November 27, 2021, marks Small Business Saturday, an American shopping holiday held each year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving in the U.S. It is considered one of the busiest shopping days of the year and draws millions of people to retail shops across the country. If you’re planning to start the holiday season with some shopping, consider supporting small businesses on Small Business Saturday.

Small businesses account for approximately 99.7 percent of all businesses in the United States, according to the Small Business Association. A Civic Economics Study in Grand Rapids, Michigan revealed that for every $100 spent at a small business, roughly $68 stays in the local economy. Do your part to help other small businesses by trying some of these creative ways to support small businesses during November and all year long.

Get the Word Out

Word of mouth remains one of the most powerful forms of advertising. According to Nielsen, 92 percent of people trust product recommendations from friends and family over any other type of advertising. Get the word out about stellar small businesses by sharing information about the business with the community. Email newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, and even your website can be used to advocate and spread awareness.

Leave Positive Reviews

About 89 percent of customers worldwide try to read reviews before purchasing a product, according to Trustpilot. Reviews can tell readers a lot about a particular company, including the quality of their products and level of customer service. The internet makes it easy to leave reviews for your favorite small businesses. Facebook, Yelp, Google, and other platforms allow customers to provide valuable feedback that may encourage other people to shop.

Sign Up for Newsletters

Newsletters are a common tool used by businesses to share relevant news and information with prospects and customers. Signing up for newsletters keeps customers informed and allows businesses to form relationships with the people they serve. Signing up for the newsletters of the small businesses you enjoy is a great way to show your support. As an added benefit, you may receive information on upcoming virtual events or special promotions they may be having.

Post Positive Comments

Small businesses often depend on social media and other platforms to reach their customer base. Interactions between businesses help people get to know the business and what it has to offer. Posting positive comments about the business, your experience with the business, or your excitement for their products or services is an excellent way to show your appreciation. Even a friendly hello or words of encouragement can make a difference.

Share Posts on Social Media

Don’t have a lot of time to spare? There are many ways to support small businesses that take just a few minutes a day. Keep an eye out for new updates or inspiring posts from small businesses on social media and share them on your page. Sharing posts from other businesses on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook provides excellent exposure for small businesses and helps others learn more about them and what products or services they offer.

Give a Public Shoutout Online

If you recently had a good encounter with a small business, then you have the perfect opportunity to provide support in a public way. Post a photo of the shop, owners, or the products purchased and post them along with a positive shoutout that shows your appreciation for their good customer service and quality products. Don’t forget to tag the business in the post so that others who read your shoutout can easily access the small business’s page with just a click of a button.

Donate to New Businesses

Head over to websites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter and you’ll find countless up-and-coming businesses seeking support. These innovative entrepreneurs create campaigns to raise money to initiate business growth and build their reputation in the industry. Donating to these small businesses through fundraising campaigns can help them get their feet in the door and officially launch their business, sooner than later.

Celebrate Small Business Saturday

There is no better time than Small Business Saturday to show your ongoing support for growing businesses. Make the most of this shopping holiday by reaching out to your favorite businesses.