Is your business ready for the most profitable weekend of the year? Black Friday 2024 is expected to reach new heights, with U.S. online sales projected to hit $10.8 billion. But in a crowded market, how do you capture attention and boost sales? With 98% open rates on SMS campaigns and social media channels like Instagram driving the majority of holiday traffic, having a robust Black Friday marketing strategy is essential. In this article, we’ll dive into the top 10 strategies proven to work, ensuring your campaign not only captures attention but keeps customers engaged and purchasing all season long. Don’t skip any part!
Contents
- 1 Effective Marketing Tactics for Black Friday Success
- 2 Top 10 Black Friday Marketing Strategy and Ideas
- 2.1 Early Access Deals and Teasers
- 2.2 Limited-Time Flash Sales
- 2.3 Segmented Email Campaigns
- 2.4 Product Bundles and Discounts
- 2.5 Influencer and Social Media Partnerships
- 2.6 Dedicated Black Friday Landing Page
- 2.7 Countdown Timers and FOMO
- 2.8 UGC and Shoppable Social Proof
- 2.9 Explore the Best Tools to Boost BFCM Sales
- 2.10 Post-Black Friday Marketing and Extended Sales
- 3 Conclusion
Effective Marketing Tactics for Black Friday Success
When planning your Black Friday marketing, tactics are everything. But without a strong database, even the best ideas can fall flat. Here are our latest and hottest tactics for your Black Friday marketing ideas:
Forecasted U.S. Black Friday sales for 2024 are $10.8 billion, with total holiday season online spending expected to reach $296 billion, marking an 8-9% year-over-year increase.
Cyber Monday is projected to be the highest sales day of the season, with a predicted $13.2 billion in sales. (1)
Shoppers are estimated to spend $128 billion on mobile devices this holiday season, a 12.8% increase from last year as mobile becomes the preferred shopping method.
Average Black Friday discounts are forecasted to top out at around 30%, slightly down from last year’s 31%.
About 54% of consumers start Black Friday shopping at least a week before the official date, taking advantage of early deals.
Electronics alone are expected to generate $55.1 billion in sales, with apparel and furniture also among the top categories. (2)
SMS marketing on Black Friday boasts a 98% open rate, leading to higher engagement and conversions compared to email. (3)
Social media channels like Instagram and TikTok drive five times more Cyber Week traffic than email, with many shoppers discovering deals through these platforms.
Millennials make up the largest group of Black Friday shoppers, while Gen Xers and Baby Boomers focus more on purchasing home goods and gifts. (4)
Returns are projected to cost retailers $148 billion this holiday season, with a significant portion due to fraudulent returns. (5)
Black Friday 2023 saw a record $70.9 billion in global online sales, highlighting the ongoing shift to e-commerce. (6)
Nearly 79% of Cyber Week e-commerce traffic came from mobile devices, emphasizing the need for mobile-optimized shopping. (7)
In 2023, mobile ad spending hit $362 billion globally, with 2024 estimates approaching $400 billion, underscoring a mobile-first marketing approach. (8)
Black Friday 2023 drew 76.2 million U.S. shoppers to stores, a 4.5% increase from 2022, showing resilience in in-store shopping. (9)
Around 55% of shoppers took advantage of early Black Friday offers, and 35% shopped during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. (10)
67% of Black Friday shoppers visited Target, and 66% visited Walmart, showing strong interest in major retailers and shopping centers. (11)
Read more: Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Which Offers Better Deals?
Top 10 Black Friday Marketing Strategy and Ideas
From early bird offers to flash sales and social media partnerships, the right marketing for Black Friday can drive engagement and boost sales. Here are the top 10 strategies to help you attract attention, spark action, and make this Black Friday your most successful yet!
Start your Black Friday strategy by offering exclusive “early bird” deals to loyal customers or subscribers. Giving your best customers early access to special discounts creates excitement and a feeling of exclusivity. Sending early access codes or secret links lets subscribers shop before the general public, giving them a reason to keep an eye on your brand.
To build excitement, try sending teaser emails that hint at upcoming deals without revealing exact discounts. This strategy can drive up email open rates and get your audience excited, making them more likely to return for the main sale event.
>>> Catch customer attention with Product Labels & Badges
Limited-Time Flash Sales
Another great tactic for Black Friday marketing ideas is to run limited-time flash sales throughout the weekend. These short, high-energy sales—especially with countdown timers—create urgency and encourage impulse buying. Schedule multiple flash sales at different times, each with its own product category or surprise discount, to keep shoppers interested.
For example, you might run two-hour flash sales every few hours, highlighting popular products each time. Promote these flash sales on social media and through email for maximum reach. Letting your audience know about these events in advance can help build excitement and drive up engagement.
Segmented Email Campaigns
Personalized email campaigns can be a game-changer for Black Friday. By segmenting your audience based on purchase history, browsing behavior, or demographics, you can send tailored messages that speak directly to each group’s interests.
For instance, if a customer has bought electronics from you before, consider offering them exclusive discounts on related accessories or newer models. For new customers, a welcome offer or special bundle can make them feel valued right away. Customizing your emails in this way boosts the chances of engagement and increases sales during the holiday shopping season.
