While Black Friday itself is a prime time for ecommerce sales, savvy businesses know the value of extending the shopping season both before and after the event. Offering early bird discounts and planning post-Black Friday campaigns can help you maximize profits and build long-term customer loyalty. Here’s how you can leverage both periods for ecommerce success.
1. Start Early with Exclusive Early Bird Discounts
Building anticipation before Black Friday is crucial. Offering exclusive early bird discounts to your email subscribers or loyalty program members helps you capture sales before the competition heats up. Create a sense of exclusivity by offering early access to specific products or discounts that won’t be available to the general public until Black Friday.
2. Use Email Campaigns to Build Momentum
Segment your email list to target VIP customers, early shoppers, and those who’ve shown interest in particular products. Sending a series of teaser emails leading up to your early bird sale can keep your audience engaged and create anticipation. Don’t forget to include time-sensitive offers to drive early conversions.
3. Bundle Products for Early Access Shoppers
Create attractive product bundles that offer higher perceived value at a discounted price. By doing this, you can increase your average order value while also encouraging early shoppers to buy more. These bundles can be exclusive to early bird shoppers, adding to the sense of urgency and reward.
4. Offer Tiered Discounts
You don’t have to give your best deals away right at the start. By using tiered discounts, you can drive early sales without undercutting your Black Friday pricing. For example, offer a 10% discount for early shoppers and save the deeper discounts (like 20-30%) for Black Friday itself. This gives you a way to reward early action while still saving your best offers for later.
5. Extend the Shopping Season with Post-Black Friday Deals
Cyber Monday isn’t the only opportunity for post-Black Friday sales. Extend the momentum by offering “Extended Weekend Sales” or “Black Friday Hangover Deals.” This keeps customers engaged through the entire weekend and gives late shoppers a chance to catch up on deals.
6. Use Retargeting Ads for Post-Event Shoppers
Many customers will browse on Black Friday but may not make a purchase right away. Use retargeting ads in the days following Black Friday to bring these shoppers back to your site. Retargeting ads can remind them of items they viewed or offer additional discounts on those items to encourage a return visit.
7. Don’t Forget About Loyalty Programs
If you have a loyalty program, now is the time to capitalize on it. Offer additional loyalty points for purchases made during both the early bird period and post-Black Friday sales. This encourages repeat purchases and keeps customers engaged with your brand well into the holiday season.
8. Post-Event Email Follow-Ups
Once the dust settles after Black Friday, reach out to your customers with personalized follow-up emails. Thank them for their purchases, offer suggestions for related products, and share details about upcoming sales. Keeping the conversation going can help you stay top of mind as shoppers plan their holiday purchases.
9. Promote Gift Cards
Gift cards are the perfect item to promote in your post-Black Friday sales. Shoppers may have missed the best deals, but gift cards offer them the flexibility to buy what they want later or to give as gifts. Offer gift card bonuses (e.g., buy a $100 gift card, get an extra $10) to drive these sales.
10. Create a Post-Black Friday "Thank You" Campaign
Showing appreciation to your customers is a simple but effective way to build loyalty. Run a post-Black Friday "thank you" campaign, where you offer a small discount on their next purchase or provide free shipping as a gesture of goodwill. It keeps your customers happy and encourages future purchases.
By strategically using early bird discounts and post-Black Friday promotions, you can capture more sales and keep your customers engaged throughout the entire holiday shopping season.
