9 Things Sellers Should Do Before Black Friday to Boost Holiday Sales

Black Friday and the holiday season are the biggest selling window of the year for many resellers. In this Treecat Chat recap, Michelle shares practical ways sellers can reduce stress, increase visibility, and prepare for the peak period between Black Friday and mid-December.

1. List More Items and Crosslist Consistently

One of the fastest ways to get more traction before Black Friday is to increase activity in your store. That means:

• Adding new listings
• Crosslisting to more marketplaces
• Refreshing old, stale listings
• Staying consistent with daily goals

Michelle shared that during one strong September, she set a goal of:

• 20 new listings
• 20 crosslists
• 20 delists/relistings
• Automated Poshmark sharing

That kind of activity can create a noticeable lift in sales without requiring a massive time investment.

2. Price with Room to Discount

Holiday shoppers want deals. If you plan to run offers, discounts, or sale pricing, consider building that into your original price.

A common approach is to price items about 10% to 20% higher than your target sale price so you still have room to:

• Send offers
• Run markdowns
• Offer holiday discounts

This can help you stay competitive while protecting your margins.

3. Double Down on What Already Sells

Now is not the time to experiment heavily with new categories or untested inventory. Focus on the products and categories that already perform well for you.

That means:

• Repeating proven listing strategies
• Sourcing more of your best sellers
• Prioritizing inventory with strong demand

During peak season, consistency usually works better than reinvention.

4. Crosslist to Reduce Marketplace Risk

Relying on just one marketplace can be risky, especially when platforms change fees, promotion models, or ranking systems. Crosslisting helps reduce that dependence.

Benefits include:

• More visibility
• More potential buyers
• Less reliance on one platform’s algorithm
• Better protection when marketplace policies change

For sellers who are concerned about platform changes, crosslisting can be an important safeguard.

5. Automate Wherever Possible

Automation can save time and reduce stress, especially during the busy holiday period. Michelle emphasized using tools that help with:

• Sales detection
• Automatic delisting
• Relisting
• Poshmark sharing
• Bulk edits
• Inventory management

When you are managing multiple marketplaces, automation helps prevent overselling and keeps your workflow under control.

6. Upgrade Your Photos

Clean, professional photos matter more than ever. Buyers expect crisp images with a polished look, and platforms are increasingly favoring listings that look more brand-friendly.

Michelle demonstrated using Treecat’s image tools to improve background quality quickly. A better photo can help:

• Increase click-throughs
• Improve buyer trust
• Make older listings look more current
• Help your items compete with bigger sellers and brands

7. Prepare for Shipping and Marketplace Changes

With Black Friday approaching, sellers should also think about shipping deadlines and platform policies. Michelle noted that mid-December is a critical cutoff for many holiday shipments, so sellers should plan inventory and shipping timelines carefully.

She also advised paying attention to marketplace changes, especially on platforms like eBay, where new promotion or attribution models may affect performance and costs.

8. Protect Yourself with Clear Store Policies

Returns, international shipping, and buyer behavior all matter more during peak season. A few practical takeaways from the livestream:

• Consider whether international shipping makes sense for your inventory
• Review your return policy carefully
• Be prepared for buyer-friendly platform decisions
• Block problematic buyers if needed

Michelle shared that in her experience, eBay often sides with buyers, so sellers should plan accordingly.

9. Don’t Forget Self-Care and Small Business Messaging

The holiday season is stressful, so seller self-care matters. Michelle reminded viewers to:

• Eat regularly
• Stay hydrated
• Stretch and move around
• Make easy meals when possible

She also suggested adding phrases like “Ships from USA” and “Small business owned” in listings so buyers know they are supporting a small seller. That can be especially helpful when shoppers are being more intentional with their spending.

Final Thoughts

The weeks before Black Friday are a huge opportunity for resellers. If you want to make the most of the holiday season, focus on:

• Listing more
• Pricing strategically
• Doubling down on proven inventory
• Crosslisting widely
• Automating repetitive tasks
• Improving your photos
• Staying prepared for shipping, policies, and buyer expectations

A little preparation now can make the busiest selling season of the year much smoother and more profitable.