Meaningful Ways to Stay Connected with Your Customers
We made it through Small Business Saturday (after a second try due to the snow), and we hope it was a great one for you. But guess what? The holiday season shifts into high gear from now on. Foot traffic
gets wild, inboxes overflow, and your customers are juggling a million decisions at once. They’re feeling the pinch of not having enough time.
In the middle of all that zaniness, your biggest advantage as a small business is the experience you create and the connection you keep. People want to support local. They just need reminders that you’re here, you’re human, and you’re worth choosing.
Here are simple, sustainable ways to stay engaged all month long without adding stress to your plate.
Show the “Real Life” Moments Behind the Scenes
People love feeling like they’re part of the process. A quick photo of your team wrapping orders, prepping inventory, or laughing their way through a busy day makes your business feel warm and relatable. No polish required. A little authenticity builds a lot of loyalty. Looking for a fun way to show off your behind the scenes? Partner with the Chamber for a Try It Tuesday visit! We'll walk in your shoes and showcase it on our social. Check out our Try It Tuesday feature here.
Use Countdowns That Build Excitement
You don’t have to be a big-box brand to create anticipation. Try a countdown to shipping deadlines, holiday bundles, in-store specials, or even a “12 days of local shopping” series. It keeps you top-of-mind and gives your audience a reason to come back tomorrow.
Spotlight the Customers Who Keep You Going
Feature a shopper of the week, share a heartwarming review, or highlight a longtime supporter. Even better, ask customers to tag you so you can repost. These little spotlights do two things: they show gratitude and they hint to others that they could be featured next. Youd don’t have to be in retail to participate in this for the holidays. One veterinarian decided to post a picture of the “Pet of the Month” in the lobby and now all their clients want to know how they can get their pet featured.
Say a Genuine Thank You—And Say it Often
In the holiday rush, people crave sincerity. A quick post thanking your community for shopping local makes a bigger impact than you think. Gratitude reminds people they’re participating in something meaningful, not just making a purchase. When people buy from you, don’t just thank them. Go a step further and tell them why it means so much to you. A couple of extra words can make them feel like hometown heroes.
Additionally, if you had someone who just bought a lot from you (or someone who buys on a regular basis), send a handwritten card offering a discount. It doesn’t even have to be large (or it could be based on another purchase, like a “buy one, get X% off the second one”). It’s much easier to get a past customer to buy again than a new customer.
Repurpose Your Content Across Platforms
You don’t have to reinvent anything. A behind-the-scenes video becomes a Reel, which becomes three photos for Facebook and a carousel post, which becomes a still image for your Google Business profile. A customer spotlight or Google review can double as a testimonial on your website. Make your content work harder for you.
Share Small, Helpful Reminders
Post your hours, gift ideas, top sellers, or last-minute stocking stuffers. Highlight easy wins like “order online, pick up in store,” or “gift cards available.” These practical posts reduce friction and help customers make quick decisions.
Ever wonder why candy is right next to every cash register? It’s an easy impulse buy. When you make suggestions or bundle products for ease and value, it helps your customers take quick action. After all, as much as we all love the holidays, they’re a lot of work and any help we can get from others to lessen decision fatigue makes our lives easier.
Lean into Community Connection
When you’re local, you have something bigger than any national chain: roots. Celebrate other small businesses, share local events, or partner with a neighbor for a cross-promo. Customers love seeing small businesses support one another.
Spur on Impulse Buys
There are some things people always need more of during the holidays. If you operate that sort of business, consider a “secret” bonus offer that is revealed at the register and they have only minutes to decide. This worked well at a winery. When customers purchased one or more bottles, they had the opportunity to buy additional bottles in that transaction for 20% off. It was a great way to incentivize people to make a quick decision on something they knew they would use (or could give as gifts or hostess presents).
Close With Consistency, Not Perfection
You don’t need a massive campaign to stay connected this month. You just need regular touchpoints that feel personal and true to who you are. Show up consistently, give people something to smile about, and remind your audience why shopping small matters—not just on Small Business Saturday, but every day this season and beyond.
If you keep customers feeling included, appreciated, and excited, you won’t just ride out the holiday craziness. You’ll turn this month into momentum for the new year.
Join the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Season celebration! We’re highlighting the incredible local member businesses that make our area so special. If you’d like to be a part of the activities we have in mind, reach out to learn more about increased visibility. 309-343-1194
