The holiday shopping season is a goldmine for businesses. From Thanksgiving through Black Friday and up till the New Year, everyone can wade into it and gain tremendous benefits.Â
However, with the marketplace overflowing with deals and promotions, standing out can be a tad difficult. Every brand must make extra effort to stand out and capture the attention of eager shoppers.
Ready to capitalise on this shopping extravaganza? See the social media hacks that will ensure you drive those sales through the roof.
Top 14 Social Media Hacks That Will Help You Sell Out During Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Hack #1: Start Early!
Don’t wait till November 29 to roll out your offers. Be like Amazon. Start building anticipation weeks in advance with a pre-game strategy that’s clever and captivating.
1. Use Countdowns
Tap into that “I can’t wait!” feeling with countdown timers. Sprinkle them across your Instagram and Facebook Stories, using eye-catching stickers or GIFs.Â
The ticking clock creates a sense of urgency and excitement, reminding your followers that something big is coming. Pair your countdown with sneak peeks of upcoming deals or a playful GIF related to your products.
2. The VIP Treatment
Make your loyal followers feel like the VIPs they are! Offer them exclusive sneak peeks of your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals before anyone else. Doing this rewards their loyalty and creates a buzz that encourages social shares.
Use email marketing or private social media groups to deliver these exclusive previews, foster a sense of community and make your followers feel like they’re part of an exclusive club.
3. Contest & Giveaway Mania
Who doesn’t love free stuff? Host engaging contests and giveaways leading up to the big days. This is a surefire way to generate excitement, grow your audience, and gather valuable customer data.
Get creative with your prizes! Offer gift cards, product bundles, or even early access to your Black Friday deals. The more enticing the prize, the more engagement you’ll generate.
Hack #2: Use Hashtags Well
Hashtags can help amplify your reach and attract new customers during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday frenzy. But don’t just throw any old hashtag out there. Be strategic!
1. Mixing The Hashtags
Blend generic hashtags like #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday with niche hashtags relevant to your industry and brand. Examples include #ConstructionDeals, #JumiaBlackFriday, #HolidayShoppingSpree, #GiftIdeasForEveryone
2. Hop on the Trending Train
Keep your finger on the pulse of trending hashtags related to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Incorporate them into your posts to join the conversation and increase your visibility.
Social listening tools can be your best friend here. They’ll help you monitor trending hashtags and identify opportunities to engage in relevant discussions.
3. Create Your Unique Hashtags
Create a unique and catchy hashtag for your Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaigns. Encourage your audience to use this hashtag when sharing their purchases or experiences with your brand.
Feature user-generated content with your brand-specific hashtag on your social media channels. This builds community and shows potential customers that others love your products.
Hack #3: Use Visually Appealing Creatives
With the number of deals and offers that will be available for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, grabbing attention is key. And nothing does that better than eye-catching visuals.
1. Product Spotlights That Pop
Don’t just list your deals. Show off a little. Create stunning visuals that highlight your best Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers. Use high-quality images and videos that showcase your products in all their glory.
Instead of static product shots, show your products in action. Lifestyle imagery that resonates with your audience can make all the difference.
2. Video Content
Create short, engaging videos that showcase your products, highlight customer testimonials, or even offer a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse into your brand.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with video editing tools. Add some music, text overlays, and special effects to make your videos even more engaging and shareable.
3. Infographics
Infographics are a fantastic way to present information in a way that’s both easy to understand and visually appealing. Use them to highlight key deals, compare products, or provide helpful shopping tips.
Keep your infographics clean, concise, and mobile-friendly. No one wants to squint at a tiny infographic on their phone!
Hack #4: Let Your Customers Do the Talking
Want to build trust and credibility? Let your happy customers do the talking for you!
1. Use Your Stellar Reviews
Have glowing reviews from satisfied customers? Share them! Positive reviews and testimonials are powerful social proof that can encourage others to take the plunge and make a purchase. Don’t just share text reviews. Get creative! Create visually appealing graphics with customer quotes or even short video testimonials.
2. Encourage User-Generated Content
Your customers are your best brand ambassadors. Encourage them to share their experiences with your products using a branded hashtag. Then, repost their photos and videos on your social media channels.
Run a contest or giveaway to encourage user-generated content. Offer a prize for the most creative or engaging post featuring your product.
3. Team Up with Influencers
Influencers have loyal followers who can help drive sales. Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand and target audience to promote your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Choose micro-influencers with a highly engaged audience for a more authentic and cost-effective approach.
