As a small business owner, you have limited resources, so competing with large businesses on holidays like Black Friday can seem impossible.
But fret not!
There is a holiday that is for everyone, and you can take full advantage of it and make the most of it: Small Business Saturday.
This blog covers what Small Business Saturday is and Small Business Saturday marketing ideas that you can use to promote your business.
So, let’s dive in.
TL; DR:
- Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative started by American Express in 2010 to encourage shoppers to buy from local independent businesses.
- This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 28, 2026.
- Texting is one of the most effective and fastest ways to bring shoppers into your store that day.
- Send a short text message before, during, and after the event using an automated SMS marketing platform like Textdrip to drive more revenue this holiday.
- This blog covers 15 ready-to-use Small Business Saturday marketing ideas that you can use to supercharge your sales this year.
What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday is the annual shopping holiday devoted to small businesses held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This initiative was launched by American Express in 2010 and is officially co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration (SBA). It’s a small effort to make small businesses great again. This year, it is on November 28, 2026.
This one-day shopping holiday highlights small businesses and their impact on local communities. Shoppers also show their support for local businesses on this day. According to the American Express Shop Small Impact Study 2025, 86% of consumers said they were likely to shop small during the holiday.
The National Retail Federation study shows that more than 121.4 million people shopped online or in-store on Small Business Saturday in 2022. In 2025, that number reached around 186.9 million. Total revenue generated from this one-day holiday event was reported to be around $18 billion.
This data proves that Small Business Saturday has a great effect on financial inflow for local communities. And as the days pass, more and more people will support Small Business Saturday.
Have you ever thought about how you can take advantage of this and position your business to get the most from this shopping holiday?
Here are some Small Business Saturday ideas that you can consider to attract, engage, and retain customers.
15 Small Business Saturday Marketing Ideas You Can Send As Texts
We have curated a list of Small Business Saturday promotion ideas. All you need to do is include your details and personalize each message by adding the customer’s name, date, time, and link. You don’t need to send all of these text messages. Choose four or five that align with your shop and match them with the schedule discussed below.
Before the Day: Small Business Saturday Ideas
1. Save-the-date teaser
Send this text message 1 to 2 weeks before.
Hi [First Name]! [Business Name] has big plans for Small Business Saturday on the 28th. Save the date! Reply STOP to opt out.
2. VIP early access
Send this text message 3 days before. Your loyal customers/fans will feel special and show up first.
You’re special, [First name]! Shop our Small Business Saturday deals from [Time] here [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
3. Sneak peek
Send this text message 2 to 3 days before. A teaser gives people a reason to click.
[First Name], it’s a sneak peek! Small Business Saturday at [Business Name] means 25% off. See it first: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
4. Countdown reminder
Send this text message 2 days before. A simple reminder reduces no-shows and “I forgot” excuses.
Only 2 days to go! We open at [Time] for our Small Business Saturday sale. See you there, [First Name]! Reply STOP to opt out.
During the Day: Small Business Saturday Promotion Ideas
5. We’re open
Send this text message around 9 AM. It answers a simple question, “Are you open?” before anyone asks.
Good morning, [First name]! We're open at [Time] today. Small Business Saturday deals are live at [Business name]: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
6. Flash sale
Send this text message late morning. A short deadline creates urgency.
Flash sale at [Business name]! Take 25% off until [Time] today. Show this text at checkout. [Link] Reply STOP to opt out.
7. Bring a friend
Send this text message at lunchtime. There is a great chance one customer becomes two.
Bring a friend to [Business name] today, [First name]. You both get 15% off. Shop small together! Reply STOP to opt out.
8. Limited stock alert
Send this text message in the mid-afternoon. You should use it only if it is true.
Hurry up, [First name]! Our best sellers are almost gone. Grab yours at [Business name] before [Time]: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
9. Last chance reminder
Send this reminder text message 2 to 3 hours before closing. It easily attracts last-minute shoppers.
Last call, [First name]! Small Business Saturday deals end at [Time] tonight. Come by or shop here: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
Small Business Saturday Deals to Text
Choose a deal you can afford, and before picking one, check your margins.
10. Percent-off code
Send this text message in the morning. Usually, codes make results easy to track.
[First name], use code SHOPSMALL for 20% off at [Business name] today only. Shop now: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
11. Free gift with purchase
You should send this message late morning. A gift can protect your margin better than a big discount.
