Nov. 28 is an important day for many small businesses, and it can get lost in the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday shuffle.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, widely known as Small Business Saturday, is a global celebration, where small shop owners and patrons come together in support of community and local commerce. Sure, Black Friday has its perks, but as someone who’s worked for local diners, restaurants and cafés and is the product of an entrepreneurial family, I find deeper satisfaction in holding out my shopping activities until Small Business Saturday. What I’ve realized is that the act of purchasing goods and services from your local small business is just the beginning!
Five unique ways to support Small Business Saturday
1. Start your shopping day at a local eatery
Before I started my food blog, Seasonly Creations, I was part of the local scene, working in kitchens that continue to survive — and hopefully thrive — from the generosity of local consumers. Start your Small Business Saturday at the café down the street or at that diner across town. You could even grab some fuel to-go at your local bakery.
2. Find your small businesses
Looking for those local shopping gems? Explore small businesses in your area and see what they have to offer by visiting the Small Business Saturday look up page. Just put in your town and state or your zip code and a list of businesses near you will pop up.
3. Get social
Tap into your networks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and your other social accounts to share the #shopsmall message. You can even download sample posts and tweets!
Tip: Use #shopsmall and #SmallBizSat to join the online conversation
4. Take a shop owner selfie
Show your appreciation by taking a selfie with local shop owners and sharing it on your social accounts. This promotes you as a local expert, elevates the business and makes the shop owner’s day!
Tip: Download one of the official Facebook cover photos to raise awareness
5. Contact your local newspaper
It sounds old school, but connecting with your local publications is a great way to express your appreciation for your favorite small shops. You can reach out a number of ways:
- Check to see if your publication has a calendar or local events listing. If they do, list Small Business Saturday and the businesses that you know will be participating.
- Contact your publication’s editor and ask if they plan on covering any area businesses on Small Business Saturday. If not, give the editor the names of a couple participating businesses that you’d like the paper to consider covering.
- Write a “letter to the editor” about your Small Business Saturday experience — and include your shop-owner selfie photo!
Looking for even more creative ways to celebrate? Visit the official Small Business Saturday website and learn how your participation can make a difference.
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