Small businesses who are trying to gain advantages during the coming holiday season are being urged to reate a party atmosphere, especially during the Black Friday weekend.

A number of retail experts are making their suggestions known, advising small business owners to think creative, think friendly, think social media this coming season.

The usual suggestions are back:  Offer treats your store would not normally offer customers, such as cookies, hot cider or even a cup of cocoa. Offer free wrapping, or make extra efforts to find an item a customer can't find in one's own store.

Since social is the buzz term, advisers also say use Facebook and Twitter to connect to customers with updates on merchandise, especially including unique items and great deals.

Laurie Brown, considered a "customer service expert," urges small businesses to really push their message to their community.

Brown says Small Business Saturday -- a sponsored event that some retailers should become an ongoing effort for the day after Black Friday -- is an opportunity to shine, and in doing so making an impression and hopefully a customer, in the local community, for life.

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