Top 5 Email marketing tips for your best Black Friday yet
Black Friday is right around the corner, and if you're an online business owner, you know what that means—it's time to get your email marketing strategy in tip-top shape. But don't worry; you don't need to be a marketing guru to nail this. Here are five straightforward tips to help you boost your email game and maximise your Black Friday sales.
1. Grow your email list now
Before you dive into the Black Friday madness, focus on growing your email list. You're probably already running ads and driving traffic to your website, but are you maximising your sign-ups? Fine-tuning your pop-ups can make a big difference—ensure they're eye-catching and hard to miss.
Another fun and effective way to expand your list is by running a giveaway or competition. Instead of asking for likes and follows on Instagram, encourage your followers to sign up for your email list. Here's how to do it:
Create a landing page: Direct participants to a sign-up page where they can enter the giveaway.
Segment the new subscribers: Add them to a specific list so you can nurture them with targeted content.
Showcase your bestsellers: Use this opportunity to highlight some of your top products.
Once you've chosen a winner, consider sending a small consolation prize to everyone who participated. This not only boosts goodwill but can also drive additional sales. Plan your giveaway for late September or early October, and offer a prize that adds value, like a £100 gift card to your shop.
2. Create an early access list for your Black Friday offers
Why wait for Black Friday to start the excitement? Build an early access list where subscribers can opt-in to receive your Black Friday deals before anyone else. It's a win-win—you get a list of highly engaged customers, and they get first dibs on your best offers.
This strategy was a goldmine for me last year. I sent a confirmation email to everyone who signed up, including a discount code they could use right away. The subject line was something cheeky like, "Waiting's for punks... SHOP NOW," and it worked like a charm to boost cash flow ahead of the Black Friday weekend.
3. Keep your Black Friday offer simple and fun
When crafting your Black Friday offers, simplicity is key. You want your deals to be easy for customers to understand and redeem, and easy for you to set up and fulfil. Here's a quick checklist to ensure your offer hits the mark:
Profitability: Remember, the goal is to make money.
Simplicity: Avoid confusing terms and conditions.
Ease of setup: Don't overcomplicate things on your end.
Ease of redemption: Make it quick and simple for customers to claim the offer.
Ease of fulfilment: Ensure you can easily meet the demand.
Fun: Add an element of excitement for your customers—Black Friday should be a blast!
4. Segment your email list wisely
Effective segmentation can make or break your Black Friday email campaign. Start broad with your initial announcements—use your entire list to get the word out. As the weekend progresses, narrow your focus to more engaged segments.
For example, send follow-up emails to those who clicked on your previous emails but haven't purchased yet. And remember to exclude customers who have already bought something unless you're offering something new for Cyber Monday.
5. Treat your VIPs like royalty
Your VIP customers are your most loyal fans, so show them some love this Black Friday. Consider running a VIP-only offer that gives them something extra special, like:
Special edition bundles: Curate exclusive product sets just for them.
Free gifts with purchase: Add a little something extra to their order.
Free delivery upgrades: With Black Friday falling late this year, fast shipping will be a big deal.
Your VIPs will appreciate the extra attention, and it’ll strengthen their loyalty to your brand.
As Black Friday approaches, don’t stress about sending too many emails—chances are, you're not sending enough! Trust in the preparation you've done and follow through with confidence. With these tips in hand, you're well on your way to a successful Black Friday sales event. If you’d like support planning your Q4 and Black Friday email campaigns, take a look at my Email Strategy Day service. Let’s get stuff done!
