6 Pre-BFCM Checklist Must-Dos for Handmade Sellers

Get Ahead of the BFCM Holiday Hustle with These Tips

We’re officially in September, which means the busiest shopping days of the year—Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM)—are right around the corner. If you think it’s too early to talk about BFCM, you’re already behind the curve! Most businesses start prepping as early as Q2. But don't panic—there's still time to catch up and make this your best BFCM ever! Here’s your pre-BFCM checklist to ensure you’re ready to rock the holiday season:

1. Get Your SMS Marketing Set Up

If SMS marketing isn’t already part of your game plan, now’s the time to add it. With open rates soaring compared to email, SMS is a fantastic way to engage your customers during BFCM. Use SMS for flash sales, exclusive offers, and last-minute deals that can’t be missed. The immediacy of SMS means you can drive instant traffic to your online store, just when you need it most.

2. Give Your eCommerce Store a Full Check-Up

Think of your online store as a busy brick-and-mortar shop—everything needs to be polished and working perfectly for BFCM. Review your entire store: Are your product descriptions clear? Is your site speed fast? Is the user experience seamless from product browsing to checkout? Even a few seconds of delay can cause potential customers to abandon their carts. Make sure everything is optimized, smooth, and ready for the rush.

3. Spy on Last Year’s Competitors’ Campaigns

Look back at what your competitors did last BFCM—what worked and what didn’t? Use resources like one of these search engines for ecommerce emails: Milled or ReallyGoodEmails to dig into popular email campaigns. Take notes on the subject lines, content, and timing they used, and think about how you can refine or differentiate your strategy. Remember, learning from others' wins and fails can give you a leg up.

4. Experiment with New Segmentation Strategies

Segmenting your audience effectively can be the difference between a blockbuster campaign and one that falls flat. Use the next few weeks to test new segmentation strategies—like grouping by purchase behavior, location, or past engagement. This experimentation will help you identify which audience groups respond best, improving your email sender reputation and maximizing engagement just in time for BFCM.

5. Clean Up Your Email List

A squeaky-clean email list means a better sender reputation, higher deliverability, and more inbox placements. Before BFCM, remove any inactive subscribers who haven’t opened or clicked in a while. Keeping only engaged contacts will ensure your emails land in inboxes rather than spam folders when it matters most.

6. Run A/B Tests Like a Pr0

Don’t wait until BFCM to find out what your audience likes. Start A/B testing NOW! From subject lines to email send times, calls to action, and even color schemes—test everything to see what resonates. The more you refine your messaging and approach now, the more confident you can be when the big shopping days arrive.

Pro Tip: Don’t get overwhelmed—break these steps down and tackle one task each week. Consistent action will ensure you're fully prepared when the holiday rush hits.

Question for You:

What’s the first thing on your pre-BFCM checklist? Share your top priority in the comments below, and let’s help each other get ready for an amazing BFCM season.

By following these steps and staying proactive, you'll be ready to turn the holiday season into your best sales period yet. Happy prepping... Now that you’re all set with your pre-BFCM checklist, let’s dive deeper into how to master your email marketing strategy for the holiday season! Get the most out of every campaign and learn how to engage your customers like never before. Check out our next guide here: 6 Pre-BFCM Checklist Must-Dos for Handmade Sellers