Get Ready for Black Friday
Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought, “I should do a Black Friday sale”… and then forgot to plan anything until Thanksgiving. You’re not alone.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the entire Q4 holiday season offer huge opportunities for creative business owners. But only if you plan ahead. The truth is, the earlier you start prepping, the more calm, confident, and profitable you’ll feel come November.
Here’s your go-to checklist to get ready for Black Friday right now, with just the right balance of creative inspiration and practical planning.
Why Black Friday Still Matters
Black Friday may be known for TVs and tech, but it’s also become a powerful window for small creative businesses. Your unique art and handmade or designed products offer something personal that can’t be found in big box stores.
According to Adobe Analytics, consumers spent over $9 billion online during Black Friday in 2023 alone. And that trend continues to grow.
It’s the perfect time to:
Drive more traffic to your online shop
Introduce your work to new audiences
Offer limited-time promotions that feel fun (not pushy)
Capture gift buyers early in the season
But the key is preparation. Let’s dive into your creative business checklist.
Step 1: Pick Your Promotion Strategy
You don’t have to offer deep discounts to participate in Black Friday.
Here are a few options that work well for artists and surface designers:
Free Shipping – A favorite for Etsy or POD shops
Buy One, Get One – Great for cards, prints, or stickers
Bundle a Collection – Curate several designs into a discounted set
Early Bird Discount – Reward subscribers who shop early
Limited Edition Drops – Offer a special holiday design just for the weekend
💡 Tip: Think of it as a “celebration” of your art. Not a fire sale.
Step 2: Prep Your Products Early
Even if Black Friday feels far away, now is the time to make sure your products are ready. That includes:
Finalizing designs (especially holiday-themed or giftable items)
Uploading artwork to POD platforms (Spoonflower, etc.)
Creating product descriptions, tags, and mockups
Ordering samples if you want to showcase photos on social media
If you’re selling in-person, make sure your craft fair inventory is stocked and prepped well before Thanksgiving.
Step 3: Plan Your Marketing Calendar
Here’s a simple promotional calendar to help you build anticipation without overwhelm:
4–6 Weeks Before (now!)
Announce your Black Friday plans to your email list and followers
Tease new products or collections on social media
2–3 Weeks Before
Share behind-the-scenes process videos or photos
Highlight bestsellers or gift ideas in your blog or stories
Black Friday Week
Send reminder emails and post daily
Emphasize urgency: “Only 3 days left!” “Last chance!”
📧 Don’t be afraid to email more than once during Black Friday weekend. Your subscribers are expecting it!
Step 4: Prep Your Tech & Shop
Wherever you're selling - Etsy, your own website, or POD - you’ll want to:
Double-check that links are working and products are published
Test checkout and promo codes
Update banner images and headlines with holiday themes
Schedule key emails or posts in advance
Even one broken link or typo can lead to missed sales. Do a walkthrough of your customer journey now, so it’s seamless later.
Step 5: Make It Easy to Buy
Sometimes customers just need a little direction. Help them shop by offering:
A “Gift Guide” or “Shop the Collection” page
Holiday mockups (think: mugs, fabric, or wall art with cozy vibes)
Clear shipping deadlines and delivery estimates
Bonus: Add a personal touch like a hand-signed note or holiday sticker with every order.
Bonus Tip: Start Early with Anne’s Atelier
If planning for Black Friday feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. That’s why I’m offering a special Q4 Planning Workshop inside Anne’s Atelier, my monthly creative membership. We’ll walk through this checklist together and map out your actual Black Friday plan: from what you’ll sell to when you’ll promote it.
The best part? You don’t have to do it alone.
👉 Join Anne’s Atelier today.
Whether you’re selling on POD, doing local craft fairs, or getting into licensing, you’ll get the support and structure you need to make this your most confident and creative Q4 yet.
Final Thought
You don’t need to compete with Amazon or slash your prices to the bone. Black Friday is your chance to showcase the beauty, meaning, and joy of your creative work, while giving shoppers a way to support small, soulful businesses.
Start now, plan ahead, and let your art shine this season.
And remember, it’s never too late to create.
xo,
Anne
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
