Are you ready to celebrate yourself? Yes, you read that right. The U.S. Small Business Administration announced National Small Business Week.
Bring out the balloons and party hats because it’s a cause worth celebrating. America’s small business owners make up a special part of our nation’s history and economy. Employing nearly 46% of all U.S. employees, small businesses have a big impact in our communities. Whether you’re a family-owned business passed down for generations, or a self-employed startup owner, celebrate all that you’ve built with these 6 creative ideas:
1. Post on Social Media
By now, we have all heard about the power of social media for small businesses looking to promote online. Throughout National Small Business Week, you can plan to post on your business’s social media account to engage your audience in celebration of your business. You could share a daily spotlight focusing on your team members each day, or utilize Instagram Stories features (like Q&A and Polls) to share interactive content with your followers. Be sure to use the hashtag #NationalSmallBusinessWeek!
2. Collaborate With Another Small Business
Collaborating with another small business owner can be effective and fun! For example, if you own a café, you could collaborate with a local florist. They can showcase their beautiful blooms throughout your space all week, and you can leave their business cards out on the tables for customers to see. Now you have florals for employees and customers to enjoy looking at, and the florist gets potential new customers. This could work in an office with a waiting room or anywhere you have foot traffic.
3. Offer Special Discounts and Promotions
Your business could run a special promotion during National Small Business Week to encourage people to engage with your business. For example, if your restaurant runs a promotion asking customers to tag you in a post featuring them dining at your business, they could be entered into a giveaway for a coupon or a special promotion. Be sure to repost your favorite posts you’re tagged in. This is free user-generated content you can use to help market your business and reach new customers!
4. Collaborate With Local Nonprofit
Forming partnerships with a local nonprofit aligned to a cause your business is passionate about can help make a powerful impact on your community. If your business provides professional services, you could work with a nonprofit (like a local Boys and Girls Club, for example) to help high schoolers with their summer job resumes. Or your business could host a donation drive all week long in partnership with a local shelter, church, or school.
5. Share Your Success Story
Every small business owner has a story to tell, and National Small Business Week is a great time to do just that. Write or record yourself retelling your journey and post it on social media. You can utilize social media platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, Facebook or YouTube. To take it a step further, you can tag and share your story with local media outlets and reporters so you can be included in their National Small Business Week coverage. You never know who you might inspire!
6. Organize Workshops or Seminars
Host a workshop or seminar within your local community and share your insights. Whether it’s in-person or online, this is a great way to gather business owners and entrepreneurs in one space. If virtual, you can utilize Zoom or Microsoft Teams to host. Topics could be about whatever you have expertise in — maybe that’s bookkeeping, marketing, dog grooming or latte art. A workshop or seminar event could be the perfect networking opportunity for attendees too.
