Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the highlights for every retailer and hospitality entrepreneur. Want your brand to stand out from the crowd? Then follow these 6 steps to take your branding and marketing to the next level and ensure record sales!
1. Start Teasing Early
Start teasing your offers well before Black Friday. Big brands like Amazon and Zara leverage Black Friday by creating exclusive offers that are only available temporarily, creating a sense of urgency. Consider introducing special menus or products that are only available during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
2. Create Special 'Black Friday'-Branded Products.
Major brands such as Amazon and Walmart often use specially designed Black Friday products to make shopping more fun and memorable. For hospitality, consider special menu items or cocktails combined with printed disposables, and for retail, limited edition products. In addition, use printed packaging and products in your store or restaurant that make customers curious about what's to come. Think table cards, placemats, and even the packaging of your products that give hints about upcoming deals.
Launch a Multi-Channel Marketing Campaign 3.
Make sure your online presence and physical location are seamless. Use the same themes and color schemes both in your store and on your website. This creates a unified brand experience that customers won't forget.
Apple and Nike are masters at using multi-channel marketing. Set up a campaign that includes social media, emails and your website, with clear call-to-actions and link to exclusive deals. Make use of retargeting ads to bring visitors who have previously shown interest back to your site. For example, use social media to promote special "today only" deals.
Need some inspiration? Check out Nike, which often offers exclusive drops and discounts through their social channels. Get your followers actively involved by asking them to sign up for updates or enter contests.
4. Organize a Countdown Event
Build excitement with a countdown to the big day. Apple effectively uses countdowns to build excitement. You can do this both online through social media and offline in your store or restaurant with countdown clocks displayed large.
5. Create a Personalized Omnichannel Customer Service Experience
Make sure your customer service is top notch on all channels, from Instagram to the store floor. Big brands like Zara make sure customers can always get help no matter how they shop. Offer extra support on peak days and train your staff to be efficient and friendly.
Starbucks does an excellent job of personalizing the customer experience with their personalized offers. Segment your customer database and send personalized emails with offers that match previous purchases or preferences. Make sure your branding is consistent across all channels.
Also, make sure your website and mobile app are ready for an increase in traffic. Big brands like Best Buy make sure their websites are fast and user-friendly, with clear navigation and secure payment options. Consider bringing in additional customer support to answer questions quickly.
6. Analyze and Adjust
Learn from what went well and not so well during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Use this data to adjust your strategies for future events. Big brands like Best Buy use real-time data to adjust offers and maximize customer engagement.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are perfect times to let your brand shine. With the right preparation, unique branding and customer-focused marketing strategies, you can make the most of these days to boost your sales and expand your customer base. Use these tips to set your business apart and achieve success!
