Small Business News of the Week
This is the big sales holiday weekend, and every piece of news out there right now is focusing on it! However, while most of the news items are about the customers themselves and how much money is spent, there is one aspect that’s mostly being looked over.
Businesses in towns across the country are all vying for a good spot when it comes to winning over customers. That’s easier said than done, though, as there is simply a cacophony of noise to get through if you want to be heard.
Instead of fighting each other, some businesses have gone the alternate route: teaming up! They’ve decided that working together makes more sense, so instead of shooing people away from the competition they’re shooing them to their open doors. This shows a remarkable sense of comradeship and business savvy that may pay off big time – only time will tell. (Check back in this spot next week where we’ll be rounding up Small Business Saturday reports from around the country!)
Around the Entrepreneur Web
Small Business Saturday Could be the Highlight of Holiday Shopping - Small Business Trends is always solid, and this is the best roundup on Small Business Saturday we found out there (written with the small business owner in mind.)
Tax Moves to Make Before 2013 – With the holidays officially here, the next thing to think about is end of year and – oh no – taxes. Inc Magazine has tips you need to read before year’s end.
Speaking of the holidays, we don’t want it to be all work and no play for you. So check out these12 Ways to Unwind During the Busy Holiday Season.
Outright Community Speaks
Our users surprise us every day with questions and concerns. Here’s a common one we’ve been getting lately:
Duplicate Etsy Fees – My Etsy fees are showing up as paid at the end of the month (before I’ve paid them) and then paid again when I pay them through my bank account. What do I do about these duplicate transactions?
Solution: Your payment from your bank account should show as a “transfer” rather than a debit, because it’s a transfer between two accounts. The good news is that we don’t count “transfers” for tax purposes, so you aren’t actually seeing a double negative. Let us know, though, if this isn’t the case.
Have more questions or concerns? Stop by our Outright Customer Care forum!
Outright Pro Tip: Small Biz Saturday
Like we pointed out last week, there’s more to the sales holiday season than Black Friday. BF may be the big attention-getter, but the other sales holidays are just as great, if not more so.
If you’re a small business owner, Small Business Saturday is definitely the holiday for you. It was specifically designed to promote small businesses like yours so you can compete with the big box stores during this very profitable time. But how can you take advantage of the holiday?
First, make sure your customers and others who may pass by know that you’re actively participating in the holiday. If they don’t know about you they may just end up walking on by to find a better deal!
Next, figure out what products you’re going to promote. The idea behind this sales holiday is small businesses can offer stuff the big guys can’t; therefore, customers will find awesome deals they would never find anywhere else. So don’t just promote something because you think it may sell – pick out products that are super interesting! Taking a little chance could pay off in a big way if tons of customers find their way through your doors.
Lastly, head to the American Express website for more ideas about the holiday. Also there you can find some printables for your shop to give customers a better idea how the whole thing works!
That’s it for this week’s Round-Up! Good luck on Small Business Saturday!
