Launching a new business is exciting, but standing out in a crowded marketplace can be a real challenge. Many small businesses struggle with limited budgets, low visibility, and the uphill battle of building brand awareness from scratch.
This is where Small Business Saturday 2024 can make all the difference.
As an annual event dedicated to supporting and promoting independent businesses, it provides a unique opportunity to gain the spotlight, attract local shoppers, and drive sales.
For newly launched businesses, small biz Saturday is more than just a shopping day – it’s a powerful platform to connect with customers and strengthen their brand presence in a way that big retailers can’t match.
With a little creativity and strategic planning, shop small Saturday 2024 could be the perfect moment to make a lasting impression, boost sales, and build loyal relationships with new customers.
In this article, we’ll explore 13 actionable marketing ideas to help you make the most of Small Business Saturday and give your business the exposure it deserves.
What is Small Business Saturday 2024?
Small Business Saturday began in 2010 as an initiative by American Express to encourage consumers to support local businesses.
Today, it has become an essential shopping day that helps small businesses drive foot traffic, increase sales, and strengthen customer relationships. For small businesses, Small Business Saturday 2024 offers a golden opportunity to gain exposure, build brand awareness, and create memorable shopping experiences that larger competitors may struggle to match.
Interestingly, small biz Saturday takes place during the Thanksgiving shopping frenzy, nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, giving small businesses a unique chance to capture some of the high holiday shopping momentum.
Participating in this event can give newly launched or under-the-radar businesses the visibility they need to thrive in a competitive market.
Small Biz Saturday Statistics
Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, making up 99.7% of all businesses in the country, according to data from National Today. This staggering statistic highlights just how essential small businesses are to local communities and the economy at large.
Meanwhile, according to the National Retail Federation, the Thanksgiving shopping weekend of 2023, which included Small Business Saturday, saw more than 200 million American shoppers, proving that consumers are actively participating in this key retail period.
Of these shoppers, 59 million visited brick-and-mortar stores, while 58 million made purchases online during Small Business Saturday. With such massive participation, this holiday represents a significant opportunity for small businesses to tap into the holiday shopping buzz and make meaningful connections with customers.
This impressive turnout illustrates why small businesses should actively prepare for and promote themselves during Small Business Saturday 2024.
Small Business Saturday Ideas - Top 13 Marketing Tips
Planning your strategy for Small Business Saturday 2024 can set the stage for your business’s success during the busy holiday season. With shoppers actively seeking to support local businesses, the right approach can bring in new customers and strengthen your brand's presence.
In this section, we’ll cover the top 13 small business Saturday marketing ideas that can elevate your promotions and boost sales.
Each idea is designed to help you connect with your audience, enhance their shopping experience, and ensure your business makes the most of this event.
Let’s dive into these actionable tips to unlock your business's potential this holiday season!
Launch A “Shop Small Saturday 2024” Landing Page
Source: PageFly
Creating a dedicated landing page for shop Small Saturday 2024 is a must if you want to run successful promotions.
A themed landing page serves as the perfect space to highlight exclusive deals, showcase limited-edition products, and reflect the spirit of Small Business Saturday marketing.
Make sure the design aligns with the event's ethos by emphasizing themes like community support, local pride, and unique offerings.
Furthermore, use this landing page to promote irresistible offers such as free gifts or exclusive discounts for customers who purchase on the day.
Don’t forget to incorporate compelling CTAs like “Join the Movement – Shop Small Today!”
This is also a golden opportunity to build your email list—offer incentives such as discount codes or giveaways for email sign-ups, giving you a way to nurture these leads even after the event.
Tip: If you are looking to create awesome landing pages during holidays, PageFly is the solution that you need. PageFly is the top landing page builder in Shopify. We’ve helped more than 200,000 merchants create stunning, creative, and unique landing pages for their business. Get your PageFly free trial now!.
Leverage User-Generated Content
Source: Pexels
User-generated content (UGC) offers a creative and impactful strategy that you can employ to prepare for the Small Business weekend.
By encouraging customers to share their experiences, testimonials, and photos on social media using specific hashtags or tags, you can harness the power of UGC to build excitement and attract a wider audience.
For instance, if you own a local boutique, you could have a contest where customers post photos wearing their favorite purchases with a designated hashtag. Or you can encourage your customers to share stories of their best experience in your store.
You can then put the images, videos, or online posts generated by customers on your website or social media platforms. This helps showcase your products and the happy experiences of your customers.
