323. The Black Friday Trap: Why Discounting Might Be Costing You More Than You Think

Discover Why That 50% Off Sale Could Actually Destroy Your Course Business (And What to Do Instead)

What if I told you that running a Black Friday sale is the fastest way to destroy your online course business, not grow it? 🚀

That 50% discount you're planning isn't a marketing strategy—it's a pricing death spiral. I've watched too many course creators train their audiences to never pay full price again, all in the name of participating in Black Friday madness. Here's the truth: what works for Amazon and Target doesn't work for expertise-based businesses like ours.

I'm breaking down exactly why discounting works so differently for online course creators compared to e-commerce businesses, and I'm giving you three alternative strategies that won't tank your positioning or teach your audience to wait for sales. If you're considering a Black Friday promotion this year, you need to hear this before you hit send on that discount email.

"Every discount is a data point that trains your audience. When you run a 50% off Black Friday sale on your signature course, you're teaching your audience: don't buy at full price, wait, because she'll discount it eventually." ✨

🔥 In This Episode:

• Discover why discount buyers statistically have lower completion rates and higher refund rates than full-price students

• Learn the positioning paradox that makes you choose between being premium or competing on price (you can't be both)

• Master the enhanced value bundle strategy that increases revenue without devaluing your core offer

• Understand the critical difference between value-add bundling and strike-through discounting for your business positioning

• Calculate the real 12-month cost of discounting including pricing power, audience quality, and mental energy

• Implement the strategic affiliate play that lets you participate in Black Friday without undermining your authority

• Learn why keeping your list-building ads running during November and December is more important than you think

Grab your favorite coffee and settle in—this one's going to challenge everything you thought you knew about Black Friday! ☕️

💚 💚 💚
Salome

✨ If today's episode helped you, help other course creators find these strategies too! Your review helps us reach more people who need to get their knowledge into the world. Rate and review the show - when more helpers succeed, we all win. Thank you! 💫

⏱️ Chapter Guide:

(00:00) The dangerous truth about Black Friday sales that most course creators ignore completely

(09:23) Why physical product pricing strategies will destroy your expertise-based business model

(12:30) The hidden costs of discounting that show up six months later in your launch results

(15:45) How enhanced value bundles increase revenue without damaging your price authority

(18:05) Three alternative Black Friday strategies that build your business instead of undermining it

(21:15) The strategic affiliate play that maintains your premium positioning during discount season

(24:10) Why holding firm on pricing signals confidence and attracts your ideal high-commitment students

(26:45) The waitlist pre-sale strategy that creates urgency without devaluing your core offer

📚 Other episodes you might like:

＞＞ 322. The Worst Business Advice I Got and Why I’m Grateful for It Today (https://thelaunchlounge.com/322)

＞＞ 321. Everyone’s Burning Out – You Don’t Have To. Here’s How (https://thelaunchlounge.com/321)

＞＞ 320. Salome Answers Your Burning Ads Questions (https://thelaunchlounge.com/320)

🎙️Get The Full Show Notes Here ⬇️
(https://thelaunchlounge.com/323)