🎉 May Is Small Business Month! Here’s How to Celebrate Like a Boss (While Deepening Real Relationships)

It may be Small Business Month, but this is my favorite meme to share in May! #NSync4ever

May is here, and you know what that means...flowers are blooming, the pollen count is trying to kill us all, and small businesses like yours and mine are getting their moment in the spotlight.

Small Business Month isn’t just about patting ourselves on the back and posting #shopsmall once. It’s a prime opportunity to:

deepen relationships,
show up in your community,
and (bonus!) market your business without feeling gross about it.

Here’s how to turn a celebratory month into a strategic relationship builder, the Marketing4Notaries way.

💬 1. Start Conversations That Don’t Feel Like a Sales Pitch

We all hate the fake “let’s collaborate!” messages that are just sneaky sales attempts. Instead, use Small Business Month as a genuine reason to reach out.

Try this message:

“Hey [Name], I’ve always admired what you’re doing with [Business Name]. For Small Business Month, I’m highlighting some incredible local businesses in my community. I’d love to include you!”

You’re not asking for anything—you’re offering. That’s powerful.

💡 Take it further: Post a photo of them and tag their business on social media with a heartfelt comment. “This is Jess from Jess’s Java. Her lattes are life-giving, and so is her smile. #SmallBusinessMonth #SupportLocal”

Why it works: You're building trust. You're publicly showing love. You're starting a relationship without selling a thing. And that is marketing gold.

📸 2. Do a “Small Business Month Local Legends” Spotlight (With Strategy)

Pick 4–5 small businesses in your area and run a short weekly spotlight series all month long. You can:

Film short “day in the life” interviews on your phone
Take photos of their space, product, or team
Ask them one great question: “What’s one thing you wish more people knew about running a small business?”

📈 Marketing twist: Each post ends with:

“Know a small business that deserves a shoutout? Tag them in the comments and I’ll feature one more next week!”

This gets engagement, grows your reach, and strengthens your community cred.

🎁 3. Partner Up for a Small Biz Giveaway

Giveaways work. Period. But instead of doing a one-off gift card promo, think like a connector. Bring 2–3 businesses together for a bundle giveaway.

Example:

Win a “Local Legends Bundle” with: $25 from [Coffee Shop], a free [Notary/Trust Doc Delivery] from you, and a custom cookie box from [Bakery]. Total value: $100+!

Each business posts it, tags the others, and everyone grows their audience while building real relationships.

Insider tip: Want even more bang for your giveaway buck? Ask each person who enters to follow all participating businesses and tag one small business they love. Boom! Engagement + exposure.

☕ 4. Host a Pop-In Tour With Purpose

Dust off your business cards (and your best “I’m here to connect, not sell” smile) and start a Pop-In Tour of local businesses.

Here’s how it works:

Pick 5–10 local businesses you admire or want to work with.
Bring them something small—coffee, mini treat bags, or a handwritten card.
Say:

“I just wanted to thank you for being a part of this small business community. May is our month, and I’m celebrating by showing love to my favorite locals.”

🎯 Pro move: Include a QR code on a postcard that links to your services, newsletter opt-in, or a page on your website all about how you serve other small business owners.

💌 5. Reconnect with Clients Through Old-School Gratitude

We’re talking thank-you notes. Handwritten. Snail mail. The kind of thing that makes people go, “Wow, no one does this anymore.”

“I wanted to personally thank you for supporting my small business. It’s people like you who keep this dream alive, and I’m so grateful. If you ever need [what you offer], I’m here.”

🧠 Client psychology alert: People remember how you make them feel. Appreciation creates stickiness. Sticky clients = referrals. Referrals = growth.

✨ Bonus Ideas If You’re Feeling Extra:

Host a mini workshop or Q&A on a topic that helps other small businesses (even on Facebook or Instagram Live)
Create a “Small Biz Bingo” card to encourage people to visit multiple local spots (great if you have a storefront or pop-up table!)
Do a “Behind the Scenes” reel of what owning your business really looks like—people love the messy truth

🔥 Reminder:

Small Business Month is the perfect mix of celebration and strategy. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things with purpose. Be generous. Be visible. Be someone who lifts others up. Because when you build real relationships? You don’t need a sales pitch.

Your community becomes your marketing.

Want to learn how to build a referral machine out of authentic connections? 👉 Join Marketing4Notaries and get plugged into the only community where relationship-driven marketing is the norm, not the exception.