Start early. (now)

Check all your online listings for accuracy.
Google business profile, Facebook, Yelp, etc. Make sure your hours, address, and business info. are all up to date.

Check out the Shop Small resources from American Express
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/merchant/shop-small.html

They offer tools, signage and social media resources for small businesses to connect with consumers and spread the word about Small Business Saturday. Add your business to their Shop Small map so people can find you when looking for participating businesses around Small Business Saturday.

Collaborate with your neighbors
Partner and brainstorm with neighboring businesses to give shoppers more reasons to visit + spend time in your shopping district. What can you do to make visiting your business area a fun holiday tradition?Entertainment, food trucks, live music, a scavenger hunt, tarot readings… Santa Claus?
Are there neighboring businesses that offer a service or product that compliments your goods, or that shares your customer base? Work together to creatively find ways to cross promote.

Start Spreading the News (in October)
Nearly half of shoppers begin holiday shopping before Oct 31st!  Appeal to the early birds by planning and promoting your Small Business Saturday events and deals well ahead of the official day and keep posting throughout the month. 

Grab these Free graphics! Rock Scissor Paper has made a bevy of fabulous, free graphics for the small business community to use and share. Download them here

Make it a month-long event   
There are five Saturdays this November.  Why not make your Small Business Saturday a series instead of just one day?

Get your customers engaged and shopping with a month-long #shopsmallsaturday #shoplocal event. Starting Saturday, November 2nd, do something special for every Saturday in November: a promotion, in-store event, giveaway, trunk show.. culminating in the BIG day on the 30th.

Have an early Kick Off Event for your loyal + best customers
Host an Invite Only shopping event for your VIP customers offering them snacks, drinks, and a special discount or gift to show your best customers they are appreciated.

Extend your business hours for early birds or late-night shoppers. Especially the week or 2 right before Christmas. Make sure to post about it on socials.

Partner with a local charity. This day is all about community. And shoppers love to feel like their purchase is making a difference. Get the word out that you’ll be donating a portion of your sales to a local charity.

Offer Gift Wrapping
Almost no one offers gift wrapping anymore. Imagine being the standout store that does. Even if it’s for one day or VIP event. Or specific days and times. There's a reason why Oakland's award-winning, beloved retailer, Nathan & Co’s policy is: "we’ll wrap anything, no matter how small”.  It’s about creating an exceptional customer experience.

And in Nathan’s words: “it’s actually a profit center for us because it keeps them in the store longer”

Pre-Wrapped Gifts to Go
Speaking of gift wrap…  Consider offering some pre-wrapped best selling gifts + gift sets ready for your customers to grab and go. All they need to do is add a card, which you'll sell to them too.

Make an eye catching table top display of "Most Wanted" gifts that are wrapped up and ready for gifting.

Gift With Purchase
A gift with purchase (GWP) is a great way to say thank you and offers shoppers an extra incentive to buy, which means bigger sales for you. Ask your local Fine Lines rep for unique, affordable, quick-ship, GWP options that are curated for your needs and customers.

"Come Back" Coupons
With every purchase in November, include or email coupons that don't expire until late December to give your customers a reason to return to shop with you all season. 

Encourage Selfies + Social Shares
Your customers want to be seen shopping local. Make it easy and fun for them. Create an insta background, selfie frame or special area in your store for photos.  If space is an issue, you can provide a sign they can hold for photos that says something like: “I ❤️ shopping local at (your store name)”

Hold a contest so whoever takes the best selfie and tags you wins a prize or gift certificate.

Get creative with promotions on Small Business Saturday.
There’s nothing wrong with a good old storewide sale, but how exciting is it to have different promotions throughout the day? The Perfect Petal boutique in Denver went all out last year with hourly deals. They even had a hot chocolate bar and a local charity to support. 10/10!