Business Consumer Alliance recognizes the importance of small businesses. Many of our supporters are small business entrepreneurs who create jobs locally, provide services and goods to the community, and help our economy. Each November a day is set aside to encourage customers to shop locally and patronize small businesses. Small Business Saturday falls on November 29, 2014, this year. Are you prepared? BCA provides some tips to businesses and consumers and encourage shopping small this year.
Small Businesses
Here are a few things you can do to prepare for Small Business Saturday:
- Visit the BCA website and update your company’s storefront. Upload photos of your services and products, update your business hours and description, and obtain the custom dynamic seal for your website so your patrons can click through to view your report and write reviews about your company.
- BCA Members, update your storefront with current coupons and promotions.
- If your company is not listed, we will create a report for you. Simply fill out our online form for new businesses and you are on your way.
- Register on the American Express Small Business Shop Small website. Participants can personalize marketing materials for Small Business Saturday. To get you started you’ll receive:
- Printable signage
- Shop Small logos and infographics
- Email templates and sample social media posts
- Free online ads for the occasion
- Printable postcards
- A digital banner
- American Express Card accepting merchants receive additional perks, including free online ads throughout the year, inclusion on the Shop Small map, and more.
- Include Small Business Saturday in your other holiday marketing campaigns.
- Consider creating a special offer for the day to attract new customers and gather your existing customers to your business.
- Get your neighbors involved. The community around your business can help drive customers to you. Ask them to come out and support your company on November 29.
- Check out businesses that have previously been involved in Small Business Saturday. Contact some of the businesses to ask about their experience and to get tips on how they have successfully used the occasion to benefit their business.
- Learn about the incentives offered for participating businesses by Small Business Saturday premier partners, such as FedEx, Eventbrite, and Bing.
Shoppers Support Small Business
Consumers can also prepare for Small Business Saturday. First, search BCA’s directory of companies for local businesses to support. Check the Shop Small map for participating businesses. Promote the occasion on your social media and word of mouth. After you have shopped, share your experience by writing a review. Doing so not only helps fellow consumers, but your feedback is a great way for businesses to know what you like about their services and/or products, and perhaps some areas they can improve upon.
American Express cardholders can take advantage of incentives for shopping small businesses on Small Business Saturday. This year, card members who spend $10 or more in a single, in-store transaction at a qualifying small business can receive a $10 statement credit. Registration begins November 16, 2014.
Small Businesses Benefit the Community and More
Whether you decide to shop at a small business or perhaps enjoy a meal at a small eating establishment, your support goes a long way. Reinvesting in your community benefits many.
Small businesses—don’t delay in preparing for Small Business Saturday. You are an important part of the community and economy. BCA supports you!
Interested in what BCA can do for your business? Apply for membership today or contact us to have a membership representative speak to you about the benefits BCA has to offer.
About Business Consumer Alliance:
Business Consumer Alliance (BCA) is a non-profit company which started in 1936. The broad purpose of BCA is to promote business self-regulation. BCA's mission is achieved by assisting consumers in resolving complaints with businesses and using that complaint information, along with other relevant information such as customer reviews, to forecast business reliability. With community support, BCA can identify trustworthy and ethical businesses and warn the public to avoid unscrupulous businesses whose purpose is to defraud the marketplace. BCA obtains its funding from member businesses who support the mission and purpose of the organization and who agree to abide by high standards of ethical business practices.