5 Methods to Make Small Enterprise Saturday the Finest Vacation Ever

Small Business Saturday, the 11-year-old shopping vacation aimed at getting more Americans to shop locally, always seemed like a good idea, but it was never a big draw. This year, owners hope the first Saturday after Thanksgiving will provide a unique sales guarantee.

“It’s our first time we really empathize with this vacation, but I expect we’ll see a lot of turnout this year,” said Kelsey Moreira, CEO and founder of San Francisco-based cookie dough startup Doughp ( pronounced “dope”). It has to work, she says. “So many small businesses like Doughp are counting on Americans to help us through these troubled times.”

You can be for a reward. According to an analysis by Adobe of one trillion visits to US retail websites, consumers are expected to spend $ 189 billion, or 33 percent more, online between November and December than a year ago. The forecasts also include record-breaking shopping days this week. Thanksgiving is expected to generate $ 6 billion in online sales, up 42 percent from last year. Adobe doesn’t publish estimates for Small Business Saturday.

While consumer sentiment strongly supports small businesses, the pandemic remains a significant threat – especially as states and municipalities continue to tighten restrictions on store visits. Los Angeles County has just stopped its outdoor activities, while states like Massachusetts and New York have introduced curfews.

To win consumer dollars this year, you should be strategic. Here are five last minute tips to make the most of your shopping vacation:

1. Let them know that you are open.

The US Small Business Administration, a longtime co-sponsor of Small Business Saturday, recommends using email marketing to reach people where they are. Also, don’t be afraid to use social media to wire up sales or promotions that you host.

Use #ShopSmall, the official hashtag for Small Business Saturday, to grab users’ attention on Twitter and Instagram and encourage happy customers to post reviews about their experience on their own channels.

2. Give people a reason to show up.

Doughps Moreira is focusing its Christmas sales online this year due to the pandemic. And while she’s hoping Small Business Saturday will be successful for her company, she’s running a 30 percent discount that spans Black Friday through Cyber ​​Monday.

3. Don’t skip the hygiene theater.

Simply put, right now consumers are concerned about the risks associated with gift shopping. If you run a retail business, be sure to review local safety requirements and, as Yhilp, head of consumer product Akhil Ramesh told Inc. earlier this year, communicate the steps being taken so customers know what to expect . Update your website, third-party business listings, and social media pages if you offer contactless payments, roadside pick-up, or closed changing rooms, for example.

4. Take that little extra step.

Sending handwritten notes, personalizing gift wrapping, and other small details can all help you stand out from the big box competitors, the SBA notes in a recent blog post. You can also get creative by thanking your clients for their continued patronage through a difficult year by standing in front of the camera and recording a thank you video to post on your social media channels. It’s Thanksgiving, after all.

5. Tell them your story.

Remind shoppers why they are buying local produce in the first place. Whether through a video on your website and on social media, over the phone when they place a pickup order, or added to the bottom of their receipt, remind people of what they’re up to when they shop on-site. Remind them that their purchase will help keep a family business started decades ago or that their order will help bring dollars back into their own community. Most importantly, let them know that they are important to you and that you care about them.

Comments are closed.