With Black Friday and Small Business Saturday just around the corner, now is the time for small business owners to gear up for the busiest shopping season of the year. A strong marketing plan can help you capture new customers, increase sales, and make the most of the holiday season. Here's how to get started:

1. Grow Your Email List with a Free Downloadable Resource

Before you can successfully promote your Black Friday offers, you need a solid audience to share them with. One of the most effective ways to expand your email list is by offering a free downloadable resource that appeals to your target audience.

Get creative with your downloadables! For example:

• Spray tan artists could offer a free aftercare checklist.
• Bachelorette party planners could provide a detailed packing guide or a list of trusted local vendors.
• Social media managers might share a content calendar template to help others plan their posts.

The key is to think about what your audience finds valuable and how you can solve a problem or make their lives easier with a simple, helpful resource. Capturing their email addresses in exchange for this value-packed download sets you up to keep them in the loop as Black Friday approaches.

2. Create a Seamless Shopping Experience with Snipfeed

After creating your downloadable, you’ll need a place to host it. Enter Snipfeed, the latest tool from the Planoly family designed to streamline the path from follower to customer. Snipfeed offers a clean, customizable landing page where your followers can easily:

• Shop your products
• Download digital resources
• Book appointments
• Access premium content

Think of it as your all-in-one storefront—clear, simple, and stylish—offering your audience a hassle-free way to engage with all your offerings in one place.

3. Promote Your Offerings on Social Media

With your downloadable set and hosted, it's time to start promoting! Build a content plan that combines a mix of formats, including:

• Short-form video content (such as Instagram Reels or TikToks)
• Carousel posts with engaging visuals and informative text (adding music to your carousel posts can make them eligible to show up in the Reels tab!)

Start by educating your audience about your freebie and how it can help them. Then, build anticipation for your upcoming Black Friday offers. Planoly can help you schedule engaging content leading up to the big day to ensure your followers stay informed and excited.

4. Finalize Your Black Friday Promotions

Once you’ve built up your email list and created buzz around your brand, it’s time to focus on your Black Friday deals. Decide what kind of promotion works best for your business—whether it’s a percentage discount, a BOGO deal, or limited-time bundles.

Snipfeed allows you to add coupons directly to your storefront, and you can further enhance your sales strategy by using its Marketing Funnels feature to automate email campaigns and keep your customers engaged throughout the holiday shopping season.

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Getting ahead of Black Friday involves smart planning and taking the time to prepare your business for maximum impact. By building your email list, creating a seamless storefront, and promoting your offerings early, you'll be well on your way to making the most of this holiday shopping season!

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