Small Business Saturday is a perfect opportunity to boost holiday sales. Last year, 112 million consumers said "shop small" on Small Business Saturday, spending $ 15.4 billion. But have you considered the day as a way to improve business operations and set the stage for year-round success? Here are 11 fermented ideas to make the most of small businesses on Saturday and beyond.
Follow the "How to" training to ensure excellent customer service
For businesses that face the customer, it's all about making a lasting impression, so it's essential to prepare for a busy vacation period.
Hold a meeting to prepare your team for small businesses Saturday:
- Role play with the help of "how-to's". Show your staff how to greet customers and answer questions. Remind them to ask customers to sign up for e-mail updates and cross-sell special offers.
- Generous positive feedback. It increases the confidence that continues throughout the year.
A well trained team will provide the kind of service and hospitality we expect from all our suppliers.
Remind small business people on Saturday
Research shows that shoppers want to support small businesses, with 94% saying that local shopping is important. But with our hectic lives, they can forget that it's Small Business Saturday.
American Express offers free printable signs for the day. Use your professional printer like the Canon MAXIFY models to print a sign to display in your window to remind people of the upcoming date.
Thank the customers for the small business last year Saturday
Send handwritten cards or personalized emails highlighting the success of your business last year. Thank customers for their support. They will feel invested in your success and more likely to support you this year.
Make a truly memorable experience
Brand experiences are becoming an increasingly important part of the marketing mix. Real-world experiences not only distinguish brands and add personality, but they give brands the opportunity to establish direct and meaningful connections with consumers and, ultimately, build loyalty. Research shows that the more an event or experience is personalized, the more effective it can be.
Align the branding, mission and values of your business with additional experiential elements for your Saturday small business festivities. Consider adding items of art, entertainment or food.
Introducing Special Edition Products
Nothing pushes shopping as a feeling of exclusivity. Free special edition products available only for a limited time. If possible, include a souvenir, such as a reusable branded coffee mug. Or, add a printed label that also serves as a local sporting event schedule.
Partner with neighboring companies
Comarketing is a proven technique for brick and mortar companies. It works all year round and for service companies, too. Trade posters or distribute coupons to partner companies. Try to organize a treasure hunt with several other local businesses.
Start a flash sale
Small Business Saturday is a timely moment for flash sales – a short sale, for a day or less. Flash sales are great tools to excite and reward your customers, encourage them to come back to your website or store them more often and generate sales.
Wicked Good Cupcakes used this trick with great success. Known for his appearance and investment in the ABC Shark TankTM, the mother-daughter duo of Tracey Noonan and Dani Vilagie have turned a hobby into a multi-million dollar gift and gift ecommerce business.
Flash sales can increase sales by 10% or more for the day, according to Noonan's experience. She says, "We often do flash sales, usually before or after the holidays. We have seen an increase in traffic of up to 100%, with 100% conversation rates when running these campaigns. "
Leverage sales to affiliates
Wicked Good Cupcakes uses affiliates, such as online entrepreneurs or influencers who like products, to spread the word.
Noonan says, "We work a lot with affiliates and influencers who align with our brand. We offer discount codes that they can offer to their subscribers, especially during shopping vacations like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. "
Get organized!
"The organization is really the key," says Noonan. "You need systems in place, it does not necessarily mean that everything has to be automated, but you have to be organized and find the fastest and most effective ways to get the job done, especially if you have some type of sales by correspondence. "
Refill supplies in advance, have enough duct tape, printer ink and packaging supplies – and make sure everyone knows where the find – are key tactics to put in place every day.
Encouraging Online Ordering
Noonan says, "Our products are perishable, so it's not as if people could go to our store, buy cupcakes and hang them up until it's time to offer them as a gift. Ordering online could be a better option for people to order in advance and get items when they really need it, while having the opportunity to support small businesses and take advantage of promotions from businesses. holidays. "
Using Small Business Saturday As The Beginning, Not The End
Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to set the stage for a year – long marketing with new and existing customers.
To encourage customers to return to your store beyond Small Business Saturday, print coupons and store them in bags so that customers can redeem them later, offer a raffle for merchandise, and capture merchandise. -mails. ]
Seller of seafood by Shutterstock