It's National Small Business Week (May 3–9)! This is a prime opportunity to boost your visibility and connect with customers and fellow business owners. Here are a few easy ways to make sure your business stands out this week:

• Make sure your Google Business Profile is up to date. When people search for local businesses, your Google profile is often the first thing they see. Take a few minutes this week to confirm your hours, address, phone number, website, and photos are current and accurate. An incomplete or outdated profile can cost you customers before they ever reach out. Go to business.google.com to make sure your profile is up-to-date.
• Register for the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit. The SBA is hosting a free two-day Virtual Summit on Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6 packed with workshops on AI, digital marketing, access to capital, hiring, and more — including sessions presented by Google. Register at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/virtual-summit.
• Take advantage of Google's free education resources. Google offers a wealth of free tools and training for small business owners through Google for Small Business — from digital marketing basics to AI tips. It's a great place to sharpen your skills and find personalized recommendations based on your business goals, all at no cost.
• Shout it from the (social media) rooftops. Post about your business this week using #SmallBusinessWeek. Share your story, a behind-the-scenes look, a special offer, or simply a thank-you to your loyal customers. Authenticity goes a long way — people love knowing the face behind the business.
• Partner with a neighboring business. Team up with another Shawnee business for a cross-promotion, joint social post, or shared event. It doubles your reach and reinforces the idea that shopping locally supports the whole community, not just one shop.
• Engage with the Shawnee Chamber. Tag us in your Small Business Week posts and we'll amplify your content to our network! We're cheering you on all week long.

Want to make sure you never miss opportunities like these? Stay connected with the Shawnee Chamber at shawneekschamber.com.