Black Friday originally got its name from being the date when retailers “went into the black”, posting a profit for the first time in the year.

While we can only guess what those early retailers would have made of social media, it undeniably has a role to play in making this Black Friday (November 29th) a success for you too. Here are 10 ways to engage your audience on some of the biggest networks:

1. Countdown Campaigns with Early Access (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)

  • Build excitement by launching a countdown campaign, teasing special Black Friday deals with daily posts or stories. Offer exclusive early access to loyal customers via email sign-up or app downloads to drive pre-sales.

2. Flash Sales and Limited-Time Offers (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter)

  • Run flash sales and limited-time offers during Black Friday weekend, with short videos or story posts that create urgency. Highlight that the deal is only valid for a few hours to encourage quick purchases.

3. Influencer Partnerships and Giveaways (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok)

  • Partner with influencers to create unboxing videos, haul posts, or giveaway contests. They can offer their followers exclusive discount codes, amplifying reach and driving traffic to your store.

4. Social Media-Only Discounts (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat)

  • Promote exclusive discounts available only through social media platforms. For example, “Swipe up to get 20% off” or a special promo code for your Instagram followers to increase brand loyalty and engagement.

5. Live Shopping Events (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)

  • Host live shopping sessions where you showcase products in real time, answer questions, and offer exclusive deals to viewers who purchase during the live event. This works particularly well on Instagram Live and TikTok Shop.

6. User-Generated Content Campaign (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter)

  • Encourage customers to post pictures or videos of their favorite purchases using a branded hashtag. Repost user content during Black Friday weekend to build trust and social proof, while also promoting key products.

7. Retargeting Ads Based on Engagement (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)

  • Use retargeting ads to reach people who’ve already engaged with your social media content, visited your website, or added items to their cart. Tailor these ads with Black Friday promotions to remind them of products they showed interest in.

8. Shoppable Posts and Ads (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest)

  • Create shoppable posts and ads so customers can buy directly from your social media posts without leaving the app. This reduces friction and encourages impulse buying. On Instagram and Pinterest, product tagging is essential for a seamless shopping experience.

9. Black Friday-Themed Challenges (TikTok, Instagram)

  • Launch creative and entertaining challenges on TikTok or Instagram Reels, where users create content using your products. Offer a reward for the best entry to drive engagement and organically spread brand awareness.

10. Collaborations and Bundle Offers with Other Brands (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)

  • Partner with complementary brands to offer special Black Friday bundle deals. Cross-promote on each brand’s social media channels to expand your reach to a larger audience and increase the perceived value of the deals.

These tactics leverage the unique features of each platform to increase engagement, drive conversions, and maximise Black Friday revenue.

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