With the holiday season right around the corner, shoppers are making lists, planning their stops and looking for the best deals in town.
For business owners, the to-do list looks a little different: advertising plans, sale signs, holiday events and plenty of preparation for the busy season ahead. At the heart of it all is meeting your customers’ needs, whether that means helping someone find the perfect gift, filling your tables with hungry patrons or playing Santa’s helper.
That’s where Small Business Saturday® comes in. The annual event encourages shoppers to support local businesses by, you guessed it, shopping local.
Appeal to Your Customers
From a regular Small Business Saturday® participant, here are 5 ways to make the most of it and appeal to customers.
- Give people a reason to stop by. A limited-time bundle, small freebie, special service or in-store experience can feel more memorable than a blanket discount.
- Make your local connection visible. Remind customers who they’re supporting. Share your story, spotlight your employees, feature local suppliers, or explain what shopping with you helps make possible in the community.
- Promote early, not just on Saturday. Start communicating several days ahead through social, email, your website, signage, and any community calendars. Be very clear about your hours, location, offer, and what customers can expect.
- Think beyond just one day. Have a simple way to stay connected, such as an email signup, loyalty program, bounce-back offer, or invitation to follow your social channels. The bigger opportunity is what happens after the weekend.
- Check-in with your local insurance agent. Small Business Saturday has the potential to be a busy – and profitable – day for you. Think about a quick chat with your local Erie Insurance agent before the busy shopping season to make sure you’re covered for whatever comes your way.
Make Sure You’re Protected Year-Round.
While these tips are all about capitalizing on Small Business Saturday, they don’t expire when the clock strikes midnight, much like the advice and support your ERIE agent provides. Most agents are small business owners trying to connect and grow within the communities they serve. They provide a valuable service, education, and a local point of contact when needs arise or tragedy strikes. Whether it’s your personal assets or business protection, make sure your needs are met by talking to your agent today.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
