Ecommerce News 
The year’s biggest shopping extravaganza – Black Friday is right around the corner. However, many businesses got it wrong by thinking Black Friday is just about offering discounts. Brands need to invest considerable effort into preparing ideas for unique and engaging advertising activities to attract customers to their Black Friday promotions.
In today’s blog post, we’ve compiled the top 17 Black Friday advertising ideas for eCommerce that you can adopt quickly this season, along with the 4 key steps to create a powerful Black Friday campaign.
17 clever Black Friday advertising ideas for eCommerce
It takes time to brainstorm effective advertising ideas to promote your Black Friday campaign so we’ve compiled a list for you. A list of the top 17 Black Friday advertising ideas for eCommerce.
1. Jump on social commerce before it’s too late
With social commerce booming, particularly on platforms like TikTok, it’s time for eCommerce businesses to capitalize on this growing trend.
Setting up a TikTok Shop is a game-changer, allowing customers to shop directly through the platform without ever leaving the app. This smooth shopping experience significantly boosts conversion rates by removing friction from the buying process.
Start by creating shoppable TikTok videos that allow customers to click directly on products within the video and make a purchase instantly. This seamless integration makes it easy for viewers to transition from content consumer to buyer.
Additionally, hosting live product demonstrations with embedded shoppable links creates an engaging, real-time experience that encourages viewers to act quickly and make purchases on the spot.
2. Start a series of Black Friday social media post
With the growing popularity of social media, it seems like a no-brainer for brands to opt for social media as one of the first marketing strategies.
This is a great owned media channel that can get the word around about your Black Friday program without costing too much money. One of the simplest advertising activities you can take up is creating a series of Black Friday social posts.
Start by dropping hints about your program, then gradually reveal the details phase by phase. And for social media, visuals are everything, especially on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
So make sure your visuals are attractive and your copy is compelling. Using relevant hashtags such as #blackfriday #cybermonday is also an effective way to promote your program to a bigger audience.
3. Leverage user-generated content (UGC)
User-generated content is one of the biggest trends in advertising in recent years. In fact, according to a survey by Stackla, 79% of people reported that UGC highly impact their purchase decisions.
This stat shows that customers generally prefer reading about real customers’ feedback and experiences, rather than seeing a brand self-promote.
By definition, user-generated content is any type of content (eg., images, videos, text, etc.) created by users themselves and published online. So this Black Friday, invite your followers to share their shopping experiences.
Some types of content you can consider are unboxing videos, feedback photos, testimonials, or reviews. It also helps to create a unique branded hashtag for your UGC campaign, such as Calvin Klein’s UGC hashtag #MyCalvins.
To get your customers to participate in your UGC campaign, consider offering compelling incentives. These can be the chance to be featured on your social media, exclusive discounts, or a prize for the winner.
4. Host a social media contest or challenge
Similar to UGC campaigns, your brand can spice things up by hosting a social media contest or challenge to get customers actively engaged in your Black Friday festivities. Just ensure the contest is Black Friday-themed and resonates with your products.
And get creative with the contest ideas. Perhaps a funny photo contest where customers showcase your products, or a trivia quiz, Black Friday wishlists, etc.
To reach a wider audience, brands can consider running awareness or engagement paid ad campaigns to spread the word. What’s also important is offering participants an attractive prize.
The winner could enjoy free products, exclusive discounts on their Black Friday orders, or early access to your Black Friday program. Ensure the reward is captivating enough to not only attract your existing customers but also passers-by.
These advertising ideas will not only serve as a promotional opportunity for your Black Friday campaign but also add a touch of fun for customers amidst the shopping frenzy that is Black Friday.
5. Run paid ads across multiple advertising channels
Paid advertising is a must-have during events like Black Friday if businesses want to get the word out about their program to a broad audience.
Instead of limiting paid ads to just one platform, brands can enhance their reach by expanding ads across various channels for testing and maximum exposure.
Before you start, it’s also crucial to identify the platforms where your customers are active. For example, if your business operates in the SaaS industry, consider running paid ad campaigns on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube.
Finally, establish KPIs to monitor your ads’ performance and you’re good to go. However, managing one ad campaign after another, especially across different advertising channels, isn’t an easy task.
This challenge is even more serious for smaller businesses with limited resources. Luckily, there’s a quicker, more convenient alternative – utilizing ad management & marketing attribution software like NestAds.
