farmington-chamber-of-commerce

How Small Businesses Can Win Big on Black Friday

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 20:50:14 GMT

You already know this but you will never out-doorbuster the big box stores.

You are not supposed to. Your power is not in pallets of TVs sold near cost to get people in the door.

It is in how people feel when they walk through your door.

If you lean into experience, Black Friday can shift from “we cannot compete” to “we own this lane.” Here’s how:

6 Ways to Win at Black Friday

1. Position Your Business as the Calm in the Chaos

Black Friday is loud, crowded, and a little unhinged. Use that to your advantage by being the opposite.

Think of your business as a holiday oasis.

Ideas you can try:

Quiet Hours Shopping. Offer “calm hours” in the early morning or later evening with softer lighting, relaxed music, and a limited number of shoppers by RSVP. This is an ideal way to stand out.
Cozy Comfort Station. Set up a hydration and warmth bar. Think hot cocoa, tea, cucumber water, and maybe a simple snack. You are literally refueling tired shoppers.
Phone Drop Zone. Create a “scroll break” basket where people can put their phones while they browse. Add a small sign: “You will not find peace in your notifications. Try here instead.”

You become the place where shoulders drop and breathing slows. That alone is a competitive edge.

2. Make Black Friday Feel VIP, Not Bargain Bin

People love to feel like insiders. Use that instinct.

Ideas to elevate the day:

By-Appointment Shopping. Offer 30-minute mini appointments for styling, gifting help, or product demos. Shoppers leave with decisions made and gifts checked off.
First Look Access. Give your email list, top customers, or loyalty members early access to your best bundles or limited items. Frame it as a thank you, not a gimmick.
“Done and Dusted” Gift Packages. Curate grab and go gift sets for specific people: “Teacher TLC,” “Hostess Hero,” “Self-Care Sunday,” “Office Secret Santa.” The value is not only in the items. It is in the decision fatigue you remove.

You are not trying to be the cheapest. You are trying to be the easiest and the most thoughtful.

3. Turn Shopping into a Memory, Not a Chore

If the big box experience feels like a stampede, yours can feel like a respite.

Add small, memorable touches:

Gratitude Wall. Invite customers to write what they are grateful for on tags or sticky notes and hang them on a wall or tree. It creates a moment of reflection and looks great on social.
Photo Moments. Set up a simple photo nook. A decorated chair, a small backdrop, a “We survived Black Friday together” sign. Offer to take photos for customers on their phones.
Word of Mouth Marvels. Ideally, word of mouth testimonials will come from customers in the form of reviews or social posts. But you can also use the help of your employees. Help customers feel more confident about their purchases by telling them things like, “That’s one of our biggest sellers” or “I bought that for my son’s teacher and she loved it.” These short employee-led testimonials work in-person and even as physical signs near a popular product or service. If you’re not a believer, check out how Amazon designates some of its products as “Amazon’s Choice.”

4. Create Sensory Experiences That Match Your Brand

Use all five senses to stand out.

Sight. Make your best bundles and gift solutions front and center. Use clear signage like “Gifts under $25” or “Perfect for the person who has everything.”
Sound. Choose a playlist that fits your brand. Calm acoustic, jazzy holiday, or upbeat pop. Just be deliberate.
Smell. A subtle holiday scent can make your store feel warm and inviting. Candles, diffusers, or even a simmer pot if it is safe.
Taste. If allowed, offer small sips or bites. Think sample cocoa, infused water, or a local treat.
Touch. Invite people to try, test, feel, and flip through. Hands-on experiences make products more real and more likely to be purchased.

You want people to feel like they have stepped into a curated world, not just another errand.

5. Partner with Other Local Businesses

You do not have to do Black Friday alone. Collaboration makes everything bigger without blowing your budget.

Ideas:

Oasis Trail. Partner with nearby businesses to create a “Holiday Sanity Route.” Each shop offers a comfort element or mini perk. Share a simple map online and in print.
Shared Experiences. Host a pop-up inside your store featuring a local baker, maker, or artist. It brings their audience to you and gives your customers something extra to enjoy.

This is how you turn one good experience into a whole neighborhood story.

6. Communicate Clearly and Early

A great experience still needs promotion.

Share your Black Friday “experience menu” on social media, your website, and via email.
Focus the message on how people will feel. Less “10 percent off.” More “Skip the chaos and actually enjoy your holiday shopping.”
Let your chamber know what you’re doing. They may share it in their newsletters or social feeds and send more people your way.

If you can make Black Friday feel human, calm, and a little bit magical, you will not just survive it. You will stand out from all the noise and become a place people seek out year after year. They’ll feel like you understand their needs.

You don’t want to compete in the race to the bottom on price. You are competing in something much more powerful: the memory of how your business made people feel in the middle of holiday madness.

Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within.

_______________________________________

Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

A Small Business Survival Guide for the Holiday

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 21:23:06 GMT

We’re fast approaching the time of year where it can like you’re running a marathon on a tightrope. Customers need attention. Promotions are queued up to be launched (or designed). Your inventory is giving you nightmares and you have huge goals for the end of the year.

And you’re supposed to stay cheerful, strategic, and somehow well-rested through it all.

