My friend Dami has been eyeing a PS5 for the longest time. It’s been at the top of his wishlist since his birthday in July, but with the rising dollar exchange rate, it’s remained just that, a wish.
A few weeks ago, during a casual dinner with friends, someone brought up Black Friday deals. Naturally, we all got into the spirit, sharing our Black Friday wishlists. Mine? A mix of skincare must-haves and beach essentials for a getaway in December. Dami? He’s been counting down to snag his beloved PS5 at a discounted price. Another friend is after three pairs of Nike slides.
For shoppers like Dami and so many others, Black Friday is a golden opportunity to save big on long-awaited items. It’s the ultimate shopping frenzy, where discounts and deals take center stage, and savvy buyers line up to get the best bang for their buck.
But Black Friday isn’t just a win for shoppers; it’s also a game-changer for businesses. Whether you run a fashion boutique, a gadget store, or a beauty brand, Black Friday has become a key date on the calendar, a chance to boost sales, attract new customers, and move inventory faster than a Lagos danfo driver in traffic.
Why Black Friday matters
Here’s the thing: Black Friday isn’t just about slashing prices, it’s about understanding your customers’ mindset. Nigerians love a good deal (who doesn’t?), but they’re also strategic. People wait to shop during Black Friday because:
- They want to get the best deals while they last.
- They know prices might skyrocket closer to Christmas.
- They’re trying to avoid the last-minute December rush.
- They want to cross off their Christmas gift list early.
For businesses, this means now is the perfect time to connect with your audience and make your Black Friday campaigns stand out. Even if you don’t have a long-term strategy in place, you can still pull off a memorable, engaging promotion that gets people talking (and buying).
In this post, I’ll be sharing practical Black Friday campaign ideas tailored to help Nigerian businesses make the most of this season whether you’re a big retailer or a small business owner. Let’s dive in!
1. Your Black Friday Wish List Polls
Ask your audience what they’re most interested in for Black Friday deals through Instagram Stories or email polls. Let them feel involved by giving them a say in what goes on sale.
Execution: Share the poll results and highlight that you’re putting these most-requested items on special discounts. This approach makes customers feel like their preferences are heard and valued.
2. “Oops, Did We Just Discount That?” Flash Sale
Add a playful twist by announcing a surprise flash sale as an “Oops! How did that discount happen?” and make it available for a limited time.
Execution: The idea adds a touch of humor and surprise, encouraging customers to act fast on the “accidental” discount. Share reactions and excitement from the audience to build hype.
Related: 18 CAMPAIGN IDEAS FOR NOVEMBER
3. Customer-Curated Black Friday Bundles
Invite customers to help “design” exclusive Black Friday product bundles by voting on different product combinations they’d like to see.
Execution: Launch the top-picked bundle(s) with a special discount and share that it was chosen by your community, making the sale feel more personalized and interactive.
4. “Black Friday VIP Access” Early-Bird Sale
Create a VIP email list or offer exclusive access to your best Black Friday deals for subscribers or loyal customers a day before they go live.
Execution: Build anticipation by sharing teasers across social media and email. Let VIP members get first access to limited stock items, creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency.
5: Bundle Deals
Combine popular products or complementary items into bundled deals at a special Black Friday discount. This helps increase average order value and lets customers feel they’re getting a better deal.
Execution: Promote these bundles as “limited edition” or “Black Friday only” offers, highlighting the savings they’d get by buying the bundle versus individual products.
6. Black Friday Survival Guide for Shoppers
Post helpful tips, such as how to find the best deals, maximize savings, or set up notifications for when your Black Friday sale begins. Make it lighthearted, yet genuinely helpful for customers planning their holiday shopping.
Execution: Share this guide as a carousel on Instagram or a blog post link with practical tips that customers can save or share, including reminders to add items to their cart early or set a budget.
7. “Mystery Box” Surprise Purchase
Offer a “Black Friday Mystery Box” at a set price with a mix of best-selling and surprise items inside. This appeals to bargain hunters who love the thrill of a surprise.
Execution: Advertise that the box’s contents are valued at a higher price, and make a few big reveals of high-value items that some boxes may contain to add excitement.
8. Last-Minute Gift Guide
Create a mini gift guide carousel or Stories series featuring your best-sellers, bundles, or seasonal items, so customers have a quick reference for gifts.
