An eye-catching, intriguing, and action-oriented subject line plays a crucial role in the success of your email campaign. The perfect subject line is especially important during the Black Friday shopping excitement. After all, this event is synonymous with high sales potential. A high-quality subject line will help direct these sales to your business, while a weak one will give this potential to your competitors. In Black Friday email subject lines, it is important to focus on the urgency of the event and special offers, and in this article, we will teach you how to create this feeling and share ready-made subject lines that will bring guaranteed success.
The True Value of Black Friday Email Subject Lines
Regardless of the topic of your email campaign, the subject line always determines whether your emails will be profitable or ignored. Of course, the content of the email is no less important, but the subject line is what makes recipients decide whether to open the letter at all. No matter how good the content of your email is, it won’t be seen if the recipient isn’t interested in the subject line and doesn’t open the email. The open rate metric is one of the key metrics in email marketing, and a good, tested subject line can improve it. The open rate of Black Friday email subject lines is especially important as it determines whether your email will get people to buy or not.
Regular issues with subject lines will lead to low engagement, and low engagement will attract the attention of spam filters that will limit your deliverability, especially during peak seasons.
According to statistics collected by Market.biz, about 47% of recipients open emails based solely on the subject line, and 69% decide whether an email is spam or not just by it.
However, the subject line is not the only thing users pay attention to before opening an email. According to the same statistics, about 42% of recipients first pay attention to the sender. That is, if they are interested in your brand or trust it, you will still get an open, but why limit it to brand trust alone?
What Makes the Best Black Friday Email Subject Line?
Before you create or select a Black Friday subject line and add it to the final version of the email, you should check whether it meets all the characteristics that an ideal subject line should have. These traits ensure that the subject line is informative, encouraging, and that subscribers will open the email.
- Creates FOMO and a sense of limited offer
The feeling of FOMO is a classic email marketing tactic and an essential component of Black Friday campaigns. The feeling that a special offer may soon disappear prompts immediate action.
- Clear and shows its value
There are two options for a clear subject line. It should either give the reader a clear understanding of what to expect inside or create a sense of intrigue. Whichever option you choose, the subject line should show customers why it is so valuable and why they should open it. We mean a clear special offer that will actually attract the customer.
- Clear numbers
Clear percentages or discount amounts are effective for openings. They give customers a clear understanding of how much they can save, which is a good selling point. However, it is worth avoiding the “100%” indicator, as spam filters often pay attention to it.
- Includes emojis
Subject lines with emojis are still quite effective. However, the use of emojis has become formulaic and unoriginal. Be more creative in your use of them and stand out among the dozens of emails in inboxes.
Ready-Made Best Black Friday Email Subject Lines
Let’s not delay any longer and get straight to what you came here for. We’re talking about ready-made, top-notch subject lines for Black Friday that you can take and use in your campaign. We’ve created different clusters of subject lines so you can choose the one that interests you most and suits your goals.
Early Access Black Friday Subject Lines
Black Friday emails that give subscribers early access create a sense of exclusivity. The subject lines for this campaign should reflect this and also add a sense of urgency, that early access will soon end, to encourage the recipient to take action.
- Limited VIP Access: Shop Black Friday First 🎯
- Subscribers Only: Black Friday Preview Inside
- Let’s Black Friday early ⏰
- It is Black Friday when you say it is 🖤
- Ready for early access? 🔥
- Black Friday Preview: Exclusive Early Bird Code Inside
- Our Pre Black Friday sale starts in 24 hrs
- Not Friday yet, but it can be! 😍🎁
- Our early & exclusive Black Friday deals 💳
- Early Black Friday deals. Save up to 50% 🔥
- First Look: Early Black Friday Deals Are Here
- Black Friday Early Access 📣
- Grab Your Early Black Friday Deals
- Your 5 Days of Black Friday Deals
- 📫 Early Bird Black Friday sales
- 🎁 Black Friday Came Early This Year
Subject Lines for Urgency and FOMO
Emphasizing immediacy and creating a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out) play a key role in many email campaigns. As soon as subscribers see a countdown timer or a hint that the offer is fleeting, they will no longer be able to ignore the email. Here are a few subject lines that can evoke a sense of urgency:
- Almost Gone: Black Friday Bestsellers
- Final Hours: Black Friday Flash Sale ⚡
- Black Friday Cart Expires in 2 Hours
- Your 25% Off Coupon code is expiring in 24 hrs
- 4 hrs till our 50% Off discount expires
- Only one day left to get 50$ off + Free Shipping 🤑
- Act fast and save 15% Next 24 hrs only 🎁
- 30% Off Special Offer. Gone forever in 24 hrs
- 30% Bonus Off – Expires In 30 Minutes!
