If you want to maximize revenue for one of the biggest sales events of the year, Cyber Monday advertising is a must. But with so many options available, you might be wondering where to start. Some brands race to the bottom with the biggest discounts, while others try to stand out from the crowd in different ways.
We’ve scoured the web for the best Cyber Monday ads and put together a handy list of best practices to help you along the way. Our guide below includes everything from building your waiting list early and promoting product bundles to creating a sense of urgency and engaging customers who missed your Cyber Monday deals.
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Let’s start with one of the most common queries — when should you launch ads for Cyber Monday? There are a few different stages to consider:
Four weeks before Cyber Monday: Start planning your Cyber Monday ad campaigns and promotions. Research trends and analyze data from previous years, then outline your strategy.
Two or three weeks before: Create and finalize your ad creatives, copy, and offers. Get them reviewed and approved with plenty of time to spare.
One week before: Launch your Cyber Monday ad campaigns across various platforms, such as social media, search engines, and display ads. Ensure everything is properly tracked and tested.
On the day: On Cyber Monday, monitor your campaigns closely and make adjustments as needed. Be ready to scale up successful ads to maximize your exposure.
Expert tip:
“Create a sense of scarcity and excitement in the days immediately before Cyber Monday with video teasers. Many savvy shoppers start researching deals well in advance, so having your video teasers out there in the 2–3-week window allows you to capture their attention at the critical pre-holiday research stage. Then, you can follow up with your full product videos and promotions as Cyber Monday approaches. This two-stage video strategy can be highly effective for driving traffic and sales on the big day.”
Evaldas Mockus
VP of Marketing at Omnisend
Cyber Monday ads: Examples
1. Tailored Athlete: Build your waiting list early
Tailored Athlete puts the work in early with Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads in the weeks leading up to the big weekend. Its succinct social media advertisement promises early access to those who sign up, opening the door to further marketing opportunities via email.
Key takeaways:
Start early to build an email list of dedicated followers with an interest in your offers
Show the reward on offer, like “60% OFF” in a large, bold font
Offer exclusivity such as “early access” as an incentive for those who sign up
Titan Power+ announced its Cyber Monday sale in the immediate aftermath of Black Friday. It took advantage of the excitement and hype, revealing a further week of sales for anyone who missed out.
Key takeaways:
Time your announcement just right to maximize interest without missing out on sales to your competitors
Target customers who missed the first round of deals on Black Friday
Create a sense of immediacy with words like “LIVE,” “NOW,” and “TODAY”
MeUndies ticks every box from a messaging perspective with its short and sweet social ad for Cyber Monday. After a simple greeting, it highlights a straightforward offer to draw customers in and asks a rhetorical question as a call to action.
Key takeaways:
Get the deal in – 40% off is repeated six times across the copy and image
Keep it simple, like a sitewide sale with the same discount on every item
Engage with customers, including a playful call to action in the copy
Product bundles are a great way to cross-sell and increase order value. Lancôme takes advantage of Cyber Monday to promote its beauty box at a special price. The choice to promote its Holiday Beauty Box allows the brand to capitalize on festive hype, too.
Key takeaways:
Emphasize savings by displaying the combined value of all items in your product bundle
Consider one-off bundles, especially for Cyber Monday, to amplify the sense of exclusivity
Include when the offer ends to highlight the urgency of your offer and encourage customers to buy now
We’ve touched upon urgency in the previous example, but Yolaness goes one further by putting the time limits of its sale front and center. “Only 48 Hours left,” “Don’t delay,” and “while you still can” all add haste to the Cyber Monday advertisement.
Key takeaways:
Quantify time in hours (48) rather than days (two) to create a countdown vibe
Include lots of imperatives like “Don’t delay,” “Click here,” and “fetch these unbelievable discounts” to make the call to action clear
Use suitable emojis (fire, siren, and pointing hands, for example) to complement the tone
Customers don’t like uncertainty. They might feel like you’re baiting them with a big discount just to get them on your site. Georgiemane mitigates this with plenty of details about its offers and its products.
Key takeaways:
Cover all bases with details on discounts, time limits, and the specific code needed
Briefly explain the benefits of your products, like repairing damaged hair and promoting thicker growth
Use social proof like customer reviews or testimonials to back up your claims quickly
7. Baker Drivetrain: Engage shoppers who missed Cyber Monday deals
The sales don’t have to end once Cyber Monday has passed. You can still take advantage of the seasonal hype with Cyber Monday ads with the right planning. Baker Drivetrain has done that by offering 25% off selected products in the aftermath of the sale.
