How To Show Support on Small Business Saturday
Here's how to support small businesses with your wallet, and how to support small businesses without even spending a penny.
Shopping small is a great option year-round, but giving some extra TLC to local shops on Small Business Saturday is an impactful way to show your appreciation for what they mean to your community. During the most hectic shopping weekend of the year, it can be hard for some of us to get ourselves out from behind the computer to make in-person purchases or intentionally skip over the big-box retailers vying so hard for our attention. It’s cold. It’s hectic. There are other people…
Take it from us: It’s well worth it! So mark your calendar for Saturday, November 23.
Strategically placed between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this is the day to show some love to local small businesses. Finding the best deals while doing good in your community? Sounds like a win-win to us. Plus, the impact of this movement goes far beyond this one day. When you spend money at a local business, you’re reinvesting in your commuting by boosting your local economy. There’s no better way to close out a year than being a conscientious consumer.
→ Show love to the amazing local businesses that support Stroll publications in your area!
In this blog, we’ll share how to support small businesses with your wallet, and how to support small businesses without even spending a penny.
Shop Local
1. Exclusively shop small on Saturday.
While you may be tempted by the convenience of big-box-store shopping, commit to only shopping small on Small Business Saturday to ensure you’re giving local businesses “first dibs” on earning your attention (and cash). There are ways to add convenience to your shopping even if buying from small businesses – discover where multiple small businesses are clustered together in your area for quick store-hopping, and look up small businesses that might have great holiday deals online.
2. Make it a social opportunity.
Get a group of friends or family together for an even more fun shopping experience. They may even introduce you to a new favorite local hotspot. If you’re shopping online for small business deals and come across something worth sharing, send the link to others so they, too, can partake in Small Business Saturday.
3. Buy a gift card for your future self.
During the holiday season, most of us visit boutiques and retail stores in search of the perfect presents. However, you can also show support to non-retail small businesses by purchasing a gift card – and not just for your loved ones. Is there a likelihood you’ll need a product or service from a specific small business in the next year? Purchasing a gift card on Small Business Saturday is your way of letting the local shop know you’ll be a loyal customer whenever a need arises.
Support Local (For Free)
1. Leave a review.
Most businesses have some sort of an online presence, whether it’s Yelp, Google, Facebook, or BBB. Carve out a few minutes this Small Business Saturday to leave positive reviews for your favorite small businesses. From restaurants and boutiques to A/C repair and the reliable snow removal service that helps when you need it most, all businesses that earn your loyalty deserve a boost of confidence with a great review. An authentic testimonial can do wonders for a small business’s reputation and your support will not go unnoticed.
2. Post a social media shoutout.
Similar to leaving a positive review, turn to social media to show a little love to your favorite small businesses on November 23. Letting your Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok communities know where you love to shop and why can be a huge advantage for those businesses. Not only are word-of-mouth recommendations the most impactful, but putting out a post they can then share to their own social pages gifts them hassle-free marketing.
Small Business Saturday may be a one-day event, but its impact reaches far beyond. We encourage you (and everyone) to participate in this celebration of community – and to find the best deals while you’re at it. Happy shopping!