- 50 Doorbuster Deals End At Midnight!
Black Friday Subject Lines for Discounts
The idea that discount numbers and percentage symbols in subject lines are outdated and no longer attract people to open emails is a myth. When they see a discount, recipients will immediately analyze how much they can save and are unlikely to resist a lucrative offer.
- Everything 60% Off for Black Friday 🛍️
- Biggest Sale Ever: 70% Off Only Today
- Take 50% Off Your Entire Order This Friday
- Free Shipping + 40% Off Everything Now 📦
- Here’s your 50% Off coupon (no minimum)
- BFCM Exclusive: Get 30% off sitewide, plus a free gift!
- Up to 40% Off – Black Friday week is here and how! 🖤
- Black Friday Countdown Begins. Get 40% Off and Free Shipping
- Last Chance to Save Up to 50%
- December Newsletter and 25% OFF Coupons
- Get Our Amazing Deals Now! — 25% OFF
- Save up to 40%! Black Friday Sale Now Live!
- How about 40% OFF?
- Reminder: Black Friday 40% OFF!
- 30% Off: Shop Our Holiday Collection Now
- Shop SMALL and Save BIG 30%
- ⚡️ 25% Off EVERYTHING ⚡️ The Biggest Sale We’ve Ever Had
Creative Black Friday Subject Lines
It’s not just about discounts. After reading a creative subject line that plays with words or makes them smile, readers will open the email to continue having fun. Be creative yourself, consult an AI assistant, or simply take our suggestions.
- Black Friday: We Went Shopping Crazy 🤪
- Black Friday is just the Beginning 🚀
- Ready, Set, Shop! Black Friday’s Here
- On your mark, get set, GO 💨— Grab Your Special offer!
- This Black Friday, Everything Can Wait ⏰
- The Sale Your Wallet Will Thank You For
- Black Friday: Because You Deserve This
- Black Friday came early 👀 Want first dibs?
- We broke the prices — Black Friday starts now
- Your wallet is safe. For now. 😈
- We didn’t mean to go this low… but here we are!
- Doors open. Prices drop. You in?
Free Shipping Subject Lines
Offering free shipping on Black Friday is a pretty effective and common practice that helps attract more potential buyers. Here are some subject lines that advertise free shipping.
- 50% OFF or Free Shipping ☺️
- Black Friday | Free Shipping Start Now!
- Get 25% Off + Free shipping + 10% Coupon for next purchase
- ★ FREE SHIPPING! Black Friday Drops Now ★
- 40% Off and Free Shipping for One Day Only
- Skip the fees — Free Shipping starts now!
- Shipping’s on us. Because it’s Black Friday
- Your cart looks heavy… let us carry the shipping 😌
- Free Shipping is officially unlocked 🔓
- No minimum. No code. Just Free Shipping
- This Black Friday: We pay shipping, you save more
Post Black Friday Subject Lines
The practice of extending sales after Black Friday is quite common and effective, and we are sure you will take advantage of it too. Use subject lines for extended sales or choose the ones you need for the next one.
- Did you miss our Black Friday sale? 🖤
- Missed the sale? No worries, we’ve got your back 😍
- Sale extended by 48 hrs, jump in 😍⏰
- Black Friday Extended: More Time, More Savings!
- Missed Black Friday? We’ve Extended the Sale!
