Last Minute Small Business Saturday Ideas for Local Publishers

In 2010, American Express started Small Business Saturday to help businesses get more customers and ever since then it has grown into a powerful movement that encourages people to shop small. As a local publisher, you are uniquely positioned to champion the effort in your community or as American Express calls it "Rally Your Neighborhood". Steven Jack, of OnlyOswego.com, has done a nice job promoting the day for his community as outlined below.

He started off with a simple article titled Oswego Businesses Offering Bargains Saturday highlighting all the great deals being offered in his own community.

He then added a banner ad which links to the Facebook page that highlights downtown Oswego.

He then rounded out his promotion by posting the article to Facebook as shown below.

 

Post by Only Oswego.

Overall, a very nice approach to promoting his community that could be replicated in an hour or so worth of work. Alternatively, for those that are looking for something a bit simpler, you could simply browse Facebook on November 29 for local businesses sharing special deals and  share them to your Facebook page. And lastly, those looking for a more hands on approach could walk around to different businesses, speak to managers/owners and live post throughout the day - deals, quotes, pictures, stories...whatever makes them unique!

P.S. This is also a great opportunity to make sure you are following all these businesses as your Facebook page and talking to decision makers about becoming community sponsors (just make sure not to take up more than a minute or so of their time on this - just need to make the initial connection then you can follow up later on).

What do you have planned for ‪#‎SmallBizSat‬?