Product Bundles and Discounts
According to a survey by AMG Strategic Advisors, 93% of customers prefer Buy One Get One (BOGO) bundles—making product bundles a powerful tool for increasing average order value. Bundles appeal to shoppers looking for savings on related items, while also helping you move inventory. By pairing popular products with lesser-known items, you not only provide added value for customers but also encourage them to explore more of your product range.
For example, bundle a best-selling tech item with complementary accessories or offer a special skincare set for the holiday season. Make sure to highlight the savings compared to buying each item separately. This strategy not only increases order size but also lets you manage inventory effectively during Black Friday.
Influencer and Social Media Partnerships
Influencer partnerships and social media are powerful Black Friday marketing tips to expand your reach this year. In recent years, Influencer marketing has been a method of promotion wherein, by collaborating with influencers who have garnered certain credibility in your industry, you are able to expose your offers to an extended audience. They can create unique discount codes or give away on their platforms to get excited about your brand.
Consider having influencers show live demonstrations of products, or do countdowns to your Black Friday deals, to help build trust and drive new customers. Don’t forget to socialize on your own social media channels, push deals, and answer questions in real time. This approach creates a very interactive, dynamic shopping experience.
Dedicated Black Friday Landing Page
Launching a landing page right on Black Friday can make a big impact on your conversion rate. Highlight the best deals, and keep those CTA buttons right at the front and center so customers can easily complete their purchases. Show off customer reviews, and mark popular items as “best-sellers” or “must-have” to build trust and urgency.
Ensure the page is easy to navigate and browse through offers is quick and smooth. A bonus tip! Adding countdown timers or “low stock” alerts on high-demand products so that it can add a sense of urgency and help drive conversions. This landing page will be the heart of your Black Friday promotions, providing customers with a streamlined, focused shopping experience.
Countdown Timers and FOMO
Next up! Countdown timers. This is an excellent way to encourage them to feel the rush, push them to make purchases right away. Consider setting countdown timers for flash sales, low-stock alerts, or discounts that expire at the end of the day. Messages like “Only 2 hours left!” or “Ends at midnight!” paired with a live countdown can make a big difference in motivating shoppers to act quickly. Make sure these timers are prominently displayed on product, cart, and checkout pages to keep that urgency visible every step of the way.
UGC and Shoppable Social Proof
UGC (User-generated content) is an excellent way to build trust in ecommerce. With real photos, videos, and reviews from actual customers, you are providing a kind of social proof that can motivate new shoppers to make a purchase. When potential buyers see others enjoying your products, it reassures them, boosting their confidence in your brand.
Place UGC and shoppable social proof on product pages and feature it across social media with direct links to the products, making shopping easy and seamless. For example, sharing a customer’s photo with a caption like “Shop the look” along with a product link allows potential customers to move smoothly from inspiration to checkout. Showcasing positive reviews and customer images on key pages strengthens credibility and helps new customers imagine themselves enjoying your products, making them more likely to buy.
Explore the Best Tools to Boost BFCM Sales
For a successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) season, having the right tools can seriously boost your e-commerce strategy. OmegaTheme’s BFCM Deals give you discounts on top apps that help keep your store running smoothly when shopping traffic peaks. Whether it’s email automation or smart product recommendations, these tools are designed to drive sales and maintain seamless operations.
Think about using email automation to send reminders, cart recovery messages, or personalized offers at just the right moment. On your site, product recommendation tools can help by suggesting items that complement what shoppers are already interested in, encouraging bigger purchases. Managing high traffic and offering fast, responsive customer support is also key during BFCM, so investing in apps that improve the customer experience can really make a difference in conversions. Equip your store with tools that simplify marketing, manage heavy traffic, and make shopping easy so you can make the most of this busy season.
>> Explore BSS’s app: BSS Product Options, Variant to boost your sales!
Post-Black Friday Marketing and Extended Sales
After Black Friday, keep the speed rolling with extended sales and follow-up marketing efforts. Try sending follow-up emails to recover abandoned carts, share extra offers on related products, or simply thank customers for their purchases. These small actions can help keep customers engaged and might even turn one-time buyers into regulars.
A simple thank-you email can go a long way in building customer loyalty. And offering exclusive deals for Cyber Monday or other upcoming holidays gives customers a reason to return. You could also add a small discount on their next purchase as a thank-you for shopping on Black Friday. This kind of gesture can encourage repeat visits and help increase your post-sale revenue.
Conclusion
With the holiday season fast approaching, having a strong Black Friday marketing strategy that resonates with your customers’ shopping habits is crucial. By using tactics like early access deals, flash sales, influencer partnerships, and SMS campaigns, you’ll be set to capture attention and drive conversions. Timing is key here! Shoppers are starting earlier and relying more on mobile than ever. Get these strategies rolling now, and make Black Friday not just a sales event but a real opportunity to build your brand. Remember, a successful Black Friday isn’t just about what you sell; it’s about how you reach, engage, and convert. Let your strategy do the work and lead you to success!
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