Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM), the year’s largest sales holiday, is just around the corner. If you want to sell like hotcakes, you’ll need to provide enticing deals. Yet, a meticulously planned BFCM promotion strategy goes beyond just that.

There are multiple questions you might need to consider, such as:

  • What is the best way to reach your customers with the message?
  • Which deals have the strongest impact on your potential shoppers?
  • How to optimize your sales channels for Black Friday Cyber Monday.

The list goes on and on, just like that.

Don’t worry if you’re unsure about starting to drive more sales for the upcoming BFCM; we have you covered.

We have curated a list of the 14 tried-and-true BFCM promotion ideas that are promised to help you close more deals this year.

1. Run early access promotions

Why wait for the big day when you can start the party early? By offering deals before the official BFCM weekend, you’re giving your customers a chance to shop without the stress of competing with the masses.

Not to mention that instead of cramming all your sales into a few days, running an early access promotion will allow you to stretch out your BFCM season for as long as you like it.

Here are some tips to run early access promotions effectively:

  • Email your loyal customers: Give your email subscribers or loyalty program members first dibs on your deals.
  • Use social media teasers: Drop hints about your early access deals on your social platforms to build anticipation.
  • Offer exclusive perks: Provide early-bird shoppers with additional benefits like free shipping or a gift with purchase to sweeten the deal.

2. Build a mobile app for your Shopify store

Did you know that product viewers on mobile apps convert four times more than on mobile websites? Hence, if you want to expand your business and build a channel that helps drive sales for your BFCM, now is the time to start building your app.

There are tons of mobile app builders on the Shopify App Store that can help you quickly turn your store into a functional mobile app. One such is OneMobile. The app has beautiful pre-made app themes for specific niches and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, allowing you to build a sale-driven mobile app in clicks.

3. Prepare your email and push notifications calendar

Don’t leave your BFCM communication to fate. A carefully crafted schedule for your emails and push notifications can significantly help you stand out amidst the noise.

Here’s how to perfect your messaging timeline:

  • Start early: Begin hinting at your BFCM offers in late October to generate excitement.
  • Increase frequency: As BFCM nears, boost your communications, but ensure that it does not overwhelm your audience.
  • Mix it up: Switch between emails and push notifications to maintain audience interest without overloading one channel.
  • Time it right: Schedule key messages during peak engagement periods, such as evenings or lunch breaks.
  • Plan for follow-ups: Remember post-BFCM messages to express gratitude to customers and potentially present a final offer.

4. Offer free shipping

Did you know that high shipping costs are one of the main reasons customers abandon their carts? In addition to discounts and bundles, offering free shipping can be a powerful incentive to boost sales during BFCM.

For instance, Fashion Nova, a well-known online fashion retailer, frequently promotes free shipping during BFCM. They usually provide free shipping on all U.S. orders without a minimum purchase requirement, which strongly encourages customers to choose them over competitors.

However, like any discount, it’s important to ensure that free shipping doesn’t significantly cut into your profits. A strategic approach is to set a minimum purchase threshold that customers must meet to qualify for free shipping.

5. Give more loyalty points exclusively for BFCM

If you have a loyalty program, leverage it for your BFCM promotion. A great strategy is to give your customers bonus points (1.5x or 2x points) for purchases made during your BFCM campaign.


For example, you can use OneLoyalty to easily adjust your loyalty program’s point settings and display an announcement bar to highlight your offer.

6. Use countdown timers for urgency

Based on the psychological principle of scarcity, people tend to value items or opportunities more when they perceive them as limited or rare. Therefore, using a real-time updating timer can motivate your customers to make quicker purchasing decisions, potentially boosting your conversions.

  • Be strategic with placements: Position your countdown timer in prominent locations to ensure visibility. For example, place it in the hero section of your website or at the top of your mobile app’s home screen.
  • Use clear messaging: Pair your timer with concise and straightforward text that explains the offer and its expiration.
  • Ensure mobile responsiveness: Verify that your timers display correctly across all devices, with a particular focus on mobile.

7. Experiment with a spin-to-win promotion

Looking to add excitement to your BFCM offerings? A spin-to-win promotion can be just the strategy to engage customers and increase sales. This interactive method not only grabs attention but also leverages the thrill of chance, making the shopping experience more memorable.

Capture more leads for your BFCM with a spin-to-win popup

To ensure your spin-to-win promotion is successful, consider these tips:

  • Limited spins: Create urgency by allowing a limited number of spins per customer or within a specific timeframe.
  • Social sharing: Encourage winners to share their prizes on social media to broaden your reach.
  • Email capture: Use the promotion to grow your email list by requiring an email address to participate in the spin.

8. Bundle deals and product discounts

Bundle deals and product discounts are timeless BFCM strategies that consistently deliver results year after year. By offering these types of promotions, you can boost your average order value while providing customers with the satisfaction of getting more value for their money.

Here’s how to effectively utilize bundle deals and product discounts:

  • Create themed bundles: Combine related products to form enticing packages. For instance, consider a skincare bundle that includes a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer.
  • Offer tiered discounts: Motivate larger purchases by increasing the discount as customers spend more. For example, offer 10% off for spending $50, 15% off for $100, and 20% off for $150.
  • Use BOGO promotions: “Buy One, Get One” deals are always a crowd-pleaser. You can offer the second item for free or at a discounted rate.
  • Highlight the savings: Clearly indicate how much customers save with the bundle compared to buying items separately.
  • Allow customization: Enable customers to create their own bundles from a selection of products for a personalized shopping experience.

