Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Saturday
(SBS) Passport Party FAQs
Here are answers to some questions you may have about how our event will work
this year.
What is a Passport?
Passports will be given to any Traveler (consumer) that wants one and will list the
event date and any Algoma Area Chamber member’s special SBS events and deals
on it.
Passports will be available from participating businesses as well as at the Visitor
Center.
What will be on the Passport?
Participating Algoma Area Chamber members’ name, location, hours and a brief
description of your specials for the day. This includes sales, promotions, drawings,
events and activities that you will have going on that day.
How do I get listed on the Passport?
Fill out the participant form by November 9, 2016 to let the Chamber know you
will participate. http://algomachamber.org/?p=14319
Along with a contact phone number please include your
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official business name as you would like it to appear
location address
hours of operation that day
sales, promotions, drawings, events if any for that day
website or social media pages if you have any
Due to printing deadlines, your information must be received no later than
November 9 to be included on the Passport. Information received after that will
still be promoted via our social media outlets.
How do we get Passports?
The Chamber will deliver Passports to you prior to the event.
What other materials will we receive?
There should be SBS kits available for free to qualifying businesses from the
Shop Small site in limited supply and for a limited time. If you sign up with us
early, we will sign up for your kit, which will be delivered directly to you.
You are welcome to sign up for a kit yourself but please let us know on your
participant form so we do not duplicate the efforts. The deadline date to order a
kit has not yet been published in the SBS site. The Chamber also has a limited
supply of Shop Small promo items as well.
There are graphics for your blogs, website and social media pages. These shold
be available on the Shop Small website and we will also send them to you after
you sign up to participate in our event.
Can I print out any of this stuff myself?
Yes you can! Shop Small provides free, downloadable materials for this event.
What kind of incentives should I offer?
That is completely up to you. Here are a few ideas of things you can do that day:
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prize drawings
value-added sale (ex: for each $50 spent in your store, give $5 in
‘Christmas Cash’ for a future purchase or offer a free gift with a
purchase)
put chance discounts in balloons, lollipop wrappers, etc.
guessing games (how many candies are in a jar)
free hot cocoa/coffee/snacks
special sales and discounts
restaurants can offer a special holiday meal package or drink
specials
share future events and sales
coordinate an offer or activity with another business
weather permitting, have a sidewalk sale
a craft or demonstration
live music
free gift wrapping
Non-retail businesses are encouraged to get in on the event as well. Some
suggestions for what to promote that day can include:
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Automotive: vehicle winterization specials/tips, winter weather safety
Home Building/Repair/Improvement/HVAC: home winter preparation
Health and Wellness: staying healthy and active during the winter months
Manufacturers can hold an open house and offer tours of your facility
How is the event being promoted?
The Chamber will be posting on social media as well as our website and
blog on a regular basis. We want to know what you are offering to so we
can get it online early and often. We encourage you to do the same. We
will be setting up an ‘event’ on Facebook to share.
There will be newspaper coverage and we are looking into other media as
well.
And remember to promote each other!
What else can I do to promote the event?
Remember to tell Travelers to ‘check-in’ to your business on social media
sites and travel apps such as Four Square and Yelp that day. Take photos
during the event and post them during the day.
Build it up on your own social media pages/websites/event calendars.
Post a sign ahead of time in your store and tell customers about the event.
Should I decorate my storefront?
Absolutely! Since this is the kick-off for the holiday shopping season, deck
the halls! Play some holiday music. Decorations are sure to put everyone
in a festive mood.
Can any small business participate?
This is a National event and any qualifying small business can participate
in SBS. The Algoma Area Chamber of Commerce will be promoting our
Chamber members.
Were can I get more information?
American Express Small Business Saturday/Shop Small website:
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/
Follow Shop Small Saturday on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday