November 25 is Small Business Saturday—a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about your local establishment and bring in droves of excited new patrons. Since this day happens only once a year, it’s a good idea to make sure you have everything in place to take full advantage.
1. Offer a special promotion. ‘Tis the season for shopping ’til you drop. Consumers are out in full force, and competition for their attention is fierce. What better way to catch their eye than with a juicy discount? Try offering a store credit every time shoppers spend a certain amount, or take 10% off their entire purchase. Advertise it ahead of time on your Facebook page or in the local paper. Your discount will be like a beacon of light as they check off their Christmas list.
2. Provide refreshments. Yes, we’re serious! There’s nothing more inviting to weary shoppers than some tasty seasonal goodies. Set up a table in your shop with complimentary hot cocoa and cider, and cookies. This is an affordable gesture that will leave a winning impression on visitors.
3. Share the day’s activities on social media. Snap some fun photos of your customers (with their permission, of course) enjoying their shopping excursion and post them on Instagram and Facebook. Remind your social media followers of any discounts you’re offering. Ask them to post pics of their favorite finds on their own pages to share with friends and family.
4. Make sure your digital presence is up to date. Review your website and social media profiles to ensure they’re up to date and reflective of who you are as a business. Don’t overlook the “About Us” page on your website - this is the perfect place to add a personal touch and explain why your establishment is the better choice over big-box competitors.
5. Grow your email list. With all these newbies strolling into your store or eatery—don’t miss the opportunity to capture their info! Keep a sign-up sheet at the register and ask each customer for their email address at check-out. You can also add a sign-up button on your Facebook page. To sweeten the pot, offer a small next-trip discount (like 10%) to anyone who obliges.
6. Prep your staff. One key strength of a smaller business is the ability to make personal connections with customers. Make sure your employees are as excited about Small Business Saturday as you are! Let them know how important the service they provide is in building a loyal customer following.
7. Hand out freebies. People love free stuff, and they love being appreciated by the businesses they patronize. Have a custom lapel pin designed with your business logo, colors and slogan and hand these out as a special “thank you” to anyone who stops by your store. You can even create an enticing offer around your pin—let shoppers know that if they wear the pin into the store any day the following week, they get an extra 15% off their purchase.
Need help in create your custom lapel pin? Let Signature Pins lead the way.
Caryn Smith is Manager of Signature Pins. When you need custom lapel pins, visit https://signaturepins.com/custom-html/ today.