Small Business Saturday 2024: Local Business Marketing Strategies with AI

The Perfect Small Business Saturday Offer

How do you get people in the door (or onto your website)? The key to a successful Small Business Saturday is making the right offer. Rather than just slashing prices, consider offering bundled services or exclusive, limited-time deals that provide real value. The goal is to make your customers feel like they’re getting something unique, rather than simply hunting for discounts.

Think about what’s special about your business. Are there any services or products that you can offer your customers on this day? Here are some ideas for different types of local businesses:

• Local Salon: Offer a “Holiday Glow-Up Package” that combines a haircut, blow-dry, and scalp treatment for one special price. Combine the deal with a complimentary add-on, like a mini facial or a discount on a future service for those who book on Small Business Saturday.

• Fitness Studio: Create a “New Year’s Jumpstart Pass”, giving new customers a bundle of 10 class passes at a discounted rate. You could also include a free consultation with a personal trainer or access to a members-only wellness workshop.

• Home Cleaning Service: Offer a “Holiday Ready Home Package”, where customers who book a deep-clean service receive a free follow-up cleaning after the holidays, making it easier for them to maintain a tidy home during the busy season.

• Spa: Introduce a “Relax & Recharge Bundle”, which could include a massage, facial, and aromatherapy session for a special rate. Include a limited-edition gift (like a candle or skincare sample) for customers who book on that day.

• Pet Groomer: Create a “Pampered Pet Package”, offering a grooming session plus a free pet spa treatment like a blueberry facial or paw massage. You could also include a free holiday-themed accessory, like a festive bandana or bow.

• Boutique or Retail Shop: Curate a “Shop Local Gift Box” featuring best-sellers or locally made products. You could also offer early access to new collections or a special gift with every purchase made on Small Business Saturday.

Running ads with these offers is one of the easiest ways to get your message in front of the right people. By targeting local customers or those who’ve visited your business before, you’re making sure your deals are seen by the people most likely to stop by, helping your business stand out during the busy holiday season. So, how do we create ads like this?

The Power of Ads: Reaching the Right People at the Right Time

Here’s where ads come in. You’ve created the perfect offer, but now you need to make sure people see it. Running ads on platforms like Facebook or Instagram is one of the most effective ways to get your offer in front of local customers or those who have shown interest in your business before. This ensures that your deals don’t get lost in the crowd.

If you do it yourself, you might spend hours of guessing who to target or spending hours tweaking ad settings. Or, you can use Roya, which will make the whole proces easier and more effective.

Roya’s AI analyzes patterns in your customer data, automatically recommending the best audience to target based on location, behaviors, and past engagement. For example, it can help you focus on people within a 5-mile radius of your business or retarget customers who’ve previously engaged with your ads or visited your store. This way, you’re not wasting ad spend on the wrong audience—you’re zeroing in on those most likely to book an appointment or make a purchase.

Need to run multiple ads for different services or promotions? No problem. Roya optimizes your campaigns in real time, adjusting the ad performance to get better results without you having to constantly manage the details. It’s like having a full-time marketing team on your side—without the extra cost.

So, while you focus on creating amazing offers and providing great customer experiences, Roya’s AI ensures that your marketing is working seamlessly in the background, reaching your audience, and driving results.

Hyperlocal Targeting

One of the biggest advantages small businesses have over national chains is the ability to build real, personal connections with the local community. Hyperlocal marketing allows you to focus your efforts on people in your immediate neighborhood who are most likely to visit your store or book your services.

With platforms like Roya, you can make sure your ads are only seen by people in specific areas—whether that’s your town, a nearby neighborhood, or even a particular zip code. This way, your marketing budget goes further, reaching the people who matter most—those close enough to walk through your doors or book an appointment.

Smart Budget Allocation: Maximizing Your Ad Spend

One thing that often holds local businesses back is the concern over ad budget. You want to make out of the money you spend on marketing, while still staying within your budget. Roya can automatically analyze your budget and allocate spending across different ads to ensure each dollar works as efficiently as possible. Whether you’re promoting multiple offers or focusing on one big deal, AI helps make sure your budget is optimized in real-time. No more worrying about overspending or underperforming ads—Roya’s AI ensures your ad dollars are always working hard to drive results. This guide will explain exactly how much to spend on Google Ads to see results for your business.

Don’t Let Small Business Saturday End: Retarget and Retain

Once Small Business Saturday wraps up, don’t let the momentum fade. This is your opportunity to keep the relationship going with both new and returning customers. One of the most effective ways to do this is through retargeting—reaching out to customers who showed interest but didn’t make a purchase, or re-engaging those who did.

With AI tools like Roya, setting up retargeting campaigns is easy. You can automatically send follow-up ads to people who visited your store or website but didn’t convert. A simple ad with a small discount or limited-time offer can bring them back for another look.

You can also use AI to track the success of your Small Business Saturday campaigns. By analyzing which ads performed best, you can refine your strategy and make improvements for future events. This way, you don’t just get a one-day boost—you build long-lasting relationships with your customers.

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