5 Black Friday
Tips For Your Business
Black Friday. It’s the annual Olympics of retail
shopping. That once-a-year event where red-eyed shoppers coax themselves out of
a tryptophan-induced lethargy in order to brave the 2 A.M. masses in hopes
of snatching up the latest Playstation model…for a $1! According to Bloomberg News[1],
last year, over 140 million people shopped the day after Thanksgiving. For
businesses that opt to embrace our nation’s biggest shopping “holiday,” Black
Friday can be a traffic and sales gravy train!
While the year’s biggest shopping day may still be nearly
two months away, now is the time to start planning and promoting Black Friday
incentives to give your business a leg-up in the very competitive retail
market. Here is a compilation of ideas to inspire your own successful Black
Friday efforts.
The Early Bird
Catches the Sales
Did you know that over a third of men and women (32 percent
and 35 percent, respectively) venture out into the early morning crowds on
Black Friday[2]?!
Don’t miss out on your share of these prospective shoppers. Consider offering
your customers extended, early morning business hours the day after
Thanksgiving.
Don’t Underestimate
the Power of a Good Old Fashioned Coupon
Over half (53%) of shoppers say they would use a coupon when
making a Black Friday purchase[3].
In addition to offering your customers a savings, an added perk of offering
coupons is that you are organically increasing brand visibility. It’s a 1-2
punch!
Go Digital
We live in a digital age. Show you’re tech savvy by offering
your customers web-based access to exclusive Black Friday savings and
discounts. Create a special QR code for shoppers to scan in-store that will
provide them instant mobile access to a coupon/savings flier that is specific
to Black Friday use. Does your business primarily function online? Create a
banner ad on your homepage or a specific landing page within your website to
organize and indicate your Black Friday savings to customers.
Spread The Word
Leave no potential customer untouched! Compile a list of your most effective means
of reaching your target audience and promote, promote, promote! Use every
opportunity at your disposal to remind your customers of your fabulous Black
Friday savings, whether it be by word of mouth in your brick-and-mortar or a
carefully executed online marketing campaign.
Consider reaching your customers by:
- Direct Email: Send an Email to your established customers announcing your Black Friday Deals and Savings. Not currently using a newsletter service? Be sure to familiarize yourself with how to keep your e-mailing CAN-SPAM Compliant[4].
- Employ the Power of Social Media: Don’t forget to utilize social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc., to promote within your current customer network and target promoted ads to seek out a new customer base.
- In-Store Distributions: Consider including a leaflet or small flier to advertise your Black Friday deals in every customer’s bag/shipment throughout the months of October and November.
Bottom line…Start early and promote across as many
platforms as possible and often. Remember, repetition sells!
Bring Them Back
Think about offering your customers an incentive to return
to your store after Black Friday has come and gone. Take advantage of the
unusually high traffic volumes that November 28th will provide by
offering attractive savings to draw customers into your store on Black Friday
and then reward them for their patronage by offering a discount card with each
purchase to be used at a later date. A Scratch Off Game Card is a great
way to encourage your customers to shop with you later in the holiday season,
too!
I hope that this information will help inspire your own
successful Black Friday plan of attack. There are endless possibilities to
engage your customers and lead them through your doors this Black Friday, and
who knows your customers better than you?! Plan promotions that will excite and
motivate your target audience
to ensure that you get a slice of that Black Friday pie!
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