Black Friday shoppers are inspired to spend and motivated to dig for the deals. The truly committed, hit the highways with empty vehicles and come back with a heavy load and a happy shopping cart — I mean heart. Now, who wouldn’t want a customer with an enthusiastic wallet in their store on Black Friday or on their website on Cyber Monday?
Thank goodness for Small Business Saturday, the heavily promoted day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s just a beautiful weekend of shoppers.
But did you make the most of it? And what can we learn from this year’s holiday season to make the most of it next year?
In a recent article, Small Businesses Hit It Big With Cyber Monday, for USA Today, Oliver St. John, stated:
“While small businesses have trouble steering Black Friday shoppers out of the malls and into their stores, they’re only a click away online during Cyber Monday.”
He went on to highlight how social media promotions helped level the playing field for many smaller companies.
After watching some of my favorite spots make the most of the weekend and others failing to get involved at all, I’m thinking since people are ready to spend during that time, give them a reason to spend with you.
Map out your next Black Friday strategy – today.
When Does Black Friday Really Begin?
It starts when you say it starts. In an interview with Aaron Task for The Daily Ticker Lindsay Sakraida, Director of DealNews.com, exposes the Top Black Friday Myths, including the fact that many sales actually begin before Black Friday.
Regardless of the type of business you run, give yourself a chance to become a part of their holiday spending. Offer your black Friday goods or service-packages early. Let your clients know via email, your website and social pages that you have something to offer, but make it time sensitive. If you start early, then your can make your small business sales before your shoppers and their wallets head to the mall on Friday.
Why Should Your Clients Spend With You Right Now?
People need an incentive to act now. For the best impact your sale needs to be irresistible and restricted.
Depending on your business model you can limit the amount of time that the product is available. Like Disney, after Cyber Monday or Black Friday or Small Business Saturday, your holiday product goes back into the “vault” or the sales price goes away forever or for a really long time — but keep your word on this. You can restrict the number of items or service-packages that are available at that price.
The possibility of selling out is a motivator.
What’s The Real Secret To Black Friday?
Just because you have a product or service to sale does not mean your target audience will automatically spend money with you. Black Friday is not a magic pill. You have to market. Let your people know what’s going on:
“We’re having a Black Friday sale and it begins on Wednesday.”
Then describe what you have to offer, the price and when their access to this product, service or price point ends. Give them a reason to drop by your place of business and shop on your website (before they go to the mall).
Black Friday Photo via Shutterstock
Ti Roberts
Great post. I like what you said about Black Friday starting when you say it does. This is really true and you can run it as long as you want as well. Thanks for sharing your insights in this post.
Ti
Simon Higgins
Black Friday is coming! Hope I will find some discounts!