Black Friday is just around the corner, but most small businesses don't try to compete with the big box stores for consumer attention that day. They instead promote Small Business Saturday. While that's understandable, and certainly not a bad idea, I think there is room for some small business attention on the Friday after Thanksgiving as well. Open House You don't have to present your Black Friday event as competition for the big boys. Instead promote it as a quiet alternative. If you are a gift shop, Black Friday is the perfect opportunity for you to hold an annual "open house". You open your doors, premiere your Christmas themed items and have snacks and other things out for customers to sample. Do you sell gourmet dips or other foods? Use them! Place them out and let your customers sample them, thus promoting those items which should result in higher sales and allowing your weary customers an opportunity to find some refreshment. After the hustle and [...]