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

posted by:

Salome Schillack

Discover The Gap In Your Online Course Marketing And Unlock Its Full Earning Potential

Take The Most-Profitable
Course Quiz

Take The Quiz

Get Your First List Building Ad Up Without Wasting Time Or Money

Get Started

FREE Facebook and Instagram Ads Training

Your First $10K Online Course Launch

A Step-By-Step Guide To Launching Your Online Course Profitably The First Time

Sign Me Up

follow @the_launch_lounge

I love helping course creators advertise and market their courses well!

I created The Launch Lounge to provide training and coaching resources to help you master marketing so you can make a global impact, build a highly profitable business, and live life on your own terms.

Hi, I'm Salome

Discover The Gap In Your Online Course Marketing And Unlock Its Full Earning Potential

Take The Most-Profitable
Course Quiz

Take The Quiz

Get Your First List Building Ad Up Without Wasting Time Or Money

Get Started

FREE Facebook and Instagram Ads Training

Your First $10K Online Course Launch

A Step-By-Step Guide To Launching Your Online Course Profitably The First Time

Sign Me Up

follow @the_launch_lounge

I love helping course creators advertise and market their courses well!

I created The Launch Lounge to provide training and coaching resources to help you master marketing so you can make a global impact, build a highly profitable business, and live life on your own terms.

Hi, I'm Salome

Get Your First List Building Ad Up Without Wasting Time Or Money

Get Started

FREE Facebook and Instagram Ads Training

Your First $10K Online Course Launch

A Step-By-Step Guide To Launching Your Online Course Profitably The First Time

Sign Me Up

follow @the_launch_lounge

I love helping course creators advertise and market their courses well!

I created The Launch Lounge to provide training and coaching resources to help you master marketing so you can make a global impact, build a highly profitable business, and live life on your own terms.

Hi, I'm Salome

Discover The Gap In Your Online Course Marketing And Unlock Its Full Earning Potential

Take The Most-Profitable
Course Quiz

Take The Quiz

follow @the_launch_lounge

I love helping course creators advertise and market their courses well!

I created The Launch Lounge to provide training and coaching resources to help you master marketing so you can make a global impact, build a highly profitable business, and live life on your own terms.

Hi, I'm Salome

Your First $10K Online Course Launch

A Step-By-Step Guide To Launching Your Online Course Profitably The First Time

Sign Me Up

follow @the_launch_lounge

I love helping course creators advertise and market their courses well!

I created The Launch Lounge to provide training and coaching resources to help you master marketing so you can make a global impact, build a highly profitable business, and live life on your own terms.

Hi, I'm Salome

Get Your First List Building Ad Up Without Wasting Time Or Money

Get Started

FREE Facebook and Instagram Ads Training

follow @the_launch_lounge

I love helping course creators advertise and market their courses well!

I created The Launch Lounge to provide training and coaching resources to help you master marketing so you can make a global impact, build a highly profitable business, and live life on your own terms.

Hi, I'm Salome

Listen on..

APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

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

>> 321. Everyone’s Burning Out – You Don’t Have To. Here’s How

>> 320. Salome Answers Your Burning Ads Questions


🎙️ Click Here To Listen Wherever Your Get Your Podcasts 🎙️


Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“Valuable and funny! ★★★★★

I love these tangible tools Salome gives us! Finally a podcast with a full picture strategy. And she makes it fun which makes you remember what you learned even better and you can’t wait for the next episode to air. Thank you!”

Mtillie in Sweden

Please rate, review and follow the show. When you do, it helps me reach more people and help them create wildly profitable businesses that impact millions of people! You'll also unleash good carma get the best parking spots forever (ok, I made that up – but rating and reviewing can be your good deed for today).

Click here to go to Apple Podcasts, open the app, and scroll to the bottom of the show page. Click the 5 stars to leave a 5-star rating and leave a review for us, please. While you're there, follow the show so you never miss a single episode!


Get Your First List Building Ad Up Without Wasting Money!

