Your guide to making the most of this day during an especially difficult year for small businesses

In just a few weeks, the successful #SmallBusinessSaturday event will take place on November 27th. As always, it falls on Thanksgiving Weekend and follows Black Friday.

Now in its 12th year, Small Business Saturday (started by American Express) has sparked a social movement to #ShopSmall and #ShopLocal for the holiday season. In 2011 even the US Senate got on board to support the movement and now it is affecting real and lasting change on consumer shopping behavior.

Whether you’re a local small business owner or a consumer, here’s how you can make the most of #SmallBusinessSaturday:

  • Go to the American Express website. There you’ll find an Event Inspiration idea package along with downloadable logos to use digitally and in print. If you’re an American Express merchant, you can get lots of swag to use such as signage, tote bags, promotional content, and more.
  • Promoting it in your own email blasts, website, storefront, your email signature, outgoing phone message, etc.
  • Follow, then engage with the community and help to promote the event on social media using #ShopSmall, #ShopLocal, #SmallBusinessSaturday, and #ShiftYourShopping
  • Connect with the 3.3 million-strong #SmallBusinessSaturday followers on their Facebook page
  • Consider expanding your hours
  • Put a #SmallBusinessSaturday promotion on your Google My Business listing and on your outgoing voice mail message too

As you do your own holiday shopping, keep in mind that shifting as little as 10% of your spending to local, small businesses has a tremendous impact on your community.

This year, it matters more than ever. Support the small business owners in your community, keep your neighbors employed, and your tax dollars local.

Best of all, by shopping local this year, you’ll avoid the global supply chain nightmare.