Plotting Your Small Business Saturday® Roadmap: Goal-Setting for Success

Setting Smart Goals for Small Business Saturday® Success

As a woman entrepreneur or small business owner, you know the power of a well-executed plan. With Small Business Saturday® just around the corner, it's time to chart your course for success. This nationwide event isn't just a day on the calendar; it's an opportunity to showcase your unique offerings, connect with your community, and boost your bottom line. Let's dive into how you can set goals that will make this year's Small Business Saturday® your best yet.

Why Goal-Setting Matters

Before we jump into the 'how', let's talk about the 'why'. Setting clear, measurable goals is like giving your business a roadmap. It helps you focus your efforts, measure your progress, and ultimately, achieve more. As Dayyan Armstrong, co-founder of Sailing Collective, puts it, "All of this relationship-building helps them to feel part of the community" (Cannella, 2024). Your goals for Small Business Saturday® should reflect not just your sales targets, but also how you want to engage with your community.

Types of Goals to Consider

1. Sales Goals: How much do you want to increase your revenue compared to a typical Saturday?
2. Customer Acquisition: How many new customers do you want to attract?
3. Community Engagement: What connections do you want to make or strengthen?
4. Brand Awareness: How can you increase visibility for your business?

Setting SMART Goals

To make your goals effective, use the SMART framework:

• Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
• Measurable: Ensure you can track your progress.
• Achievable: Set ambitious but realistic targets.
• Relevant: Align your goals with your overall business strategy.
• Time-bound: Set a deadline for achieving your goals.

Example SMART Goal: "Increase sales by 30% compared to last year's Small Business Saturday®, while collecting email addresses from 50 new potential customers for future marketing efforts."

Community-Focused Goals

Remember, Small Business Saturday® isn't just about immediate sales. It's about building lasting relationships. Patricia Silva, owner of Rock Rock Hair, found that "year-round connections within New York City's seasonal Rockaway Beach community are key to her salon's success" (Cannella, 2024). Consider setting goals that focus on community engagement, such as:

• Collaborating with 3 local businesses for cross-promotions
• Hosting a community event that brings in 100 visitors
• Gathering 50 user-generated content pieces (photos, reviews) from happy customers

Preparing for Success

Once you've set your goals, it's time to plan how you'll achieve them. As I mentioned in last year's blog post, "Whether you are a traditional brick-and-mortar location, an online-only presence, or a combination of both, you need to plan an event for your customers". This could include:

• Special discounts or promotions
• In-store events or demonstrations
• Online exclusive offers
• Collaborations with other local businesses

Remember to "Staff Up!" as I advised last year. "It's better to have too many helpers than not enough. Contact local high schools and universities to find resources"

Measuring Your Success

After Small Business Saturday®, take time to analyze your results. Did you meet your goals? What worked well? What could be improved? Use these insights to refine your strategies for future events and year-round success.

Ready to make this Small Business Saturday® your most successful yet? Don't navigate this journey alone. Sign up for a free mentoring session with ASOM Marketing. We'll help you set achievable goals and create a personalized strategy for your Small Business Saturday® success.

Join our ASOM Marketing VIP community on Facebook to connect with other business owners and get exclusive tips and resources. Let's make this Small Business Saturday® a stepping stone to year-round success for your business!

Disclaimer: The American Express logo and "Small Business Saturday®" are registered trademarks of American Express Corporation. ASOM Marketing is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by American Express. The use of these trademarks is for informational purposes only and does not imply any association between ASOM Marketing and American Express Corporation.