Black Friday isn’t just another day for discounts and deals. It’s a fantastic chance for small business owners and artists to boost their sales and strengthen connections with their fans. It’s more than just lowering prices; it’s an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your audience. But in a world full of advertisements where everyone is vying for attention, you need more than just a sale to get noticed.

Think of Black Friday sales as a vast sea of promotions where every artist is trying to catch the eye of customers searching for the best deal. To stand out in this competitive sea and make substantial sales, you need a smart marketing plan that distinguishes you from the rest.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of creating effective Black Friday marketing campaigns. Deals are important, but everyone is offering them. What you really need is a message that attracts your audience, captures their interest, and keeps them loyal to your artwork. 

So, if you’re ready to make this shopping holiday work for your art business, read on for the dos and don’ts to help you stand out and boost your dream of higher sales.

What are your goals to achieve from your marketing efforts? 

As an emerging art business owner, your time is valuable, especially during the busy holiday season. The last thing you want is to spend time on marketing that doesn’t give you good results. To ensure you’re heading in the right direction, kickstart your Black Friday marketing campaign with these “dos”.

What artists should “do” on black Friday?

Do get your website’s homepage sale-ready

When Black Friday is around the corner, it’s time to make some smart changes to your website’s homepage. Why? Because your homepage is like the front door of your online shop. It’s the first thing people see, and you want to make a great first impression during the Black Friday sale. 

So, what can you do? Consider these easy-to-read tips:

Feature Your Deals: Put your best Black Friday deals front and center on your homepage. Make it clear what discounts or offers you have. This helps visitors know they’re in the right place for deals.

Create Eye-Catching Banners: Design attention-grabbing banners or images that shout “Black Friday!” Use vibrant colors and clear fonts to make the sale announcement stand out.

Highlight Popular Products: Showcase your top-selling or most popular products. These are the ones that catch the eye and encourage browsing.

Simplify Navigation: Make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. Use clear menus and categories, so people can quickly explore your Black Friday offerings.

Add testimonials: Display positive feedback or reviews from previous customers to build trust. Happy customer experiences can boost sales.

By tweaking your homepage for Black Friday, you’ll create a welcoming and enticing entry point for your customers, guiding them toward your fantastic Black Friday offers.

Do create black Friday special packages

To make the most of Black Friday as an artist, consider crafting time-sensitive packages that harness the urgency of the season while maintaining the value of your work. Bundle your creations to encourage customers to buy more, offering, for instance, sets of smaller artworks at a special price. 

Introduce exclusive artworks or services available only during Black Friday, creating a sense of scarcity and privilege. Embrace flash sales, which last just a few hours, to generate buzz and excitement. Reward your loyal customers with early access to your deals, building anticipation and showing appreciation. 

Focus on items that make perfect gifts, ensuring your offerings align with the gift-giving spirit of the season. These time-sensitive packages amplify the excitement of Black Friday and drive prompt action from your audience.

Do live sessions and keep posting about your offers

In the run-up to Black Friday, one crucial “do” for artists is to keep the conversation flowing with your audience. Use emails, social media, or any other channels you prefer to stay connected. Share valuable content like stories, YouTube videos, downloadable resources, or sneak peeks into your creative process. The key is to be consistent in your efforts.

Why is this important? It’s like a warm-up before the big show. By maintaining regular contact, you build anticipation and trust with your audience. They’ll know you’re part of their daily journey, and they can count on you for something special when Black Friday arrives.

Remember, it’s not just about the sale; it’s about the relationship you’ve built with your fans. So, in the days leading up to Black Friday, keep the connection alive, and you’ll be all set to shine when the big day arrives.

Do Team Up with local businesses and create unique gift bundles

This Black Friday, consider a collaborative approach by joining forces with fellow artisans and small businesses in your area to create special holiday gift bundles. This means working together to package your products or services with those of your local partners. 

The idea is to offer a diverse range of bundles to suit various tastes and budgets, all with a local twist that emphasizes support for your community. By promoting these bundles collectively on your websites and social media, you can reach a broader audience, making it a win-win situation. 

What artists shouldn’t do this black Friday

Don’t: Compromise on your vision 

While Black Friday can be a tempting time for sales and discounts, don’t compromise your artistic vision or the value of your work. It’s essential to strike a balance between offering deals and maintaining the integrity and quality of your art. 

Avoid drastic changes that could devalue your unique creations and erode the trust of your audience. Instead, focus on enhancing your offerings in ways that align with your identity and values.

Don’t: Overcrowd your sales page

For artists during Black Friday, it’s crucial not to overcrowd your sales page. While it’s natural to want to highlight all your fantastic offers and details, a cluttered page can overwhelm potential customers. 

Instead, aim for a clean, visually appealing layout that allows your art to shine. Provide clear and concise information about the deals, focusing on what makes each artwork or service unique. 

By keeping your sales page uncluttered, you create a more pleasant and engaging shopping experience, helping customers make confident and informed decisions.

Don’t: Overlook customer service 

In the excitement of Black Friday, don’t neglect your customer service. Fast response times and excellent communication are key. Ensure your email and social media channels are monitored so you can address questions and concerns promptly. 

Great service can turn one-time buyers into loyal customers. Don’t let a lack of communication dampen your Black Friday success. Make sure you’re readily available to assist your customers throughout the sale.

Don’t: Disregard shipping and delivery services 

Shipping and delivery might not be the most exciting part of Black Friday, but it’s crucial not to disregard it. Set clear expectations for delivery times and costs, and communicate them to your customers.

 Keep an eye on your inventory to avoid overselling and disappointing customers due to stock shortages. For efficient inventory tracking, consider using tools like the ATH inventory management sheet, specially designed to help artists keep tabs on their sales. 

Additionally, work closely with your chosen shipping providers to ensure timely and reliable delivery. A smooth shipping process is essential to keep your customers happy during the holiday shopping season.

Ready to kick start your black Friday preparations?

The holiday season is a fantastic opportunity to showcase and sell your artwork. To make the most of it, start by setting clear and SMART goals for your holiday marketing efforts. 

Remember, that even if you try something new this year, there’s always room for improvement in the future. That’s why it’s wise to record your sales and the results of your holiday promotions using an art inventory system like Arts to Heart’s Project Inventory Management Sheet. These insights will be your guiding star for future success, saving you from starting over from scratch next year. Happy holidays!