National Small Business Week is a time to recognize high achieving entrepreneurs, and to raise awareness for the role that all small businesses play in our local communities and the national economy. Small Business week affords many opportunities for growth, but it’s up to you to take advantage of them! Here are 8+ ways to make the most of National Small Business week, to grow your business, delight your customers, and gain new ones too.
Leverage Local Media
Small Business Week is nationwide, but what it comes down to is the local businesses of smaller communities across the country—many of which will be celebrating with events and promotions. Your local media outlets are likely to publish roundups, schedules, and calendars for the events happening around you, so make use of them! If you’re running a sale or promotion, or hosting an event, see if you can get your business added to their lists.
Reach Out to Micro-Influencers
Your community isn’t just limited to your geographical area. It can also refer to your digital spheres as well, such as smaller social media groups that are specific to your niche. Within these niches are bloggers and micro-influencers who have a strong, highly specific, and loyal following who are trusted among your target audience. See if they’d be willing to include you in one of their blog or social media posts, to write a guest post on your blog, or to let you contribute a post to their blog.
Update your Listings
With an increased focus on small businesses, and with any promotions you are running, you’re likely to experience higher traffic to your business website and social media accounts. Be sure to check your profiles and listings to make sure all of the information is accurate and up to date. This includes your Google Maps listing, Facebook business page, Yelp listing, and more.
The last thing you want is a person learning about a promotion you’re running, but being unable to locate your business or get the information they need for making a purchase.
Run Small Business Week Promotions
There are a number of different promotions you can run during Small Business Week. Here are a few ideas to get you inspired:
- Reward loyalty: offer discounts and coupons during this week, for your most loyal customers.
- Seasonally themed promotions: make your Small Business Week sales extra relevant with a seasonal theme, such as putting outdoor and spring/summer items on sale, or offering warm weather services at a discount (for example, air conditioner repair or landscaping services).
- Holiday-oriented promotions: Create gift packages for upcoming holidays such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
- Fun Observance Promotions: Give out coupons with purchases, that can be redeemed on fun observances that month, such as National Burger Day or Bike to Work Day.
Check out our Marketing Calendar for more fun dates and ideas.
Don’t Just Promote…Participate!
Small Business Week is a great time to capitalize on the increased focus on small businesses to draw attention to your business. Keep in mind, however, that there is an educational component to this week as well.
The Small Business Association tours the country during this week, giving awards and hosting events, speaking engagements, and seminars geared for small businesses. Go to events happening in your area, or watch events in other cities via live stream. Attend webinars and join in on social media conversations.
To learn about SBA events of interest to you, visit https://www.sba.gov/nsbw/nsbw, or find your regional SBA office at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.
Support Other Small Businesses
During Small Business Week, support other small businesses! Craft up a simple social media post, or use your vocation to help other small businesses during this week—such as by offering to design a graphic for another business, or free haircuts to small business owners, etc. Strengthening your support for small business will strengthen that of your target audience and help with your messaging
Partner Up
Another community-building approach to Small Business Week is to team up with other small businesses and cross-promote. Offer to put a stack of business cards in your store in exchange for being able to put yours in theirs. Host a joint sale to expand your reach. Your best bet is to team up with complementary businesses, like boutiques with hair salons, or fitness centers with nutrition stores.
Use Social Media
There are a number of ways to use social media to make the most of Small Business Week.
- Use popular hashtags like #ShopSmall and #SmallBusinessWeek.
- Follow the SBA on Twitter @SBAgov and Facebook at facebook.com/sba
- To attract more customers through this exposure, use the hashtag in posts that link to landing pages for relevant content, such as an eBook.
- Create a custom hashtag for your business or a particular promotion you’re running.
- Tag other small businesses in your neighborhood and use local hashtags to get people connected and conversing.
- Spice up your social media profiles with a Small Business Week theme.
Showing your passion for small business will encourage your target audience to support you and other small businesses as well.
Making the most of National Small Business Week is not about putting your business first. It’s about encouraging awareness, building community, and expressing your passion through the voice of your brand. Have a great week small business owners, and keep up the great work!
