6 Black Friday Marketing Tips For Driving Small Business Holiday Sales

Christmas in the summer? Oh yeah, we're all about it -- planning for the holidays in the summer, that is. The holiday season is an exciting opportunity for businesses, as it brings with it the promise of increased sales and customer engagement. Especially if you're a small business, it's important to start planning for your holiday TikTok campaigns early to get ahead of the noise. With Black Friday 2023 being the unofficial "kick-off" of holiday shopping, it's essential to start planning your Black Friday advertising and marketing strategy now, while consumers begin researching and purchasing their perfect gifts, to make the most of this bustling shopping event.

Here are six effective marketing tips to help your small business drive Black Friday sales.

Download our 2023 holiday playbook for more helpful tools and tips

1. Start early and plan strategically

To make the most of Black Friday sales, it's crucial to start planning your marketing efforts well in advance. Identify your goals, target audience, and budget. Develop a comprehensive strategy that encompasses various channels, such as TikTok, email marketing, and website optimization. Early planning allows you to fine-tune your campaigns, engage with potential customers, and build anticipation for your Black Friday deals.

2. Build anticipation with teasers and countdowns

Create excitement around your Black Friday sales by using teasers and countdowns. Leverage your TikTok account, website, and email newsletters to share sneak peeks of upcoming offers, exclusive deals, and limited-time promotions. Implementing countdown videos can help build anticipation and generate buzz among your audience.

3. Harness the power of creators*

Influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for driving sales and increasing brand awareness. Partner with relevant and influential TikTok Creators who align with your brand values and target audience. Collaborate with them to create engaging content, including product reviews, unboxings, or special discount codes to promote your Black Friday deals. By leveraging their influence, you can reach a wider audience and build trust with potential customers. Check out a great example of a creator campaign here for some inspo.

💡 Inspo: see how online insurance brand NEXT leveraged the power of creators to drive an effective campaign

4. Elevate your creative game

A key to getting the most out of TikTok for your business is by creating engaging and entertaining content. Our algorithm-driven content discovery makes TikTok an excellent platform for expanding your brand's reach. For your Black Friday promotions, keep in mind a "show and tell" mindset for your content. Show things like product showcases, tutorials/demos, and "day in the life" vignettes. Tell first person stories, customer testimonials, and responses to content. Keep in mind some of these other TikTok creative best practices:

• Use hashtags most relevant to your target audience

• Post frequently and interact with your audience through the comments section or TikTok LIVE

• Put your unique small business twist on popular trends and be part of the bigger content conversation.

5. Integrate and optimize your website for TikTok ads

In today's digital age, user-first, integrated marketing is no longer optional; it's a necessity. One way you can ensure a seamless experience for your customers is by implementing the TikTok Pixel. Ensure you have the TikTok Pixel installed on your website and on TikTok Ads Manager. This will allow you to gain insights into user behavior, actions, and events through your TikTok ads.

6. Leverage user-generated content (UGC)

User-generated content can be a game-changer when it comes to Black Friday marketing. Encourage your customers to share their experiences, reviews, and unboxing videos on TikTok using branded hashtags. Repost and share this UGC on your own platforms to showcase the positive feedback and encourage others to participate. UGC serves as social proof, builds trust, and can significantly influence purchase decisions during the holiday season.

Download our holiday playbook for more tips

Black Friday presents a tremendous opportunity for small businesses to boost sales and engage with customers, kicking off the holiday season. By implementing these six marketing tips, you can help maximize your success and stand out from the competition. Remember to start planning early, build anticipation, and leverage TikTok to drive sales and create a memorable shopping experience for your customers. Embrace the power of TikTok and make this Black Friday a game-changer for your business.For a list of more tips and a guide to this holiday season, download our new 2023 Holiday Guide.

Ready to begin your TikTok journey but don't know where to start? Connect with a TikTok specialist today.

*Please see TikTok's branded content pages for details about the branded content toggle and our policies which set out what can and can't be posted as branded content on TikTok. https://support.tiktok.com/en/business-and-creator/creator-and-business-accounts/branded-content-policy