November 30th is Small Business Saturday!

Posted on by Department of Housing and Community Development

Small Business Saturday was created 15 years ago by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and American Express to encourage shoppers to look outside of the big chains for their holiday shopping and spend their dollars locally instead. Every year, the initiative serves as a reminder of the vital role that small businesses play in our communities!

This year, Small Business Saturday offers a great opportunity to highlight your community’s small business ecosystem and foster a sense of community pride. Here are some ways you can get involved and make the most of this fun and exciting day:

Utilize Free Resources

The SBA has a variety of free resources for communities and small businesses to prepare for Small Business Saturday. These include:

  • Marketing Materials: Downloadable graphics, social media templates, and signage to promote your business and encourage local shopping.
  • Promotional Ideas: Suggestions for special sales, discounts, and events that can draw customers in.

Promote Using Social Media

Small Business Saturday is the chance to show off all the local shops in your community! Make sure you’re posting on your organization’s social media highlighting small businesses and why supporting local business is important. Use hashtags like #SmallBusinessSaturday to help your posts reach a broader audience. Highlight the impact that local small businesses and Small Business Saturday have on your community.

Host a Promotional Event or Offer Deals

Consider working with your local small businesses to create a promotional event and/or deals for shoppers that participate in Small Business Saturday. Encourage local businesses to also promote the day on their own social media pages. Talk to businesses about the possibility of offering exclusive discounts, loyalty rewards, or gift cards to encourage more people to shop small.

By encouraging residents and visitors to shop locally, Small Business Saturday not only drives sales but also strengthens the connections between small businesses and their communities. The Virginia Main Street (VMS) team would like to highlight your local Main Street organization’s efforts to do exactly that and how you’re making this day special. Please share photos and brief descriptions of your activities with us at mainstreet@dhcd.virginia.gov for a chance to be featured in one of our upcoming blog posts!

Image Credit: American Express