4/21/25
An ideal time to boost brand awareness for your small company is May 4 – 10, 2025 during National #SmallBusinessWeek. Make a plan now to help you gain attention during this under-celebrated (in my opinion 😉) event.
1. Make the rounds – with gifts
Visit other small businesses with free samples of your product and a branded note thanking them for the role THEY play in your community.
If you don’t produce a hands-on product, buy your gifts from another local small business. In this scenario, you are spreading the small business love in all kinds of ways. (In the #rochestermn area, local companies produce popcorn, salad dressing, honey, hand lotion - and much more - that make amazing gifts.)
Post a photo of your gift and what you’re doing on your social channels. Better yet, share the spotlight by posing with the gift recipients. An ideal social caption would focus on celebrating and thanking other businesses or encouraging your audience to not just support small businesses this week, but all year long.
2. Get personal
Share your small business journey on your website and link to it from social media posts. Reflect on why you started your business, the best part of working for a small business or how your business has evolved. (You probably have a better idea relevant to your specific story.)
On social media, use the hashtag #smallbusinessweek for maximum visibility. Include a few other hashtags like #supportsmallbusiness and #buylocal.
3. Include your employees
Thank and celebrate with your team members as well, in whatever form that resonates.
Include your team in your business development activities. Assign them gift deliveries or ask them to pose for photos for your social channels.
4. Be proud of your impact
According to the Small Business Administration:
There are over 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S., representing 99.9% of all businesses.
Small businesses employ 45.9% of the American workforce (around 61.6 million people).
Small businesses contribute approximately 43.5% of the U.S. GDP.
According to a report from the National Federation of Independent Business covering stats from 2023:
Approximately 76% of small business owners volunteered their time for civic groups, charities, youth sports, schools, religious organizations, or similar activities.
Around 90% of small business owners donated money to local groups, charities, youth sports, schools, or religious organizations.
Around 63% of small business owners made in-kind contributions, such as donating meeting spaces, excess inventory, or auction items to help raise money for various causes.
📢📢 Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. They not only provide livelihoods for their employees, but make their communities great places to live and work. National Small Business Week is the perfect time to shout it from the rooftops! 📢📢