Black Friday Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
10 Ways to Boost Your Business This November
By Sara Burk
Black Friday is upon us and holds so much potential for small businesses. However, if you want to ensure a seamless and successful Black Friday for your small business, you need to start planning now! We have you covered with Black Friday marketing ideas for your small businesses.
1. Early Access for VIPs
Reward your loyal customers by offering early access to your Black Friday deals. Whether it’s through an exclusive email campaign or a private in-store event, give your VIP customers a head start on your promotions before the rush begins. This not only builds excitement but also makes your best customers feel valued. Use this opportunity to offer a sneak peek at new arrivals or limited-time products that won’t be available after Black Friday.
2. Bundle & Save Deals
Create special product bundles that give customers more bang for their buck. For example, offer a “Buy 3, Get 1 Free” deal or combine related products at a discounted rate. Bundling is a great way to increase your average order value while helping customers check multiple items off their shopping list. Curate bundles that focus on gifting, like cozy winter accessories or self-care packages, making it easier for customers to find ready-made gift sets.
3. Limited-Time Flash Sales
Offer flash sales at different times throughout the day to create urgency and excitement. Whether it’s a deep discount on a popular item or an exclusive offer only available for an hour, flash sales encourage customers to stay engaged and check back often for the next deal. Promote your flash sales in advance through social media and email to create anticipation.
4. Gift with Purchase
Everyone loves a little something extra. Offer a free gift with purchase to encourage more spending and give your customers an added incentive to buy. This is a great way to sweeten the deal without cutting into your margins. Choose a gift that complements your products, such as a pair of earrings with a clothing purchase or a candle with a home decor item.
5. Buy More, Save More
Encourage larger purchases with a tiered discount system. For example, offer 10 percent off when customers spend $50, 15 percent off when they spend $100, and 20 percent off when they spend $150. This approach motivates customers to add more to their carts to unlock bigger savings. Promote this offer with a countdown timer or progress bar on your website, so shoppers can see how close they are to reaching the next discount level.
6. Exclusive Online-Only Deals
If you have both a brick-and-mortar store and an online presence, offer exclusive deals for your online customers. This helps boost your ecommerce sales and allows you to capture shoppers who prefer to avoid crowds. Promote free shipping or same-day delivery options for local shoppers to make the online experience even more appealing.
7. Social Media Contests & Giveaways
Create buzz around your Black Friday sales by hosting a contest or giveaway on social media. Encourage followers to engage with your content by tagging friends, sharing your posts, or using a specific hashtag to enter for a chance to win a prize or store credit. Announce the winner on Black Friday to boost engagement right before your big sale kicks off.
8. Extended Weekend Sale
Instead of limiting your promotion to just Black Friday, extend the sale throughout the weekend or into Cyber Monday. This gives customers more time to shop and increases your chances of capturing sales from those who may have missed out on the big day.
9. Create a Black Friday Mystery Box
Mystery boxes are a fun way to entice customers by offering a selection of products at a discounted rate. Shoppers love the excitement of not knowing exactly what they’ll get, and it’s a great way to move extra inventory. Tailor your boxes to different customer interests (e.g., accessories, self-care or seasonal items) and market them as limited-edition deals. Offer a higher-value mystery box that includes a mix of bestsellers and exclusive Black Friday items to appeal to your top customers.
10. Offer Free Gift Wrapping
With the holidays around the corner, customers appreciate anything that saves them time. Offering free gift wrapping with their purchase is a great value-added service that can help seal the deal, especially for shoppers looking to buy holiday gifts. Promote the gift-wrapping service as a stress-free solution for busy holiday shoppers. You can also offer it as an incentive for orders over a certain dollar amount.
Sara Burks is the Director of Partnerships and Education at The Boutique Hub. She has been in the boutique industry for over 20 years and has a master’s in business administration. At The Boutique Hub, she shares her practical knowledge of the boutique business with Hub members. On top of her boutique experience, Sara is a rodeo coach, started a jewelry brand, is a wife, and a mom of two girls. Follow The Boutique Hub on Instagram (theboutiquehub) or join the community at theboutiquehub.com for more content.