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As Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) approaches, subscription businesses have a unique opportunity to drive engagement, reduce churn, and increase revenue. Online shoppers in the U.S. spent a record $9.8 billion on Black Friday 2023, 7.5%Â higher than what they spent in Black Friday 2022 (Source)
To make the most of BFCM, innovative strategies can be used to up your numbers. Here are 16 actionable tips to make the most of BFCM and elevate your subscription game.
A great way to retain customers during the BFCM rush is to create a fear of missing out on campaigns directly inside your subscriber portal. Timebox your promotions, tom-tom limited availability of units/offers to drive sales faster.
Let your subscribers know that something special awaits them during BFCM — this could be a discount, exclusive offers, or free gifts. Create anticipation and urge weeks before BFCM. Use dynamic content like videos, GIFs, or interactive text to grab their attention. You can also incentivize them to stay by offering a gift card when they complete an exit survey if they decide to cancel.
Make BFCM special by personalizing every step of the customer journey. Segment your audience based on customer behaviors, past purchases, and preferences, then offer targeted incentives like exclusive discounts, product recommendations, or personalized bundles. This approach shows subscribers you understand their unique needs and preferences, encouraging loyalty.
BFCM provides a great opportunity to upsell to your subscribers. You can showcase exclusive product drops that are only available to your subscriber base at a special price during this week. Customize the design of the upselling section, make it more visually appealing and interactive, and strive for a higher conversion rate. You can even set priority lists to feature products that are most likely to appeal to each subscriber.
Reward your loyal subscribers by giving them early access to BFCM sales. Start building the hype early and targe
Whether it’s a 24-hour head start or exclusive preview deals, early access can make your subscribers feel special and increase the urgency to purchase.
Setting up DIY bundles with your best-selling products can drive sales during BFCM. Study your data well to understand popular items and create your bundles accordingly. Customers love bundles because they provide great value, and bestsellers are likely to attract more interest. With a customizable user interface, you can make the process fun and interactive for the big day and the whole BFCM week. Additionally, this strategy offers convenience to customers who want to purchase multiple items at once.
Consider offering limited-time or seasonal subscriptions during BFCM. For example, create a “Holiday Edition” subscription box or a special trial for new subscribers at a lower cost for the first few months. This can entice new customers to try your service while still committing to a subscription model.
Show appreciation to your subscribers by offering personalized rewards based on their order history. A special reward banner can be placed inside the subscriber portal for new subscribers or for those who have completed a set number of orders. You can even animate these banners using CSS and JavaScript to add excitement. Small gestures like these can lead to increased loyalty and customer retention.
Create exclusive deals just for your existing subscribers. Whether it’s a “subscriber-only” discount code or early access to limited-edition products, these special offers will incentivize your subscribers to stick with your service and make purchases during BFCM.
Everyone loves free gifts! Surprise your subscribers by adding a free item to their ongoing subscription orders during BFCM. The gifts can be personalized based on the subscriber segment, offering different gifts for long-term customers versus newer ones. It’s a thoughtful gesture that strengthens the relationship with your subscribers and makes them feel appreciated.
Gift-giving season is upon us during BFCM, so why not offer subscribers the ability to purchase gift subscriptions? This could be a great way to introduce your product to new audiences while allowing your current subscribers to share your service with friends and family.
Inventory challenges are common during BFCM, especially if demand skyrockets. If certain items in your subscription are out of stock, consider partial billing. This way, you can still ship the available items without delaying the entire order, keeping subscribers happy and reducing churn. Utilize inventory forecasting tools to plan for subscription orders.
Engage with your paused subscribers during BFCM by sending them special reactivation offers. Use quick action URLs and direct checkout links in your email or SMS marketing campaigns to drive traffic directly to your BFCM landing pages. Offering a limited-time discount for reactivating their subscription can be an effective way to bring them back.
After the BFCM rush, allow subscribers to unbundle their purchases, giving them more control over what they receive. Loop Flows can help automate this process, ensuring a smooth transition back to regular subscriptions. You can also gamify the rest of Q4 by offering seasonal travel packs or holiday-themed bundles, keeping customers engaged post-BFCM.
Leverage your existing subscribers by offering them referral incentives during BFCM. Create a program where subscribers can refer friends and earn rewards, such as discounts, free months of service, or exclusive gifts. This can lead to a surge in new subscribers without a significant marketing investment.
Incentivize new subscribers by offering a free gift when they sign up during BFCM. You can automatically add the gift to their cart through integrations with Shopify and other e-commerce platforms. This added bonus could be the nudge a potential customer needs to start their subscription journey with your brand.
Create limited-edition, subscriber-exclusive bundles that are only available during BFCM. These bundles can combine popular products or feature special holiday-themed items. By making these offers exclusive to subscribers, you can increase the perceived value of your subscription and encourage more sign-ups.
By implementing some carefully planned strategies, you can craft a BFCM strategy that not only drives immediate sales but also builds long-term subscriber relationships. Focus on exclusivity, personalization, and delivering value, and you’ll create an unforgettable experience for your customers this BFCM season.
Emma Johnson is celebrated for her strategic brilliance and innovative flair. By seamlessly blending creativity with data-driven insights, she has propelled Loop’s brand to new heights, establishing it as a formidable force in the Shopify Subscriptions space.
