The beauty of this survival guide is that it only requires one tool—your smartphone.
Step 1: Follow, like and snap
If you already know which stores you plan on visiting, then you should follow them on Twitter and like their pages on Facebook. It is likely that your favorite retailers will be using these sites to share deals, coupons and possibly even information on Black Friday sweepstakes that you can enter.
And don’t forget about Pinterest! (Yes, you can use this site for more than creating your Dream Wedding Board or compiling recipes that never turn out the way they were supposed to, kind of like this.) Retailers like Macy’s are creating Black Friday Sneak Peek boards so you can check out the deals before hitting the stores.
Amazon is even incorporating Snapchat into the mix by sending their followers exclusive deals and gift recommendations throughout the day, which, in typical Snapchat fashion, will disappear after 10 seconds. If you want to get in on the action, add them on Snapchat (username: amazon.com).
Photos Courtesy of CNET
Step 2: Download these useful apps
Target added a mobile mapping feature to their app just in time for Black Friday in hopes of making it easier to navigate the crowded aisles. The new feature allows shoppers to search for a product or build a shopping list and then find the exact aisle in a nearby Target store where the products are located.
Target Mobile Mapping Feature — Photo Courtesy of AdWeek
Some stores, such as Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, are rolling out Image Search apps, which identify products (or products similar to the one you are looking for) from a picture alone.
Step 3: Share your #BFFs (Black Friday Finds) with your #BFF
If you spot the #BestDealEver don’t forget to share it on social media! And if you’re one of the dedicated shoppers who will be camping outside of the stores, feel free to #VineInLine à la Best Buy’s 2013 campaign. Make those of us who decide to sleep in and watch Netflix all day jealous of the super awesome (and super social) time you are having hitting the stores.