Next week (May 23-29) is National Small Business Week. 

As we all know, small businesses have a big impact on our economy. And despite a tough economic environment over the last couple of years, there’s reason to celebrate.

• There are an estimated 27.2 million small businesses in the United States.
• Small businesses are major contributors to the strength of the American economy.
• More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business.
• Small businesses create 60-80% of new jobs in the country.
• Small businesses drive innovation, create 21st century jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness.

Source: National Small Business Week website   

If you can’t join in the festivities in Washington,  how can you join in the celebration of  Small Business Week?

1. Let your customers know about it and thank them specifically for supporting your small business. They’ll like the special words of appreciation.
2. Put out a suggestion box on ways to better serve your customers to show that a small business wants to personalize its service as much as possible. Add a bowl of chocolates next to the box to grab their attention.
3. Write up a simple blurb about how you started your small business and include a coupon of some kind to bring them back. Put the write up and the coupon in the bag along with their purchase.
4. Encourage your customers to spread your word and reward them with a special offer if they bring in new business.

Whatever you do, make it fun, make it simple and make sure you emphasize the big advantages of supporting a small business.

copyright 2010 – Business Class Inc