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12 Ways You Should Prepare for Small Business Saturday 2021

small business Saturday 2021

We’re already midway through October, which means the holidays are right around the corner. And the holiday that you should be most concerned about right now isn’t Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas — it’s Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday — the brainchild of American Express — began in 2010 as a way to see small businesses through the recession and has been going strong ever since. Celebrated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the 2021 edition falls on Nov. 27.

While American Express is always a great resource for Small Business Saturday and the entire #shopsmall movement, we have some great tips for you as well.

Here’s how to prepare for 2021’s Small Business Saturday:

A Dozen Small Business Saturday Tips

Start Early

There’s a lot to do and only a handful of weeks to do it in, so the sooner you start, the better. Don’t let it sneak up on you and catch you unprepared

Emphasize Digital Sales …

… but don’t neglect in-person offerings, either. COVID is still very much a thing out there, and your customers will have different opinions and comfort levels as it pertains to holiday shopping.

Create a Buzz

Kick things off early on your social platform. Things like countdowns, contests or sneak peaks at your deals will build excitement and anticipation.

Offer Gift Cards

If gift cards aren’t already on your menu, they should be. Make sure they can be used to both online and in-person sales, if applicable.

Be Aware of Possible Supply Chain Delays

Experts are warning (loudly!) that supply chain delays can and will happen this holiday season. Consider moving up your product schedule. And if your best sellers aren’t going to be ready in time, you need to have a contingency plan.

Keep It Clean

If you’re manning a brick-and-mortar store on Small Business Saturday, pay special attention to sanitation. The pandemic, coupled with more people than usual crowding your store, means you need to have someone constantly wiping down counters, bathrooms, doorknobs and other high-touch areas.

Watch Your Bottom Line

While it’s tempting to slash the prices on everything in an effort to get people through your door, make sure you’re not discounting yourself to death. Instead of offering 50% off everything, for instance, select a few doorbusters to create excitement, then let the rest of your inventory speak for itself.

Make Sure Your Staffing Needs Are Met

It’s no secret that good employees are difficult to come by, especially right now. Make sure you have enough hands on deck to get through the day, even if that means bringing in seasonal help. And don’t forget to reward your team after the rush to keep morale up!

Give Back to Your Community

Consider donating a certain percentage of your Small Business Saturday sales to a community charity. People are more apt to buy when they know their money is doing some good.

Keep the Current Economy in Mind

A lot of people aren’t exactly flush with cash right now, so create multiple price points, offer a la carte options or scale down some packages so everyone can afford to partake.

Partner Up

Partner with other nearby small businesses and make it a neighborhood affair! You can share advertising costs, refer customers to each other and even create reciprocal deals.

Nail Down Outsourced Marketing

If you plan to outsource any or all of your marketing for Small Business Saturday, now is the time to do it. If you wait, you run the risk of finding out the best marketing agencies are all booked up.

Are You Ready for Small Business Saturday?

It might seem like you have plenty of time, but Small Business Saturday will be here before you know it. The more prepared you are, the smoother it will be!

Need some help mapping out your Small Business Saturday strategy? Mischa Communications is up to the task. Let’s talk shop.