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Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the biggest shopping days of the year, but they can also be overwhelming for businesses. By taking the time to prepare, you'll set yourself up for success - and make the most out of the holiday shopping frenzy.
Here are some helpful tips for setting your business apart from the rest, attracting new customers, and moving products on these major shopping days.
Top Black Friday sale ideas for small business
Looking for ways to make an impact on Black Friday without breaking the bank? Use these creative suggestions to maximize your results.
Create gift guides
Put together a handy guide showcasing some of your top picks. This not only helps customers narrow down their options, but it's also a great way to highlight specific products or deals.
You can also curate these to show gifts perfect for a specific demographic, e.g. Christmas presents for grandparents. Check out the example above which shows a selection of sale items for people who love to travel.
Promote hourly deals
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Black Friday? Probably long lines out the doors of stores. And for good reason - the best Black Friday deals go fast! But while deals are plentiful, they can also be overwhelming and frustrating as shoppers scramble to snag them before they sell out.
That's why promoting hourly deals on Black Friday is a savvy strategy. It keeps things fresh by offering new, limited-time deals every hour and adds an element of urgency that keeps customers engaged and coming back for more. Plus, it encourages impulse buys as people don't want to miss out on a great deal.
Keep your customers engaged and help manage your inventory with hourly deals, and make each deal known through announcements, app alerts, and prominent advertising.
Create an early-bird Black Friday sale
As a small business, it can be difficult to compete with big box stores during the holiday shopping frenzy. One way to stand out is by offering an early bird Black Friday sale. This not only attracts customers who are looking for deals and are willing to wake up early, but it also allows your store to beat the competition and get a head start on holiday sales.
In addition, an early bird sale can help mitigate any potential overcrowding or chaos during traditional Black Friday hours, creating a smoother and more enjoyable experience for both customers and staff.
Offer free shipping
Another way to compete in the crowded online marketplace is to offer free shipping on all orders. It’s a simple perk that can make all the difference for customers looking for deals. Plus, by freeing customers from the burden of minimum spends or high shipping costs, you're likely to see an increase in both sales and customer satisfaction.
Extend your sale from Black Friday to Cyber Monday
While Black Friday may be the biggest shopping day of the year, it's not the only one worth considering. Extending your sale to Cyber Monday allows you to reach a whole new audience - those who want to shop from the comfort of their own homes, or who prefer to avoid crowds and long lines at stores.
And let's not forget about those bargain hunters who are always on the lookout for deals, and are willing to wait until Monday to get them. By offering discounts both in-store and online during this period, you're giving customers even more options and increasing your chances of boosting sales.
Don’t forget Small Business Saturday
Held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, this shopping holiday encourages consumers to patronize small, independently owned stores. So include this day in your Black Friday prep too as you can expect an influx of customers!
Deliver a special in-store experience
One way to stand out from the competition is by delivering a unique and special in-store experience on Black Friday. This can include offering complimentary refreshments or snacks, hosting fun events or raffles, providing personalized customer service, and creating festive decorations to make customers feel welcome and excited.
By creating a memorable experience rather than simply offering discounts, you not only attract customers but also encourage them to return even after the craziness of Black Friday has passed.
Step up your customer service
While having great deals and promotions is important, don't forget about the value of excellent customer service. Happy customers are much more likely to return to your store or recommend it to their friends and family, making them valuable long-term assets. So why not use the busy shopping day as a chance to really wow your customers?
Focus on providing prompt assistance, knowledgeable staff, and a cheerful atmosphere for an experience that shoppers won't forget - and will want to repeat. In this increasingly competitive market, stellar customer service can be the differentiating factor for your small business on Black Friday and beyond.
How to promote your Black Friday deals
Once you’ve decided on the discounts you’ll offer, you need to get the word out! Although it can feel impossible to compete with bigger stores with some creative thinking, you can make sure your deals get noticed! Follow these 4 tips to spread the word.
Promote your referral program
One of the best strategies for maximizing profits on this busy shopping day is by promoting your referral program. By offering incentives for current customers to refer friends or family members, you can not only attract new customers, but also improve brand loyalty among your existing customer base.
Send sneak peaks
Sending sneak peeks of Black Friday deals is a great way to drum up excitement and drive customer anticipation. It can also give loyal customers a chance to plan ahead and budget for their desired purchases. Plus, teasing out deals in advance gives potential customers time to make sure they're following your brand on social media or signed up for your email newsletter, ensuring they don't miss out on the best deals when it's time to shop.
Take advantage of social media and don’t forget your hashtags
It's important to make the most of every opportunity to reach potential customers. Using hashtags on platforms like Twitter and Instagram can help spread the word about your promotions and drive traffic to your website or brick and mortar store. And don't forget about Facebook ads - targeting a specific audience with a Black Friday deal can greatly increase your sales and exposure.
Start by creating a specific hashtag for your sale - this not only allows customers to easily search for your event, but it also helps with brand visibility and builds a sense of community among those who participate in the sale. On platforms like Twitter and Instagram, try tagging other accounts that may be interested in promoting your sale as well.
And don't forget about Facebook - create an event page and invite current followers, as well as reaching out to local community pages or groups to spread the word.
Make use of your email distribution list
Use your email distribution list to promote your deals and specials! Share sneak peeks of what's to come, offer exclusive discounts for newsletter subscribers, or send out a special Black Friday newsletter. And don't forget to include eye-catching visuals and clear call-to-actions to really catch your customers' attention. Plus, it's an easy and cost-effective way to boost sales this holiday season.
Frequently asked questions
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is a famous shopping day that follows Thanksgiving, and unofficially kicks off the Christmas shopping season! Many stores have “door busting” deals, leading many customers to camp out in front of the store the night before Black Friday to ensure their place at the front of the line for select discounts and deals.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is the internet’s version of Black Friday. Like Black Friday, Cyber Monday is a weekday following Thanksgiving that encourages online shopping and promotes exclusive discounts that only apply on that Monday.
