TIA: Don’t forget Small Business Saturday

Nov. 21, 2011

The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is reminding the industry about Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011.  This is the day that falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, traditionally the busiest shopping days of the year.

Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to patronize their local brick and mortar retailer instead of the big box store or cyber outlet. American Express originally promoted the event utilizing social media and public relations tactics receiving over 1 million ‘Likes’ at their Shop Small Business Facebook page.  This year there are over 2.3 million likes and growing rapidly.

“When everyone shops small, it makes a big difference to every community’s economic recovery,” said TIA President Larry Brandt.

There are a number of tactics that merchants can do to take advantage of the Shop Small Business Saturday campaign:
* Post in-store signage promoting Shop Small Business Saturday
* Employ e-marketing materials to email out, post on web pages and social media sites. 

* Encourage satisfied customers to post reviews of your business on your website and other consumer websites
* Get personal and post photos or your store's holiday decorations and the staff dressed-up for the holidays.  Just as superior customer service helps business retention; showing the business' human side helps demonstrate the personal touch.
* Take advantage of $100 worth of free Facebook advertising by signing up to participate in "Small Business Saturday" on that social media site.
The signage, logos and other materials are available free of charge at www.smallbusinesssaturday.com.
Small Business Saturday began two years ago with collaboration between New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and American Express Chairman Kenneth Chenault. It started as an effort to help support independent merchants during this economic recovery.