A multi-million dollar ad campaign is going on,
and not a single consignment, resale, or thrift store is riding on its coat tails?
It was several weeks ago when I blogged about Small Business Saturday, an American Express promotion, and I thought my resale peers would be full of ideas on how their shops could get local attention and added business with this shop local movement, timed to gather shoppers in pre-holiday mode.
In case you forgot about this heaven- (or at least big business-) sent opportunity to highlight your business, here are some ideas from various sources around the web. Hope you get inspired by some of these ideas, and here’s hoping you will share your plans by commenting below!
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
If you subscribe to Constant Contact, they have a Small Business Saturday template you can use to advertise what your shop is planning that day.
Our area is really hitting this hard. Businesses from several neighboring towns including Dixon are participating in Sauk Valley Shop Small, and I’m so excited to be a part of it. Many of the stores are having special events and sales on Small Business Saturday. They’re promoting it in the newspaper, on the radio, have a facebook page and a website. Fifty three businesses/stores have committed for a full page ad on two separate occasions. (There are more businesses/stores participating, but they have not opted to be included in the ad.)
Philip Atilano of Milwaukee, WI, the owner of Atilano Inc. and an employee of Spolar Studio, will be painting in my store. Phil is my nephew and grew up in Dixon. Since he will be home for Thanksgiving, this a perfect opportunity to show his work locally and offer his paintings for sale. I will also be giving $5.00 off any purchase of $25 or more.
You can visit the Sauk Valley Shop Small facebook page for ideas you can use for Small Business Saturday:
https://www.facebook.com/SaukValleyShopSmall
Check out the website. Read “What’s it All About” then click on Dixon, and you will see the participating businesses. And yes, I’m working on a different photo.
http://www.saukvalleyshopsmall.com
We did sign up with AMEX. We received the materials in the mail from them this week. Remarkable Resale in Rochester, IL is proudly a member of Small Business Saturday.
Thanks, Kitty. Even if a shop doesn’t “take” AmEx, there’s a way to take advantage of the media attention AmEx is stirring up. Take a look at https://www.facebook.com/howtoconsign for one example!
Didn’t know about it, until this weekend.We just got onto your blog! We will be participating! Shop Small! Shop Local!
Hi Katie: Our business is all over the idea of Small Business Saturday, and we’re actively marketing the IDEA; however, since we don’t take American Express we’re not apt to promote this on their behalf. We’re totally taking advantage of this and other promotions just like it (3/50 project). Even though you might not hear from us, doesn’t mean we’re not participating/promoting. Gosh, it’s busy work being a resaler!
The Hanger
2 locations in MN
Hi Rena, You misunderstand. I didn’t suggest that you use YOUR resources to promote American Express.. I suggest you use the hype THEY raise to point out “Small Business Saturday” on behalf of your shop(s)…. it’s all about taking advantage of the media, social and commercial, interest in small business to promote YOUR small, local, benefits-stay-at-home business. Sorry if I wasn’t clear on that.