- Black Friday Isn’t Over Yet—Shop the Extended Sale!
- Extended! Keep Shopping Our Black Friday Sale!
- It’s Not Too Late: Black Friday Deals Extended!
- More Time to Save: Black Friday Extended!
- Black Friday Extended—Don’t Miss Out!
- Last Chance to Shop: Black Friday Extended!
- Extended Black Friday Sale: More Deals Just for You!
- Black Friday Sale Extended: Your Savings Continue!
- Black Friday MegaSale Officially Extended 🛒
- Your last chance repeats – 50% Off Sitewide
- Did you miss these deals? 😍⏰
Subject Lines for VIP Black Friday Emails
How could we forget about subject lines for VIP audience segments? We couldn’t, so here they are.
- Your VIP Black Friday Pass: Unlock Early Deals Now!
- VIP Perks: Get Early Access Before the Rush
- Start Shopping Like a VIP: Early Black Friday Access Just for You
- VIP Access Granted—Get Ahead of Black Friday’s Best Deals
- Unlock VIP-Only Black Friday Deals Before They’re Gone
- VIP First Dibs: Black Friday Starts Here 👑
- You’re on the list → Early Access Inside
- VIP Access Granted. Don’t tell everyone.
- Black Friday for the inner circle only ✨
- The door is open… but only for VIPs
- Your VIP link expires soon — shop before the crowd
Personalized Black Friday Subject Lines
Although some marketers recommend avoiding personalized subject lines in holiday or event campaigns because shoppers usually buy something for someone else rather than for themselves, it’s still your choice. So if you need personalized subject lines, here are some of them.
- Hey [First Name], Black Friday Deals Just For You!
- [First Name], You’re Invited To Our Biggest Sale!
- We’ve Got Your VIP Black Friday Offers Ready [First Name]!
- Special Access For [First Name] – Early Black Friday Preview
- Deals based on what you actually like 👀
- Your favorites are finally on sale!
- Ready? Your custom Black Friday picks are waiting
- The items you’ve been eyeing? They’re on sale 👇
Tips for the Best Black Friday Email Subject Lines
Taking a ready-made subject line or asking artificial intelligence to write one is definitely an effective and easy way to go. However, we don’t rule out your desire to show your own creativity and learn how to write the best subject lines yourself. Here are some tips for writing successful subject lines from our professional email marketing team.
- Prepare for Black Friday in Advance
Don’t take a long break before Black Friday and continue to generate revenue before the rush begins. Sell off old stock to make room for new, fresh products. Pre-sales will give you additional information about which products are currently in demand, so you can stock up on these relevant offers.
Conduct thorough testing of Black Friday email subject lines in advance to select the best and most effective ones ahead of time. A/B testing based on this principle will give you an idea of the approximate open rates you can expect from a particular subject line.
When preparing, pay attention to segments, especially eager buyers and avid discount seekers. Based on the data collected, you can prepare relevant campaigns for target audience groups.
Pro tip: When conducting preliminary A/B testing of subject lines, test different types from different clusters. Test subject lines with emojis, with words that focus on urgency, and with discount percentages to find the best of the best.
- Highlight Discounts
Discounts are always appealing. Consumers pay attention to them both in eCommerce offers and in real life every day at supermarkets. They will also pay attention to discounts in the subject lines of emails in their inboxes. Who doesn’t like to save money? By offering benefits in your store, you will make your store much more attractive.
However, different discount amounts work differently. High discounts do not always guarantee high incentives, as some customers may not believe them or suspect a catch. Smaller or medium discounts may not attract those looking for bigger discounts. The Omnisend platform conducted research to determine the most popular discounts in email campaigns:
30% discount (16% open rate)
50% discount (14% open rate)
25% discount (13% open rate)
20% discount (13% open rate)
40% discount (9% open rate)
Pro tip: When the sales season approaches, you will definitely be creating a teaser, but don’t limit it to just a discount. A discount alone will not set you apart from your competitors, as they are widespread nowadays. Choose a discount that has been proven by research and combine it with an additional attractive offer.
