Small businesses are the center and soul of the U.S. economy. They are also an important part of the community where they live. As a small business owner, you help people eat, dress, have fun, and prepare for life. Unfortunately, the rise of big companies that do everything has made it hard for small businesses to compete.  

The coronavirus pandemic made this problem even worse. Lucky for small businesses, there are a few marketing plans to help them compete with the big ones. Small Business Weekend is one of these projects. Seventy-seven percent of consumers told the Small Business Association (SBA) that Small Business Weekend makes them want to shop small for the holidays and the rest of the year. 

If you own a small business, participating in the celebration could significantly impact your holiday profits. Let's look at 12 ideas for marketing that you can use to help your business during Small Business Weekend.

 

What is a Small Business Weekend?

Small Business Weekend is a shopping holiday that began in 2010 with a campaign by American Express. Now, the goal is to allow small businesses to compete with big chains. The holiday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which is perfect.  Small Business Weekend is on November 27 this year.  

You can bring in more customers with the right Small Business Weekend marketing ideas. Even though Small Business Weekend isn't as well-known as Black Friday, it's still a good idea to prepare for it. The SBA found that about 110 million people shopped during the event in 2019, which led to almost $2 billion more sales than the year before. 

Weekend Internet Marketing for Small Businesses 

Whether you have a storefront or only do business online, digital marketing can help your business. 

Send email campaigns 

Email marketing can help you stand out, and it's a great choice for small businesses that wish to make a big difference. At least a week before Small Business Weekend,  mailing lists should start. So, customers will know about the holiday and any sales that might accompany it. 

Make a statement on social media. 

Brand awareness can be helped by promoting a business on social media.  Customers will be more interested in your status updates if you use humor,  promotions, sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes looks, and information about your products. 

Use Instagram ads or Facebook ads. 

If you run a small business, you likely already have a social media presence. Ads on  Facebook and Instagram can be very effective ways to market. You decide how much you devote, so your costs can be as low or high as your budget lets you. 

Non-digital marketing for small businesses 

If you do most of your business in a physical location, these marketing strategies could help you. 

Utilize your community

Get to know people in your area by going to local events. You could sponsor a Little  League team, a 5K walk for charity, or a run. You could also give away things or services or help at charity events. At community events, you can naturally talk about your business. You can show your support while making your customers feel good about buying from you. 

Organize a party. 

Shoppers like to be involved and moved by what they see. You can make plans ahead of time for an event, such as an evaluating demonstration or a hands-on,  interactive activity. You can keep things simple for a Small Business Weekend promotion by playing music outside your store or putting up balloons. The goal is to make your store fun, so people will want to stop by independently. 

Serve your customers. 

Have you ever assisted a buddy or family member in moving for the whole day because they offered to purchase your lunch? Or have you ever driven five miles to a  certain coffee shop to use a coupon for free coffee? Shoppers like getting free food.  During this pandemic, use single-serve canisters with lids if you want to give out bagels from a local bakery or other snacks. You can also ask restaurants in your area how they make sure their food is safe. 

Get a billboard. 

Because although digital advertising is the norm now, don't underestimate the power of a billboard. Let's say you don't have enough money for a big billboard. If that's the case, it's fine. You can get the same result by posting flyers in communal spaces, parks, coffee houses, libraries, and supermarkets around the neighborhood. 

Advertise in the newspaper. 

Newspapers are a great way to reach out to people in your area. Use Small Business  Weekend to get the word out and advertise your business in your local paper.  Restaurants, bars, and cafes can use the weekend entertainment section. On the other hand, service providers usually do better if they focus on classified ads. 

Small Business Weekend advertising and marketing 

When it comes to advertising, all businesses can count on it to bring in customers.

Use your current customers as your best marketing tool. 

Positive word of mouth is the best way to sell something. Your happy customers are  the best and biggest way to market your business. Reaching out to current and past customers is a cheap and easy way for a small business to market itself. Please tell them to return to your store and tell their friends about it. A 10% off coupon could be a small incentive if they already like your business. You can show them how to sell your business. 

Contact the news media. 

Getting mentioned in the news may seem like a big job, but local reporters are always looking for new stories. Help them out by getting in touch with them first.  You can ask them to include you on their list of participating businesses, do an interview, or come to your store to broadcast. Assist a Reporter Out (HARO) is another place where you can sign up as a source or an expert in your field. 

Give a special discount. 

Try to think strategically instead of giving a 20% discount on everything in the store.  For example, you could offer a deal to anyone who chooses to follow you on social networks or signs up for your trade journal. 

Work with other businesses. 

Teaming up with other businesses works best if you have a storefront and are close to other small businesses. Try to work with other owners of small businesses to spread the word about Small Business Weekend and get people excited about it.  After all, it is best for everyone if as many individuals as possible go shopping.