Free 5-Day Facebook And Instagram Ads Training 

We have recorded a FREE 5-Day Video Training for you where you can look over my shoulder as I show you everything you need to know to get your first list building ads up. 

A woman with curly hair sits at a table with a laptop, phone, notebook, and orange mug, recording herself using a smartphone on a tripod in a bright kitchen setting while discussing Black Friday discounting.

follow @the_launch_lounge

Hi,

Here to help you turn your passion, knowledge and skills into a wildly profitable business that gives you complete freedom and autonomy in your life and your work.

An entrepreneur, marketer and teacher

I'm Salome

A woman with an afro hairstyle smiles while sitting at a desk with a microphone, headphones around her neck, and a laptop nearby, recording podcast content strategy for online course creators 2026 in a bright, cozy room.

Business, Podcast

335. What You Can Expect in 2026

Uncover the podcast content strategy for online course creators 2026 to connect more deeply with your audience.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A woman with long gray hair and glasses sits at a table in a modern kitchen, half-working through Christmas as she writes in a notebook while looking at her laptop. Focused, she wears a green shirt over a white top.

Inspiration, Podcast

334. Stop Half-Working Through Christmas

Discover how to actually rest this holiday using the Clock Out CEO Checklist—without your business falling apart. (156 characters)

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A woman in athletic wear sits on a yoga mat indoors, stretching her arm overhead while recording herself with a camera on a tripod—showcasing holiday work balance amid cozy home decor, including a sofa and potted plant.

Business, Podcast

333. Still Not Making ‘Quit My Job’ Money? This Might Be Why

Discover why you’re running the wrong business model—and how to build one that actually fits your life.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A woman with curly hair in a tan blazer holds a microphone and gestures while speaking in front of a blurred indoor background, sharing tips on Christmas productivity and working during holidays.

Business, Podcast

332. 3 Signs You’re Ready to Scale (And 3 Signs You’re Not)

Learn when to scale your online course business with Facebook ads to avoid costly mistakes and improve your ROAS.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A woman with curly hair smiles and gestures while sitting at a desk with a laptop, speaking to a smartphone on a tripod, sharing tips on how to stop half-working through Christmas in a bright, modern room.

Business, Podcast

331. If I Had to Start Over Again: What I’d Do Differently in 2025

Learn how to build a profitable online course business from scratch in 2026 with essential strategies and fresh insights.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A person typing on a laptop at a desk in a sunlit office, large windows framing a city view—showing holiday productivity as they keep half-working through Christmas. A pen holder and papers are also on the desk.

Business, Podcast

330. Your “One More Launch” Is Keeping You Stuck

Discover how to build consistent income through strategic list building without the feast-or-famine cycle.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A woman with curly red hair, wearing a striped shirt and shorts, sits cross-legged on a bed while smiling and using a laptop. The modern room's blue accents hint at her resolve to stop half-working through Christmas and fully unwind.

Business, Podcast

329. Your 2026 Success Map Starts NOW: My Planning Process Revealed

Discover effective business planning for ADHD entrepreneurs that breaks free from traditional methods and enhances productivity.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A woman sits at a table covered with various fruits and vegetables, filming herself with a smartphone on a tripod, sharing tips for Christmas productivity in a bright, modern kitchen.

Inspiration, Podcast

328. The Comparison Trap: What to Do When Everyone Else Seems Further Ahead

Learn how to stop comparing yourself to other course creators and focus on your unique journey to success.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

A person types on a laptop at a white desk decorated with flowers, a notebook, and coffee in a pink cup—an inspiring setup for DIY business ideas or seeking business help. The laptop screen is blank, ready for new ventures.

Business, Podcast

327. The Real Cost of DIY: When to Invest in Help for Your Business

Discover when to hire help for your online business without overspending or burning out. Strategic growth starts here.

read the post →

read the post →

Hot Off The Press!
Binge Our most popular posts

Connect with us on

facebook

Join our vibrant Community of course creators on Instagram and let's build our Freedom Empires together.

Check out OUR 

Insta

stay a while + read

The Blog

elsewhere:

Connect