We are turning the corner towards Thanksgiving in a hurry! Imagine this: the turkey has been put away, all the pumpkin pie has been eaten, and everyone is preparing for the biggest shopping spree of the year. In times past, Black Friday would suggest stampedes as stores opened, people ruthlessly turning over malls and waiting all night to be first in line for great deals. Not anymore. These days more and more people are waiting behind the screen of a computer for Black Friday deals, shopping comfortably from the couch with leftovers in hand.
If you aren’t taking the time to promote your business and build a following for Black Friday, especially as an e-commerce business, then you are missing out. However! It’s not too late. The potential for brand awareness and future clients extends long after Black Friday is gone. Promoting deals and specials you have NOW puts you ahead of the game when Black Friday rolls around. Are you utilizing social media to tell your story and showcase your options, do you have enough stock ready to meet demand once your customers order? Is your SEO primed to include “Black Friday” helping your visibility as people look for deals early? Social media is one of your best strategies to really get a buzz behind your discounts, deals and branding.
A few quick ideas are:
- Sneak peeks of the discounts and deals you will be offering to those who sign up for emails early
- Hourly deals that expire
- Extra savings for loyal customers or those already subscribed to your list
- Promote new products
- Promote a Charity – ‘Tis the season of giving and you can make a difference to your customers and to a cause as you share a portion of your profits and let each client know how they are helping
- Offer comparison pricing or free shipping to showcase how good your deal really is
It’s not all about social media however. Once you have your customers to your site, make sure you are ready! Engaging blog content, email or newsletter sign ups, and of course easy to navigate design will help convert more clients into sales. Discount codes, exclusivity, and of course deadlines are three ways to help people engage and purchase what you are offering. You can even add extra incentives if your customers mention their purchase on social media or share your deals! People love to share success stories, but they aren’t afraid to share poor customer service experiences too – make sure your whole team is on point to avoid any mishaps that can hurt your reputation.
As you are planning out your strategies for Black Friday, don’t forget Cyber Monday is just a few days later. These two days offer you bang for your buck as you continue to grow your audience and leave them with a favorable impression that will bring them back after the New Year. Visit Intuitive Websites for more free resources, webinar information or to partner with IW on your digital marketing journey.
