5 marketing tips to capture the momentum of Small Business Saturday and the holiday season

With many shoppers looking to buy gifts and seasonal items, the holiday season serves as a critical time to build community and gain sales before the year is over. Small Business Saturday, held annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, can offer momentum as local consumers look to support and buy from small businesses in their community. 

Here are five ways to capitalize on the holiday season and boost your business this Small Business Saturday: 

1. Leverage American Express’s free Small Business Saturday marketing materials 

Small Business Saturday is a widely recognized holiday. Leverage free marketing materials from American Express to make your business stand out this season. Current materials include in-feed and story post sample graphics, caption language and hashtags, as well as posters and graphics designed specifically for retail, beauty and dining businesses. 

2. Refresh digital platforms and make sure contact information is up to date

If you’ve been thinking of refreshing your digital platforms, the holiday season is the perfect time to do so. By adding a new appearance to your website, social media platforms or even your in-person locations, patrons might be more inclined to stop by and shop. Additionally, updating contact information, web links and holiday hours ensures consumers can reach you with any questions they might have and stay up to date on hours of operation. Not sure what updates to make? LinkedIn has several tips and components to look out for when updating. 

3. Promote holiday deals and savings across social media and email

Consumers often look for special promotions or deals, especially during the holiday season. Creating holiday deals and sharing them on social media and with your email list allows you to leverage the season to gain capital while using free platforms to spread the word. Utilize Shopify’s Product Price Guide to learn more about creating effective holiday prices.

4. Host a holiday themed event 

From Christmas to Kwanza, the end of the year is full of holidays that bring communities out to celebrate. Hosting a holiday-themed event in person or virtually allows consumers to learn more about your business while engaging in some holiday fun. Event ideas could include teaching patrons how to make or do something such as gift wrapping, offering holiday-themed refreshments, hosting live entertainment and so much more. Be sure to not overthink your event. Offering a simple photo op moment or hanging holiday-themed decorations could attract shoppers to your store this season.  

5. Share your story with family and friends 

While we live in a digital age, some of the most loyal customers are gained through in-person interactions. This holiday season, share your story of entrepreneurship and your journey to where your business is now with your family, friends and community members. As a small business owner, your unique story has the power to gain a new supporter or a faithful spokesperson for your business. Learn more about how to share your brand’s story with Forbes.

Searching for more ways to elevate your business this Small Business Saturday and holiday season? Check out more free resources and ideas from the Small Business Administration, along with Meta’s Holiday Marketing Guide to elevate your efforts on social media!