 The holidays can be crazy. For some, it's preparing dinner and watching the game. For others, spending time with family and friends. For many, it's the dreaded chaos of crowded stores, standing in line until your feet are sore only to be disappointed by nearly empty shelves and boring gift ideas. If this sounds familiar - pay attention. We have some important information to share with you! Checking out small businesses can save you from becoming a Scrooge this holiday season. Avoiding large crowds and tired employees doesn't mean you have to miss out on a great selection of unique gifts. Every item within a small business has been hand-picked by a thoughtful owner with your best interest in mind. They strive to make your shopping experience personable, convenient and enjoyable. When you shop small, you're not only supporting their business, but your entire community. So take a stroll down your local main street or (if you're the type of shopper that prefers the comfort of your pajamas) take a look at our list down below. Either way, let's get together and give back to those who are always there. Just because it's online doesn't mean it's not small! Check out our list of small business clients that offer great gift ideas without even having to leave your house!  Skip the Starbucks gift card this year and opt for coffee that gives back. (We are obsessed with these brands!)   There's no such thing as too many clothes...at least we don't think so! Check out our go-to stops for a great wardrobe!
 You won't find these beautiful, unique and thoughtful gifts anywhere else - guaranteed!
 Give a gift that gets better with age.
 When a baby sleeps good, mom and dad can too. Gift a gift the whole family can enjoy.
 You can't put a value on good health or peace of mind. Check out these companies that offer gifts that keep on giving.
 Treat yourself to some much needed relaxation and chocolate.
 Treat the adventurer and hobbyist in your life to golfing precision, customized pens, or another adventure in Voyageurs National Park.    We are grateful for you this holiday season! Remember to shop small! 
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 We first met Haley when she was a 10 year old mini-entrepreneur - ready to take over the world and make sure kids with allergies are equipped with the right tools to avoid an allergic reaction! She created Allergy Apprentice and launched a line of clothing items to help kids with allergies.  BEFORE Five years later... she's all grown up and she needed a website to match! Now Haley creates paintings of pets and animals. It's therapeutic for her AND she's SUPER TALENTED. Since her re-launch she received her first order (not from friends or family) YAY! We are excited to continue or work with this awesome go-getter! Looking for a website to support your mission? Let's Chat! Wow, you did an amazing job. We love love love it!  National Small Business Week is April 29 - May 5, 2018. At Zab, we work with dozens of small businesses working hard to grow their businesses. Here are ten cost effective ways to promote your small business within your local community and nationwide. Consistent Email Marketing
When used correctly, email marketing can be one of the most beneficial tools for your small business. It’s affordable (or sometimes even free), it helps you stay in contact with your audience, and it makes it easy for your clients to engage with you and your business. For most businesses, connecting with your audience on a monthly basis is sufficient. Make sure you create a way for people to opt-in to your list, it can even be in person with a sign up sheet at your store or event. Blogging Blogging is commonly misunderstood in the world of small businesses. We hear it all the time, "oh, I don't want a blog." Sure... but you NEED a blog. Blogging is no longer just a way to share personal stories or recipes with friends and family. It can become a crucial element to building your small business success (and your email list). Most importantly, blogging is the most effective SEO tool to drive more traffic to your website. Additionally, blogs are a great resource of information for your current or potential customers. Generally, the more a person knows about your business, the more trust they will have for the products or services you offer. (That's why YOU are here after all!) Social Media Marketing If you own a small business, operating some form of social media is critical for your growth. With ever-changing algorithms and trends, social media marketing can be a tough thing to figure out, but when used consistently, can aid your success. 91% of brands are using more than one social media platform. Your competition is getting social, you should too. Make a Great Website 71% of small businesses operate a website. Without a website, you’re missing out on opportunities for potential customers to discover your business. The world of websites can be difficult to understand. While having no website can lead to a loss in business, having a bad website is worse. Having a professional, functional website can engage potential customers and gain their trust in your business. (This is something we're pretty good at creating, check out our websites.) Teach a Workshop Planning a workshop can help to spread the word about your small business within your community. It’s a great way to help share your knowledge with your target audience to convert them to potential customers. It can also help you develop strong relationships and strengthen your leadership and communication skills. Plan Your Days and Create a Goal Whether you plan your days or not can make or break your success. The common quote “if one fails to plan, one plans to fail” rings true for small business owners. Planning gives us a clear perspective of what needs to be done, what goals are to be achieved, and what amount of time will be spent on completing those goals. This promotes efficiency, productivity and mindset streamlined towards success. Host an Open House Hosting an open house or an event is a great opportunity to get people interested about your business and the products or services you offer. To plan a successful open house, make sure you pick your date carefully and have a compelling plan to get potential customers through the door. It also never hurts to have food available! Write Handwritten Notes to Clients Handwritten, personal notes will never go out of style. While you’re busy engaging with new customers, its also important to nurture your relationship with current clients. Simple things like a handwritten thank you card or invitation are growing rarer and rarer by the day. Implementing these into your business can help you to stand out from the crowd. Get Involved In Your Community Getting involved in your community (whether big or small) can hugely impact your business. Giving back to your community during times of need will help you build customer loyalty. Community involvement for your small business is a situation where everyone wins. Get involved in a non-profit organization or stand up for a cause. Share Your Expertise If you have something that makes you stand out, share it in the comments below! We all learn from each other.  The Specialty Shops of Perham join together to offer a unique shopping experience to visitors while supporting each other and the city they call home.
They were looking for a website to showcase the refreshing diversity and alluring charm that you will find within the shops of small-town Perham. Check out their new site and let us know what you think in the comments below! Ready to Zab your website? Let's chat! |