It also creates a sense of community and authenticity that will not only amplify your business' reach but also build trust, engagement, and buzz in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday.
Work With Influencers
Source: Pexels
Collaborating with influencers should be in your list of Small Business Saturday ideas to enhance brand visibility and drive customer engagement.
By partnering with influencers whose target audience aligns with that of your business, you can leverage their reach and credibility to generate buzz in your store.
For instance, as a local bakery you could collaborate with a popular food influencer. Send special holiday treats and have them showcase these on their social media platforms.
The influencer's recommendations and enticing visuals can influence their followers to visit your bakery, which in turn attracts foot traffic and sales.
However, keep in mind that you need to establish clear expectations with each influencer. Provide them with unique content or experiences and monitor the campaign's success through metrics like web/store traffic and sales.
By harnessing the power of influencer marketing, you can amplify your message and connect with a broader audience in the lead up to Small Business weekend.
Share Your Business’ Story
Source: Pexels
Your business has a story, and most of the time, sharing that story can help engage customers and inspire them. Your business’ unique journey, values and passion can help create an emotional connection with your audience.
For instance, your local coffee shop could create a series of social media posts leading up to the Small Business weekend, highlighting your humble beginnings. You can also provide insight into your process, including how you source beans and a peel into the life of your baristas.
Other ways you could share your business story include providing insight into how you give back to your community or support other local businesses. This way, you not only humanize your business but also attract buyers who appreciate authenticity and local connections.
It can inspire customers to choose your business on Small Business Saturday, knowing they are supporting a meaningful narrative and contributing to the success of a local enterprise.
Prepare An Email Campaign
Source: Stripo
Next one in our Small Business Saturday ideas is the tried-and-tested email marketing campaign.
As you prepare for Small Business Saturday, it’s a great idea to build expectations amongst your customers with an engaging email campaign. Emails have the highest conversion rate of all marketing media, so it can be a pretty effective tactic for you.
With emails, you can share exclusive offers, highlight special promotions and build excitement in the weeks before the event.
As an example, you can share emails showcasing limited edition Small Business Saturday merchandise. Or you could offer early access to your loyal customers, give them access to promos, or provide a discount code for the day.
Email marketing lets you stay in touch with customers and provide them with the latest information | Source: pixabay.com
You could also emphasize the importance of supporting local businesses and share personal stories or testimonials from satisfied customers.
By leveraging email marketing, you can more effectively reach your target audience and create a sense of urgency in preparation for Small Business Saturday.
Quick read: Top Black Friday Promotion Ideas To Boost Your Sales
Offer Bundle Products Or Discounts
Source: Pexels
Bundling products is an excellent strategy to capture more value from shop Small Saturday 2024.
By grouping complementary items and offering discounts or incentives, you not only increase the perceived value but also encourage larger purchases. Create exciting bundles with "Buy One, Get One" deals, gift cards, or VIP access perks to further entice customers.
This approach makes your small business Saturday marketing stand out by offering shoppers more for their money, while also giving them the chance to explore a variety of your products.
Whether it’s holiday-themed bundles or exclusive collections, this tactic ensures that your customers feel they’re getting something special.
Partner With Other Small Businesses
Source: Pexels
Collaboration is key to maximizing your impact on small biz Saturday. Partnering with other local businesses allows you to reach a broader audience and create more compelling offers that appeal to the community.
For example, co-hosting events or running joint promotions can draw in more foot traffic and extend your online reach.
Such partnerships are mutually beneficial, as both businesses can tap into each other’s customer base, fostering trust and engagement.
Building strong relationships with other community-based brands helps cement your business’s presence in the local scene and amplifies the message of shop Small Saturday—that supporting small businesses makes a difference.
Ensure You’re Fully Stocked
Source: Pexels
Your stores should be full in anticipation of the Small Business weekend. This way, you’re prepared to meet the high demand and capitalize on sales opportunities during the event.
You don’t want to be in a situation where there are shortages or out of stock goods. By assessing inventory levels and replenishing supplies, you can ensure customers have all the choices they want.
Also consider expanding your inventory by sourcing unique and seasonal items specifically for Small Business Saturday. In addition, timely communication with suppliers and efficient inventory management systems can help streamline the restocking process.
Being fully stocked not only ensures your customers are satisfied, it also maximizes sales potential and allows you to cater to the diverse preferences and needs of shoppers on Small Business Saturday.