Hack #5: Sweeten the Deal
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are all about those irresistible deals. Make sure yours stands out from the crowd!Â
1. Flash Sales
Create a sense of urgency with flash sales. Offer limited-time discounts or promotions that encourage customers to act fast. Announce your flash sales in advance to build anticipation and create a sense of exclusivity.
2. Free Shipping
Everyone loves free shipping! Offer free shipping on all orders or for orders above a certain amount to encourage larger purchases and reduce cart abandonment. Promote your free shipping offer prominently on your social media channels and website.
3. Give gifts
Add a little something extra to sweeten the deal. Offer a free gift with every purchase, like a sample product, a discount code for future purchases, or even a fun branded item. Make sure the gift is relevant to your brand and appealing to your target audience.
Hack #6: Optimise for Mobile
Another social media hack to note has to do with mobile optimisation. Most shoppers will be browsing and buying on their phones. Make sure their experience is smooth and seamless. To ensure this
1. Easy Website Navigation
Your website and landing pages should be easy to navigate on mobile devices. Customers should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. Use large buttons, clear fonts, and a simple layout to optimise your website for mobile.
2. Fast Website
No one wants to wait for a slow website to load. Optimise your website for speed to prevent customers from abandoning their carts in frustration. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to analyse your website’s speed and identify areas for improvement.
3. Checkout
Make the checkout process as smooth and secure as possible. Customers should be able to complete their purchases quickly and easily without any hiccups. Offer different payment options and ensure your website has a valid SSL certificate to secure customer data.
Hack #7: Be a Customer Service Agent
During the Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush, excellent customer service is more important than ever. Be responsive, helpful, and ready to go the extra mile.
1. Monitor Your Socials
Keep a close eye on your social media channels and respond to comments and messages promptly. Customers appreciate quick and helpful responses, especially during busy shopping periods. Use social media management tools to streamline your customer service efforts and ensure you don’t miss any inquiries.
2. Live Chats
Offer live chat support on your website to provide instant assistance to customers who need help with their purchases. Train your customer service team to handle a high volume of inquiries efficiently and effectively.
3. FAQs
Create a comprehensive FAQ page on your website that addresses common questions and concerns about your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Promote your FAQ page on your social media channels to proactively address customer queries.
Hack #8: Track Your Results.
Don’t just wing it. Track your results! Monitor your social media analytics to see what’s working and what’s not.
1. Website Traffic
Keep an eye on the traffic coming to your website from your social media channels so you can gauge the effectiveness of your social media campaigns. Use UTM parameters to track the source of your website traffic and identify which social media platforms are driving the most conversions.
2. Engagement
Measure the engagement on your Black Friday and Cyber Monday posts. Are people liking, commenting, and sharing your content? If not, it might be time to tweak your strategy. Experiment with different content formats and posting times to see what resonates best with your audience.
3. Sales Conversion
Ultimately, the goal is to drive sales. Track the number of sales generated from your social media campaigns to measure your return on investment. Use paid media advertising to target specific customer segments and effectively track conversions.
Hack #9: Embrace the Power of Community
Black Friday and Cyber Monday can feel like a whirlwind of deals and promotions. But amid the rush, don’t forget the power of genuine connection. Building a strong community around your brand can be a game-changer.
1. Spark Conversations
Don’t just broadcast your deals. Spark conversations! Ask questions, encourage comments, and create interactive content that gets your audience talking. Use polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions to encourage interaction and gather valuable insights from your audience.
2. Behind-the-Scenes Fun
Give your followers a glimpse behind the curtain. Share authentic, behind-the-scenes content that showcases your brand’s personality and values. Host a live Q&A session with your team, share a sneak peek of your Black Friday preparations, or create a fun video showcasing your company culture.
3. Collaborate and Conquer
Partner with other businesses or influencers to cross-promote your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. This can expose your brand to a new audience and create a sense of community and excitement.
Choose partners that align with your brand values and target audience. Consider hosting a joint giveaway or creating co-branded content.
Hack #10: Don’t Forget the “Giving” in Thanksgiving
Black Friday and Cyber Monday fall right after Thanksgiving, a time for gratitude and giving back. Incorporate a charitable element into your social media campaigns to show your customers that you care.
1. Partner with a Cause
Partner with a charity or non-profit organisation that aligns with your brand values. Donate a portion of your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to their cause or host a fundraising campaign.
Choose a cause that resonates with your audience and promote your partnership prominently on your social media channels.
2. Give Back to Your Community
Organise a local community event or volunteer initiative to show your support for the community you serve. Share photos and videos of your community involvement on social media to inspire others and showcase your brand’s commitment to social responsibility.
