5 Black Friday Ideas for Small Businesses and Freelancers
Looking for Black Friday ideas for small businesses and freelancers? You’re in the right place! Whether it’s a few weeks or a few months away, Black Friday is always worth thinking about ahead of time if you want to take full advantage of the savings and opportunities it can offer.
In this post, we’re going to look at five ways you can make the most of Black Friday:
- Invest in continued professional development
- Try out tools or services
- Upgrade your workspace
- Stock up on supplies
- Run a short-term sale or promotion
What Is Black Friday?
Black Friday takes place before the final weekend of November. It refers to the Friday after Thanksgiving (an annual holiday in the United States), when many retailers offer discounts on their products. It’s often considered the start of the Christmas shopping season.
As well as offering discounts on Black Friday, many retailers run Cyber Weekend (starting with Black Friday) and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday) sales. Some even run a Cyber Week, a full week of sales starting on Black Friday.
The term “Black Friday” has a long history, and there are several theories on where the name came from. It was first used in reference to the crash of the US gold market in 1869.
The origin of the term in retail is debated. A common theory is that, after operating in the red (at a loss) for most of the year, businesses would begin to operate in the black (make a profit) after Thanksgiving. However, this doesn’t appear to be the true meaning.
The term was actually coined by the Philadelphian police in the 1950s, to describe the chaos that ensued as shoppers and tourists descended on the city in advance of the annual Army-Navy football game. The police had to deal with extra crowds, traffic, and shoplifters – and used the term “Black Friday” to describe the mayhem. From there, the term caught on among shoppers and businesses alike and began to spread nationwide.
The connotations around Black Friday continue to evolve as shoppers become more conscious about their spending habits and sustainability. But with a budget and a plan for intentional spending, Black Friday can be a useful event for freelancers seeking to address gaps or much-needed upgrades in their work practices. It can also be a valuable opportunity to attract new clients interested in supporting smaller businesses during this international sales event.
How to Make the Most of Black Friday
Black Friday can be a great opportunity to save money on something you’ve been wanting or needing, but you should not feel pressure to participate in it if you don’t want to. If you do decide to participate in Black Friday, here are five ways you can make the most of it.
1. Invest in Continued Professional Development
Black Friday can be a great opportunity to prioritize your continued professional development. Investing in your professional development can help you keep your skills and knowledge up to date, diversify the services you offer clients or customers, and boost your professional credibility.
You might find discounts on:
- Online courses or training programs to build new skills or deepen your expertise in specific areas
- Ebooks, textbooks, or workbooks for self-paced learning
- Audiobooks and podcast subscriptions for learning on the go (especially if you like to absorb information during walks or commutes)
- Toolkits, templates, and business planners to help you streamline your processes and run your business more efficiently
Many elearning platforms run Cyber Weekend deals, making it easier and more affordable to explore new topics or build on existing skills. Even if you aren’t actively looking for a course, it’s worth browsing what’s out there – you may find something that aligns with your long-term goals.
Need a starting point? Check out our blogs on the best proofreading, editing, and freelance writing courses available.
2. Try Out Tools or Services
If you’ve been curious about a new tool or service, Black Friday might be a good time to give it a try.
Many digital tools and software services offer limited-time deals such as free trials or heavily discounted first-year rates. It’s a great opportunity to try out something new and see if it’s a good fit for your workflow before committing long term.
Consider looking for:
- Project management tools like Trello, Asana, or ClickUp that can help you stay organized and collaborate more easily
- Accounting software such as FreshBooks or QuickBooks to help streamline your invoicing and bookkeeping processes
- Productivity and time-tracking tools like RescueTime or Toggl to help you manage your time more effectively
- Writing or editing assistants such as Grammarly, Jasper, or ProWritingAid to speed up content creation and polish your work
You might also find deals on business services – like portfolio hosting, SEO audits, or professional logo design – to help you boost visibility and present your business more professionally.
3. Upgrade Your Workspace
A comfortable, dedicated workspace can make a big difference to your day-to-day routine, and Black Friday is a great time to upgrade it affordably. You could look out for:
- Ergonomic furniture, like an adjustable chair or standing desk, to improve posture and comfort
- Monitors or monitor risers to help reduce neck and eye strain
- A desk lamp with adjustable brightness for better lighting during darker hours
- Noise-canceling headphones if you work in a shared or noisy environment
- Decor or plants to make your workspace feel more inviting and personal
Small changes can have a big impact on your focus, energy, and motivation, especially if you’re working from home long term. If you’ve been putting off a workspace upgrade, Black Friday could be the perfect time to finally make it happen.
4. Stock Up on Supplies
Not every Black Friday deal has to be a major investment. It’s also a great time to stock up on the essentials you use every day, especially if you’re looking to cut costs without compromising on quality.
For example:
- Stationery supplies, like pens, highlighters, notebooks, and planners
- Office basics, such as printer paper, ink cartridges, and file folders
- Break-time essentials, including coffee, tea, snacks, or even a new mug
If your freelance or small business income varies month to month, taking advantage of seasonal discounts on these kinds of items can help smooth out your expenses.
5. Run a Short-Term Sale or Promotion
If you sell a product or service, offering a Black Friday promotion can be a smart way to boost visibility and attract new clients. A short-term deal creates urgency – and it doesn’t have to mean slashing your rates or undervaluing your work.
Here are a few types of offers to consider:
- Limited-time discounts, such as “20% off all design packages this weekend only” or “Book by Monday and get 15% off your first coaching session!” Make sure to set clear start and end dates and promote the offer across your channels.
- Service bundles, where multiple offerings are packaged together. For example, “Buy a blog post and get a set of three social media captions,” or “Book a branding session and get a free logo refresh.”
- Bonus add-ons, such as a free strategy call, a downloadable resource, or a round of feedback included with each booking – something small that adds real value.
- New client offers, like a one-time discount for people who have shown interest in your work but haven’t booked yet.
- Loyalty perks, such as an exclusive discount or free upgrade for returning clients, framed as a thank-you.
Once you’ve decided on your offer, think about how you’ll build interest and urgency. You could tease the promotion on social media in the days leading up to Black Friday. You could also use a visible countdown on your website or give email subscribers early access before it goes live.
If you’re newer to freelancing, a well-timed promotion can help you gain experience, build your portfolio, and get your name out there. Just be careful not to overextend yourself. Our blog on offering discounts as a freelancer has helpful advice on making sure a promotion works for you as well as your clients.
Build New Freelance Skills
Whether you’re looking to invest in yourself, boost your business, or simply stock up on essentials, Black Friday can be a great opportunity to save money and make meaningful progress toward your goals. The key is to be intentional – only buy what you’ll actually use, and don’t feel pressured to join in if it doesn’t make sense for you right now.
Our self-paced online courses are a great way to build new skills, expand your services, and grow your freelance business. You can even try them for free!
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