On November 27, American Express is kicking off "Small Business Saturday," a day of recognition and boosterism for America's small businesses. The company is offering $100 in Facebook advertising free to the first 10,000 small businesses when they sign on to the campaign. Any small business with $10 million or less in annual revenue can participate.
On the consumer side, the first 100,000 Amex cardholders to sign up can get a $25 statement credit when they use Amex to shop at participating companies that day—the Saturday following "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional holiday-shopping season kickoff. So far the "movement," as American Express calls it, is off to a roaring start, amassing more than 271,000 fans.
For every "Like" on Facebook, Small Business Saturday and American Express will donate $1, up to $500,000, to the nonprofit organization "that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through a network of local organizations in the United States and Canada.
Interested business owners should go to the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook and click on "For Your Biz." This will take them to a page where they can spread the word about the event and their participation, receive a "Shop Small Here" badge and get more tips on social media. Eligible merchants include any independently owned small businesses that accept the American Express Card.
Visit www.smallbusinesssaturday.com.