Black Friday is knocking on the door, and Mzansi’s ready to grab the sweetest deals before the Dezemba vibes kick in. And, because money is tight for everyone right now, most people will be blue-ticking the big retailers this year and showing love to their local hustlers – from cool creatives and collaborators to coffee shops and cleaning services.
As a small business owner, you can’t snooze on the Black Friday wave. It is your time to shine, clear some stock, and make some noise in a crowded market. Here’s how small businesses can make the most of this annual event:
Stock clearance
One of the biggest reasons most businesses of all sizes participate in Black Friday is to clear out end-of-season stock, or simply to get rid of stock that hasn’t been selling well through the year. It’s not pushing expired or damaged goods on unsuspecting customers – but rather, it’s a way to make room for new stock in the coming year. Make space, not enemies.
Time to experiment
Many small businesses play it safe throughout the year. That makes sense – no one wants to gamble with their daily bread, right? Black Friday is your chance to test out new sales tactics, such as promotions, discounts, or new advertising avenues.
How about a “buy more, save more” sales approach, that encourages consumers to make more purchases so they can take advantage of bigger discounts? Reward regular buyers with better discounts so that they keep coming back throughout the year, building brand loyalty.
Get exposure
When it comes to the small business marketplace, everyone wants a piece of the pie, which makes it difficult to stand out if you aren’t making the extra effort. A reliable internet connection is your secret weapon, and companies like Vuma are playing a role in providing high-speed and affordable fibre that businesses can sign up for, whether you’re a running spazashop or you’re digital entrepreneur in e-commerce. Get on that fibre life. It allows you to post about your business online and engage with potential customers on an ongoing basis, so your brand and business are always top of mind with the right audiences.
Plan your Black Friday sales and marketing strategy ahead of time – include the Facebook, Instagram and TikTok content you want to post before and on the big day, and don’t forget to build hype leading up to it to get your followers excited (don’t forget to take advantage of Cyber Monday, too!).
Do it now
Be smart and Black Friday savvy with these tips for small businesses. Take advantage of opportunities and benefits waiting to be tapped into, from boosting your brand to racking up sales, building a loyal customer base and making waves in your industry – it’s all up for grabs.