On November 26th - Small Business Saturday - consumers will hit the streets with the purpose of shopping small. This holiday presents your business with an amazing opportunity to win big… if you play your cards right. That’s why in this presentation we’re going to go through 7 of the best Small Business Saturday ideas for attracting tons of customers to your business this year.

1. #ShopSmall
Small Business Saturday
Ideas for 2016:
7 Ways to Attract More Customers

2. #ShopSmall
Intro
As a small business owner, you represent so much more than just a business. It’s YOU who are the
personification of the American Dream — embodying the ambitious entrepreneurial spirit that made
America the world power it is today. It’s YOU who are the job creators of our nation and our
communities — giving persons the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our society. And
it’s YOU who are the heart and soul of the various communities across America — helping local
neighborhoods grow alongside your dreams and entrepreneurial prowess.
You do so much more than just provide services and products, and don’t think it goes unnoticed. That’s
why this year, on November 26th, Americans all across the nation will come together to celebrate one
of the nation’s greatest holidays — Small Business Saturday. It’s a day conceived with the sole purpose
of promoting small businesses and urging consumers to “shop small.” It’s the nation's way of saying
“thank you” for all that you do.
With consumers hitting the streets with the purpose of shopping small, this presents your business
with an amazing opportunity to win big… if you play your cards right. That’s why in this presentation
we’re going to go through 7 of the best Small Business Saturday ideas for attracting tons of customers
to your business this year. Let’s make this year’s Small Business Saturday your most profitable one yet.

3. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
It’s common knowledge that running specials or promotions are a great
method for attracting customers to your business. However, for a special
holiday like Small Business Saturday you want to take your typical
promotions just one step further. You want to make them Small Business
Saturday-themed.
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Special Small Business
Saturday Promotions

4. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
When creating your Small Business Saturday theme there are some essential elements you
need to establish and keep consistent across the board.
Special Small Business Saturday Specific Promotions
Characticatures
Including fun animations in your
visual displays or promotions are a
great way to catch wondering eyes.
They help you stand out. Definitely
use the official small business
saturday logo! However, it’s also
completely kosher to include
Thanksgiving or Winter themed
characticatures, as well or in
addition to!
Time Sensitivity
This one plays an important
role in your theme. Make
sure you always highlight
how long your promotion will
go on for. Will it last the
whole Thanksgiving
Weekend? Or just specifically
for Small Business Saturday?
Do this to drive a sense of
urgency.
Colors
The official colors of Small
Business Saturday are dark
blue and white. So be sure
to utilize those colors in
your Small Business
Saturday promotions.
Credit: TKO Graphix
#ffffff#162a75

5. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
The Send Out
Once you’ve established your theme be sure to share it everywhere like your..
Special Small Business Saturday Specific Promotions
Website Social Media Pages Local Listing Profiles
Emails Gift Certificates Window Signage and Displays

6. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
Hosting an Event
A great way to draw attention and build a little buzz around
your business is by hosting an event. Small Business Saturday is
a special event and you should treat it as such. You don’t need
to throw the party of the century, but contemplate hosting
something to make the day really feel more like a holiday. Some
example ideas for you to consider for the big day could be
something along the lines of a…
● Welcoming Brunch - Offer a variety of juices, and an
assortment of bagels with spread. Also, offering mimosas
could be fun as well.
● Sayonara Serenade - Host a get together as the day starts
to come to a close. Invite a local musician to play a few
songs either inside or outside your shop depending on
space.
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7. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
Bottom line — the basic building blocks you need to consider for throwing a successful event which will
be both easily manageable for you AND drive new customers to your business are…
Hosting an Event
Get the Word Out
You could throw the best event in the
world, but if no one knows about it —
what’s the point? There is none
because no one will show. You need
to make sure you’re promoting your
event anywhere you can. Spread the
word on your…
website
social media pages
local listing profiles
emails
window signage and displays
Setting a Budget
First things first — you need to
establish how much money
you’re willing to spend.
Determining the Scope
Once you’ve got your budget,
next determine what you want
to put those funds toward.
Maybe you decide to simply
spring for some food or drinks.
Or maybe you splurge a little
more for some live
entertainment.
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8. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
Hosting an Event
Have Fun
When hosting an event sometimes people
can let the pressure get the best of them.
Don’t let that happen to you. Remember,
this is just a little additional buzz to draw
extra customers to your shop. So, have fun
with it! If you’re having a good time
everyone else around you will too — and
that’s what’s in important.
4 The Follow Up
This is a great way to extend the Small
Business Saturday good fortune even
after the day comes to an end. Send
attendees a simple thankful and consider
including a special offer for prompting
them to come back again soon.
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9. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
Make sure you make the most out of social media to promote your
participation in Small Business Saturday. Let your community know you’ve got
some great services, and specials awaiting their arrival. Social media represents
a great opportunity to quick get the word out to a huge number of potential
customers. Don’t forget to get all your profiles involved such as:
3 Social Media Campaigns

10. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
Email campaigns or your monthly
newsletter is another great means for you
to use to let customers know you’ll be
participating in Small Business Saturday
this year. Social media is effective for
reaching a large audience, but email is a
great way to connect with customers in a
more personal, one-on-one manner.
Infuse your emails with your theme, let the
recipient know that you’re celebrating Small
Business Saturday, and give them the
scoop on all the great offers you’ll have
going on during the big day.
4 Email Campaigns/Newsletter

11. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
Partnerships with local businesses in your area is a great tactic for
expanding your customer-base, especially in areas with heavy
competition. Find businesses, complementary to yours, and cultivate
relationships with them.
Why? Other than bringing in referral traffic into your spa or salon,
you’ll be able to have the added benefit of combining your marketing
efforts. For Small Business Saturday, get together with the local
businesses in your area and come up with fun ways to attract more
customers, together!
Offer discount coupons for each other’s establishments
Create joint specials and promotions
Put up marketing collateral in each other’s shops
5 Partnering with Local Businesses
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12. #ShopSmallSmall Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
6 Branded Collateral
This year, for big holidays like Small Business Saturday, go all out. Bring out the big guns in your marketing arsenal
and print out branded items for the big day. Include your business’ name and logo, and any contact information in
the flyers you might be passing around for Small Business Saturday. Selling gift cards? Personalize them with the
special “Small Business Saturday” event you’re holding at your spa or salon. If you’re sending out email blasts to let
your customers know about your sales, make sure you brand them.
Unsure as to where you should be including your branding and imagery for your Small Business Saturday sales?’
Start here:
Gift Cards
Coupons
Bundling products for your promotions? Include special, branded, packaging
Email blasts
Social Media platforms
Store signage
Flyers (found at local partnering businesses)
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Spread the Word: Let everyone know that you’re
selling gift certificates. Promote it in your marketing
collateral, put it up on social media, and even
mention it to the customers that walk into your
business. Another hint? Leave a display of the cards
at your register.
Make them easy, make them enticing: make your
gift certificates available from your website,
Facebook page, and your store.
Make them branded: Customize your gift cards and
certificates to be branded with your name and logo,
and even add a little something about #ShopSmall!
Gift certificates and gift cards are solid marketing tools for your business to turn to for Small Business Saturday. They
can help you attract new clientele, drive repeat business, increase your brand awareness and, of course, improve your
sales. As people buy them to give to their friends and family, your brand continues to be exposed to new customers.
When you’re looking to promote your gift cards and gift certificates this holiday season, make sure you’re following the proper
steps:
Small Business Saturday Ideas for 2016
7 Promote Gift Cards
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14. #ShopSmall
Thank You!
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