SMALL STEPS TO SUCCESS
10 tips to rally your neighborhood this Small Business Saturday®, November 30th. ®
1. CREATE AN EVENT TO PROMOTE SMALL BUSINESSES.
Throw a parade on your main street. Host a community block party or downtown fair. Design an event that
showcases what local businesses have to offer and inspires people to participate and shop small on the day. And,
don’t forget that you can leverage existing events in your town to help make the most of Small Business Saturday.
2. MAKE IT EASY TO SHOP.
Offer free parking for the day and close down streets for pedestrians. The easier it is to shop, the more people will do it!
3. MAKE IT MEMORABLE.
Dress up the town with signage, banners, and balloons to help the cause stand out and call your community to
action on the day.
4. GET THE MEDIA AND LOCAL OFFICIALS INVOLVED.
Local media is always looking for a good story. Engage local officials, local celebrities and media contacts, and let
them help amplify your message.
5. START A COUNTDOWN.
Start a countdown the week before Small Business Saturday. Enlisting the help of small businesses and your local
newspaper is a great way to build the excitement.
6. ENGAGE MORE SMALL BUSINESSES AND HELP THEM PARTICIPATE.
The more small businesses you can get on board, the bigger the day can be.
7. ENGAGE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY—INCLUDING THE KIDS!
Create a festive atmosphere with face painting, balloon animals, and cotton candy to help attract families with
young children.
8. CREATE A SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY CIRCULAR.
Use the Sunday paper to highlight all the special Small Business Saturday offers from local small businesses.
9. ADVERTISE IN THE NEWSPAPER.
Contact your local newspaper about including a Small Business Saturday ad or one-pager in papers in
your neighborhood.
10. KEEP TALKING!
In meetings. At the grocery store. Over dinner with friends. The more passionate you are spreading the word; the
more others will be doing the same.