- Delight Everyone with Gifts
As you already know, Black Friday is a very global event that is worth making an effort for your potential customers. Gifts in honor of the sale are a great idea! It is not necessary to give something very expensive, just enough attention, a feeling of something free, and a sense of personality that customers will feel. Even the smallest gifts can bring you loyal customers. Examples of gifts include free samples and “buy one, get one free” promotions.
Pro tip: Triggers for gifts can be reaching certain spending amounts, which will not only bring you bonuses that come with gifts, but also encourage customers to make additional purchases.
- Offer More Affordable or Even Free Shipping
Free shipping is a good example of a special sale offer. During Black Friday, many potential buyers will focus on free shipping as their main criterion. Since major retail brands such as Amazon began offering free shipping all year round, it has become the standard for eCommerce. Shipping fees are now a turn-off for many consumers, especially if they are too high for relatively inexpensive items.
If it is not profitable for you to offer free shipping on a permanent basis, offer it for Black Friday. If free shipping is commonplace for you, consider offering free upgraded shipping to help you stand out from competitors who offer standard shipping.
Pro tip: Free shipping is a great offer for shoppers if you haven’t decided on any special Halloween deals yet.
- Subject Line Length Up to 7 words
A long subject line is not always better than a short and clear one. Studies show that BFСM subject lines require brevity and clarity. The optimal length for subject lines for these events is 5 to 7 words. This is useful so that the subject line fits completely on mobile device screens. In addition, it is worth remembering that modern users have short attention spans and may simply ignore long sentences in favor of short ones.
Pro tip: Most emails still have overly long subject lines, so you can stand out by favoring short ones. Include all of our tips about limited-time special offers, CTA, percentages, and shipping in those seven words, and you’ve got the perfect Black Friday subject line.
- Encouraging Phrases
Black Friday and Cyber Monday events are designed to create the best shopping deals. This is exactly what buyers focus their attention on: the attractiveness of offers from brand to brand. They save up money to spend on events that bring them benefits. Therefore, phrases such as “Save now” or “Coupons for purchases” are very attractive and will be a good choice for your subject lines.
Pro tip: Advertise your emails with subject lines that highlight the opportunity to save money. The BOGO (buy one, get one) abbreviation is a bit overused and doesn’t always work, but phrases about the opportunity to save money will work better.
- Perfect Every Aspect of Your Email Envelope
The subject line is certainly a crucial aspect of opening an email, but there are also secondary aspects, such as the preview text and the sender’s name and icon. The correct display of emails in subscribers’ inboxes is key to standing out from competitors. Including your brand name in the subject line and its logos allows you to leverage your brand reputation to convince recipients to open the email.
Pro tip: Check these aspects using BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) in advance to see exactly how your email will look in the recipient’s inbox.
- Emojis: The Key to Appeal
Although opinions differ on the usefulness of emojis in subject lines, it is a fact that they bring higher open rates. However, the problem is that most brands focus on the same emojis, which do not stand out from each other. For example, during the BFСM period, the most popular emoji is a gift. Other popular emojis include a red siren and a red alarm clock. So, you definitely need to use emojis, but not as a template.
Pro tip: Try to choose emojis that match your brand’s style. This will give you more ideas to choose from and set you apart from the crowd. Also, don’t forget not to use emojis as a substitute for words, as this will lower your accessibility score.
Conclusion
Your investments in email marketing and other marketing channels are designed to bring you higher revenues and other benefits. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are events that can bring you some of the highest ROIs. That is why it is worth putting all your effort and knowledge into creating emails, especially subject lines. Why the subject line? Because it is the factor that determines whether the recipient will open the email and view its content.
To sum up all our tips, your Black Friday subject line should: create a sense of urgency, have clear numbers, stand out from the competition, and much more, which we discussed in detail in the article. If you have managed to choose or create the perfect subject line for Black Friday but are unsure about the content of your email, you can always turn to the experts at Flowium. Our company has many years of experience that we effectively apply in email campaigns regardless of the industry. Contact us and reap the rewards!