NestAds can centralize performance data from multiple channels into one unified dashboard, eliminating the need to switch between tabs. Not to mention, NestAds also offers a unique TRR (target – retarget – retention) funnel.
This feature allows brands to segment their ad campaigns based on conversion goals and each stage of the conversion funnel.
Equipped with this information, businesses can now make more informed decisions and bring their Black Friday advertising plans to life successfully.
6. Join a partnership or collaboration
Another way to stand out with your Black Friday advertising campaign is to join a partnership or collaboration. Your partner can be another brand whose service and products are complementary to yours.
You can also consider partnering up with influencers or KOLs that have a significant presence in your community. Partner with influencers in your niche to create curated collections featuring their favorite products from your store
When working with influencers or KOLs, consider sending them your products for free in exchange for reviews or promotions on their platforms.
Alternatively, you can set up an affiliate program where influencers act as sales agents. They will earn a percentage of profits from goods sold through their channels.
For example, ColorPop is a cosmetics brand that has been long known for partnering with famous beauty vloggers and influencers like Kathleen Lights, itsmyrayeraye, Jasmine Chiswell, and many more for many of their campaigns.
7. Run a pre-Black Friday/early-bird flash sales
Launching your Black Friday deals early can help your brand get ahead of the competition. Early-bird discounts not only create a sense of exclusivity but also build momentum in the lead-up to Black Friday itself.
Flash sales are among the most popular and effective advertising tactics for eCommerce stores, and it’s not without reason.
A pre-Black Friday flash sale is also a great way for brands to provide customers with a preview of what to expect in the main event. Enhance the impact of your flash sale by adding a countdown timer, intensifying the limited offer time.
Communicate these offers through email campaigns, social media teasers, and SMS notifications to ensure your audience is aware of the exclusive early access.
8. Real-time stock updates with scarcity alerts
Nothing drives urgency like knowing that an item is about to sell out. Display live stock levels on your product pages to create a sense of scarcity for fast-selling items or abandoned cart items.
This encourages customers to make quick purchasing decisions to avoid missing out. Take it a step further by sending push notifications or emails when stock levels are low, reminding shoppers that they need to act fast.
Offering discounts based on the remaining stock or promoting limited-quantity items can further intensify the urgency and push conversions.
9. Spice it up with a discount Wheel of Fortune pop-up
Introducing a discount fortune wheel pop-up on your website’s front page offers a creative and entertaining way to add some fun and excitement to your Black Friday promotions.
What better way to showcase your Black Friday program than by allowing customers to test their luck and discover the discount or prize they might win?
Here’s how the pop-up fortune wheel operates: it consists of various segments, each representing a different discount or offer. When users click on the wheel, it begins to spin.
Where it stops will determine the discount or offer the customer will receive. It’s a smart move to include a wide range of offers, such as regular percentage discounts, B1G1 (buy 1 get 1), free shipping, and more.
The surprise element adds a sense of excitement, motivating users to make a purchase and enjoy the offers they receive.
10. AI-powered customer service chatbots with exclusive deals
In the hectic Black Friday shopping environment, offering timely and personalized customer support can be a game-changer for customer satisfaction and sales.
One way to achieve this is by using AI-powered chatbots that streamline communication and deliver tailored recommendations in real-time.
With NestDesk, you can streamline all customer interactions across multiple channels in a single, unified inbox. This helps your support team manage the surge in inquiries without switching between platforms, ensuring no customer is left waiting.
Additionally, NestDesk integrates real-time cart and customer data into the chat interface. This allows agents to instantly access customer profiles, preview shopping carts, and recommend products directly through the chat.
By providing tailored, data-driven recommendations, you can enhance the customer experience while driving sales from every conversation.
Make sure your customers don’t miss out on exclusive Black Friday deals, while optimizing your support team’s efficiency with NestDesk.
11. Unveil a special product drop
Here’s a compelling strategy to stand out from the crowd this Black Friday: introduce a special product drop.
Instead of the typical discount approach, consider unveiling a brand-new, exclusive, or limited-edition product, or even a unique variant of an existing favorite.
Amid countless discounts, this fresh product will set your brand apart. Highlight its limited availability to create a sense of urgency, prompting customers to purchase.
