Black Friday Top Tips 2023 including TikTok Shop, SMS, and Loyalty Programs (episode 171)
by April Buencamino-dyWelcome to this year’s Black Friday Top Tips episode! Not only are my 9 guests offering excellent advice, each one is coming from a different perspective, and if I was going to write out my own advice for Black Friday 2023… there isn’t a key point on that list they’ve missed.
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Dive in:
[07:22] Tech solutions streamline stock management and boost efficiency.
[12:51] Consumers’ buying behaviour driven by social cues.
[16:18] Black Friday success relies on loyal customers.
[20:20] TikTok shop gaining popularity, cost-effective for brands.
[22:51] 2023 has been a weird year for businesses.
[26:27] Email and SMS automation boost sales.
[29:31] Don’t neglect your strategy for Black Friday.
Mary Lister, Triple Whale
- Plan using historical data. Analyze your past year’s performance data to make informed predictions and set goals for this year’s Black Friday.
- Ensure accurate data. Verify that the data from your advertising platforms, email campaigns, SMS, and influencers aligns with your financial records.
- Listen to Rabah from Triple Whale talk about AI Media Buying
- Check out Triple Whale
- Mary on LinkedIn
Jodie Guichard, Inventory Planner by Sage
- Optimize stock management. Ensure you have the right amount of stock in the right locations and channels at the appropriate times, considering both understocking and overstocking risks.
- Embrace technology solutions. leverage tech solutions to provide accurate predictions, aid in discount strategy decisions, offer full visibility to various teams, and save time and stress.
- Check out the Top 10 Holiday Season Setbacks episode Chloe hosted for Brightpearl
- Check out Inventory Planner
- Jodie on LinkedIn
David Meakin, SHOPLINE
- Maintain authenticity in your brand messaging to avoid coming across as overselling, as consumers are aware of the hype and seek genuine experiences.
- Listen to episode 393 of eCommerce MasterPlan to know the importance of staying true to your brand story
- Check out Shopline
- David on LinkedIn
Imogen Collins, Genie Goals
- Be intentional with offerings. Tailor your Black Friday promotions to align with your core customer values.
- Communicate early. If you won’t be offering discounts, communicate your reasons as early as possible.
Ed Barter, Herdify
- Community matters. Research shows that Black Friday sales are higher in areas with strong brand communities, where people talk about brands to friends, family, and colleagues. These communities can also boost year-round revenue and average order values.
- Focus on existing customers. Returning purchases often contribute significantly to Black Friday success.
- Attract new customers. Extend your reach to consumers who are already aware of your brand but haven’t made a purchase yet. Look for areas where there’s a strong community discussing your brand.
- Listen to Victoria Murden of Herdify discuss Exponential Growth from Word-of-Mouth
- Check out Herdify
- Ed on LinkedIn
Fiona Stevens, Loyalty Lion
- Implement a loyalty program. As much as 78% of consumers are likely to return and make repeat purchases when they can join such a program, and 83% prioritize brands with existing loyalty points and rewards.
- Drive engagement. Ensure enrolled members are engaged and excited about the program before sales start.
- Act before Black Friday. Don’t wait until after Black Friday to focus on customer retention. Concentrate on maximizing repeat purchases from your existing returning customers to achieve sustained success.
- Listen to Fiona’s episode on Building a Great Loyalty Program
- Grab Loyalty Lion’s data-driven guide to a successful peak season
- Check out Loyalty Lion
- Fiona on LinkedIn
Derric Haynie, Pipe17
- Leverage TikTok Shop. Connect your store to your TikTok Shop and consider going live on TikTok to sell products.
- Check out all our TikTok episodes
- Listen to Derric’s episode on choosing the right tech stack
- Visit Pipe17’s website
- Derric on LinkedIn
Jessica Totillo Coster, eCommerce Badassery
- Present your best product first.
- Optimize website experience. Focus on making it easy for customers to shop and decide quickly, especially if you have a wide product range.
- Increase average order value. Be intentional about building up your AOV. Even small increases can significantly impact your revenue during the holiday season.
- Listen to Jessica and other experts talk about their Black Friday tips on episodes 14, 66, and 118
- Check out eCommerce Badassery
- Jessica on LinkedIn
Greg Zakowicz, Omnisend
- Focus on key email automations as they account for a huge percentage of orders.
- Leverage SMS marketing to increase sales, as it has shown significant growth in recent years.
- Consider SMS and email as complementary tools, working together to enhance your marketing efforts.
- Listen to Greg talk about email marketing automation on episode 123
- Check out Omnisend
- Greg on LinkedIn
Do you need more help in preparing for the holiday season?
- Listen to Keep Optimising’s episodes on Peak Season Updates
- Check out last year’s Black Friday episode for more brilliant advice
- Join Chloe’s free eCommerce Club where you can ask Chloe and other retailers your eCommerce questions
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