But the problem isn’t your big aspirations for 2026, nor does the problem lie in trying to solve the things you can’t control.

It’s your habits.

James Clear’s Atomic Habits reminds us that meaningful results come from the small, repeatable choices we make every day. During the holidays, those tiny decisions are the difference between burnout and breakthrough. When you build systems that work even when you’re tired, distracted, or knee-deep in ribbon, the season gets lighter and your business gets stronger.

Here’s how to apply some of Clear’s most practical ideas to help you not just survive the holiday season, but launch into January with invincible momentum.

Start with a 1% Mindset

One percent doesn’t sound like much until you stack it day after day. You don’t have to reinvent your business. You don’t need a perfect storefront, flawless offers, or an Instagram grid that looks like a lifestyle magazine.

Instead, choose one area to improve just slightly. Take that one small step toward your goal.

· Maybe it’s tightening up your email promo schedule.

· Maybe it’s creating a smoother checkout flow.

· Maybe it’s something as simple as promising yourself (and following through on) a good night’s rest for the next month.

Small refinements reduce stress and increase sales. They also remind you that progress is happening, even in chaos.

Re-design Your Environment

Clear says our surroundings often shape our behavior more than our motivation does. This is especially true during the holidays when the pace is high and attention is scattered.

Look around your space with strategic eyes.

If your workspace feels cluttered, simplify it. If your best seasonal products aren’t visible at first glance, elevate them. If your team keeps losing pens, square readers, bags, or bows, create a “holiday command center” with everything in one place.

Tiny environmental shifts create smoother systems. And smoother systems prevent those frantic moments when you’re internally screaming, “Where did we put the gift bags?!”

Build Habits That Support Your Busiest Days

The season is unpredictable, so anchor your day with predictable habits.

A few anchors to consider:

• A 5-minute morning reset, before opening or seeing clients
• A quick end-of-day review: what sold, what slowed down, what needs restocking, what got clicks, what impact on our customers did we see?
• A customer-touch habit: one message, one email, or one thank-you note daily
• A “two-minute tidy” before leaving (your future self will adore you)

Consistency creates stability. When everything else feels like holiday improv, these anchors act like rhythm lines on the page.

Use Systems, not Willpower

If you remember nothing else from this article…pay attention…

Willpower gets weaker when you get tired. Systems don’t.

If you want to post consistently on social media, schedule a week’s worth of content on one calmer afternoon.

If you want to upsell a holiday special, script one clear line for every team member.

If you want to stay on top of inventory, set an alarm that reminds you to check key items before the weekend rush.

During the holidays, systems carry you when energy can’t.

Make Good Habits Easy and Bad Habits Harder

Clear’s “make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, make it satisfying” formula is your season’s secret weapon.

Want your team to use the upsell script? Keep it taped near the register or near each desk.

Want customers to sign up for your loyalty program? Put the QR code where people naturally pause and that can be more than one spot.

Want to stop scrolling between transactions? Keep your phone in a drawer.

Design beats discipline every time.

Don’t Forget Identity: Who Are You Becoming This Season?

In Atomic Habits, Clear says outcomes come from identity. While you’re navigating the busiest weeks of the year, take a breath and remember who you are as a leader.

· Are you the business that handles crowds with warmth?

· The business that makes people feel good?

· The business that takes care of its team so they can take care of customers?

When you anchor yourself in identity, your choices shift. You show up differently. You communicate more intentionally. You prioritize what matters instead of chasing every glitter-coated opportunity.

And your customers feel it.

Give Yourself Permission to Rest

This sounds counterintuitive in a season that thrives on hustle, but rest is productivity’s partner.
Clear reminds us that habits compound. That includes bad ones like exhaustion, resentment, and skipping meals.

Take care of yourself the way you take care of your customers. Breaks aren’t indulgent; they’re fuel.

Let the Season Shape You—Without Steamrolling You

You don’t need massive change. You need micro-moves that create calm, clarity, and steady revenue.

If you build the right habits now, January stops being a “recovery month” and becomes a runway. Your systems will be tighter. Your team will be stronger. And you’ll have proof that even small businesses can thrive in big seasons.

Christina Metcalf is a ghostwriter and speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and remain top of mind. She is the author of six books including her recent non-fiction book The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within.

_______________________________________

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

15 Ready - to - Use Social Media Captions for Business Owners

richard@membermomentum.com (Richard Scully) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:01:51 GMT

Mastering the Art of Sharing (but not oversharing)

Your audience wants to hear from you and get to know you, but oversharing (or sharing inappropriate topics) comes with its own set of problems. Sharing engaging things about yourself will help you build the kind of connections that improve revenue and customer loyalty.

If you want to help your customers (and potential customers) get to know you better, we have 15 conversation starters (and post templates you can customize) to help.

1. Your Favorite Local Spot

�� “When I’m not at [Your Business], you’ll probably find me at [Local Spot] [verb that fits that business] on my favorite [favorite thing about that business]. What’s YOUR go-to place in town?”

Example: When I’m not here, I’m at Rocco’s Bookstore sipping my favorite caramel latte and perusing the true crime books. What’s YOUR go-to place in town?