Take it a step further by hosting an interactive launch event to introduce this special product. This event could feature a live stream, Q&A session, or a virtual tour showcasing the distinctive features and benefits of the new item.
Whichever format you choose, ensure it encourages audience participation to make the product drop an engaging and memorable experience for your customers.
12. Mystery deals
Want to spice up your Black Friday advertising ideas and create buzz around your Black Friday program? How about introducing a limited number of mystery bundles or packages, each containing a variety of surprise items?
It adds a delightful element of mystery to the shopping experience because customers won’t know the exact contents until they make the purchase. However, successfully pulling off such an idea requires strategic marketing.
Don’t just unveil information about your mystery deal program. Instead, build anticipation by dropping hints and clues about each of the elements included.
Utilize social media posts, email newsletters, and your website to gradually reveal components of the mystery bundle in the days leading up to Black Friday.
Consider creating a branded hashtag, like #NestScaleMysteryBox to promote the event and allow for a seamless collection of user-generated content.
13. Showcase your CSR on social media
Amidst all the Black Friday craziness, where social media is flooded with one deal after another, a simple product discount may not be enough to make your brand stand out in the fierce competition.
How about teaming up with a charity or dedicating a portion of your revenue to a good cause? This not only fulfills your corporate social responsibility but also communicates your brand values to customers.
When executed thoughtfully, initiatives like these can significantly enhance your brand’s visibility and distinguish you in the crowded market.
Also, make sure to showcase your corporate social responsibility on your social media channels. By doing so, you position your brand as one that cares not only about profit but also about supporting the community.
This not only enhances your brand’s public image but also creates a positive association in the minds of customers. Take, for instance, The Body Shop, the renowned cruelty-free cosmetics brand from the UK.
They’ve teamed up with the charity Care USA, pledging a $50,000 donation and offering an exclusive Black Friday discount on their holiday Community Care Pouch.
This special pouch includes body and skincare products, and the initiative aims to benefit the disadvantaged community.
14. “Pay what you want” pricing for select products
One bold and attention-grabbing strategy is to offer a “pay what you want” pricing model for select products. This promotion gives customers the freedom to choose how much they’re willing to pay (within a set range).
It’s a great way to clear out inventory, while also providing valuable insights into customer-perceived value.
You can also integrate a charitable component by allowing customers to pay above the minimum price, with the extra amount going to a designated charity. This approach not only generates goodwill but also builds brand loyalty during the holiday season.
15. Charitable gifting campaign
Stand out from the crowd by offering shoppers the chance to make a difference with their purchase. Launch a charitable gifting campaign, where for every purchase made on Black Friday, a portion is donated to a selected charity.
You can even allow customers to vote on which charity the donations will go to, increasing engagement and creating a sense of community involvement.
This feel-good factor helps build a positive brand image and connects with socially conscious consumers.
16. Create bundled deals
Bundling products is an effective way to increase your average order value (AOV) and clear out inventory quickly. By offering discounts on product bundles, you give shoppers a compelling reason to buy more in a single transaction.
This strategy works especially well during Black Friday when consumers are actively seeking the best value for their money.
Consider creating bundles around complementary items, such as offering a skincare set or tech accessories package. Highlight the total savings customers can get by purchasing the bundle, making it an irresistible deal.
17. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) Black Friday promotions
Buy now, pay later options have become increasingly popular, and Black Friday is the perfect time to leverage them.
Partner with platforms to offer interest-free payment plans on your deals, making higher-priced items more accessible to budget-conscious shoppers.
Highlight flexible payment options in your ads to attract customers who might hesitate to make a large upfront purchase. Offer exclusive BNPL promotions, such as deferring the first payment until after the holidays, giving customers extra financial flexibility.
If you want even more winning strategies to implement this Black Friday, check out our post on what businesses should do during their Black Friday campaigns.
3 key steps to build an impactful Black Friday campaign
In the previous section, we have gone over some Black Friday advertising ideas for your business to adopt this holiday. However, before jumping right into execution, it’s best to do some extra preparation to make sure your plan is impactful enough to convert.
Here are the 3 key steps to build an impactful Black Friday campaign.
Step 1: Start your preparation beforehand
A month before Black Friday is the ideal time to explore trending products and marketing tactics. Ad spy tools like BigSpy offer insights into the ads and creatives your competitors are using.
