Hour-by-hour BFCM execution plan for SMBs. Daily priorities, task dependencies, and a calendar builder that exports your complete send schedule. Go from unprepared to launched in exactly 14 days.
Forget the 90-day plans written for enterprises with dedicated teams. You have 14 days, maybe one other person helping, and a business to run at the same time. This isn't a wishlist—it's a battlefield-tested execution plan that gets you from wherever you are today to a profitable Black Friday launch.
Here's what makes this different: every task has a time estimate, every day has a "must complete" and "nice to have" section, and nothing requires tools you don't already have. We've stripped out everything that doesn't directly impact revenue. What's left is pure execution.
The brutal truth? You're going to work harder these next 14 days than you have all year. But follow this plan and you'll capture 25-35% of your annual revenue in five days. That's not inspiration—that's math based on 500+ SMB campaigns we've analyzed.
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Your 14-Day Sprint Map (Total Time: 40-50 Hours)
First: Build Your Send Calendar (Do This Now)
Before diving into tasks, you need to know exactly when every email and SMS goes out. This calendar becomes your north star. Miss a send time by even an hour during BFCM and you're leaving thousands on the table. Build this calendar, export it, and sync it to your phone. Now.
This isn't just a list of dates—it's a precision instrument. Each send time has been optimized based on millions of opens, clicks, and purchases. Don't get creative here. These times work because they align with customer behavior patterns that are remarkably consistent across industries.
Now that you have your send calendar locked in, let's map out exactly what you need to do each day. Every task below assumes you're starting from scratch. If you've already completed something, skip it and bank the time.
Days 14-11: Foundation Sprint (12 Hours Total)
These four days determine whether you profit or panic. This is when you make the big decisions that everything else builds on. No perfectionism allowed—make decisions, document them, and move forward. You can always adjust, but you can't get this time back.
Day 14: Strategy Lock-In (3 hours)
Day 14 Reality Check: If you can't decide on offer structure today, default to tiered percentage off (spend more, save more). It's safe, proven, and protects margins.
Day 13: List & Audience Prep (3 hours)
Day 12: Operations Shield (3 hours)
Day 11: Landing Page Foundation (3 hours)
Days 14-11 are about decisions, not perfection. Every hour you spend debating is an hour not spent executing. Make the call and move forward.
Days 10-7: Asset Creation Sprint (10 Hours Total)
This is production week. You're writing copy, creating graphics, and building the actual assets you'll deploy. No more strategy—just creation. Pro tip: batch similar tasks together. Write all email subject lines in one sitting, all SMS messages in another.
Day 10: Email Template Production (3 hours)
Day 9: SMS & Social Copy (2.5 hours)
Day 8: Visual Assets (2.5 hours)
Day 7: Bundle & Upsell Setup (2 hours)
Asset creation is where most SMBs fall behind. Set a timer for each task. When time's up, move on. Done is better than perfect when you have 7 days left.
Days 6-4: Testing & Setup (8 Hours Total)
Everything breaks on Black Friday. The only question is whether it breaks during testing (fixable) or during your sale (expensive). These three days are about breaking things on purpose so they work when it counts.
Day 6: Technical Setup (3 hours)
Day 5: Full Testing Day (3 hours)
Day 4: Final Content & Schedule (2 hours)
Days 3-1: Final Sprint (6 Hours Total)
No new ideas. No major changes. Just execution and preparation. These final days are about making sure everything you've built actually works and everyone knows their role. This is also when you start your early access campaign for VIPs.
Day 3: VIP Launch Day (2 hours)
Day 2: Thanksgiving Day (1 hour)
Day 1: Black Friday Eve (3 hours)
Launch Day: Black Friday Execution (4+ Hours)
This is it. Months of revenue in one day. Your job today isn't to be creative or strategic—it's to execute the plan and solve problems fast. Keep this checklist visible and check off each item as you complete it.
Common Fires & How to Fight Them
Things will go wrong. Here's your firefighting guide. These are the five most common BFCM disasters for SMBs and exactly how to handle them. Print this section and keep it nearby.
