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Small Business Saturday Ideas for 2016:

7 Ways to Attract More Customers

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IntroAs 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.

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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.

1 Special Small BusinessSaturday Promotions

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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

CharacticaturesIncluding 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 SensitivityThis 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

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The Send OutOnce 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

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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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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 OutYou 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 BudgetFirst things first — you need to establish how much money you’re willing to spend.

Determining the ScopeOnce 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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Hosting an Event

Have FunWhen 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 UpThis 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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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

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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

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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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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 CardsCoupons Bundling products for your promotions? Include special, branded, packagingEmail blastsSocial Media platformsStore 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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