Black Friday & Cyber Mondayfor Etsy Sellers
Yes, Etsy participates in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Etsy runs platform-wide promotional campaigns during BFCM week, and individual sellers can create their own sales with sale badges that boost visibility.
🛍️Quick Answer: Does Etsy Do Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales?
Yes, Etsy participates in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
🏪 What Etsy Does:
- • Homepage banners promoting sales
- • "Cyber Sales" badging for shops on sale
- • Email campaigns to millions of buyers
- • Social media promotion
- • Search prioritization for sale items
🎯 What You Control:
- • Discount percentage (10%-50%+)
- • Sale duration (day to entire week)
- • Which listings are on sale
- • Free shipping thresholds
- • Coupon codes for email/social
Key Stats: BFCM typically accounts for 15-25% of annual sales for many Etsy sellers. Start preparation 6-8 weeks before Black Friday.
BFCM on Etsy: The Numbers
8-Week BFCM Preparation Timeline
Your complete roadmap to Black Friday success
Weeks 8-7: Strategy & Inventory
Lay the groundwork for a successful BFCM season.
- • Analyze last year's BFCM data (if available)
- • Identify top sellers and "hero products" for promotion
- • Calculate margins to determine discount levels
- • Order materials/supplies for increased demand
- • Set revenue and sales goals
Weeks 6-5: Listing Optimization
Prepare your listings for maximum visibility.
- • Update photos on top 20 listings (holiday styling if appropriate)
- • Refresh titles and tags with seasonal keywords
- • Add "gift for [recipient]" keywords where relevant
- • Create gift guides or bundle listings
- • Test new listing variations
Weeks 4-3: Marketing Preparation
Build anticipation and prepare promotional materials.
- • Design sale graphics for social media
- • Write email sequence for your list (if applicable)
- • Schedule Pinterest pins for holiday content
- • Plan social media content calendar
- • Create urgency messaging (limited time, limited stock)
Weeks 2-1: Technical Setup
Configure everything in Etsy before the rush.
- • Set up sale in Etsy (schedule to go live on your chosen date)
- • Test coupon codes work correctly
- • Update shop announcement with sale details
- • Adjust shipping profiles for expected volume
- • Prepare "thank you" inserts for orders
BFCM Week: Execution
Execute your plan and stay responsive.
- • Monitor sales and adjust if needed
- • Respond to messages within hours (not days)
- • Post daily on social media during sale
- • Restock listings that sell out
- • Track what's working for next year
Post-BFCM: Extend & Analyze
Keep momentum going and learn for next year.
- • Keep sales running through December
- • Shift messaging to "last chance for holiday delivery"
- • Target gift card purchasers for last-minute shoppers
- • Prepare for January returns/exchanges
- • Analyze your BFCM data and document learnings
Pricing Strategies for BFCM
How much to discount by product type
| Product Type | Recommended Discount | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Digital products | 30-50% off | High margin, no inventory cost |
| Low-cost items (<$25) | 15-25% off | Protect thin margins |
| Mid-range ($25-75) | 20-30% off | Sweet spot for impulse buys |
| High-ticket ($100+) | 15-25% off | Larger $ savings feel significant |
| Made-to-order | 10-15% off | Protect production capacity |
| Bundles | 25-40% off | Move more inventory per order |
Pricing Psychology Tips
Anchor Pricing
Show original price clearly — the discount feels larger
Bundle Discounts
"Buy 2, get 25% off" increases average order value
Tiered Discounts
15% off 1, 25% off 2+, 30% off 3+ encourages larger orders
Free Shipping Threshold
"Free shipping on $50+" encourages larger carts
Product Categories That Perform During BFCM
Focus on these categories for maximum holiday sales
Gift Items
Examples: Personalized gifts, custom jewelry, engraved items, gift sets
Pro Tip: Holiday shopping peak — buyers actively looking for unique gifts.
