Detroit City Wire

American Express established Small Business Saturday twelve years ago to support small businesses during the peak consumer spending season. Since 2011, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has cosponsored this initiative, with various organizations joining in to raise awareness and contribute by hosting events and sharing resources.

Free resources for Small Business Saturday have been developed by American Express, the SBA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to assist small businesses in reaching customers during the holiday season and beyond.

The SBA is offering a free webinar titled "20 Ideas for Small Business Saturday and the Holiday Season." This session will provide actionable ideas for retailers, service providers, and restaurants to increase traffic and sales. Participants will receive strategies that can be implemented immediately, tips for a successful Small Business Saturday on November 30, and creative ways to maximize profits through the end of the year.

Social media assets are available as a complimentary resource for small businesses to grow their customer base, maintain relationships, and build a strong brand identity within their community. These materials include:

- American Express Small Business Marketing Materials

- SBA Small Business Saturday Marketing Toolkit and Graphics

- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Shop Small & Small Business Saturday 2024 Toolkit

A pro tip suggests posting content between 9 a.m. and noon local time from Tuesday to Thursday before Small Business Saturday to connect with communities in real-time.

Another resource is the American Express Shop Small Map. This map filters U.S. businesses that accept American Express cards but excludes franchise brands with more than 250 stores or those with over 25 corporate-owned stores.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has partnered with American Express to offer free “Shop Small” stickers. Businesses can order these stickers by November 20, 2024, which will be shipped directly.

American Express also provides other promotional materials such as signs, posters, window decals, email headers, and customizable graphics for businesses participating in Small Business Saturday marketing.