Host An Attractive Event
Source: Pexels
Think about engaging events that you can host during the Small Business weekend. This strategy can help draw in customers, create a memorable experience, and generate excitement for your business.
Say you own a local art store, you could host an art exhibition featuring local artists, accompanied by live music, interactive art installations, and complimentary refreshments.
Combine this with exclusive discounts on purchases made during the event and you’ll have a sell out crowd. The inviting atmosphere will help enhance the shopping experience and encourage customers to spend more time in your store (and hopefully buy more).
You can generate additional buzz about the event through social media promotion, local event listings, and partnerships with community organizations to attract a wider audience.
With an attractive, memorable event you can differentiate your brand and create buzz around your offerings, driving foot traffic and sales during the Small Business weekend.
Invite Local Celebrities
Source: Pexels
Referrals are a powerful marketing strategy, and there are few referrals that are as powerful as the word of people whom others trust. Influencers and celebrities can help bring that referral magic to your Small Business Saturday event.
You can attract attention to your store using these Small Business Saturday ideas to generate buzz, and drive customer engagement. What’s more, you’re likely to see increased sales too as 92% of customers will buy on the basis of a referral (source: BigCommerce).
To broaden the impact of this strategy, you can organize meet-and-greet sessions, photo opportunities, or even performances by the celebrities.
Also promote the celebrity's appearance through social media, local media outlets, and targeted advertising to help spread the word and generate excitement.
With this strategy, you’ll ultimately create a memorable and star-studded experience for customers on Small Business Saturday.
Offer A Scavenger Hunt
Source: Pexels
Amongst the most unique Small Business Saturday ideas is scavenger hunt. Everyone loves a good hunt. Turn your store or parking lot into a game space by hiding some items and having everyone participate in a fun hunt.
It works even better if you have multiple locations or can partner with other local businesses. You can entice participants to visit multiple locations and discover hidden treasures.
For example, you and other local businesses could collaborate to create a joint scavenger hunt where participants collect clues or complete challenges at each participating store.
To make it more enticing, you can offer exclusive discounts or small prizes for completing the hunt successfully. Don’t forget to promote the hunt through various media such as local news, your social media and word of mouth.
This interactive activity not only promotes the spirit of the Small Business weekend, but also fosters a sense of community engagement and adventure among customers.
Join Pop-Up Events
Source: Fargo Undergroudn
See if there’s a pop-up event near your location and sign up for a spot for your business.
Launching a pop-up store is a fantastic way for new businesses to attract organic customers and build awareness during Small Business Saturday 2024. It gives your audience the opportunity to interact with your brand in person, creating memorable experiences that are hard to replicate online.
Pop-up stores are especially effective for small businesses, as they provide a temporary but powerful platform to showcase products and connect with shoppers. If your customers have a great experience, it sets the foundation for building long-term relationships that can keep them coming back well beyond the holiday season.
Another benefit of opening a pop-up store is that it allows you to gather direct feedback from customers.
You can ask them about their preferences, product impressions, and overall shopping experience—valuable insights that will help you refine your products and services.
For new businesses, this kind of real-time feedback is essential for continuous improvement.
Keep The Momentum Going
Source: Pexels
Lastly, you simply have to keep the momentum going. Once you implement these Small Business Saturday ideas, you’ll see an increase in visitors and sales in your store. This will also help extend the impact of the event and build long-term customer loyalty.
After the event, continue engaging with customers to maintain excitement and encourage ongoing support. For example, you can offer a post-event promo, such as a "Thank You" discount for return visits throughout the following month.
You can also utilize social media channels for online advertising, share customer stories, highlight upcoming specials, or provide exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes content.
By consistently staying connected with customers, you’ll nurture relationships, reinforce your business brand, and foster ongoing engagement beyond Small Business Saturday.
Additionally, collecting customer feedback and reviews can help you understand areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to enhance future experiences.
Keeping the momentum going ensures that the positive impact of Small Business Saturday extends well beyond a single day.
Conclusion
Small Business Saturday 2024 offers a unique starting point for businesses to connect with customers, build trust, and gain visibility in a competitive market.
For new businesses, the opportunity to engage directly with customers and receive real-time feedback is invaluable. As such, listening to your customers and understanding their needs through experiences like pop-up stores, events, and partnerships will set the foundation for long-term success.
Remember that the relationships you establish during Small Biz Saturday can pave the way for future growth. By participating, you aren’t just making sales for a single weekend—you’re starting to build a community around your brand.
Take this chance to embrace the movement – because every big dream starts small.
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