Free gift with any purchase at [Business name] today, [First name]! Until products are in stock. Details: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
12. BOGO (Buy one, get one) offer
Send this text message at lunchtime. It is a big offer, so check your margins first.
Buy one, get one free at [Business name] for Small Business Saturday only, [First name]. Ends [Time]. [Link] Reply STOP to opt out.
After the Day: Follow-Up Texts
13. Thank You
Send this text message on Saturday night or Sunday. It helps you build goodwill.
Thank you for shopping small with us, [First name]! Your support means the world to [Business name]. Reply STOP to opt out.
14. Review Request
Ask for feedback from customers who have recently purchased from you. If you are not sure how to do a review request, read our blog: How to ask for a review via SMS .
Hi [First name], how was your visit to [Business name]? A quick review helps other shoppers find us: [Link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
15. Cyber Sunday Nudge
Send this text message on Sunday evening. It gives late shoppers a second chance. If you need more ideas, see our BFCM SMS templates .
If you don’t want to send these text messages manually and would rather automate them, try Textdrip. With it, you can schedule these text messages and send them automatically.
Why SMS Works for Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday matters a lot to small shops. According to research shared by the SBA, owners expect approximately 20% of their revenue to come from this one day, and shoppers support it too.
Text messages solve the speed issue. A one-day sale can’t wait for someone to check their email tomorrow. Texts get seen fast and also feel personal. When a text is from a known shop that people love, they read it like a note from a friend, not an ad.
Text vs. email for a one-day sale
| Metric | Text Message | |
| Open Rate | Approximately 98% | 20% to 28% |
| Speed | Usually read within minutes | Can sit for hours/days |
| Best for | Same-day reminders and deals | Detailed information |
How to Plan Your Small Business Saturday Text Campaign
You don’t need to make any complex plan. Keep it simple. Choose one offer, build your list, and then schedule your text so you don’t need to type on the busiest day of the year.
Choose One Clear Offer
If you send too many deals, it will confuse people. Choose your one main offer, like 20% off or a free gift. Repeat this offer in every text. Shoppers should know what they get in three seconds.
Build Your List
Only send text messages to people who said yes. Add a sign-up sign at your register. Put a "Text JOIN to [your number]" line on receipts and your website. Keep proof of every opt-in. Our guide to the one-to-one opt-in rule explains what you need to save.
Keep Texts Short
A good text is short, specific, and friendly. Personalize the text message by including the person’s name, and mention what the deal is and when it ends. Include only one link, not three. End with a clear next step like “Shop now” or “Come by.”
When to Send Small Business Saturday Texts
| Timing | Text Type | Goal |
| 1 to 2 Weeks Before | Save-the-date-teaser | Build Buzz |
| 2 to 3 Days Before | Sneak peek and countdown | Build Excitement |
| Saturday Morning | We’re open, plus the deal | Drive Visits |
| Saturday Midday and Evening | Flash Sale and Last Call | Create Urgency |
| Sunday and Monday | Thank you, review, and extension. | Retain customers. |
Are you already planning your Black Friday texts? Use these Black Friday SMS best practices to keep your weekend messages from clashing.
Text Message Rules You Must Follow
Follow these text messaging rules for every text message you send.
- Get explicit written consent first. Text only those people who agreed to hear from you.
- Include an easy way to opt out in every SMS. Add “Reply STOP to opt-out” in every text message.
- Respect quiet hours and send text messages in your customers’ time zone.
- Honor opt-outs immediately. Stop sending text messages to a person who replies STOP right away.
- Always include your business name in the text message so people know who is messaging them.
- Don’t bombard customers with text messages. Four or five text messages across the weekend is more than enough.
Violating SMS marketing rules can cost $500 to $1,500 per message.
Conclusion
Small Business Saturday rewards only those who prepare well. So, take some time and think about how you can attract customers, sell your product or service to them, and engage them even after the sale.
In all this, SMS marketing plays a major role that you can’t afford to ignore. When you are backed by a powerful automated SMS marketing platform like Textdrip, no one can stop you from reaching your sales goals.
Interested in learning how you can use text marketing for your small business? Book a demo of Textdrip and see how effectively you can communicate with your customers. Need more seasonal ideas? Read our holiday SMS marketing ideas for small businesses .
Ready to go? Start your Textdrip campaign before November 28 and let your texts do the work.
