Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are massive opportunities for Etsy sellers. These shopping events can skyrocket your sales and boost your brand's visibility. With shoppers actively hunting for deals, preparing your shop to stand out in a crowded marketplace is crucial.

How Did Etsy Handle The 2023 Holiday Sales?

In 2023, Etsy hit its highest-ever annual revenue, reaching a 7.1% increase from the previous year, according to Digital Commerce 360. Despite a slight overall dip in Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS), Etsy saw massive growth during the holiday season.

Here’s a breakdown of the key data:

Sellers should be excited as Etsy’s enhanced tools and holiday promotions are expected to drive even higher sales this year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

To thousands of Quicksync users who are Etsy sellers, here are some practical tips to help you navigate BFCM:

1. Plan Early

Preparation is key to having a successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday. According to Forbes, this year's BFCM will start even earlier. It would help if you started planning for holiday sales at least a month in advance, check out the complete 2024 e-comm marketing calendar from Printful.

Early planning ensures you’re not rushing to set up discounts or find inventory at the last minute.

Key steps to prepare:

• Inventory check: Use a tool like Quicksync.Pro or Quicksync Apps to track your stock levels and ensure you have enough inventory to handle a surge in sales.

• Discount setup: Schedule your discounts to automatically kick in on Black Friday.

• Shipping supplies: Stock up on packaging materials and make sure you’re ready to ship out orders quickly.

Starting early also allows you time to update your listings, fine-tune your marketing strategies, and promote your deals effectively.

2. Optimize Your Listings for Holiday Shoppers

Your Etsy listings need to be in top shape for BFCM. Shoppers are skimming through dozens of listings, so make yours stand out. Start by optimizing your product titles, descriptions, and tags with keywords that customers are likely to use during this holiday season.

Key areas to focus on:

• Holiday keywords: Use terms like “Black Friday deals,” “Cyber Monday gifts,” or “holiday sale” in your listings.

• Photos: Ensure that your product photos are high quality and show your items from multiple angles. Consider adding lifestyle shots that show your products being used.

• Shipping Information: Make it clear when customers can expect their items to arrive, especially since many are shopping for gifts.

Well-optimized listings can improve your visibility in search results, increasing your chances of converting browsing customers into buyers. You can also turn to QuickSync for help with editing your listings in bulk with our product syncing feature!

3. Offer Irresistible Discounts

Shoppers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday are hunting for bargains, so make sure your discounts grab attention. A well-timed, attractive discount can be the key to getting your products in front of more customers.

Popular discount strategies include:

• Percentage-off deals: Offering 20-30% off sitewide can create excitement and increase sales volume.

• Flash sales: Create urgency by offering time-limited deals, like 50% off for just a few hours.

• Free shipping: Many buyers will choose free shipping over a small discount. Consider offering free shipping on orders over a certain amount.

Know which products are in high demand and ensure you don't run out of stock during your sales. Shopify compiled a list of top-performing BFCM campaigns from last year, see if any of it inspires you!

4. Use Social Media to Promote Your Sale

One of the most effective ways to attract traffic to your Etsy shop during BFCM is through social media. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are ideal for promoting your deals and showcasing your products.

Social media strategies:

• Create engaging posts: Share posts that show your products in use or styled for the holidays. Use engaging captions and relevant hashtags like;
  #BlackFridayDeals,
  #CyberMonday, and
  #EtsySale to expand your reach.

• Stories and Reels: Use Instagram Stories or TikTok to create a countdown to your sale or show behind-the-scenes footage of your products being made or packed.

• Influencer partnerships: Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand to promote your sales to their followers.

Social media can generate buzz around your shop and drive a lot of traffic during BFCM if used effectively. Check out Shopify's list of viral posts on BFCM!

5. Bundle Products for More Value

Shoppers love bundles because they get more value in a single purchase. Creating product bundles not only encourages customers to spend more but also helps you move multiple items at once.

Bundling ideas:

• Group related products together, such as matching accessories or items that complement each other.

• Offer a gift with purchases over a certain amount.

• Create limited-edition holiday gift sets that are available only during BFCM.

Product bundles increase the average order value and give shoppers more reason to buy from you.

6. Gear Up for Higher Website Traffic

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are known for their spikes in traffic, so make sure your Etsy shop is ready. Slow-loading pages or incomplete product descriptions can lead to abandoned carts, so check everything ahead of time.

A smooth-running shop is crucial during BFCM to keep potential buyers from bouncing off your site.

7. Create a Sense of Urgency

One of the best ways to encourage people to buy is to create a sense of urgency. Limited-time offers, countdowns, and reminders can all help motivate shoppers to purchase before the sale ends.

Tactics for creating urgency:

• Countdown timers: Use a countdown in your listings or social media posts to remind shoppers how long they have to get the deal.

• Low stock alerts: Let customers know when stock is running low to encourage them to act fast.

• Limited-time bundles: Offer exclusive bundles or discounts that are only available during Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Urgency can be a powerful motivator for customers, especially during high-stakes shopping days like BFCM.

8. Offer Excellent Customer Service

Customer service can make or break your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. During the holiday shopping season, buyers often have questions about shipping times, product details, and more. A quick and helpful response can lead to a sale, while a delayed reply may push the customer to another shop.

How to improve customer service:

• Respond quickly to messages using Etsy’s direct messaging system.

• Provide clear and detailed FAQs that address common concerns like shipping and returns.

• Keep customers updated on their order status and shipping information.

Positive interactions with customers can lead to repeat buyers and good reviews, which are especially valuable during this busy time.

9. Send Emails

If you have an email list, use it! Email marketing can be one of the most effective ways to promote your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Remind your subscribers about your sale, give them sneak peeks, and offer them exclusive discounts. Take a look at Klaviyo's BFCM tips for your email strategies!

Effective email strategies:

• Announce your sale early: Send an 'early bird' email a few days before BFCM to give your customers a heads-up.

• Highlight top products: Include personalized recommendations based on previous purchases or browsing behavior.

• Follow-up emails: Send reminder emails during Cyber Monday to capture any last-minute shoppers.

A well-timed email campaign can boost your sales and keep your shop top of mind for buyers throughout the weekend.

10. Prepare for Post-Sale Returns and Customer Follow-up

After the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you might face a few returns or customer issues. Make sure your return policy is clear and visible on your listings, and handle any post-sale inquiries with professionalism.

Post-sale tips:

• Return management: Clearly state your return policy, including any deadlines for holiday returns.

• Customer follow-up: After the sale, send a thank-you email or ask for a review. Positive reviews help build trust with future customers.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are golden opportunities for Etsy sellers to increase sales, but success requires preparation. The right strategies can help you stand out. Get started now, and make this BFCM your most successful one yet!