B037: How to Make Money on Small Business Saturday

Let’s make the most of the quickly approaching Small Business Saturday. If you’re based in the US, it’s on Saturday, November 24th. And in the UK, it’s on Saturday, December 1st.

This is notoriously the day after the big brands do their big push on Black Friday and a chance for small business owners and solopreneurs to get a little piece of the action.

Now, if all of this marketing talk gives you the hives, no problem. Just skip right past to another episode we’ve released recently. But if you’re looking for a simple way to make a big splash in sales, I’ve got a few ideas for you…

Simple tips to increase your sales

Create a 24-hour offer

A limited offer will entice people towards one of your top-selling products or services online. Could you run a 24-hour promotion of 25-50% off the price if purchased on Small Business Saturday? You could suggest:

• They gift it to their spouse or co-worker or friend
• They reserve their spot on your next course
• They could lock in this special rate for future use

Remember, this offer is only for 24 hours, so they need to act fast if they want to save money or get the extra bonuses you provide.

Make it easy to pay you!

• Do you have an online shopping cart on your website?
• Could you create a BUY NOW button using PayPal or Square?
• Can you sell your wares on Etsy or some other 3rd party network?

The point is, make it super simple for people to buy your products and services.

I had to buy airline tickets from a local travel agency recently and couldn’t believe how TEDIOUS the process was. I just wanted to click on a link, enter in my credit card details and be done with it. It took 2 hours on customer service calls and 24 hours later, I got a confirmation email. Not ideal.

Bottomline – people want to buy your stuff. Make it easy for them to give you money through safe, secure online payment options.

Go big, go local

Now more than ever, people are doing their holiday shopping online.

Encourage your customers and clients to ‘Go Local’ this year, rather than spending ALL their money on Amazon.

Maybe shoot a short video reminding them that when you buy from local businesses, you’re making a real difference to people’s lives; putting food on the table, new shoes on children’s feet, and helping a real, live entrepreneur in the community thrive.

When you buy from big box retailers, sure those are humans too, but by the time they pay off their massive overhead and marketing budgets, the factory workers get a fraction of the reward.

And—here’s an idea—when someone buys local from you, give them a badge they can post on social media (similar to the ‘I Voted!’ stickers). Help customers see this as something they can be proud of!

Keep it simple

Ok, I know what you’re thinking… “Crap – I don’t have time to pull this off!”

Wrong.

You do. Here’s how:

1. Create a graphic using one of Canva’s pre-built templates
2. Create the promo code in your online shopping cart
3. Schedule a few posts in social media
4. Maybe shoot a quick video (60 seconds, tops) on your phone with your elevator pitch and your offer
5. Start telling the world!

What have you got to lose?

And just one final whisper, just from me to you, dear friend… come in closer.

I know you know this but it bares repeating…

Your worth is NOT directly related to your effort.

Approach this with the playfulness of a child. Give it a go. Test it out. Track your results and look at it as a learning experience.

Either you sell way more than you expected or no one buys a thing… both outcomes are new learning. You’re sharpening the saw on how to better market and sell what you’ve got.

Don’t be shy about telling your friends and family, your email list, your neighbors and even jumping on Facebook Live and telling the world. People are (desperately) looking for what you have to offer. It’s just a matter of telling the right people at just the right time.

People love supporting small businesses like you.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It’s time to SIMPLIFY.

If this thought of the day inspired you…

Snap a photo of you doing the thing and send it to me via Instagram, privately or publicly… just tag @thesimplifiers – I’ll be your virtual accountability buddy in your quest to simplify your life.

What would you like to simplify?

We love to simplify topics in business and in life for you.

If you want more small business strategy and advice like this, let us know! And if you have an idea of what you’d like me to cover next – tell me about that too!

Simply visit The Simplifiers and leave us some feedback.

As always friends, keep things simple.

Watch the video version of this episode