What's it all about: Small Business Saturday UK
Small Business Saturday UK takes place in December and is an event not to be missed. The event's social media manager Grace Lown tell us more.
By Grace Lown, Social Media Manager for Small Business Saturday in For Small Businesses.
It’s not been the sizzling British summer we’d all hoped for, but before we know it, fairy lights and tinsel will be adorning homes, towns and high streets nationwide.
While December might seem quite far off now, there’s something very exciting to look forward to. It’s a day of discovery, a day to celebrate the UK’s fantastic small businesses! Small Business Saturday UK takes place on 5th December and is an event not to be missed!
Now in its third year, Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, national campaign that exists to inspire, promote and support small businesses in the UK – on the day and beyond. This year is set to be bigger and better than ever before.
Whatever type of small business you are, be it a trade, a food manufacturer, a service provider, a retailer, an etailer or even a B2B, to name but a few; the campaign is there to support you. Last year 64% of UK consumers knew about the event and over 16 million of them took part by going out to support a small business, spending £550 million at these small businesses*.
Each year prior to Small Business Saturday, 100 small businesses are directly promoted by the campaign, ONE a day for the 100 days leading up to 5th December. This is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses to gain even more exposure as part of a nationwide movement to support enterprise in the UK. Applications are now closed and the Small Biz 100 will be announced from late August. Stay tuned to the Facebook page and Twitter feed to spot the small businesses in the Small Biz 100 from your local area!
Plus, throughout the month of November, there's a nationwide campaign bus tour. Visiting 26 stops across the UK, from John O’Groats to Lands End, the bus will stop in city and town centres and will be providing free advice for small businesses and more information about the campaign, as well as handing out free campaign marketing packs. Find out where the bus will stop and how to get involved here.
And if it’s inspiration you're looking for, take a look at the ‘Inspire Series’ that's been running throughout the year. The series features a number of panel discussions and workshops taking place across the UK on all manner of topics around setting up, running or growing a small business. Recently, in York Tina Boden, a leading voice for micro-biz, spoke about “why small business matters” and in Nottingham digital agency Impression provided their “top tips to build your small business’ brand online”. These events are all free to attend, live streamed via Peri-scope with Twitter Q&As, and available online afterwards so everyone can access them. Likewise, an upcoming Podcast series will include informative, inspirational and supportive content for small businesses and customers alike.
So whether you're a small business, a consumer, part of a local business networking group or a local authority, there are ways to get involved! Please visit our website at www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.
*2,473 UK adults were polled by Toluna between 8pm on 6th December and 8pm on 7th December.
Grace Lown
Last Updated: 06 Aug 2015