Timing is everything when it comes to launching your Black Friday promotions. For small businesses, waiting until the last minute can lead to missed opportunities and a lot of unnecessary stress. The key to unlocking big sales? Starting early.

So, let’s dive into why Black Friday 2024 needs an early start and how you can take full advantage of this strategy.

Why Start Early?

To Maximise Your Marketing Effectiveness

Starting early provides an opportunity to refine your marketing messages, test different offers, and gather valuable data on what resonates with your audience. By the time Black Friday rolls around, you’ll have a well-oiled campaign that’s perfectly tuned to your customers’ preferences, maximising your sales potential.

To Make Spending Easier for Customers

Kicking off promotions early gives customers the freedom to space out their spending, which takes the pressure off making a big haul all at once. This not only increases the likelihood of them coming back for more if they feel your deals are worth it, but it also allows you to better manage inventory, keeping you well-prepared for the peak shopping rush. 

The early bird catches the worm

Savvy retailers have discovered that the key to a successful Black Friday is by strategically launching promotions well in advance, a few months early, in fact, to capture shoppers’ attention long before the frenzy begins. This will help tap into the growing anticipation that surrounds Black Friday, helping to target the 34% of shoppers who start their holiday shopping a few more months in advance around July. 

This means you need to pan out creative, irresistible deals that would reel in them into checking out. — how do you do that?

You might kick off a series of “early bird” specials in September or October, rewarding customers who are ready to make purchases before the big day. This builds excitement and encourages a steady stream of sales leading up to Black Friday.

Here’s the solid proof you need to get started! 

Early Black Friday promotions have been shown to increase sales by as much as 30%, as many eager customers prefer to get their shopping done before the madness begins. By starting early, you're catching that wave of shoppers who are ready to spend.

Using Data-Driven Decisions

Your Black Friday strategy shouldn’t be a shot in the dark. Looking at past years’ performance can help shape smarter, more targeted campaigns. What worked last year? What didn’t? How has the market shifted since then?

If last year, you noticed a trend of customers flocking to specific products or responding well to particular promos, that’s a goldmine of insight. This year, you can adjust your focus to push those high-demand items or replicate successful offers. 

With tools like Google Analytics or even insights from your email marketing campaigns, you can track which areas need more attention, from social media spend to inventory stocking.

And the earlier you start analysing the data, the more time you have to refine your approach and make informed, strategic decisions. For example, if you saw a surge in interest in a particular product last year, why not feature it in a “coming soon” email blast to build anticipation for your Black Friday sale?

Mapping Out Pre-Black Friday Teasers

The magic of Black Friday lies in creating excitement well before the big day. Think of it this way: the more anticipation you build, the more eager customers you'll have, ready to hit ‘buy now’ the moment your sale goes live. 

One tactic that’s highly effective is releasing sneak peeks or early-bird offers. You could tease a special discount that’s only available to your email subscribers or social media followers. Or maybe you offer limited-time deals in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, creating that scarcity factor—because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to snag an exclusive offer before everyone else?

You don’t need a massive budget to create this effect. Even simple countdowns in your email newsletters or a “watch this space” social media post can generate serious buzz.

Engaging Loyal Customers Early

Treat your loyal customers like VIPs. These folks have supported your business all year, so why not reward them with something special? Offer them early access to your Black Friday deals or give them exclusive offers to strengthen their loyalty.

For example, send your top customers a special email with a sneak peek into your Black Friday sale, complete with a promo code that unlocks early access. Not only will they feel valued, but they'll also be more likely to make a purchase—and come back for more. Better yet, this VIP treatment creates a buzz amongst your wider audience, making others want to engage more with your brand to get in on the action next year.

An example? Think about Sephora’s Beauty Insider program. Every Black Friday, Sephora gives their top-tier members early access to their biggest sales. Customers love it, and it keeps them coming back year after year.

Preparing for the Online Traffic Surge

Nothing kills a potential sale faster than a slow or crashing website. Picture this: your customer has their cart full, ready to buy, but your site crashes. That’s an instant lost sale—and maybe a lost customer. 

Before the sales rush, make sure your website and tech systems are up for the challenge. From payment gateways to load speeds, this is the time to fine-tune your online shop. There are simple plugins and tools that can help prevent crashes, speed up loading times, and even offer better user experiences. 

Looking for more tips? Don’t miss our blog on Boosting Mobile Sales: How to Optimise Your Online Store for Black Friday Shoppers to ensure your site is ready for action.

Get Expert Help This Black Friday 

Don’t let your Black Friday campaigns fall flat. Partner with a Google Premier Partner to ensure your strategies are spot-on and your performance is tracked effectively.

🔍 Why Choose Us?

• Optimised Campaigns: Benefit from expert insights and advanced strategies to maximise your ad spend.
• Performance Tracking: Get real-time analytics and detailed reports to fine-tune your approach.

Contact our team today to get started and make the most out of this shopping season!