Download Your Free Small Business Saturday Action Plan

Download Your Free Small Business Saturday Action Plan

Last year, more than 100 million people supported their local merchants by shopping at small businesses on Small Business Saturday.

Small businesses increased their customer bases and saw a jump in sales of 100% and higher after last year?s nationwide day of support.

Are you participating this year? Even if it?s a last-minute decision, you can leverage the benefits of Small Business Saturday in a big way next weekend. We?ve got you covered with everything you need to know to publicize your business for November 24th.

Get The Most From Small Business Saturday

It?s a busy time of year for everyone, business owners included.

Small Business Saturday is next weekend, but don?t panic if you?re not prepared yet. This free downloadable action plan will tell you what to do now, on the day of, and even after the big day to follow up with new customers.

Here are a few more ideas to get you on your way to a successful Small Business Saturday promotion.

Get on Foursquare

Foursquare is partnered with American Express to reward cardholders for shopping at local establishments. The credit card company offers check-in specials at a number of small businesses, rewarding cardholders with money back when they check into the establishment.

If you?re not already listed on Foursquare, claim your business now. You?ll get free exposure as shoppers share their Foursquare checkins on their social networks.

You can also offer specials of your own to encourage more people to check in while shopping at your store. Many businesses offer discounts to people who check in with a certain number of friends on Foursquare. Encourage customers to bring their friends along on Small Business Saturday for better deals.

Promote Your Holiday Sales

If you?re already planning sales for the holiday season, launch them on the 24th. Small Business Saturday is the Black Friday for local merchants, so shoppers will be looking for deals.

Use Small Business Saturday to start your holiday promotions and remind your customers that your sales continue all season long. You could even print flyers with your holiday sale schedule and place them in your customers? bags at check-out, similar to this business owner?s successful strategy last year.

Partner With Other Local Businesses

Small Business Saturday is a national event that celebrates local businesses. So get together with your fellow business owners to make it a big day in your town.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Run a joint promotion. Customers who bring receipts or get cards punched from neighboring stores get a special discount at your own store.
• Decorate your block. Attract customers with a festive atmosphere while they do their holiday shopping.
• Give shoppers a memorable experience. Get creative with it. How about a progressive lunch in each store on your block? Or take turns manning warm drink stations on the sidewalk. Work together to plan something that will make a big impression on local shoppers.

Encourage Customers to Review You

The extra foot traffic in your store is the perfect opportunity to get more reviews from customers on Yelp and Google Places.

Post signs throughout your store and in your windows to let customers know you?re on these sites. Keep a stack of cards near the register to remind customers to review their experience after they leave. It?s not a good idea to offer incentives or discounts for reviews, but there?s no harm in placing gentle reminders for new customers.

Don?t Forget an Email Signup!

You may have a lot of new faces in your store next Saturday ? and they?re not on your email list yet. Have an email sign up ready and tell new customers about the benefits of joining your list.

If you have an iPad, you can set up a quick and easy email signup at your register with the OnSpot app. Customers can instantly add themselves to your email list when you connect the app to your AWeber account.

You can also take a low-tech approach with signup sheets, or print out cards with a URL to your signup page. Slip a card into every customer?s bag when they checkout so they can join your list when they get home.

What?s Your Plan for Small Business Saturday?

Grab your free action plan and tell us what you?re doing for Small Business Saturday in the comments!

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Source: http://www.aweber.com/blog/email-marketing/small-business-sat-action-plan.htm

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