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If every November you promise “next year will be different” — but still end up scrambling through Black Friday weekend with a half-finished email draft and cold coffee — this post is for you.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through my Powerful 4-Step BFCM Checklist — the same system I use with my clients to prep their campaigns, optimize Klaviyo automations, and create calm, organized sales seasons (yes, that’s possible!).

💡 Why Your BFCM Plan Matters More Than Ever

Here’s the thing — Black Friday Cyber Monday isn’t just a weekend anymore.

According to Klaviyo, only 40% of shoppers buy during the official BFCM weekend. The other 60%? They’re shopping before or after.

So if you’re only showing up for those four days, you’re missing out on the majority of your potential revenue.

And let’s be honest — winging it during BFCM doesn’t just cost you sales. It costs you peace. I’ve been there. I remember booking a massage mid-November just to de-stress, but instead of relaxing, I spent the entire hour thinking about discount codes and broken pop-ups. That was the wake-up call I needed:

👉 If you don’t have a system, you’ll always be in panic mode.

Let’s fix that.

🔧 How to Plan BFCM Like a Pro: My 4-Step Checklist

Step 1: Prep Your Foundation

Before you plan a single sale, start with the basics:

• 🧹 Clean your list. Remove inactive subscribers to protect your sender reputation.
• 🔁 Audit your automations. Double-check your welcome, abandoned cart, and post-purchase flows. Fix broken links and outdated copy.
• 💸 Decide your discounts early. A great offer doesn’t have to mean 50% off. Consider free gifts, bundles, or early access — they can be just as powerful and protect your margins.

If you’re unsure how to create irresistible offers without discounts, check out my Ecommerce Email Rhythm Playbook — it’s packed with examples and plug-and-play templates.

Step 2: Plan Your Content Calendar

This is where most solopreneurs get stuck.

Here’s a simple rhythm you can follow:

1. Teaser email: Build anticipation before your sale launches.
2. VIP early access: Reward your most engaged subscribers.
3. Main announcement: Go live with your sale.
4. Last chance reminder: Create urgency before your offer expires.

Consistency builds trust — and trust builds sales.

If you only email when you’re selling, your audience won’t feel connected enough to buy. Your goal is to be top of mind before the sale even starts.

Step 3: Optimize Your Website

Before traffic spikes, do a quick audit:

• Test your pop-ups, coupon codes, and checkout flow.
• Update your banners and product recommendations.
• Use tools like Lucky Orange or Microsoft Clarity to see where customers drop off.

A single broken link can tank conversions — and you won’t catch it when you’re in the middle of a sales rush. Spend an hour testing your checkout flow from a customer’s perspective. You’ll thank yourself later.

Step 4: Measure & Reuse

Once BFCM is over, don’t close the laptop and forget about it.

Instead:

• Track what worked and what didn’t.
• Save your best-performing emails as templates for next year.
• Repurpose your top-performing content into evergreen automations.

This is how you turn short-term sales into long-term revenue.

Because BFCM isn’t just about surviving the holidays — it’s about creating systems that scale your business all year round.

📈 Proof That Planning Works

One of my clients followed this exact checklist.

The year before, she was sending emails at midnight and praying her pop-ups worked.

Last year, she started just two weeks earlier — and her Klaviyo-attributed revenue grew by 40%.

Even big brands like AriZona Beverage Co. use this system to stay consistent and profitable year-round.

Planning is the difference between chaos and confidence.

💬 Final Thoughts

You don’t need to do more this BFCM season.

You just need to do what matters most — and do it with a plan.

Start by downloading your free BFCM Project Plan Checklist, the exact tool I use with clients to map every task, deadline, and email for a calm, profitable holiday season.

👉 Grab your FREE BFCM Checklist here

And if you want to keep your content consistent from now through December, check out the Ecommerce Email Rhythm Playbook — it’ll help you send the right emails at the right time (without burning out).

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✨ Related Resources

• The Ecommerce Email Rhythm Playbook
• Quickstart Email Checklist