As BFCM (Black Friday Cyber Monday) approaches, ecommerce brands are preparing to seize the opportunity to increase subscription revenue. Subscriptions have become a key growth driver, offering recurring payments and building customer loyalty. In this blog, we’ll explore five simple strategies to help you make the most of BFCM by leveraging subscription models to maximize revenue.
With customer retention and loyalty being essential during this high-traffic period, implementing these strategies can help boost your bottom line while fostering long-term relationships.
Key takeaways
- Use social to build FOMO—reach new audiences with contests or special subscription deals.
- Early is on time—reward loyal customers with early access to BFCM deals.
- Bonus gifts go a long way—include a free gift to increase sign-ups and customer satisfaction.
1. Personalized subscription recommendations
Personalization is a powerful tool for subscription-based businesses. By analyzing customer data such as purchase history or preferences, brands can offer personalized subscription options that feel tailor-made for each individual. For example, a skincare brand might use a customer’s skin type and previous purchases to recommend a curated subscription box filled with products that meet their unique needs.
Personalized subscriptions create a more meaningful customer experience, leading to higher engagement, increased sign-ups, and improved customer retention. Tailoring subscription offerings to individual preferences can make the service feel indispensable.
2. Exclusive early access to subscription deals
Give your loyal customers an added incentive by offering them early access to your BFCM subscription deals. For instance, a food and beverage brand could offer exclusive holiday-themed boxes or bundles to subscribers before opening up the offer to the general public. This creates a sense of exclusivity that can be a powerful motivator for renewals and upgrades.
When it comes to engaging BFCM shoppers, early is on time. Early access offers reward customer loyalty, creating upsell opportunities and reinforcing the value of being a subscriber. This can drive renewal rates and increase customer lifetime value during BFCM.
3. Limited-time subscription discounts
Creating urgency with limited-time discounts is an effective strategy during BFCM. For example, a fitness brand could offer a 20% discount on annual memberships for a short period. Promoting these discounts through email campaigns, social media, and paid advertising can capture attention and encourage quick decision-making.
Limited-time offers tap into the fear of missing out (FOMO), prompting customers to commit to longer-term subscriptions. This can result in a significant increase in recurring revenue and improve customer retention over time.
4. Social media-exclusive subscription offers
Social media is a powerful platform for reaching new customers and engaging with your existing audience. Offer exclusive discount codes for new subscriptions on social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Take it a step further by encouraging user-generated content, such as sharing the offer with friends for additional discounts or rewards.
Social media-exclusive offers can help brands tap into new audiences and boost brand visibility. Offering rewards for sharing and referrals can further amplify these promotions, driving new subscription sign-ups during BFCM.
5. Bonus gifts with subscription sign-ups
Sweeten the deal for new subscribers by offering a bonus gift with their subscription purchase. For instance, a coffee brand could offer a free branded mug with a 3-month subscription. These small gestures can enhance the perceived value of the subscription and provide customers with an immediate reward for signing up.
Including a free gift with a subscription can serve as a powerful incentive, increasing conversion rates. The added value makes the customer feel like they’re getting more for their money, boosting satisfaction and loyalty from the very start.
A/B test to gather early insights
The months leading up to Black Friday/Cyber Monday present a prime opportunity to A/B test these different strategies and understand the appetite of your audience ahead of the holiday frenzy and grow your subscription revenue.
Identify one or two of the above strategies to test, and incorporate across some high value segments you’ve identified. Consider offering personalized recommendations, exclusive access or limited-time discounts.
Implementing these strategies will not only drive short-term gains during BFCM but also foster lasting customer relationships that lead to long-term success.
