Black Friday is in nine days, and with it comes an array of businesses offering discounts on different products or services. Chances are you either already have a discount plan or promotion ready for that day—but what if you don’t?
Well, we have news for you: you do not need to offer a discount.
Being realistic, while big retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and BestBuy can afford to offer what might look like significant discounts, most small and medium-size businesses might not have the same capacity to offer those same discounts. And that is ok.
You do not need to offer big discounts on Black Friday.
What Can I Do For Black Friday?
Whether you can offer a 50% discount or not—and if you are, hit us up; we need some discounts in our lives, LOL—Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still great opportunities to grab your audience’s attention and provide value.
Offer Value With Small Changes
Offering something, even if small, can make a big difference to warm leads. Black Friday does not need to be just about massive discounts—it’s about connecting with your customers and showing them the value you bring. Instead of a steep discount, try a limited-time offer with a smaller but meaningful incentive—such as free shipping, a free upgrade, or a small freebie with purchase. The idea is to motivate customers to take action now rather than later. It doesn’t have to be expensive—branded merchandise or samples of new products could do.
Show Gratitude
Hey! Black Friday is nothing but the day after Thanksgiving, right? Why not take advantage of that and make your day more about customer appreciation: a thank-you email with an exclusive offer or a holiday message, for example, can show how much you value their support. Creating a VIP experience for your most loyal followers could also be a good idea.
Focus On The Benefits, Not On The Discounts
As a small business, you have one competitive advantage over big retailers: doing business with you has a bigger impact. Remind your audience that every purchase has a meaningful impact, share your brand story, showcase the local suppliers or artisans you work with, and let customers know how their support helps build and strengthen your community. This focus on connection resonates with customers who want to support local businesses during Black Friday.
Another option is to emphasize what makes your business unique. Whether it’s your commitment to sustainability, exceptional customer service, or unique products, ensure your audience knows why they should support you. If you support any non-profits or particular charities, now might be a good moment to remind your audience that you do and how you do it.
Collaborate For Success
We are stronger when we are together. Consider partnering with other local businesses for a joint promotion or bundle. The idea here is not only to expand your reach and allow you to offer unique, exclusive packages but also to help another small business and take advantage of the power of cross-promotion. You give your customers access to a wider variety of products, help other small businesses, and reinforce community spirit.
Dedicate TIME Instead
Free is everyone’s favorite flavor—even more so during Black Friday. Offering some of your time and expertise for FREE can also be a good Black Friday Deal: Organize an online event such as a webinar, live Q&A, or product demo. Dedicating time to providing value to your audience benefits your engagement and showcases your expertise.
Yes, yes. We get that these might not be your standard “Black Friday” ideas, but Black Friday can be more than a “sale day. ” It can be an opportunity to deepen your relationships, promote your brand, and build towards growth.