Execution: Organize it by recipient (like “Gifts for Him,” “Gifts for the Kids,” etc.), and promote it as a way to get holiday shopping done early, featuring exclusive Black Friday discounts on each item.
9. Doorbuster Countdown Deals
Run flash sales or “doorbuster” deals that change hourly or daily, each offering a new product at a steep discount.
Execution: Build hype by announcing each deal time slot on social media Stories, with countdowns to keep followers tuned in. This keeps customers checking back often and heightens urgency.
10. Early Access Tips and Hacks
Share exclusive tips on how to get the best out of your Black Friday deals, like signing up for your email list for early access or downloading your app for special offers.
Execution: Offer specific advice on timing, what’s in stock, and best practices for a seamless shopping experience, making your customers feel like VIPs with inside knowledge.
11. Behind-the-Scenes of Black Friday Prep
Share Stories or Reels showing your team prepping for Black Friday. Showcase the frenzy, excitement, and effort it takes to prepare, with clips of team members packing orders, setting up deals, or even some light-hearted bloopers.
Execution: These moments show customers the human side of your brand and make them feel connected. Add some team shout-outs to recognize the hard work, and create anticipation for when the sale goes live.
Related: 18 CAMPAIGN IDEAS FOR INTERNATIONAL MENS DAY
12. Buy More, Save More
Increase your customers’ total spend by offering tiered discounts based on how much they spend, such as “Spend $50, get 10% off; Spend $100, get 20% off.”
Execution: Share posts that illustrate how much customers could save at each spending level and feature a prominent countdown banner on your site to show when the sale ends.
13. Live Countdown to Black Friday
Create a live countdown event on Instagram or Facebook with giveaways or exclusive previews of your Black Friday deals.
Execution: Host a live session where you reveal different deals every few minutes, answer customer questions, and build excitement. Invite followers to tune in to see the offers first, creating a sense of urgency and excitement.
14. Black Friday Live Shopping Event
Host a live shopping event on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, showcasing your best Black Friday deals in real-time and giving followers exclusive promo codes.
Execution: Make it interactive by answering live questions, offering flash deals for viewers only, or giving exclusive discount codes during the stream to boost excitement and engagement.
15. Extended “Thank You” Sale for Loyal Customers
Keep the deals going post-Black Friday with a “Thank You” sale, offering loyal customers continued discounts after the main event.
Execution: Send out an exclusive email or SMS to loyal customers with a code that extends the sale an extra day, letting them shop at a leisurely pace while feeling valued by your brand.
16. Limited-Edition Product Drop
Launch a limited-edition or seasonal product only available on Black Friday to drive a sense of urgency and exclusivity.
Execution: Tease the product with sneak peeks leading up to the event, then release it at midnight or during your Black Friday sale with a “limited quantity” alert to entice quick purchases.
17. “Shopping Confessions” Polls & Memes
Post lighthearted, relatable memes or polls about the shopping chaos of Black Friday, like “Who else is stuffing their cart with things they don’t need but can’t resist?” or “Black Friday Shopping = Competitive Sport.”
Execution: Invite followers to share their own shopping “confessions” in the comments, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie. These posts are funny, shareable, and make your brand feel like a friend who “gets it.”
18: Customer Reactions in Real-Time
During Black Friday, share real-time customer reactions, reviews, or photos of items they’re purchasing.
Execution: Repost Stories from customers who tag you in their Black Friday orders, with a “Thank you!” message or a special shout-out. This helps build hype, showcases your community, and reinforces social proof.
Black Friday is more than just a sales event, it’s an opportunity to connect with your customers, showcase the value of your products or services, and set your business apart in a competitive market. Whether you’re offering jaw-dropping discounts, creating fun and interactive campaigns, or simply reminding customers why they need your brand, the key is to stay authentic and relatable.
For Nigerian businesses, understanding the unique shopping habits of your audience is essential. By leveraging these campaign ideas, you can turn Black Friday into a win for both your customers and your bottom line. And if it’s too late to plan big for this year, don’t sweat it, use these tips as a foundation for an even better strategy next year.
Remember, a well-executed Black Friday campaign can open doors for repeat customers, increased sales, and greater brand loyalty. So, why not start crafting your strategy today? The countdown is on!
Which campaign resonates with your brand the most?
In my next post, I’ll be sharing fresh campaign ideas to kick off the holiday prep, so you’ll have plenty of content ready to roll before December rushes in.
see you soon.
Your Favourite Content Strategist,
JD