By Lucy Quach, GearLaunch's Marketing Manager
Picture this: It's 6 AM on Black Friday, and while most people are still deciding whether to brave the mall crowds or stay cozy in their pajamas, your phone is buzzing with sale notifications. Order after order rolling in while you're sipping your morning coffee.
Sounds like a dream? Well, that's exactly what happened to thousands of GearLaunch sellers last year, and it's about to be your reality for 2025.
Let me paint you a picture with some numbers that’ll make your eyes light up. In 2024, Black Friday alone generated a whopping $10.8 billion in US online sales – that’s a solid 10.2% jump from the year before. But here’s where it gets really exciting: Cyber Monday smashed even those numbers with $13.3 billion in sales, growing 7.3% year-over-year (Adobe, Salesforce, NRF).
Think about it this way – in just 24 hours during this shopping frenzy, consumers worldwide spent an estimated $74.4 billion. That’s not just money changing hands; that’s millions of people actively looking for the perfect gifts, treating themselves, and most importantly for us sellers, ready to spend more than usual (Salesforce, Adobe).
What I love most about these shopping holidays is how they transform buyer behavior. People aren't just shopping – they're on a mission. They're gift-hunting, deal-seeking, and genuinely excited to buy. It's like the entire world gets into a generous mood, and honestly, there's no better time to be a seller.
Here's something that might surprise you: 69% of all Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales happen on mobile devices. That means your customers are literally shopping from their couch, their bed, maybe even while waiting in line for their actual Black Friday shopping. The convenience factor is huge, and that's where print-on-demand really shines.
Think about the traditional retail headaches you don't have to worry about with GearLaunch:
While other sellers are panicking about stock levels and shipping delays, you're focused on what really matters: creating amazing designs and connecting with customers.
The beauty of this season is that people are also more generous with their wallets. Average order values shoot up because customers are buying for others, treating themselves, and taking advantage of deals. Plus, there's something magical about the holiday spirit that makes people more likely to show appreciation—and with GearLaunch’s new tipping feature launching soon, you’ll have the chance to earn extra during Q4.
I can't stress this enough – the sellers who crush it during Black Friday started planning in September, not November. Here's what successful GearLaunch sellers are doing right now:
Dive into your data. Look at what sold best for you last year. Which designs got the most engagement? What products had the highest margins? Your past sales are like a crystal ball for future success.
Use GearLaunch's E-Commerce Calendar to map out your product launches. Trust me, timing is everything. You want your holiday-themed designs live and optimized well before the shopping rush begins.
Nothing gets people to click "buy now" faster than the fear of missing out. But here's the thing – you don't need to be sleazy about it. Authentic urgency works way better than fake countdown timers.
Try these approaches:
The key is that GearLaunch's reliable fulfillment means you can actually keep these promises. When you say "ships in 48 hours," you can back it up.
Here's a little secret from my years in marketing: people love buying bundles, especially during gift-giving season. There's something satisfying about getting a "complete set" rather than individual pieces.
Some bundle ideas that work incredibly well on GearLaunch:
Bundles don't just increase your average order value – they also make gift-giving easier for your customers. It's a win-win.
After analyzing trending data and successful seller patterns, here's what I'm seeing dominate for Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2025:
Apparel that hugs you back: Hoodies and sweatshirts with funny or heartwarming messages are absolute gold. People want comfort items that also make them smile. Think "Mom Life" hoodies, "Dog Dad" sweatshirts, or anything that celebrates the cozy season.
Home decor that tells a story: Photo tiles, framed canvases, and metal prints are crushing it because they're personal and giftable. Family photos, motivational quotes, or beautiful abstract designs – these make houses feel like homes.
Small items with big impact: Phone cases are the unsung heroes of print-on-demand. They're affordable enough for impulse buys, practical enough to justify, and personal enough to love. Stock multiple colors and styles because people will buy more than one.
The power of stickers: Never underestimate a good sticker. They're perfect cart add-ons, affordable gifts, and people collect them like trading cards.
Holiday magic: Thanksgiving-themed decor, Christmas ornaments, holiday mugs – seasonal designs have a built-in urgency that regular products don't.
Personalization wins hearts: Custom couple apparel, family name signs, personalized motivational prints – anything that can't be bought at a regular store has huge value.
Here's where you can really set yourself apart: exceptional customer service during the busy season. When everyone else is overwhelmed and slow to respond, being quick and helpful can literally earn you tips.
Respond to messages within hours, not days. Be proactive about shipping updates. Add personal touches where you can – even something as simple as a "Thank you for your order! Hope you love it!" message can make someone's day.
And here's a pro tip: engage with your customers on social media. Share behind-the-scenes content, customer photos, design processes. People buy from people, not faceless stores.
Email is still king. I know everyone talks about social media, but your email list is pure gold. Send early access offers to your subscribers. Make them feel like VIPs. People love feeling like they're part of an exclusive club.
Social media storytelling: Instead of just posting product photos, tell stories. Share customer photos. Create behind-the-scenes content. Show the person behind the designs. authenticity sells better than any perfect product shot.
Create real urgency: Don't fake scarcity, but do create real deadlines. "Last day for guaranteed Christmas delivery" is genuine urgency that helps customers make decisions.
While other sellers are stressing about inventory and shipping, you've got some serious advantages:
The Academy is your secret weapon. GearLaunch's courses on pricing, design, and holiday marketing are like having a business mentor in your back pocket. Use them.
Zero upfront costs mean you can experiment. Try new products, test different price points, launch limited collections. If something doesn't work, you haven't lost inventory investment.
Analytics that actually help. Your dashboard isn't just pretty numbers – it's actionable data. Track what's working and double down on it in real-time.
Here's what you need to do right now:
The most successful GearLaunch sellers I know aren't necessarily the most creative or the most business-savvy. They're the ones who plan ahead, stay consistent, and genuinely care about their customers' experience.
This Black Friday and Cyber Monday could be your biggest sales weekend ever. The traffic is coming whether you're ready or not – the question is, will you be prepared to capture it?
Start planning now, focus on products people actually want to buy and give as gifts, and remember to optimize for mobile since that's where most of your sales will happen. Most importantly, enjoy the process. There's something incredibly satisfying about watching your designs bring joy to customers during the holiday season.
Your best Black Friday & Cyber Monday is waiting for you. Let's make it happen!
Ready to start planning your Black Friday strategy? Head over to your GearLaunch dashboard and let's turn this holiday season into your most profitable one yet.