Sam's Club gets social with small business shoppers

Sam’s Club is taking its efforts to woo small business customers to social media.

The retailer is launching #SmallBizHelp, an interactive social media campaign that offers expert advice on starting and running a business.

“Small business owners often lack a network of experts to tap as they navigate day-to-day business issues,” said Seong Ohm, senior vice president of Merchandise Business Services for Sam’s Club. “At Sam’s Club, we provide smart solutions by listening to our members. The #SmallBizHelp program extends a new, direct line of communication between time-starved business owners and trusted resources when issues arise that are beyond their expertise.”

As part of the campaign, small business owners may submit business questions on Sam’s Club Facebook and Twitter accounts using the hashtag #SmallBizHelp, Advice is offered in six categories: accounting and tax preparation, identity protection, digital marketing, payments processing, human resources and business lending.

Through September, Sam’s Club will also post #DidYouKnow small business facts on social media and a series of online tip-based articles. Furthermore, as part of the promotion, local pizzeria owners in 14 cities, including Austin, Texas, Nashville, Tennesee and Chicago, will deliver a special lunch in Sam’s Club-branded pizza boxes to select small business advocates and entrepreneurial incubators.

#SmallBizHelp is part of Sam’s Club’s broader initiative to help small business owners save time and money through savings on merchandise, technology-enabled benefits and anywhere, anytime member service. Sam’s Club offers online, mobile and phone support for critical business operations, including:

• Payroll and Human Resources Solutionsfrom Execupay (@Execupay), allowing small business owners to access employee management tools and run payroll in under one minute by desktop, tablet or mobile app.

• Identity Theft Protection by LifeLock(@LifeLock), a leading provider of proactive identity theft protection services and identity risk and credit worthiness assessment for enterprises.

• Accounting and Tax Preparation from 1-800Accountant (@1800Accountant), the nation’s leading accounting firm for individuals and small-business that combines mobile and desktop applications with a dedicated accountant to make tax prep and bookkeeping simple and affordable. Business members enjoy huge savings compared to local CPA and tax preparation chains with no contracts or hourly fees.

• Access to Capital through SmartBiz (@SmartBizLoans), providing access to SBA loans with low monthly payments and single digit interest rates through a simple online application process. Sam’s Club members save up to 20 percent off loan fees on loans from $5,000 to $350,000.

• Business Payment Solutions by First Data (@FirstData), offering access to in-club business consultants who can help streamline and centralize payment processing, point of sale technology and customer data with app-based Clover business tools. Payment processing rates start at 1.29% or a flat rate of $19 per month.

• Online Marketing Solutions by Web.com (@Webdotcom), helping businesses grow their customer base through digital marketing, including website design, search and social media strategy. Web.com offers Sam’s Club members a free Online Marketing Health Check and up to 36 percent savings on DIY (do-it-yourself) and DIFM (do-it-for-me) online marketing packages.

Sam’s Club is also enlisting the help of business members to “deliver” the message of new business benefits: local pizzeria owners in 14 cities, including Austin, TX, Nashville, TN and Chicago, IL, will deliver a special lunch in Sam’s Club-branded pizza boxes to select small business advocates and entrepreneurial incubators.