Personalized Products
Examples: Custom name items, monogrammed gifts, photo products, engraved jewelry
Pro Tip: Unique gift appeal commands premium pricing. Order early messaging essential.
Digital Downloads
Examples: Printable art, planners, SVG files, invitation templates
Pro Tip: Instant delivery means no shipping concerns — can discount heavily (30-50%).
Home Decor
Examples: Wall art, holiday decorations, candles, throw pillows
Pro Tip: Holiday decorating plus gifting drives double demand.
Jewelry
Examples: Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, personalized pieces
Pro Tip: Classic gift category — personalization adds value.
Stocking Stuffers
Examples: Small accessories, pins, magnets, keychains, mini prints
Pro Tip: Impulse add-ons increase average order value.
Should You Run Etsy Ads During BFCM?
Weigh the pros and cons carefully
✅ Pros
- • Increased traffic means more visibility
- • BFCM buyers have high purchase intent
- • Sale listings can convert better
❌ Cons
- • CPC increases 30-100%+ during BFCM
- • Competition is at yearly peak
- • ROAS may be lower than usual
📊 Recommendations by Seller Type
- New to Etsy Ads: Wait until after BFCM to start learning
- Experienced, limited budget: Pause or reduce spend — costs are too high
- Experienced, larger budget: Increase budget 50-100% on proven winners only
- Digital products (high margin): Increase spend — can afford higher CPC
💡 The week AFTER Cyber Monday often has lower ad costs with buyers still shopping.
Shipping & Fulfillment for BFCM
Manage the holiday rush effectively
📦 Managing BFCM Volume
- Order surge: Extend processing time 1-2 days
- Shipping delays: Communicate carrier delays proactively
- Running out of supplies: Pre-order packaging in October
- Customer messages: Set up saved replies for common questions
🎄 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
- Standard (USPS First Class): Dec 10-12
- Priority Mail: Dec 14-16
- Express/Overnight: Dec 20-22
- Digital delivery: Dec 24 (instant!)
💡 Add a banner showing "Order by [date] for Christmas delivery."
BFCM Best Practices
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌Don't Do This
- •Wait until November to start planning — you'll be rushed and miss opportunities
- •Discount below your profit threshold — sales should make money, not lose it
- •Ignore your email list and social followers — they're your warmest audience
- •Assume Etsy will drive all your traffic — promote your own sale too
- •Change prices or deals mid-sale — it confuses buyers and causes complaints
- •Overcommit on order volume you can't fulfill — extend processing times instead
- •Forget to update processing times — realistic expectations prevent bad reviews
- •Skip thanking customers with a personal touch — holiday buyers become repeat customers
✅Do This Instead
- •Start preparing 6-8 weeks before Black Friday — don't wait until November
- •Create a dedicated BFCM marketing calendar — plan every post and email
- •Run sales on high-margin products you can afford to discount
- •Communicate shipping deadlines clearly — buyers need to know cutoff dates
- •Track everything for next year's planning — document what worked
- •Respond to customer messages within hours — fast responses close sales
- •Use sale badges — they increase click-through rates significantly
- •Create gift-themed bundles or collections — higher AOV, easier shopping
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday on Etsy.
Related Guides
Seasonal Selling Calendar
Month-by-month guide to listing seasonal products.
Why Are My Etsy Sales Down?
Diagnose and fix sales slumps.
What Is Trending Now on Etsy?
Find trending products to sell.
ROAS on Etsy
Optimize your ad performance.
Understanding Etsy Views vs Visits
Make sense of your analytics.
Etsy Pricing Guide
Understand Etsy fees and pricing.
This guide provides general strategies for Etsy sellers during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Results vary based on product category, market conditions, competition, and implementation. Past BFCM performance does not guarantee future results. Plan according to your specific business situation and margins.
Ready to Crush BFCM on Etsy?
InsightAgent helps you find trending keywords, analyze competitor pricing, and optimize your listings for maximum Black Friday and Cyber Monday visibility.