110+ of the Best Black Friday Subject Lines To Boost Your Open Rates

Written by: Scott Cohen

Published on: 08-27-2024

Scott is the CEO at InboxArmy and has more than 20 years of experience in email marketing.

Have you prepared your Black Friday campaign, planned special offers for subscribers, and crafted the perfect Black Friday emails? Before Black Friday week, there’s one thing you shouldn’t forget: compelling  Black Friday subject lines that boost open rates, customer engagement, and sales.

These subject lines pique customer interest by conveying information on deals using hints, humor, and a sense of urgency.

That’s why I’ve put together a guide on 110+ of the best Black Friday email subject lines to inspire your own campaign. After all, you want to stand out in the crowded holiday inbox!

Let’s dive right in!

21 Pre-Black Friday Email Subject Lines To Drive Sales

Pre-Black Friday subject lines announce your sale, tell people what to expect, or offer early access to subscribers.

  1. “Waiting till Friday is overrated – we start early!”
  2. “🚨 Early Access: Save 30% Before Black Friday!”
  3. “Get Your Exclusive Black Friday Deals Today!”
  4. “An early Black Friday offer you can’t refuse 🤵🏻”
  5. “Early birds special – Black Friday starts on Monday!”
  6. “Friday is for fun. Our Black Friday sale starts today!”
  7. “Start your Black Friday wishlist today 🎁”
  8. “Here’s a Black Friday sneak peek at our discounts 🫣”
  9. “Get your Black Friday early access pass ➡️”
  10. “Countdown to Black Friday starts now ⏲️”
  11. “Psst! Here are early Black Friday savings just for you… 💸”
  12. “See what’s in store: BF 30% sale SITEWIDE”
  13. “BLACK FRIDAY’s starting early this year…”
  14. “Don’t wait till tomorrow: Shop early Black Friday deals! 🥳”
  15. “The early bird catches a BIGGER discount!”
  16. “See what’s in store for the big Black Friday sale 🎉”
  17. “Black Friday in October? That’s right!”
  18. “Last day of our pre-Black Friday sale!”
  19. “Bargain hunt early with our pre-Black Friday sale 🎯”
  20. “Jump on our early Black Friday sale access!”
  21. “Our guide to get you ready for Black Friday 📖”

21 Subject Lines for Black Friday Day

On the big day itself, you may send more than one email – like one at the start of the day to let recipients know the sale has started and one toward the end of the day as a reminder that the sale is almost over.

Here are some Black Friday sale email subject lines that’ll get your customers’ attention.

  1. “✨ Girl math this Black Friday: Not shopping is a waste of money ✨”
  2. “The big sale is finally here! Shop Black Friday deals 🛒”
  3. “Black Friday WEEKEND starts today!”
  4. “It’s here! Shop Black Friday deals, only today!”
  5. “Our biggest-ever BLACK FRIDAY sale!”
  6. “Save big – Black Friday has arrived 🖤”
  7. “It’s TIME 🕛 BLACK FRIDAY deals are in!”
  8. “Biggest sale of the year: shop Black Friday”
  9. “Our Black Friday deals are on 🔥🔥🔥”
  10. “Psst! Don’t miss out on Black Friday madness – only today!”
  11. “You don’t want to miss our Black Friday deals”
  12. “Make sure to add these items to your Black Friday shopping bag ➡️”
  13. “The BIG day has arrived: shop Black Friday deals!”
  14. “This Black Friday, EVERYTHING is on sale”
  15. “Ready – set – shop Black Friday!”
  16. “Be thrifty with our Black Friday sale!”
  17. “Our BLACK FRIDAY sale is here!”
  18. “Spend smart – Black Friday begins NOW! 🛍️”
  19. “Check out our Black Friday deals – today only!”
  20. “Black Friday has arrived”
  21. “Do not fear, Black Friday is here”

23 Subject Lines for Black Friday Deals

Black Friday email subject lines that provide information on the exact deals act as a great incentive for people to open your mail. You’re being upfront with the details and not wasting anyone’s time.

