‘Tis the Season for Selling

We tried to help you prepare for the holiday rush in October by offering “Holiday Marketing Timeline” suggestions and then asking, “Is Your Business Prepared for Black Friday?” At this point, there’s nothing you can do but hope you’re ready. Thanksgiving was yesterday, Black Friday is today, Small Business Saturday is tomorrow, then you might get a day of rest before Cyber Monday kicks off — with lots of folks shopping mobile. That’s a sales-packed 96 hours! Is it any wonder small businesses are optimistic?

Last week, Bank of America released its November 2012 Small Business Owner Report. It’s a semi-annual study that looks at the concerns, aspirations and perspectives of small business owners across the country. The study found that small business owners are excited about owning their small business and project an increase in staff and revenue in 2013. Confirming what you probably already know, the study also proved true the phrase “all business is local,” with 63% of respondants saying the majority of their customers come from their local community. Interestingly, a large majority reported believing that Black Friday and Cyber Monday won’t likely have much of an impact on their bottom line. While the survey didn’t ask about their Small Business Saturday sentiments, perhaps small businesses are more optimistic about that? According to American Express, in 2011 small-business merchants experienced a 23% increase in card-member transactions on Small Business Saturday. Here’s hoping you benefit from that kind of boost this year!

And if all that offering value to customers has you feeling like you’re getting the short end of the stick, we suggest you do a little Cyber Monday shopping of your own at 123Print.com. (You didn’t hear it here, but word in the hallways is that there will be some great site-wide deals starting at midnight on the 25th. The kind of deals that could warm a small business owner’s heart. Just saying. But don’t let my manager know I let the Cyber Monday cat out of the blog bag. ‘K? Thanks.)

Let us know how the 96-hours of customer chaos went for you, and while you’re at it, tell us how you’re feeling about your 2013 prospects. Please leave your comments below.