How to Increase Sales this Black Friday Without Discounting: 11 Creative Ideas for Coaches & Course Creators

It’s coming up to THAT time of year again… Black Friday. Yup, we may still be a few months’ out, but it rolls around fast. And those who are prepared, make the sales. 😉

But I’ve got to be honest with you, I’ve kinda got a love-hate relationship going on with Black Friday — and you might too. ‘Cause each year, my inbox and social media explode with “can’t-miss” deals and “once-in-a-lifetime” discounts. And a lot of those sales campaigns give me the “ick.” As a business owner, you can feel this pressure to slash prices, host a massive sale, and basically turn your business upside down for one weekend.

Honest talk: that approach doesn’t feel aligned with my brand, and I bet you might feel the same way.

The truth is, you don’t have to go all used-car-salesman on your audience to make sales during Black Friday. In fact, you can maximise the momentum from Black Friday without offering steep discounts at all (yep, truly!). If you’re a coach or course creator, you’re going to want to pay attention to what I type next…

Let’s dive into 11 creative ways to make more money this Black Friday without discounting or devaluing your brand.

1. Sweeten the Deal with Bonus Add-Ons

Think extra coaching sessions, bonus modules, or must-have downloadable resources.

• Example: If you’re a business coach, include a 30-minute one-on-one strategy call for everyone who signs up for your program during Black Friday. If you offer a course on digital marketing, throw in a bonus module on advanced Facebook ad strategies.

2. VIP Access to Exclusive Content

Give your Black Friday buyers VIP access to special content. This could be a private webinar, a members-only workshop, or a special Q&A session.

• Example: Offer an exclusive webinar on “2024 Business Trends” just for Black Friday buyers. For course creators, provide access to a workshop on “Creating High-Converting Sales Pages.”

3. Spread the Cost with Extended Payment Plans

Make your offer more affordable by spreading out the cost over several months. This way, you don’t need to lower the price.

• Example: Instead of a one-time payment of $1,000 for your coaching package, offer a plan where clients can pay $250 a month for four months. If your course costs $600, allow students to pay $150 a month for four months.

4. Create Value-Packed Bundles

Combine multiple courses or coaching sessions. Offer more without cutting prices.

• Example: Bundle your “Start a Podcast” course with your “Grow Your Podcast Audience” course for one special price. If you’re a life coach, offer a bundle of three 60-minute coaching sessions plus a goal-setting workbook.

5. Early Access to New Programs

Treat your Black Friday customers like VIPs with early access to your new courses or programs.

• Example: If you have a new course launching in January, offer Black Friday buyers access in December. For coaches, let them be the first to sign up for your new year-long mastermind program.

6. VIP Membership or Community Access

Offer VIP group or community access for extra support and networking.

• Example: Give Black Friday buyers six months of free access to your VIP Facebook group where they can get extra support and network with peers. If you run a membership site, offer exclusive access to a monthly Q&A session.

7. One-on-One Coaching Calls

Offer limited one-on-one coaching calls or personalized feedback sessions as a Black Friday bonus.

• Example: Provide a 45-minute personalized coaching call to discuss their specific business challenges. For course creators, offer a one-on-one feedback session on their progress.

8. Exclusive Templates and Tools

Give exclusive access to templates, checklists, or tools only available to your Black Friday buyers.

• Example: Include a set of exclusive email marketing templates for those who purchase your email marketing course. If you’re a business coach, provide a customizable business plan template.

9. Access to a Mastermind Group

Invite buyers into an exclusive mastermind group for extra mentorship and networking.

• Example: Create a six-month mastermind group for Black Friday buyers with monthly strategy sessions and collaboration with other entrepreneurs. For course creators, offer a private mastermind group focused on course creation and marketing.

10. Behind-the-Scenes Series

Offer a behind-the-scenes series showing how you create content or run your business.

• Example: Share behind-the-scenes videos on how you prepare for a product launch, create your content, or manage your daily business tasks. For course creators, show the process of developing and filming a course module.

11. Free or $1 Trial

Offer a free or $1 trial to let potential clients experience your services at a low cost.

• Example: Offer a $1 trial for the first month of your membership site. For coaches, provide a free mini-session or a $1 trial week of your group coaching program.

These strategies can help you create amazing Black Friday promotions that add value for your customers without cutting your prices. Think about where you can add value, provide a personal touch, and lean on exclusivity to attract new clients or students. This will help you boost your bottom line while keeping your brand perception strong.

So, what are your plans for Black Friday? I’d love to hear them—drop a comment below!

And before you go, grab my free Black Friday email template! This plug-and-play template helps you write a money-making Black Friday email in less than 15 minutes. Don’t miss out on making your Black Friday promotions a success—get your free template here!

xo,

Elise