How to Prep for Small Business Saturday in Just 10 Weeks
We know running a small business feels like juggling flaming batons while blindfolded. And then bam… Small Business Saturday shows up on your calendar. You know it’s a big deal, but maybe you’re thinking:
“Where do I even start? Do I need ads? Do I make bundles? Do I just cross my fingers and hope people show up?”
Deep breath. That’s where your business bestie (hi 👋) is here. We pulled together a simple, week-by-week plan that gets you ready without the panic. Fun fact: shoppers have spent over $201 billion at small businesses since SBS began in 2010 (U.S. Chamber of Commerce). Translation? There’s plenty of pie, and we’re gonna help you grab your slice.
Week-by-Week SBS Plan
Week 10 – Set Your Goal
Decide what you actually want out of SBS: more sales, more signups, or just more humans through the door. Pick one and write down your number.
💡 Pro Tip: Saying “I want to sell 30 holiday bundles” is way sharper than “I hope it’s busy.” Remember shoppers spent about $17 billion on SBS last year (U.S. SB). Even a teeny-tiny sliver of that is worth chasing.
Week 9 – Grow Your List
Start grabbing emails and phone numbers now. A QR code at checkout + a perk (like “bonus gift with purchase”) works wonders.
💡 Pro Tip: People love feeling like insiders. “Only our list gets early access” will fill your contacts fast. And with 76% of shoppers planning to buy holiday gifts from small businesses (LendingTree), you want their name in your database.
Week 8 – Find Two Partners
Team up with two other local businesses for a joint perk and think stamp cards, coupon swaps, or bundle collabs.
💡 Pro Tip: Complementary is key (coffee shop + boutique = yes, boutique + boutique = meh). Partnerships are how you tap into the billions that SBS brings in and no one said you have to do it alone.
Week 7 – Build Your Offer
Skip the boring “10% off” sign. Instead, create good/better/best bundles and toss in a bonus for early shoppers.
💡 Pro Tip: Scarcity = urgency. A simple “first 25 only” sells faster than slashing prices. And since 53% of Americans already plan to shop small (LendingTree), you just need to give them a reason to choose you first.
Week 6 – Make It Look Good
Design a Canva kit: flyer, posts, stories, reel cover. Snap quick photos of your products, your people, your space.
💡 Pro Tip: Natural light beats every filter. Millennials and Gen Z are the shoppers most likely to show up for SBS (Drive Research) and are pros at spotting stock photos. Keep it real, keep it local.
Week 5 – Google Is Your Friend
Update your Google Business Profile and post an SBS “event.” Add new photos. When people search “shops near me,” you want to pop up.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t sleep on that event post as it’s a free SEO boost for the very weekend people are hunting for you.
Week 4 – Email Warm-Up
Send your first email: “Save the Date.” Tease your bundles, give a sneak peek, and let people RSVP.
💡 Pro Tip: Short and sweet beats a novel. One button + one reason to care = more clicks.
Week 3 – Post Consistently
Aim for three posts a week: a behind-the-scenes, a staff favorite, and a product spotlight. Bonus points if you run a tiny local ad.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overthink videos. A 20-second clip of “what’s new” can pull more eyeballs than polished ads.
Week 2 – Plan the Day
Who’s greeting? Who’s selling? Who’s running checkout? Map out roles. Print bag stuffers with a QR code for your list.
💡 Pro Tip: Have one person dedicated to saying hello. A warm welcome converts better than a cold discount.
Week 1 – Final Push
Send your VIP Early Access email and a quick SMS. Stage your bundles, print your signs, and get the shop looking festive.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the magic words: “because you’re on our list…” People eat up that sense of exclusivity.
SBS Day
Post once in the morning, drop stories throughout, and go live once (even two minutes counts). Collect emails/SMS at checkout.
💡 Pro Tip: Pre-schedule your posts so you can actually enjoy the day instead of babysitting your phone.
48–72 Hours After
Send a thank-you email with a little bounce-back deal for January.
💡 Pro Tip: Thank your partners publicly in a story your customers love seeing community over competition.
Hashtags
Don’t forget the social side of hashtags are how strangers find you.
Core: #SmallBusinessSaturday #ShopSmall #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness
Add-On: #SmallBiz #SmallBusinessOwner #HolidayShopping #GiftIdeas
Local: #[YourTown]ShopLocal (like #MooreOKShopLocal), #[YourBizName]SBS (e.g., #ConnerStrategiesSBS)
💡 Pro Tip: Use a mix of “big” (#ShopSmall) and “local” (#MooreOKBusiness). The big ones give you visibility, the local ones bring in your actual neighbors.
Your Business Bestie’s Pep Talk
Here’s the thing: Small Business Saturday isn’t just “another day.” It’s billions in spending power, with over half of Americans planning to shop small this year. The question isn’t if customers are shopping… it’s who they’re shopping with.
With this plan, you’ll spend maybe an hour a week and walk into SBS feeling prepped, not panicked. And if you’re thinking, “This sounds amazing, but I’ll never have time to make graphics, emails, and posts” that’s okay. You don’t have to do it all. Sometimes the smartest move is letting your business bestie (👋 Conner Strategies) hand you the Canva kit, captions, and calendar so you can just focus on smiling at the checkout.
