As a local independent community pharmacy, you know just how hard it is to maintain and run a small business.
But, did you know that there’s a day that specifically honors all your hard work? A day that recognizes all small businesses and the contributions they make to their communities.
That day is the first Saturday after Black Friday, otherwise known as Small Business Saturday®. This year, it lands on Nov. 26. For the sixth consecutive year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will celebrate and support local businesses by encouraging individuals to shop “small”.
Encourage others to shop small at your pharmacy by prepping your business for this year’s event. Here are some tips to get started.
Register your pharmacy
American Express merchants can register their business on the Shop Small map, which allows users to search for small businesses participating in Small Business Saturday in their area.
Listing your business can help make it easier for consumers in your area to find your pharmacy, and other businesses participating in Small Business Saturday. Plus, the free tool is accessible year-round.
Even if you’re not an American Express merchant, its website is worth a visit. You can download free promotional materials for use on Nov. 26.
Promote your business
If your pharmacy is participating in this year’s Small Business Saturday, be sure to let people know.
Join the conversation on your pharmacy’s social media sites and promote the event on your website.
And, check out shopsmall.com and the SBA’s Small Business Saturday website to get advice on how to promote the event at your pharmacy. You can access free promotional materials like customizable signage, ideas for social media and other marketing materials on the website.
Be sure to follow SBA and the hashtag #SmallBizSat on social media for all the latest updates on this year’s event.
Stand out to shoppers
Shopping during the holidays can be a dreaded hassle for many consumers. And, shoppers may already be getting flooded with ploys to visit stores on Small Business Saturday. So, make sure that your pharmacy is an inviting place to be the day after a hectic Black Friday.
Do something to make your pharmacy stand out. Offer shoppers a warm cup of cocoa or a bakery treat while they make their way around your store’s front end.
You could even host a special event to incentivize people to shop your pharmacy. For example, you could offer a promotional deal on personal hygiene products or cold and flu merchandise.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure your pharmacy stands out. Provide shoppers with a great in-store experience that will encourage them to visit your pharmacy again.
Partner with other small businesses
Join other small businesses in your area to promote Small Business Saturday.
Partnerships can help expand each business’s reach during the event and allow more people to find out about both businesses.
Offer to support another local business by following its social media and sharing its content. Or, offer mutual deals for shoppers who visit both your pharmacy and the business you’ve partnered with, so the shopper can benefit by getting multiple deals in one.
Now that you’re prepared, learn 10 ways to promote your pharmacy on Small Business Saturday.
