5 ways to show support on Small Business Saturday

Supporting local businesses is important for communities and the entrepreneurs within them. Learn five ways you can show support during the holiday season.

As a small business owner, you know the value of shopping locally. When customers come through your doors, they support your livelihood and contribute to the local economy, generating $68 in local economic return for every $100 spent. 

Equally important is small businesses’ support of other local businesses and the unique products, services, and charm they bring to our neighborhoods. Shopping locally goes beyond individual establishments; it creates a thriving community that benefits patrons and business owners alike. 

With Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, now is the perfect time to brainstorm ways to lend a hand to local business owners. Here are five easy ways small businesses can support their fellow entrepreneurs this holiday season and beyond.

---

1. Support local businesses

Grab your reusable shopping bag, and head to your local Main Street, town square, craft fair, holiday boutique, or even a quirky neighborhood you’ve been meaning to explore. Visit shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes you’ve never visited. Get your holiday shopping done as you go on a treasure hunt for unique and handmade finds you can’t find anywhere else. 

There’s no better way to support small businesses — especially those still reeling from the pandemic — than to show up and open your wallet for purchases you need to make anyway. Don’t forget to snap selfies and videos (more on that next)!

---

2. Give other business owners a social shout out

Use the photos and videos you captured on your local shopping spree to highlight local businesses on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

If you’re not a TikTok creator, now’s a great time to become one as American Express launches its #ShopSmall Accelerator program with TikTok. The program aims to help small businesses reach Gen Z shoppers on TikTok, where 67% of them rely on their “For You Page” feeds to discover and shop from local businesses.

Learn more and prepare for Small Business Saturday at AmericanExpress.com/ShopSmallAccelerator.

---

3. Leave online reviews 

When consumers want to find a local business, 97% search online first. Moreover, 96% of them read online reviews, and 86% say reviews are an essential factor in deciding whether to trust a business, according to a Moz local business review survey. 

Providing honest feedback is one of the most powerful ways to show support for local businesses. Plus, it only takes a few moments to leave reviews for your favorite eateries, retailers, and other local businesses after you visit them on Small Business Saturday. 

---

4. Collaborate on special promotions

Small businesses often have a shared customer base. As such, you can team up for special promotions that benefit both parties. 

Consider partnering with a neighboring business for a Small Business Saturday dual deal, such as a gift with purchase. For example, if you own a coffee shop, collaborate with the fitness studio next door: Buy a coffee, get the first class free, or vice versa. By cross-promoting each other’s products and services, you can attract new customers for both businesses.

---

5. Organize a Small Business Saturday pop-up event

Collaborate with other local small businesses to set up a holiday boutique or street fair in a high-traffic area. Include a variety of vendors with different products and services, from handmade crafts to delicious treats, all in one festive location. 

With live music, food trucks, photo booths, and hands-on activities for kids, you can turn Small Business Saturday into a community-wide celebration that attracts shoppers. Use social media to promote the event and get the word out to your customers and the local community.

Show your support 

Shoppers are eager to open their wallets at local businesses — in 2023 alone, they’re expected to spend $6.04 trillion in local stores. Yet shopping local isn’t just about how much money small businesses can make; it’s about supporting the entrepreneurs who are the heartbeat of communities. 

This year, make it a Small Business Saturday to remember and carry newfound connections into 2024.