Black Friday Game Plan: Tips to Boost Your Holiday Sales

Hello, creative entrepreneurs! With Black Friday just around the corner, Stacie has practical advice to help you navigate the holiday sales frenzy like a pro. In the latest solo episode of the Art + Audience podcast, Stacie takes us behind the scenes—sharing the highs and lows of her own Black Friday experiences and offering actionable tips to boost your business during the holiday season.

A Tale of Two Black Fridays: Lessons from the Past

Stacie begins by recounting a challenging moment in her business journey—her early Black Friday experience on Etsy that didn’t quite go as planned. Expecting a rush of orders, she found herself anxiously refreshing her screen with zero sales. This humbling experience was a wake-up call, prompting her to develop strategies that have since grown her business, Gingiber, into a seven-figure brand.

Her key takeaway? Success requires preparation, consistency, and a proactive marketing approach—lessons any business owner can apply, no matter where they are in their journey.

Top Tips for a Successful Black Friday

1. Start Promoting Early

• Don’t wait until the day of the sale to announce it. Stacie recommends building anticipation weeks in advance through newsletters and social media.
• Pro tip: Extend your Black Friday sale beyond just one day—consider running it for two weeks to capture more customers.

2. Use Newsletters to Your Advantage

• Stacie emphasizes the power of email marketing: “You need to send more emails than you think!”
• Take inspiration from major retailers. If they’re sending multiple emails a day, it’s because it works. Make sure your audience knows about your offers and remind them consistently.

Offering Discounts that Work

While discounting can feel uncomfortable, Stacie advises that Black Friday shoppers are hunting for deals. The trick is to offer discounts strategically:

• Test the Waters: A 30% discount may perform better than 20%, but do the math to ensure profitability.
• Think Outside Discounts: If you have limited inventory, consider offering free shipping, downloadable bonuses, or bundling products to encourage larger purchases.

Market Like a Pro—Without Feeling “Salesy”

Many artists struggle with promoting their products, fearing they’ll come across as pushy. Stacie’s advice? Shift your mindset and show up for your business:

• “You are your own best marketer.” Share the story behind your products with pride, and let your personality shine.
• Consistency is Key: Keep showing up on social media, and use customer testimonials to build trust.

The Power of Scarcity and Urgency

Creating urgency is essential for driving last-minute purchases.

• Use Time-Sensitive Deals: Countdown timers and expiring coupon codes encourage hesitant buyers to act fast.
• Remind Your Audience: Send newsletters when the sale is ending—many people make purchases just before the deadline.

Preparing for Next Year: The Post-Black Friday Audit

Stacie recommends doing a post-sale review to identify what worked and what didn’t. Use this information to plan next year’s strategy:

1. What went well?
2. What didn’t go well?
3. What can you improve?

Pro tip: Set a reminder in your calendar for September to begin prepping for Black Friday early.

Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are

Stacie encourages entrepreneurs to use the resources they currently have—whether it’s Etsy, Shopify, or Squarespace—and not to feel overwhelmed by perfection.

“Black Friday can move the needle for your business,” she says. “Even if this is your first attempt, it’s a great opportunity to exercise your marketing muscle.”

So, get your emails ready, promote those offers, and most importantly—show up for your business!

Use Stacie’s affiliate link to sign up on Shopify. Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561.

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