Take Glossier, for example; the brand offers a variety of product bundles and even allows shoppers to create their own bundles.

Increase your average order with product bundles

9. Promote new product launches

While BFCM is typically linked with discounts on existing products, it’s also a prime opportunity to create buzz around new product launches. The heightened traffic and consumer attention during this period can significantly boost your new offerings.

To maximize the impact of new product launches during BFCM, consider these strategies:

  • Create a pre-launch campaign: Build anticipation by teasing your upcoming products in the weeks leading up to BFCM. Use email marketing, social media posts, and your website to generate interest.
  • Email your customers: Notify your customers about new product launches during BFCM. This direct communication can effectively capture their attention.
  • Offer early access or special pricing: Provide exclusive early access or special pricing on new products for your loyal customers or email subscribers. This rewards their loyalty and encourages engagement.
  • Bundle new products with bestsellers: Introduce your new offerings to a broader audience by bundling them with popular items. For example, a skincare brand might pair its new face serum with its bestselling moisturizer at a special BFCM price.

Consider emailing your customers about new product launches during BFCM

10. Host giveaways on social media

If you’re seeking cost-effective ways to boost your brand exposure during BFCM, hosting giveaways on your social media channels is a great strategy. By tapping into the excitement of the holiday shopping season, you can generate buzz around your brand and products while expanding your social media following.

First, think about the prize that aligns with your target audience’s interests. This could be one of your popular products, a curated bundle, or even a shopping spree at your store. 

Then, determine how participants can enter your giveaway. Common methods include:

  • Following your account
  • Liking the post
  • Tagging friends in the comments
  • Sharing the post to their stories

For instance, you can use this Instagram giveaway post template as reference:

“Win our Ultimate BFCM Bundle worth $[amount]! To enter:

1️⃣ Follow @yourbrand

2️⃣ Like this post

3️⃣ Tag 2 friends who love [your product category]

4️⃣ Share to your story and tag us!

Winner announced on Black Friday. Good luck! 

#BFCMGiveaway #YourBrandName

11. Offer product add-ons

During BFCM, shoppers are often looking for gifts for themselves and their loved ones. Product add-ons can significantly enhance the shopping experience by adding value and convenience. Here are some effective ideas:

  • Gift wrapping: Offer complimentary or premium gift wrapping services. This convenience is attractive to customers who want their purchases to be ready for gifting, making the shopping experience more seamless and appealing.
  • Name carving or personalization: Allow customers to personalize items with names, initials, or special messages. This option is especially appealing for products like jewelry, leather goods, or tech accessories, adding a unique and personal touch.
  • Gift cards: Provide a customizable gift card option that can be included with purchases. This allows recipients to choose their preferred items, adding flexibility and thoughtfulness to the gift.
  • Bonus samples: Include free samples of other products with each purchase. This encourages customers to explore more of your offerings and adds perceived value to their purchase.

12. Offer limited-edition products

The allure of owning a limited-edition item from a favorite brand can be a powerful motivator for customers, particularly during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). 

These products are perceived as rare and unique, making them highly desirable and often instilling a sense of pride and satisfaction in customers.

A notable example is Lush’s previous Black Friday campaign, where they launched a limited-edition orangutan-shaped soap. This product was not only unique but also supported a charitable cause, with proceeds going to the SOS and the Orangutan Information Center. 

Lush produced exactly 14,600 soaps, reflecting the number of Sumatran orangutans left in the wild. The campaign was a huge success, with all soaps selling out, demonstrating the power of combining exclusivity with a meaningful message.

Lush’s limited bath bomb released in the previous BFCM was a huge hit

13. Run referral discounts

If you have a strong customer base and want a cost-effective way to boost your store’s visibility during BFCM, a referral program is a smart choice. Unlike traditional advertising, referral programs are relatively low-cost. You’re essentially using your satisfied customers to spread the word. Not to mention that people trust recommendations from friends and family more than brand advertising. 

If you’re interested in launching a referral program to acquire more customers this BFCM, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:

  • Make sure your offers are attractive enough: Reward both your referrers and referees with the rewards they actually like to receive. Use your past data for this. Do your customers love discount codes, gifts, or free shipping?
  • Set clear policies against referral exploitation: It’s best practice to reward referrers when the referees actually make a purchase to ensure that the program is beneficial for your business 
  • Use cookies for tracking: Implement cookies to track referrals. This helps capture customers who visit the referral link but don’t immediately make a purchase, allowing you to credit the referrer if the purchase happens later.
  • Promote your program on multiple channels: Use various channels like email, social media, and your website to inform your customers about the referral program.

14. Partner with influencers

Looking to make a big impact this BFCM? Influencer marketing can be a powerful strategy. Despite its higher cost, influencers have trusted voices that can significantly boost your revenue for the upcoming Black Friday.

Some of our pieces of advice to help you run effective influencer campaigns:

  • Define what you want to achieve– is it brand awareness, increased sales, or more followers on your social media?
  • Experiment with micro-influencers who have highly engaged audiences. They often have more personal connections with their followers and can be more cost-effective.
  • Don’t interfere too much with the influencer’s content creation process. Instead, trust the influencers you work with just like you trust the process. 
  • Consider assigning personalized discount codes to each influencer. This not only tracks performance but also makes their followers feel special.

Amped up to finish the year strong?

The biggest flash sales season of the year is approaching. If you want to break through the limits and round up your bottom line, this is your shot, so plan ahead, analyze your past data (if any), experiment with new promotion ideas, and make every move count.