12 Black Friday Ideas for Small Businesses That Want Big Gains

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As a small business owner, you know that Black Friday can be a game-changer for your sales. But how do you compete with larger retailers during the intense Black Friday shopping season?

The key is to work smarter, not harder.

By getting creative with your Black Friday marketing strategies and offers, you can attract new customers, increase your revenue, and build loyalty among your existing customers.

In this article, we’ll share 12 Black Friday marketing ideas that can help online stores make the most of the biggest shopping event of the year.

Let’s jump in!

12 Black Friday marketing ideas for small businesses

Let’s dive into 12 powerful Black Friday ideas that can drive significant gains for your small business.

1. Create exclusive Black Friday bundles

Offering exclusive bundles is a tried-and-true way to increase the average order value (AOV) during Black Friday. Bundling allows you to pair complementary products or services together at a special price, which customers perceive as added value.

For example, Waterdrop creates bundles that pair different microdrinks with hydration accessories. Their starter set includes a reusable bottle, a pack of popular microdrink flavors, and a stylish carrying sleeve.

Waterdrop product bundles

These bundles not only give customers more value but also introduce them to products they might not have tried otherwise. By packaging items together at a discounted price, you increase the likelihood of larger purchases and can move more inventory during the holiday rush.

For service-based businesses, bundling works just as well. You could offer multi-service packages or discounted subscriptions. A fitness studio might create a Black Friday bundle that includes personal training sessions, nutritional consultations, and a free class.

The idea is to combine items that your customers would naturally buy together while offering a deal too good to pass up.

2. Leverage social media for maximum exposure

Social media platforms are one of the most powerful tools in your Black Friday marketing strategy.

You can create buzz well before Black Friday even arrives by using teaser posts, countdowns, and engaging videos.

Gymshark seasonal promotion on social media

Create a sense of anticipation by showing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your Black Friday preparations or highlighting what exclusive Black Friday deals your followers can expect.

Don’t stop at just posting—engage with your audience through interactive content. Run polls about what deals they’d like to see or set up a challenge where users share your posts for a chance to win an early discount.

You could also consider offering social media-exclusive deals, available only to followers who engage with your social media posts. These Black Friday marketing ideas can help increase your reach, build excitement around your offers, and attract potential customers.

3. Offer early access to loyal customers

Rewarding your most loyal customers with early access to your Black Friday deals can make them feel special and appreciated. This simple gesture builds loyalty and encourages word-of-mouth marketing as happy customers share their special deals with friends and family.

To offer early access, you can send personalized emails to your best customers or to members of your loyalty program, giving them a first look at your discounts.

Offering this perk not only boosts customer retention but also drives sales before the competition heats up.

4. Run a flash sale with limited-time offers

Flash sales are a fantastic way to create urgency and drive impulse purchases. By offering massive discounts for a limited period—say, a few hours—you can encourage customers to act fast.

This strategy is particularly effective during the holiday shopping season, when competition is fierce and consumers are actively seeking the best deals.

Promote these flash sales across all your marketing channels, including email, social media, and your website, ensuring customers know the exact times when the deals will be live.

For an even bigger impact, announce specific time slots when you’ll drop your best deals. For example, “50% off from 8 AM to 10 AM” or “Limited stock flash sale at noon!” These time-sensitive offers encourage quick decisions and can lead to a major sales boost in a short period.

5. Host a Black Friday event (online or in-store)

Turn your Black Friday promotion into an event that customers can’t wait to attend.

If you have a physical location, hosting a special early-morning event with doorbuster deals, free coffee, and snacks can draw in eager shoppers.

For online businesses, consider hosting a live shopping event where you demo products, answer questions, and drop exclusive, real-time deals.

A live event, whether in-person or virtual, creates a sense of community and excitement. It also provides a chance to interact directly with your customers, making the shopping experience feel more personal.

This kind of engagement is especially important for small businesses, as it can foster stronger customer relationships and differentiate you from larger, more impersonal retailers.

