National Small Business Week is an annual event honoring U.S. small business owners and their economic impact. Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) designates a week in April or May for the celebration and organizes various activities from virtual summits to networking opportunities. Media outlets and business owners also tend to jump on the bandwagon, shining a national spotlight on the importance of shopping small. But how can your small business leverage all the buzz? Read on for five ways to make the most of National Small Business Week.
Fun fact: Did you know there are more than 33 million small businesses in the U.S., and they account for 99.9% of all American businesses?
National Small Business Week Brings Opportunity
National Small Business Week draws attention to small businesses, which can benefit you in multiple ways. By getting involved, you can:
- Boost brand awareness and engagement: Tap into the nationwide spotlight on small businesses to share your story, attract new customers, and strengthen relationships with existing customers.
- Build connections with other businesses: Collaborating with local or complementary businesses can expand your audience, create new opportunities, and foster a sense of community.
- Leverage the momentum to drive sales: Consumers are eager to support small businesses during this time. By getting involved, you can attract customers to your offerings and increase sales.
Overall, the week-long celebration can help with every part of the buying cycle, from brand awareness to customer loyalty.
5 Ways to Take Action During National Small Business Week
National Small Business Week is all about celebrating and recognizing you—the entrepreneur behind the brand. But you can get involved in a variety of ways, from hosting events to posting on social media. Here are five ways to take action that can drive meaningful business results.
1. Host an Event
Whether online or in person, events are a great way to engage with your community and raise awareness of your business. For example, you could host:
- A customer appreciation day with light refreshments
- A networking mixer for local business owners and customers
- An open house or behind-the-scenes tour
- A workshop related to your products or services
- A Q&A or “Ask Me Anything” session, where the audience can pick your brain
Events allow you to engage with your community and customers on a deeper level. They also help raise awareness of your brand, even with those who don’t end up attending. If you opt to go this route, make the most of it by documenting everything so you can share it across your marketing channels. Share what people missed out on so they’ll be sure to make the next event!
2. Run a Limited-Time Promo or Giveaway
A timely promotion or giveaway is a simple and effective way to attract attention and incentivize customers to shop with you. For example, you could:
- Offer special discounts on popular products or services
- Run a buy one, get one free (BOGO) deal
- Include a free gift with purchases
- Host a social media giveaway—ask followers to tag a friend, share a post, and comment to enter
Everybody loves a good deal, and it can be especially impactful when you’re a small business and customers are trying to shop small.
3. Collaborate with Other Local Businesses
Small Business Week is also the perfect time to team up with fellow entrepreneurs. Collaborating not only helps you expand your audience but can also build goodwill and strengthen your presence in your business community. This could look like:
- Co-hosting an event or workshop
- Creating a bundled product or service package
- Running a joint giveaway
- Featuring each other in your newsletters or doing social media takeovers
- Offering discounts to each other’s customers
When selecting a business collaboration partner, it’s often best to choose one that complements your business but isn’t a direct competitor. You want their offerings to resonate with your audience but not compete with yours.
4. Create Small Business Week Content on Social Media
Even if you don’t have time to plan an event or run a promotion, it can be impactful to simply share content on social media to acknowledge Small Business Week. Here are a few post ideas:
- Thank your customers and community for their support
- Tell the story of how and why you started your business
- Share milestones that highlight how your business has evolved
- Recognize your team members and share customer testimonials
- Recognize your vendors and other businesses you partner with
- Use hashtags like #SmallBusinessWeek, #ShopSmall, and #SupportLocal
Simple, authentic messaging can go a long way. It shows the humans behind the business, helps you tap into national support, and keeps your brand top of mind as people are looking to shop small.
5. Attend the SBA’s Virtual Summit
Each year during National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hosts a free, virtual summit packed with inspiration and insights. This year’s event is on May 6th and 7th and includes:
- Educational presentations from experts
- Peer-to-peer networking rooms
- Business advice from SCORE mentors
- Free business resources
If you’re reading this in time, you can reserve your spot here. However, if you miss it this year, mark your calendar for next year—it’s an annual event worth attending.
Make National Small Business Week Count
National Small Business Week is more than a celebration—it’s a strategic opportunity. With a little planning, you can use it to connect with customers, share your story, and turn national buzz into business growth. Whether you go big with an event or keep it simple with a heartfelt social media post, showing up during this time can be impactful. Your business deserves to be seen—and this week is built for that!
A word from Lili
At Lili, we’re proud to support small business owners during National Small Business Week and year-round. Our platform streamlines financial operations by combining business banking, accounting, payment, and tax preparation tools in one convenient platform. No need to jump between a handful of different tools and consolidate all the information manually. We’ll help you simplify financial management and reclaim time for other priorities—like growing your business through initiatives like these.
Learn more about Lili!
