5 Ways to Support Small Business Saturday

It’s that time of year again—the holidays are just around the corner and, as any small business owner knows, that means Small Business Saturday, this year on November 28, is near.

There are all kinds of ways that small business owners can promote their business, but fewer talk about how small business owners can support one another on Small Business Saturday. The community, collaboration, and camaraderie that exists between small businesses are a few of the ways they are different from larger corporations to begin with.

Of course, there’s the central way that most people show support on Small Business Saturday, and that’s by shopping at other small businesses. Of course, you can—and should!—do that, but if you’re looking for more creative, or perhaps budget-friendly, ways to support your fellow local business people, here are five more creative ways to support Small Business Saturday.

1. Donate to other small businesses that are fundraising

This is one way to support small businesses get their feet in the door. Have a look through Kickstarter or Indiegogo to see if anyone is looking for funds to launch their business. If you find some, consider tossing a few bucks their way—every little bit helps and anything that comes in on Small Business Saturday will mean just a little bit more.

2. Leave a positive review for another business on Small Business Saturday

Think of all of the other small businesses, from hole-in-the-wall restaurants to tiny corner boutiques, that you love. If you haven’t taken the time to let the world know how great they are, consider dropping them a positive review on Yelp, Facebook, or any other forum where people go for suggestions. It’s free, easy, simple, and makes a huge difference to the business owner who receives the positive review, especially if it comes from a fellow local business owner.

3. Post positively about other businesses on your social media

Instead of—or in addition to—leaving a positive review, considering using your own business’s social media to promote other small businesses. Whether you buy their products and love them, think that their storefront is out of this world, or you’re simply grateful to have them as neighbors, share your positive thoughts about them on your social media or website and give them a boost that way. Also free, easy, and deeply appreciated.

4. Swap Black Friday for Small Business Saturday

Yes, Black Friday can be quite enticing. All those mega deals on big-ticket items only come around once a year, but every dollar you spend at a giant chain store is a dollar that isn’t spent at a small business that much more directly feeds the local economy. Even if you’re a diehard Black Friday shopper, consider skipping it this year and opting for Small Business Saturday instead. While you might not end up with a $20 flat screen TV at the end of the day, you can rest assured knowing that you spent your money where it matters.

5. Network with other small business owners

If you’re not much of a shopper, you can still make the most of Small Business Saturday by being out and about and networking with other small business owners. Not only can you create connections that will serve your business in the future, but you might be able to easily help out another business owner who you didn’t know needed it. Let’s say that you have tons of extra disposable cups from a party and another business owner has a celebration coming up. You could sell your leftovers to them at a steep discount or even for free—and that’s the beauty of networks and connections.