2. Morning Rituals

How do you start your day? Share it with your audience.

Example: ☕ “Confession: I’m 90% coffee, 10% small business owner in the morning. How do you start your day?”

3. Behind-the-Scenes Moments

What is working in your line of business really like? Keep it positive but don’t be afraid to show the hard work or humor behind your day.

�� “Behind the scenes isn’t always glamorous. Today it’s [describe something funny/chaotic or show a picture or video of what you’re working on]. What’s something most people don’t know about your line of work?”

4. Local Events You Enjoy

This is a great way to give a shoutout to another business or group.

�� “Loved spending my weekend at [Event Name]! Who else was there? ��”

5. Your “Small Joys”

Life can be overwhelming. Sharing what keeps you grounded can help others feel the same.

�� “Today’s joy: [small moment—like a great cup of coffee, a laugh with a customer, or a pretty sunset]. What made you smile today?”

6. Books or Podcasts You’re Loving

�� “Currently reading/listening to [Book/Podcast]. It’s got me thinking about [short insight]. Any recommendations I should add to my list?”

7. Pet (or Plant) Adventures

�� “Meet our unpaid intern, [Pet’s Name]. Their specialties include napping, snack theft, and morale boosting. ��Show me your ‘coworkers’ in the comments!”

People love to talk about their pets and share photos. Plus, it gives you a point of conversation when a loyal customer shares something about their precious fur baby.

8. Food Finds

Give other businesses a chance to shine by asking people their favorite or giving them a scenario and asking where you should go such as, “It’s Taco Tuesday. Where are the best fish tacos in town?” or “I love the fish tacos at Julies. Are you team fish or team beef when it comes to that delicious dish?” By asking, you’ll discover people have big feelings about fish tacos (and Hawaiian pizza).

�� “Friday night = pizza night. Always. What’s your weekend food tradition?”

9. Music on Repeat

�� “On repeat in the shop/office today: [Song/Band]. Drop your current favorite in the comments—I need new tunes!”

It can also help when asking for new tunes to give a reason behind your ask like a workout mix, soothing sleep, or romantic date night track.

10. Hobbies and Hopes

�� “Training for my first [hobby/goal]. Wish me luck! What new hobby have you picked up this year?”

Not only does this connect you to your audience, but it also encourages people to try new things. This can be helpful for those who are interested in something your business specializes in. Maybe they’ve thought about starting a hobby that you’re a pro at and explaining that you started something will make them feel more welcome. For instance, if you’re a gym owner, make sure you tell people that everyone is welcome whether it’s their first workout in 20 years or their 2,001st. Conversely, if you’re for pros only be specific about that.

Sometimes the hardest part of trying a new business is wondering if it’s for you.

11. Throwback Stories

�� “Throwback to my very first day running [Business Name]. I had no idea what I was in for! Do you remember your first day at your job or business?”

You can also rephrase the question and ask people what their first job was. Everyone has a first job.

12. Community Pride

❤️ “One of the things I love most about [Your Town] is [specific detail]. What’s YOUR favorite thing about our community?”

13. Your Workspace Quirks

��️ “True story: I will fight anyone who tries to take my favorite pen. �� What’s one thing you always keep at your desk?”

Or ask people what drink is in front of them right now. Asking what’s inscribed on their coffee mug is also a fun question with potentially hilarious results.

14. Seasonal Traditions

�� “It’s officially [season/holiday]! Around here that means [tradition]. What’s your favorite tradition?”

15. Gratitude Posts

“Just taking a moment to say THANK YOU to every customer who has supported us. You’re the reason we get to keep doing what we love. �� What’s something you’re grateful for today?”

✨ Pro Tip: Add a quick photo or short video to each of these posts (your coffee mug, your pet, your desk, your town’s mural, etc.). Visuals + these captions = maximum engagement.

If you think of your posts as a conversation and not a monologue, you’ll open up a new connection between your business and your audience. That can be fun and lucrative.

_______________________________________

Medium: @christinametcalf

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

richard@membermomentum.com (Richard Scully) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 22:01:51 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

Tips for writing great posts that increase your site traffic

richard@membermomentum.com (Richard Scully) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 22:01:51 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.

farmington-chamber-of-commerce

How Small Businesses Can Win Big on Black Friday

6 Ways to Win at Black Friday

1. Position Your Business as the Calm in the Chaos

2. Make Black Friday Feel VIP, Not Bargain Bin

3. Turn Shopping into a Memory, Not a Chore

4. Create Sensory Experiences That Match Your Brand

5. Partner with Other Local Businesses

6. Communicate Clearly and Early

﻿

A Small Business Survival Guide for the Holiday

Start with a 1% Mindset

Re-design Your Environment

Build Habits That Support Your Busiest Days

Use Systems, not Willpower

Make Good Habits Easy and Bad Habits Harder

Don’t Forget Identity: Who Are You Becoming This Season?

Give Yourself Permission to Rest

Let the Season Shape You—Without Steamrolling You

15 Ready - to - Use Social Media Captions for Business Owners

Mastering the Art of Sharing (but not oversharing)

Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

Tips for writing great posts that increase your site traffic