1. Be 100 out of 5 million!
This year Small Business Saturday are once again highlighting 100 small businesses in the 100 days leading up to Small Business Saturday 2016, which this year is on 3 December. Called the ‘Small Biz 100’, if chosen you get be one of 100 businesses that represent ALL the 5 million small businesses in the UK!
We were one of the Small Biz 100 for 2015 and it was absolutely brilliant. I thought I’d share some of the impact it had to inspire you to apply this year if you run a small business…

2. Grow your social media networks
Each Small Biz 100 has a day dedicated to them on the Small Business Saturday social media channels, which include Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This is a day where your social media alerts go wild – you have been warned!
It also gives you something really interesting to talk about during the winter to your customers – about you as a small business and what you are getting up to on, and in the run up to, Small Business Saturday.

Last year on Small Business Saturday itself the campaign was featured by all major media, trended at number one on Twitter on the day and received around 3.5 million views on its Facebook page. Being part of that is a brilliant opportunity to grow your social media connections.
3. Raise your profile nationally
Small Business Saturday continues to gain momentum and both local and national media are interested in who the Small Biz 100 are, and in what is happening on the day. As well as being featured in our local press, I was lucky enough to be interviewed on BBC Radio London’s breakfast show and on London Live with Michelle the campaign director!

All the Small Biz 100 were also invited to a reception in The Treasury Drum with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne. Yes, I did attempt a selfie with him… #embarrassing

4. Build a network with other small businesses
In addition to the campaign itself, the team also delivers help and advice alongside opportunities to connect with other small businesses. This includes their ‘Inspire Series’ talks and the bus tour in the run up to Small Business Saturday:

We are still in touch with many of our fellow Small Biz 100. It is great to know people around the UK running small businesses, even if they are very different, as often we face the same challenges.
5. Any type of business can be chosen
Last year, we were amongst a soap manufacturer, a skydiving academy and a brewery! It doesn’t matter whether you are a new business or an established one, as long as you are a small business you can take part.

I hope that has inspired you to apply! To get your application in, visit the Small Business Saturday website here. Applications close at midnight on June 30^th so what are you waiting for?!