Small Business Week is happening May 3-10 (AACK!).
Which means two things are about to happen:
- Customers are going to think, "Oh yeah, I should support small businesses."
- Most small business owners are going to”¦ do basically nothing different.
Cool. Cool cool cool.
Look, this is one of the only times all year where people are already leaning in your direction. You don't have to convince them small businesses matter. They're already there.
And yet”¦
- No plan.
- No extra visibility.
- No "hey, we exist and we're awesome" energy.
It's like being handed a microphone”¦ and choosing to whisper into your own elbow.
Let's not do that. Here are seven very doable ways to not waste this week.
1. Remind People You're Not Just "A Business"”¦ You're Their Business
You know what customers forget? Everything. Not because they're bad people. Because they're busy.
They're not walking around thinking: "I wonder how many people that local shop employs”¦"
So you have to tell them.
- How long you've been around
- Who you employ
- Where your money goes locally
- What you support
This is not bragging. This is context. You are not just selling a product or service. You are part of the local economy whether people realize it or not. Small Business Week is when they're most open to hearing that.
So say it.
2. Nudge the People Who Already Know You (They're the Easy Win)
You know who's most likely to buy from you? People who already have. Revolutionary, I know.
Instead of chasing brand new customers like a caffeinated squirrel (I know because I practically am one), try this:
- Email your list.
- Post something simple.
- Say, "Hey, it's Small Business Week. Come see what's new."
That's it. You don't need:
- A 12-step funnel
- A dramatic campaign
- A discount that makes you cry internally
You need to be top of mind when they're already in a "support small" mindset.
Timing > effort.
3. Show the Mess (Yes, Really)
There is a strong urge to "look professional" online.
Which usually translates to:
- Generic.
- Polished.
- Forgettable.
Meanwhile, your actual business looks like:
- Half-finished projects
- A desk that's seen things
- Humans working hard
Show that. People trust what feels real.
That might look like:
- A behind-the-scenes clip
- Talking about a tough day
- Introducing your team like actual humans, not stock photos
You don't need a production crew. You need honesty.
Messy wins more often than polished. (Ask literally any kitchen.)
4. Team Up With Other Businesses
Small Business Week is not a solo sport. You've got other businesses around you. Use that. Promote each other. Recommend each other. Create something simple together.
"Hey, if you're coming here, also check out them."
That's it. There is no prize for doing everything alone.
Also:
- Tag local organizations (Chamber of Commerce, etc.)
- Use the #SmallBusinessWeek hashtag.
- Make it easy for other people to amplify you.
You don't need a bigger audience. You need to tap into the ones that already exist.
5. Say the Thing Everyone Is Thinking: Small > Big
People want to support small businesses. They just don't always think about it in the moment. So remind them.
Not in a preachy way. In a practical way.
- Your business offers something big corporations can't (be specific)
- You support the local community (be specific)
- You hire locally (be specific)
- You actually care if something goes wrong (give an example)
Big companies can't compete with that. But if you never say it, it doesn't count. This is the week to make that difference obvious.
6. Go Get Some Free Press (It's Not as Hard as You Think)
"PR" sounds like something that requires a blazer and a strategy deck.
It doesn't.
It can literally be:
"Hey, it's Small Business Week, and we're doing this thing”¦"
Send it to:
- Local media
- Regional outlets
- Journalists on LinkedIn
The key is this: make it interesting.
Not: "We exist."
More like:
- A collaboration
- A community angle
- Something tied to Mother's Day
- A story worth telling
You're not trying to impress them. You're trying to give them something usable.
7. Don't Faceplant the Second the Week Ends
Here's where this usually goes wrong: Small Business Week ends”¦and so does the effort.
All that visibility? Gone. All that engagement? Gone. Why??
You already did the hard part. You showed up. Now just”¦ keep going. At a sustainable pace.
That might be: "Hey, last week was amazing. Keep us in mind." You don't need to maintain peak energy. You need to maintain presence.
Final Thought
Small Business Week is the Super Bowl of small businesses! Don't let it pass by with a whisper. Scream it to the world!
The good news: none of this requires:
- More money
- More time
- Or a 16-point plan
It just requires being a little more intentional for the week.
Because the businesses that benefit from Small Business Week aren't the most sophisticated. They're the most visible.