Key takeaways:
Have your advertisement primed and ready so you can post it when the demand is high for another sale
Mention Black Friday and Cyber Monday to keep your ad topical
Keep things interesting with a reason for your extra sale, such as celebrating a landmark anniversary like Baker Drivetrain
Planning your Cyber Monday advertising campaign well in advance is crucial. It gives you time to ensure everything is ready and running smoothly on the big day. A solid plan helps you avoid last-minute hitches and makes sure your campaign aligns with your overall marketing goals.
Here are three key steps to any plan:
Set clear objectives: Define what you want to achieve – whether it’s increased sales, brand awareness, or new customer acquisition
Develop a timeline: Set deadlines for creating and reviewing content and schedule when each part of your campaign will go live
Allocate a budget: Decide how much to spend on different channels like social media, email, and paid ads
2. Use creative and appealing visuals
Visuals are often the first thing people notice, so they need to be compelling. Not only that, but eye-catching visuals can also make your ads more memorable and engaging. Vibrant images or creatively designed graphics can draw the viewer’s eye and encourage them to find out more about your offer.
Here are some best practices when it comes to visuals:
Leverage lifestyle photography: Go beyond simple product shots and incorporate lifestyle imagery that shows your products being used. This can make your ads more relatable and emotionally compelling.
Optimize for mobile viewing: Given the surge in mobile shopping during the holidays, make sure your visual assets are optimized for small screens. Use clean, uncluttered designs that are easy to digest at a glance.
Maintain brand consistency: Ensure your Cyber Monday visuals align with your overall brand identity and design guidelines. This will help reinforce your brand messaging and create a cohesive customer experience.
3. Use videos for higher engagement
Video content can greatly enhance your Cyber Monday ads. They capture attention and communicate deals quickly and effectively. TikTok is particularly suited to ecommerce, allowing you to maximize reach and attract shoppers who prefer video content.
Here are some ideas:
Create attention-grabbing teasers: Develop short, eye-catching video teasers to build anticipation and drive traffic in the weeks leading up to Cyber Monday
Showcase products in action: Use product demo videos to highlight key features and benefits, helping customers visualize how items could fit into their lives
Leverage influencer testimonials: Partner with relevant influencers to create authentic, relatable video endorsements that build trust and credibility
Optimize for mobile: Ensure your videos are formatted for seamless viewing on smartphones, as mobile traffic tends to spike during major shopping events
Social media and email marketing are powerful tools in your Cyber Monday advertising arsenal. They allow you to reach vast audiences and engage customers directly.
Social media: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (now X). Share eye-catching posts and stories about your deals. Engage with your audience through comments and direct messages.
Email marketing: Send emails to your subscribers highlighting exclusive deals. Personalize messages to increase open and conversion rates and ensure your email product descriptions are compelling.
Case study
Amundsen Sports uses targeted advertising by synchronizing a customer segment in its email list with Facebook. It achieved a 2x higher click-through rate than that of website visitors.
Your product listings and detail pages need to be in top shape for Cyber Monday. This ensures potential customers have all the information they need to make a purchase.
Consider these key areas:
Product titles: Use clear, descriptive titles that include relevant keywords
High-quality images: Ensure every product has multiple high-resolution images, allowing customers to zoom in for a better look
Customer reviews: Highlight positive reviews and ratings to build trust
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve your Cyber Monday advertising efforts. A well-rounded approach includes preparation, smart use of digital channels, and attention to product presentation. Also, try our free AI product description generator.
Summary
Planning is crucial for effective Cyber Monday advertising. The process takes place over weeks, not days.
In that time, focus on the announcement, messaging, and choice of products (or bundles), as well as building your waiting list with incentives like early access.
When the day comes, your Cyber Monday ads should use urgency and clear details to entice customers. Impressive visuals and engaging videos can increase engagement, while email marketing and optimized product pages can give your campaigns a much-needed boost.
Don’t forget that you can also tempt customers with sales once Cyber Monday has passed!
Enhance your Cyber Monday campaigns with feature-rich email marketing
Milda is a Senior Content Marketing Manager at Omnisend, with extensive experience in communication, helping brands establish a unique and authentic online presence.
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