Fire #1: Site Crashes or Slows to a Crawl
Fire #2: Discount Code Not Working
Fire #3: Inventory Sells Out Too Fast
Fire #4: Payment Processor Goes Down
Fire #5: Email Gets Marked as Spam
Create a "War Room" chat with your team. When issues arise, post once and tag the person responsible. No endless discussion—just "Issue identified, [Name] is fixing, ETA 15 minutes."
The Psychology of the 14-Day Sprint
This plan works because it forces focus. You don't have time to overthink, second-guess, or aim for perfection. Every day has clear deliverables, and every task directly impacts revenue. This isn't about doing everything—it's about doing what matters.
Here's what separates successful executions from failures: the ability to make decisions quickly and move forward. Your first idea is usually good enough. Your second draft is usually ready to ship. Your third revision is procrastination disguised as perfectionism.
The businesses that win BFCM aren't the ones with perfect campaigns. They're the ones that shipped something good enough, on time, and then iterated based on real customer behavior. You can always improve next year. This year, you need to launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm starting with less than 14 days until Black Friday?
Switch to the 7-day rescue plan: Skip Days 14-11 and 10-8. Start with Day 7's tasks, focusing only on "Must Complete" items. Cut your product selection to top 10 sellers, use one simple discount (25% off everything), and focus entirely on email to your existing list. It won't be perfect, but it will generate revenue.
How many hours per day does this plan actually require?
The plan requires 3-4 hours per day for Days 14-7, 2-3 hours for Days 6-4, and 1-3 hours for Days 3-1. Black Friday itself requires 4-8 hours depending on your operation size. Total: 40-50 hours over two weeks. If you have help, many tasks can be delegated or done in parallel.
What's the minimum budget needed to execute this plan?
You can execute with $500: $0 for email (use existing platform), $100 for SMS messages, $200 for paid ads (retargeting only), $100 for graphics/tools, $100 buffer for unexpected costs. Focus on owned channels (email/SMS) and skip paid acquisition if budget is tight.
Should I hire help or try to do everything myself?
If budget allows, hire a VA for 10-20 hours to handle repetitive tasks (scheduling posts, formatting emails, updating product descriptions). Focus your time on strategy and copy. If solo, cut scope ruthlessly—better to do 5 things well than 20 things poorly.
What if my email list is tiny (under 500 subscribers)?
Focus Days 14-10 entirely on list building: run a giveaway, offer early bird signup incentives, partner with complementary businesses for cross-promotion. Even growing from 500 to 1,000 subscribers doubles your revenue potential. Then execute a simplified campaign to this engaged audience.
How do I know which tasks to skip if I'm running behind?
Always skip "Nice to Have" items first. Then prioritize by revenue impact: 1) Email campaign (highest ROI), 2) Landing page (conversion hub), 3) Discount setup (enables sales), 4) Customer service prep (protects reputation), 5) Everything else. When in doubt, focus on what directly enables purchases.
What metrics should I track during the 14-day preparation?
Track completion rate of daily tasks (aim for 80%+ of "Must Complete"), email list growth (target 20% increase), landing page conversion rate in testing (minimum 2%), and pre-launch engagement (email opens above 25%). These early indicators predict BFCM success.
The Final Push: Day 0 Mindset
In 14 days, you'll either be counting profits or wondering what happened. The difference isn't talent, resources, or luck. It's execution. This plan has generated millions in revenue for businesses just like yours. But it only works if you work it.
Stop looking for the perfect strategy. Stop waiting for more time. Stop comparing yourself to bigger competitors. You have everything you need: a plan, products to sell, and customers who want to buy. The only question is whether you'll execute.
Your competition is paralyzed by options. While they're debating strategy, you're shipping campaigns. While they're perfecting copy, you're making sales. While they're planning for next year, you're profiting this year.
Get Everything You Need for the 14-Day Sprint
Our complete Launch Kit includes this checklist in spreadsheet format, all email/SMS templates pre-written, design templates, and hour-by-hour execution guides.
Get the 14-Day Launch Kit ($49)Execute Your SMS Strategy with SmartSMSSolutions
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Start Free Trial (No Card Required)The clock is ticking. Every hour you delay is an hour your competitors get ahead. Open your calendar, block the next 14 days, and start with Day 14's tasks. By the time Black Friday arrives, you won't hope for sales—you'll expect them.
See you on the other side of your best BFCM ever.
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