When I logged into my LinkedIn account yesterday morning, I was expecting business as usual. Some notifications from friends, a few likes, and maybe a comment or two.

But what I wasn’t expecting was a notification from Theo Paphitis, telling me that I was one of 6 Small Business Sunday winners!

Theo Paphitis is a champion of small businesses, and his weekly competition invites business owners to pitch their businesses in just a few paragraphs.

It’s a chance to showcase your business, reach out to new clients, and join a thriving community of previous winners.

When I applied for the award on Sunday evening – using patchy WiFi on a train home from York – I never expected to win it. I know how many amazing business owners apply each week, so I feel thrilled to be chosen!

What is Small Business Sunday?

Small Business Sunday is a competition run by Theo Paphitis on his LinkedIn, X and Instagram channels every (you guessed it!) Sunday evening.

Small business owners are invited to leave a comment on Theo’s post between 5-7pm to be in with a chance of winning.

Theo then chooses a few lucky winners across his platforms. All the winners get access to a few key perks, such as:

• A shout out on Theo Paphitis’ social media channels
• An invitation to the annual #SBS Event
• A listing on the SBS business directory website
• Discounts and special offers
• Access to a LinkedIn and Facebook group

The winners also become part of the friendly #SBS community, which currently includes over 4200 businesses.

What does winning Small Business Sunday mean to me?

As a freelancer, you don’t have a boss, so it can be rare to receive external validation for a job well done. That’s what winning Small Business Sunday feels like to me.

It’s fantastic to receive the award, not just for the perks, but for the community. I’m only in my first 4 years of business, so it’s a great chance for me to learn from other business owners and meet new people.

For one of my very first writing gigs, I wrote up a blog post for a local company who had recently won Small Business Sunday. The fact that I’m now writing up a blog post of my own, having won the award myself, feels very special.

How can business owners get involved in Small Business Sunday?

It’s easy to apply for Small Business Sunday. Simply follow Theo Paphitis’ Instagram, X or LinkedIn account and comment on his #SBS post between 5-7pm.

It’s been a real boost to my confidence and my following on social media – and I can’t wait to engage with the community online and in-person.

Here are some tips to win Small Business Sunday:

• Don’t be afraid to show off a little bit – celebrate your wins!
• Tap into why your business is unique
• Check out previous winners for inspiration
• Don’t be put off if you don’t win – this was my second time

If you’re struggling to get the word out about your business, I can help! I’m an experienced freelance content writer, which means I help B2B and B2B businesses get out there with killer blog posts, web copy and social media.

Whether you need web copy that sounds like you or you want to invest in SEO blog content, I can help you create an online space you love today.

Get in touch with me – and don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear from you!