Last-minute Black Friday tips
So, Black Friday snuck up on you? I know, time flies, and suddenly you’re two weeks away from the biggest sales event of the year, feeling completely unprepared. But don’t worry, you can still pull off a solid Black Friday campaign. In this blog post, I am sharing 6 quick last-minute tips!
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Here’s what you can do right now, in the time you’ve got left, to make the most of Black Friday.
1. Check your website:
First things first: your website. If your website isn’t running smoothly, no one’s sticking around long enough to buy. This isn’t the time for a full overhaul, but a quick check will go a long way:
Check your speed: Especially on mobile. No one’s waiting for your site to load. Slow means lost sales.
Simplify navigation: Make sure it’s obvious how to get from point A (the homepage) to point B (checkout).
Test checkout: Make sure the checkout process is simple, clear, and fast. Ideally, three clicks or less to complete the transaction.
Mobile optimisation: Most of your traffic will be on mobile. Double-check how your site looks and functions on different devices.
Stock & payment: Double-check inventory and payment systems so nothing glitches when it matters.
Your website is the foundation. If it’s clunky, it doesn’t matter how great your offers are, people won’t buy.
2. Keep offers simple:
There’s no time for complex strategies right now. Skip the multi-tiered discounts or bundles. Instead, go for something simple and clear that your customers won’t need to think twice about:
Don’t go too deep: You don’t need to give huge discounts because they attract deal-chasers, not loyal customers.
Consider alternatives: Instead of endless percentage discounts, offer free shipping, gifts with purchase, or a donation to a charity tied to each sale.
Build urgency: Add a countdown or low-stock notice - nothing dramatic, just a gentle nudge that makes people act.
The key here is clarity. You want your offer to make sense at first glance.
3. Warm up your email list:
Email is your best friend right now, especially if you’ve been a little quiet. A quick warm-up to your email list can make all the difference. Here’s what to focus on:
Sneak peek: Drop some hints about your Black Friday deals. Let your subscribers know they’ll get first dibs.
Re-engage: If you haven’t been in touch, now’s the time to reintroduce yourself and remind them why they signed up in the first place.
Build excitement: Send out follow-ups but keep it light. Catchy subject lines will help you stand out in inboxes flooded with Black Friday noise.
Your email list is already warm, just give them a little push.
4. Run paid ads (retargeting works best):
If you’re feeling pressed for time but still want to run ads, retargeting is what you should focus on. Instead of trying to reach brand-new audiences, target the people who already know you:
Retarget visitors: Set up ads for people who’ve been to your website recently. These are your warmest leads, and now’s the time to reel them back in.
Target your email list: Upload your email list to Facebook or Instagram and run ads to these subscribers. They already know you, so they’re more likely to convert.
Keep it simple: No need for fancy creatives. Stick with clear reminders of the deals they’ve been eyeing, and don’t overcomplicate the messaging.
Quick retargeting ads can give you a fast boost without trying to reach cold audiences in the final hours.
5. Get social:
Social media might feel chaotic around Black Friday, but it’s still a great way to build buzz, especially in your stories. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here, just start creating momentum:
Tease your deals: Use Instagram stories or reels to drop quick hints about your Black Friday offers. Behind-the-scenes content works well too.
Engage with followers: Polls, Q&As, countdowns - get people interacting with your posts to boost engagement right before Black Friday.
Show, don’t just sell: Use customer testimonials or case studies to show how your product solves real problems. It’s not just about the deal, it’s about why they want it.
Getting people to engage now means they’re more likely to remember you when it’s time to buy.
6. Monitor & adjust in real-time:
Even with little time, you can still make adjustments as you go. Keep an eye on how things are performing and tweak where needed:
Email: Pay attention to open and click rates. If something’s working, double down on it for follow-ups.
Social: Watch which posts are getting the most traction and lean into that kind of content.
Ads: If you’re running ads, monitor conversions. Shift budget toward what’s converting and pull back on what’s not.
It’s not set-and-forget. Keep an eye on things and adjust as needed, even if it’s just small tweaks.
Wrapping up
If Black Friday caught you off guard this year, don’t worry, you can still make it work. Focus on what matters: a smooth website, simple offers, an engaged email list, targeted ads, and keeping your social channels alive.
It’s all about being efficient with the time and tools you have. And Black Friday’s just the start: what you learn now can help shape the rest of your holiday sales.
Got questions? Reach out - I’m here to help.
Talk soon,
Hanna