising materials that you can use to promote your products to the community.

8. Team up with businesses in your area.

If your Chamber of Commerce isn’t hosting an event, this may be a great opportunity to band together with other businesses in your area. Can you cross-promote your services or products? Create a gift basket with treats from both of your shops? Build relationships and get creative.

9. Keep it going!

Once you’ve reached new customers, make sure you keep them! Assess whether your current marketing strategy is designed for growth. Also, continue to engage in Shop Small year round and similar small business support initiatives.