This year, Small Business Saturday takes place on November 24th and we want you to participate! The initiative was launched in 2010, by American Express, as an effort to support local shops that make our communities strong by encouraging people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.
Everyone is familiar with Black Friday and Giving Tuesday; Small Business Saturday gives local communities the opportunity to support B2B and B2C businesses. In fact, in 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of the day. By 2012, officials in all 50 states were participating. In 2017 an estimated 108 million consumers reported shopping or dining at local independently-owned businesses — generating roughly $12 billion in reported spend.
As a small business, we think a day dedicated to small businesses is pretty kickass. Here are our suggestions on how you can take advantage of Small Business Saturday, whether B2C, B2B, nonprofit or an individual. Small businesses power our economy and they deserve our support, let’s do this.
Participate
If you are a small business, consider participating on November 24th! Show off your Shop Small pride with downloadable posters, email templates, and social posts. American Express also shares stories and examples of how other small businesses have participated. Head to their Facebook page to check it out.
Promote
There are multiple ways to support Small Business Saturday and small businesses all year, from shopping to championing November 24th. American Express makes it easy:
- Share on social, go to www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday and share any of the multiple posts. Also, do a quick search on Facebook and you will see all the businesses in your community that are participating on November 24th.
- Reach out to ten small businesses in your community and encourage them to participate.
- Organize a community event; host a breakfast kicking off Small Business Saturday at your local chamber, your place of work or virtually through social media or your website.
- Distribute Shop Small® swag! You can apply to be a neighborhood champion through https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small and hand out totes, shirts, posters, balloons and more. This is a great way to rally small businesses to participate.
Purchase
Head to your favorite small business on November 24th and spend some moolah! You can search here to find local businesses participating in your community. Grab some friends, start your day out with breakfast and hit shops in Grand Rapids, Rockford, Comstock Park, Ada and more!
However you choose to support, keep in mind that 90% of consumers surveyed said Small Business Saturday has had a positive impact on their community.
Shop Small on Saturday, November 24th.