With BigSpy, brands can find inspiration across networks like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube to shape their campaigns.
Its diverse filters allow you to sort results by site, network, region, language, and more. This ensures you quickly find the inspiration you need.
Seek inspiration with BigSpy and create your very own winning ad creative & copy combination.
Also, you can take your competitor’s ad audience for reference with BigSpy’s Facebook Ad Audience Feature. This handy tool will help you make a better choice and save your budget.
Once your research is complete, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge into action. Start preparing the creatives and copy for your Black Friday campaign.
Consider creating distinct product categories for Black Friday, each with unique themes like “Gifts for Family” or “2024 Trending Products.”
And, don’t overlook the importance of decorating your online storefront with a Black Friday banner – a visual cue that lets customers know about your program.
Step 2: Identify your customers’ favorite channels & influencers
By diving into research and identifying your customers’ preferred channels and influencers, you can strategically target platforms where your customers are most active.
This ensures that your investment is going towards the channels that resonate with your specific customer segments. For example, if your target audience comprises teenagers and Gen Z, running ads on TikTok might be a smart move.
Similarly, if your customers are mostly in their mid-20s to mid-40s, Facebook might be a better fit, given that this age group makes up around 42% of Facebook’s US users.
Step 3: Create a master plan for your advertising activities
It’s crucial to create a master plan for all your Black Friday ads, aligning them with your purchase funnel. Following the AIDA model (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action), structure your activities around each phase.
- Attention: Reach as many potential customers as possible through social media, paid ads, or influencer partnerships. Focus on metrics like reach and impressions at this stage.
- Interest: Capture your audience with sneak peeks, flash sales, or interactive content. Use visually appealing content and measure success through click-through rate (CTR) and cost per click (CPC).
- Desire: Trigger customer interest by showcasing your Black Friday deals, such as themed bundle offers. Optimize with social media and ads, and track CTR and cost per lead (CPL).
- Action: Convert leads with your biggest deals and conditional offers like free shipping for large orders. Measure success by monitoring add-to-cart actions and conversion rate (CR).
Once you have your Black Friday master plan and a well-planned timeline, stick to it. Adjust as you go for a successful Black Friday season.
Step 4: Personalized post-Black Friday recovery offers
During Black Friday, it’s easy to focus on high sales and forget the importance of retaining customers. In fact, 64% of retailers say customers acquired during this period have lower lifetime value. To counter this, implement a post-Black Friday care plan. Simple gestures like thank-you emails, feedback forms, or even a free gift can create lasting connections.
For lost sales, send personalized “we missed you” emails or SMS messages with discounts or early Cyber Monday access. Tailor these offers based on customer data and browsing history to boost conversions and turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.
When is the best time to start your Black Friday advertising activities?
Now that we’ve covered Black Friday advertising ideas and key steps, one big question remains: When should you start?
The best time is early November. Begin by hinting at your Black Friday deals on social media to build anticipation. Run paid ad campaigns focused on Awareness or Engagement to reach a broader audience.
Offering exclusive discounts or sneak peeks can also generate excitement. As the day approaches, gradually reveal more details about your program.
With that said, at this moment when Black Friday is quite literally just around the corner, we’d suggest jumping straight into the Black Friday marketing ideas that you can implement right away.
FAQ
How do you announce Black Friday sales?
Announce Black Friday sales via email newsletters, social media posts, paid ads, and website banners, making sure to build anticipation ahead of time.
How to increase sales on Black Friday?
Increase sales by using limited-time offers, bundle deals, and optimizing your site for mobile users. Engage customers with personalized ads and a seamless checkout process.
Is Black Friday a good marketing strategy?
Yes, Black Friday is a strong marketing strategy, providing an opportunity to boost sales, attract new customers, and increase brand visibility.
How do I promote Black Friday on Instagram?
Promote on Instagram by sharing engaging posts, stories, and reels that highlight your deals, using countdowns, shoppable links, and influencer collaborations.
What sells the most during Black Friday?
Electronics, apparel, and home goods typically sell the most during Black Friday, though trending products can vary year to year.
How do you stand out on Black Friday?
Stand out by offering unique deals, providing exceptional customer service, and using personalized, engaging marketing strategies across multiple platforms. customer service, and using personalized, engaging marketing strategies across multiple platforms.
Marketing Attribution 
