Black Friday marketing campaigns done right

7. Mix marketing channels

A single channel won’t carry your Black Friday campaigns. 

Combine these tools to reach your target audience wherever they scroll, shop, or search:

• Email

• Social media

• Search ads

• Retargeting 

Start weeks ahead by teasing your Black Friday promotions on Instagram and TikTok, then back them up with paid ads on Google and Meta to capture high-intent, potential customers.

Add SMS reminders for flash sales, push notifications for app users, and retargeting ads to re-engage cart abandoners. If you have physical stores, mirror your Black Friday campaign offers to drive in-store traffic and boost local visibility.

For the most impact, run cross-platform testing with Google Performance Max, Meta Ads Manager, or Klaviyo SMS to measure what converts best. 

Consistency across all touchpoints reinforces your brand values, keeps your online store top of mind, and delivers a seamless experience that converts one-time Black Friday shoppers into long-term customers.

8. Use influencer marketing to build trust

Influencer partnerships turn your Black Friday campaigns from ordinary to magnetic – because people trust people more than ads. To make it work, you need the right partners, the right format, and the right timing.

How to find them:

• Search niche creators on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube who already talk about products like yours. Tools like Upfluence, Collabstr, or even TikTok Creator Marketplace help you filter by engagement rate, location, and audience demographics.

• Prioritize micro-influencers (10K – 100K followers). They cost less but often drive higher engagement and stronger brand loyalty.

Where to collaborate:

• Unboxing and haul videos – Creators can showcase your best Black Friday deals in real time, linking directly to your online store.

• Countdown stories or reels – Use influencers to tease upcoming exclusive gifts and limited-time holiday discounts to build anticipation.

• Livestream events – During the Black Friday weekend, co-host short live sessions where influencers demonstrate products and answer audience questions.

When done right, influencer marketing amplifies your Black Friday promotions far beyond what paid ads can achieve – turning attention into trust, and trust into sales.

9. Adjust your checkout page during sales

A messy checkout kills momentum. Keep it short, clean, and mobile-friendly. 

• Show total costs upfront.

• Combine this with free shipping thresholds (“Spend $75 and get free shipping”) to nudge higher order values without hurting your margins.

• Add trusted payment options like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Klarna. 

• Use a progress bar so shoppers know how close they are to completing their Black Friday sale order.

• Highlight shipping timelines and extended holiday returns to reduce friction.

Highlight free gifts or last-minute add-ons before checkout to boost average order value. Speed and clarity win every time.

10. Automate customer service for basic issues

During this shopping festival, customer support can drown in repetitive questions. This is where automation – especially AI – saves time and sanity. Use tools like Zendesk AI, Gorgias, or Tidio to manage FAQs, returns, and tracking updates automatically.

AI assistants like ChatGPT can help you create conversation flows and write smart replies that sound human. 

For example:

• Prompt idea: “Write a friendly automated message for a customer asking where their order is, including reassurance and tracking steps.”

• Output use: “Hey [Name], your order’s on the way! You can track it here: https://www.printful.com/blog/black-friday-cyber-monday-marketing-campaigns. If it doesn’t update in 24 hours, we’ll step in to help.”

Train your bot to recognize common triggers like “wrong size,” “return policy,” or “delivery delay.” Set escalation rules that route complex issues to a human agent fast. 

AI-powered service keeps loyal customers happy, reduces wait times, and lets your team focus on high-value problems during the holiday season.

11. Post-Black Friday retention and lifecycle marketing

Once the chaos ends, keep the momentum going. Send thank-you emails featuring exclusive deals or priority access to your next holiday campaign. Offer loyalty points, a chance to win gift cards, or referral bonuses to encourage customers to come back.

Follow up with personalized product recommendations or holiday discounts based on what they bought. Consistent, relevant contact builds brand loyalty, turns one-time Black Friday shoppers into repeat buyers, and keeps your brand top of mind long after the sale ends.