3. Spread Kindness
Encourage your followers to spread kindness and gratitude during the holiday season. Share inspiring stories, promote acts of kindness, and create a positive and uplifting social media presence.
Host a social media challenge encouraging your followers to share acts of kindness or donate to a charity of their choice.
Hack #11: Turn Up the Heat with Interactive Fun
Get your audience involved with interactive experiences that boost engagement and create a sense of playful excitement.
1. Use Polls
Want to know what your audience is craving this Black Friday? Ask them! Use polls on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to gather opinions, preferences, and insights.
Make your polls fun and engaging. Ask questions like, “What’s your Black Friday shopping style: Strategic planner or impulsive deal-grabber?” or “Which product are you most excited to snag this Cyber Monday?”
2. Use Quiz
Everyone loves a good quiz! Create a themed quiz related to your products or Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping. This is a fun way to educate your audience, generate leads, and even offer personalised product recommendations.
Offer a small discount or incentive for completing the quiz to encourage participation.
3. Livestream
Take your audience behind the scenes with a live stream. Showcase your products, answer questions, and offer exclusive deals in real time to create a sense of urgency and excitement while fostering a personal connection with your followers.
Announce your live stream in advance and promote it across your social media channels to maximise viewership.
Hack #12: Don’t Underestimate Email Marketing
While social media is buzzing during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, don’t neglect your email list. Email marketing can be a powerful tool for driving sales and nurturing customer relationships.
1. Exclusive Email Offers
Offer exclusive deals and early access to Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions to your email subscribers. Make them feel valued and encourage them to take advantage of your offers.
Segment your email list to target specific customer groups with personalised offers based on their interests and purchase history.
2. Abandoned Cart Reminders
Did someone add items to their cart but didn’t complete the purchase? Send them a friendly email reminder about their abandoned cart and offer a small incentive, like free shipping or a discount code, to encourage them to complete the purchase.
Use automation tools to trigger abandoned cart emails automatically, ensuring timely reminders and increasing your chances of recovering lost sales.
3. Post-Purchase Follow-Up
After a customer makes a purchase, send a thank-you email and offer additional product recommendations or exclusive deals for future purchases. Doing this can help build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business.
Personalise post-purchase emails with the customer’s name and purchase history to create a more engaging and relevant experience.
Hack #13: Make it Personal
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are like impersonal deals and promotions. Inject personality and fun into your social media strategy to stand out from the crowd and create a memorable experience for your audience.
1. Show Your Human Side
Let your brand’s personality shine through! Share relatable content that showcases your team, values, and unique quirks.
Create a fun video introducing your team members, share a behind-the-scenes look at your office holiday party, or post a lighthearted meme related to your industry.
2. Embrace Humour
Don’t be afraid to inject some humour into your social media posts. A well-placed joke or witty caption can grab attention and make your brand more relatable.
However, you must keep your humour relevant to your brand and audience. Avoid anything offensive or controversial.
3. Personalise Your Messages
Use your audience’s names, reference past interactions with your brand, and tailor your messages to their interests. Adding a personal touch can make a big difference in building relationships and fostering loyalty.
Use social media management tools to segment your audience and send personalised messages based on their demographics, interests, and purchase history.
Hack #14: Post BFCM Follow Up
The fun doesn’t stop when Cyber Monday ends. The post-holiday season is a valuable opportunity to nurture customer relationships, build brand loyalty, and set the stage for future success.
1. Express Gratitude
Thank your customers for their support during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush. Show your appreciation with a heartfelt message, a special offer, or a personalised thank-you note.
Create a visually appealing graphic expressing your gratitude and share it across your social media channels.
2. Gather Feedback
Ask your customers for feedback on their Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping experience. Any valuable information can help you improve your strategies for future sales events.
Use surveys, polls, or social media listening tools to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
3. Keep the Engagement Going
Don’t let your social media presence go silent after the holiday season. Continue to share engaging content, interact with your audience, and build relationships throughout the year.
Create a content calendar that includes a mix of promotional, educational, and entertaining content to keep your audience engaged and interested.
Conclusion
Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers go beyond slashing prices and offering doorbuster deals. You need to be deliberate about the steps you take if you’re going to record massive sales. By implementing the social media hacks we’ve explored in this guide, you can do just that.
Here’s the only caveat: Managing all those social media channels alone can be overwhelming, especially during the busiest shopping season of the year. That’s where GrowTally comes in.
GrowTally can provide you with the tools and expertise you need to streamline your social media management and maximise your ROI. Ready to take your social media game to the next level? Schedule a FREE consultation with GrowTally today!Â