6. Collaborate with other small businesses

Teaming up with other local businesses for Black Friday is a win-win. Partner with small businesses that complement your offerings to create cross-promotions or bundled deals that expand your customer base and provide additional value.

For example, a bakery could collaborate with a local coffee shop to create a “Black Friday Breakfast Bundle,” or a boutique might team up with a jeweler for a fashion and accessories combo deal.

Cross-promotion benefits everyone involved by increasing exposure and giving customers a reason to shop locally. This collaborative approach can also help your business stand out by offering something truly unique that customers won’t find elsewhere.

7. Optimize your email marketing campaign

Email marketing remains one of the most effective channels for driving Black Friday sales.

To maximize its potential, craft a series of email marketing campaigns leading up to Black Friday. Start by teasing your deals, offering early access to subscribers, and building excitement as the big day approaches.

Segment your email list to send personalized offers to different customer groups. For example, new customers might receive a different deal than your long-time loyal shoppers.

Create urgency with limited-time offers, and don’t forget to send follow-up emails during and after Black Friday, reminding those who haven’t yet taken advantage of your deals.

8. Use scarcity tactics like “while supplies last”

Scarcity is a powerful motivator. When customers know there’s a limited quantity of a product, they’re more likely to act quickly to avoid missing out.

Incorporate scarcity tactics into your Black Friday promotions by emphasizing limited stock or one-time-only deals. Use phrases like “While Supplies Last” or “Limited Quantities Available” to create urgency and push customers toward faster buying decisions.

This taps into customers’ fear of missing out (FOMO), a key driver in Black Friday sales, and can help clear out old inventory or sell out popular products faster.

9. Create a Black Friday gift guide

Make the shopping experience easier for your customers by offering a Black Friday gift guide.

Organize your products into categories based on your target audience’s needs, such as “Gifts for Her,” “Gifts for Him,” or “Gifts Under $50.” This not only simplifies decision-making but also helps customers discover products they might not have considered.

Sephora categories helping to find the perfect gift

Promote your gift guides through email, social media, and your website. Offering curated collections for different types of shoppers adds value, especially for those looking for holiday gift ideas, and can increase the likelihood of conversions.

10. Offer buy one, get one Black Friday deals

BOGO deals are a tried-and-true method to increase sales and move inventory. Whether you’re offering “Buy One, Get One Free” or “Buy One, Get One 50% Off,” these deals incentivize customers to purchase more than they might have initially planned.

Promote your BOGO offers heavily across social media, email, and on-site banners to ensure your customers know they’re getting extra value.

These deals are particularly effective for products where you want to boost volume or clear out seasonal inventory.

11. Gamify the user experience with lucky wheel popups

Gamification is a fun and engaging way to increase customer interaction and conversions.

Consider adding a “lucky wheel” popup on your website, where customers can spin to win discounts, free shipping, or other perks. This not only adds excitement to the shopping experience but also encourages customers to stay longer on your site and explore your offerings.

Make sure the rewards are enticing enough to motivate customers to make a purchase. For example, offering a significant discount or free gift with purchase can make the difference between a casual browser and a buyer.

12. Launch a quiz to segment your audience

Quizzes are an interactive and personalized way to engage your audience while gathering valuable insights.

For example, a beauty brand could create a quiz titled “What’s Your Perfect Skincare Routine?” Based on their answers, you can segment your audience and send them targeted Black Friday offers that are tailored to their preferences.

Quizzes are a fun way for customers to engage with your brand, and they also provide data that can inform future marketing efforts. By recommending personalized products, you increase the chances of conversion and improve the overall shopping experience.

Wrapping up

Black Friday is a golden opportunity for small business owners to boost sales, clear out inventory, and attract new customers.

By using these 12 Black Friday marketing ideas, you can create a standout Black Friday campaign that drives significant revenue while building customer loyalty.

Get creative, plan ahead, and most importantly—have fun with it!