Last Minute Preparation for Black Friday

With Black Friday right around the corner, it’s time to finalize those last-minute details to make this shopping season a success. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the game, Black Friday is a prime opportunity to boost brand awareness, reward loyal customers, and attract new ones with exclusive offers.

At Everything Branded, we know timing is everything, which is why we’re sharing tips on how to prepare for a winning Black Friday.

1. Finalize Your Promotional Strategy

With time running out, now is the time to finalize your promotional strategy, start of with ensuring you have a clear list of the products and services that you will be promoting for Black Friday. Whether it’s discounts on bestsellers or exclusive deals on new items, having a structured list can streamline your marketing efforts.

In 2023, US online sales increased by 9% year-on-year on Black Friday.

Offering discounts on bulk orders or free gifts with a certain purchase amount is an effective and easy way to encourage customers to buy more. Personalized products make great add-ons for customers who reach certain purchase thresholds, and at Everything Branded, we have a huge selection of affordable, customizable items that fit the bill.

Last-minute shoppers are often swayed by what they see on social media. Have a mix of posts scheduled on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) that showcase your top deals, tease flash sales and offer sneak peeks of exclusive products.

2. Engage Your Email List

If you have an email list, use this to your advantage for Black Friday. Email remains one of the most effective ways to reach your audience, so send out a “Black Friday Alert” with early access to deals, exclusive codes, and a preview of products they don’t want to miss out on. Make sure to keep your emails short and engaging, with clear calls to action.

If you’re running special Black Friday specific events, mention these in your emails. Let your subscribers know that these items are perfect for those looking for unique, last-minute gifts or businesses needing custom items fast.

3. Prepare Your Team

Having your marketing and products prepared for Black Friday is important, but making sure your team are prepared and organized is equally important. Set up a team briefing to go over important details such as peak shopping hours, customer service protocols and any specific promotions that need extra attention.

If you anticipate high demand, consider having some rush products on standby to accommodate any unexpected bulk orders or custom requests. This can ensure you’re not only meeting demand but exceeding customer expectations with fast delivery and quality branded merchandise.

4. Ensure a Smooth Checkout Process

Test your website to make sure it is optimized for both desktop and mobile users, with a fast, secure, and user-friendly checkout process. Slow or confusing checkouts can cost you in sales, especially with there being so many options available on Black Friday.

If you’re featuring rush products, make sure it is easy for customers to see estimated shipping times and stock levels. For example, Everything Branded provides detailed information on each product page, including customization options and turnaround times, so you can make informed decisions quickly.

5. Black Friday Statistics

• Black Friday online sales grew by 8% to $70.9 billion globally in 2023.
• Cyber Week global sales increased by 6%, hitting $298 billion in 2023.
• The average discount on Black Friday was about 31% in 2023.
• Global Black Friday online sales were over $65.3 billion in 2022.

6. Be Ready to Follow Up After Black Friday

Even when Black Friday is over, your work shouldn’t stop there. Be sure to analyze the success of each product, promotion, and marketing tactic, as this will set you up for an even better Black Friday next year. It’s good to also get customer feedback so you can implement any relevant changes into your Black Friday campaign next year. Another consideration is offering “After Black Friday” deals for customers who missed the sale.

7. Shopping With Everything Branded

Plan ahead for events, at Everything Branded, we know prepping for big events can be overwhelming, especially when deadlines are creeping up. To help you get ahead, we offer a selection of rush products that can be printed, personalized, and shipped quickly – Usually within 3 to 6 months!

It may be too late for Black Friday but with the next big events being New Year and Valentine’s Day, why not get ahead and browse our range of rush products to find what you need.

8. Benefits of Rush Products

• Quick Turnaround: Perfect for last-minute promotional events or if your inventory is running low.
• Branded Merchandise: Customizable options allow you to maintain consistent branding, even with a short lead time.
• Versatile Options: Our rush items include everything from drinkware and tote bags to tech accessories and office supplies. These are practical, popular items that customers love receiving as free gifts or incentives.

To conclude, Black Friday can be the perfect time to gain new customers and show appreciation to loyal ones with quality merchandise. Make the most of these last few days by finalizing your promotions, prepping your team, and ensuring you have some last minute products ready to meet those last-minute needs. With these strategies, you’ll be ready to tackle Black Friday with confidence and success!

Sources

• Bloomberg. "Black Friday Shoppers Set Online Spending Record, Adobe Says." Bloomberg, November 25, 2023. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-25/black-friday-shoppers-set-online-spending-record-adobe-says.
• Salesforce. "Cyber Week Digital Sales." Salesforce News, November 28, 2023. Available at: https://www.salesforce.com/news/press-releases/2023/11/28/cyber-week-digital-sales/.
• Mobiloud. "Black Friday Statistics." Mobiloud. Accessed November 1, 2024. Available at: https://www.mobiloud.com/blog/black-friday-statistics#:~
• =Discounts%20hit%20record%20highs%20in%202023.
• DemandSage. "Black Friday Statistics." DemandSage. Accessed November 1, 2024. Available at: https://www.demandsage.com/black-friday-statistics/.
• Statista. "Black Friday Worldwide." Statista. Accessed November 1, 2024. Available at: https://www.statista.com/topics/8714/black-friday-worldwide/.