Are you a retailer who hasn’t yet considered a strategy for Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM)?
You’re not alone! You still have time to make the most of this sale period. Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar shop, an online store, or both, Business Advisor, Louis Birks, has put together a simple checklist to maximise your BFCM opportunity without the lengthy prep time.
Here are some of Louis’ tips to get you started:
- Identify Your Key Products and Stock Levels
- Focus on Bestsellers: Pick a few key items or categories you know will move quickly. Shoppers are often looking for discounts on popular items, so prioritise products that have high demand.
- Check Inventory: Confirm you have enough stock to handle any potential surge in sales. If you’re low on certain products, make a note to suggest alternatives when they sell out.
- Set Up Simple Discounts and Bundles
- Bundle Sales: Create unique value without discounting your products. For example, gift sets that save the customer money when purchased together.
- Tiered Discounts: For example, “Spend $50, save 10%; spend $100, save 20%.”
- Gift with Purchase: Offer a gift when customers hit a certain spend threshold.
- Site-Wide Discount: An automatically applied % off site-wide for easy shopping deals.
- Leverage Your Email List
- Send a BFCM Announcement: Reach out to your email subscribers, letting them know about your deals. A well-timed email is one of the easiest ways to get awareness and drive traffic quickly.
- Create Urgency: Consider sending a series of emails (e.g., “Sale Starts Tomorrow!”, “Today Only!”, “Final Hours”) to keep your audience engaged throughout the weekend.
- Utilize Social Media for Immediate Reach
- Post About Your BFCM Sale: Even without paid ads, you can still generate attention with organic posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Use Stories and Reels: If you’re short on time, quick Stories or Reels are great for showcasing products, building excitement, and driving traffic to your store.
- Simplify the Checkout Process
- Offer Free Shipping: If possible, consider free shipping as it’s a major factor in whether customers complete their purchase.
- Have a Customer Support Plan
- Respond Quickly: Be ready to address any questions or issues shoppers may have. For small teams, consider a pinned FAQ section with details on shipping, returns, and how long deals last.
- Prepare for Returns: BFCM shoppers may buy impulsively, so have a clear returns policy in place that will be easy to manage.
- Post-BFCM Engagement
- Activate unboxing: Land your brand and create surprise and delight with your unboxing experience, incentivise sharing and reward loyal customers who may shop again.
- Gather Reviews: After BFCM, ask customers to review their purchases, helping build trust for future sales.
- Encourage Repeat Purchases: Offer a small discount on future orders to turn BFCM shoppers into long-term customers.
Final thoughts…
Black Friday Cyber Monday doesn’t have to be complicated. Even with a minimal plan, you can make an impact and boost sales without impacting your long-term brand. Focus on making the shopping experience smooth and rewarding for customers, and you’ll see the benefits long after the weekend ends.
Still not sure if BFCM is right for your business, or don’t think you have time? Reach out to our Business Connect advisors to help you make the most of the sale period. Simply email [email protected] or phone 0490 297 703.