  1. “💌 60% off [item]”
  2. “Today only: BUY 2, GET 1 FREE 🤩”
  3. “BLACK FRIDAY Starts Now 📢 40% Off Everything!”
  4. “Shop 40% SITEWIDE this Black Friday 🖤”
  5. “When it rains, it pours – 60% OFF selected items ➡️”
  6. “Today ONLY: Shop 30% off this Black Friday 🛍️”
  7. “Get a FREE [item] with every purchase – only on Black Friday!”
  8. “Check out our favorites for our 25% off Black Friday sale 🤩”
  9. “Get 20-50% discounts this Black Friday 🤑”
  10. “Blink & you’ll miss it: Shop 30% off this Black Friday”
  11. “3-2-1: It’s HERE! 📢 40% off for Black Friday!”
  12. “Stocked and stoked: 30% Black Friday discount, today only”
  13. “Shop without the guilt: 30% off for Black Friday”
  14. “We’re 100% sure you’ll love the 30% off”
  15. “20-50% OFF sitewide for Black Friday”
  16. “Go on. You’ve earned it – and it’s 30% off!”
  17. “Get a GIFT with every purchase today! 🎁”
  18. “SITEWIDE 40% OFF 🤩 BLACK FRIDAY DISCOUNT”
  19. “Trending this Black Friday – 30% off”
  20. “We’ve taken off another 10% on our 30% BLACK FRIDAY SALE!”
  21. “Save up to 60% today!”
  22. “Best deals – up to 70% OFF!”
  23. “Buy one, get the second 60% off!”

17 Last-Chance Black Friday Subject Lines

A last-chance subject line accompanies the email you send towards the end of the day. It serves as a reminder that time’s running out and creates a sense of urgency.

  1. “Our 30% offer extension ends at midnight! ⏳”
  2. “We won’t wait – you shouldn’t either”
  3. “Psst! Get in before it runs out!”
  4. “Tomorrow, nothing will be the same. Shop today!”
  5. “Tick-tock, it’s almost Saturday…”
  6. “Hurry! Our 30% Black Friday sale ends at 12 AM”
  7. “Black Friday weekend ends in [number] hours!”
  8. “Quick – your Black Friday offer’s about to expire!”
  9. “Countdown to the end of our BF sale 🕛”
  10. “Our most popular items are nearly out of stock!”
  11. “Hurry – our [product] is flying off the shelves at 20% off!”
  12. “Inventory check: See what’s left for the next [number] hours”
  13. “Time’s running out ⌚ Don’t miss the biggest sale of the year!”
  14. “[number] HOURS LEFT on our Black Friday sale”
  15. “Blink and you’ll miss it – our amazing deals are almost over!”
  16. “Don’t miss out on our bestsellers this year, 30% off today!”
  17. “Last chance to discount shop 🛒🛍️”

17 Black Friday Subject Lines for Your Best VIP Customers

If urgency is all about scarcity, VIP Black Friday sale email subject lines are all about exclusivity. Make subscribers feel special with a VIP offer.

  1. “VIP ACCESS: 20% off sitewide! ✨”
  2. “This Black Friday, it’s exclusive. Get your VIP sale access 💌”
  3. “VIP Black Friday Preview: 30% off, just for you”
  4. “EXCLUSIVE ACCESS: Early Black Friday discount for our VIPs”
  5. “VIP Pre-Sale: 20% off sitewide 🤩”
  6. “20-50% OFF 🚀 VIP early access pass in here 💌”
  7. “Get your EARLY VIP access to our Black Friday deals”
  8. “Our VIP early access sale starts NOW”
  9. “Exclusive BLACK FRIDAY access for our VIPs 😏”
  10. “VIP Black Friday Pre-Sale: Get it today”
  11. “Hey, VIP! Get your early BLACK FRIDAY sale access 💌”
  12. “VIP-only offers for Black Friday ➡️”
  13. “To show how much we appreciate you, here’s early VIP access to our sale”
  14. “Exclusive VIP Black Friday Deals – 40% off sitewide!”
  15. “VIP extended-access sale!”
  16. “It pays to be our VIP – get an additional 10% off on Black Friday”
  17. “📢 EXCLUSIVE VIP BLACK FRIDAY DISCOUNT 📢”

15 Personalized Black Friday Subject Lines

Did you know that email personalization tactics can boost your revenue? That’s why it’s a great idea to add this element to your Black Friday email marketing campaigns, especially in the subject lines.

  1. “[Name], Claim Your Black Friday 🎁”
  2. “Hey [Name], we think you’ll love these discounted products ➡️”
  3. “[Name], what are you waiting for? It’s BLACK FRIDAY! 🤩”
  4. “[Name], we picked out these DISCOUNTED items just for you…”
  5. “[Name], check out these sweet Black Friday deals!”
  6. “[Name], did you survive Thanksgiving? Time to enjoy these deals!”
  7. “[Name], it’s not holiday season without our Black Friday super sale!”
  8. “Hey [Name], make your Black Friday wishlist! 📃”
  9. “[Name], your Black Friday discount code is here! 🔢”
  10. “Hey [Name], check out these Black Friday deals”
  11. “[Name], your Black Friday offer is waiting inside 📩”
  12. “[Name], you asked, we listened – Black Friday discount extension”
  13. “[Name], you’ll love these [item] even more at 30% off!”
  14. “[Name], did you miss our email? Black Friday sale ends today!”
  15. “Hey [Name], check out these Black Friday deals we picked for you 🤩”

17 Black Friday Email Subject Lines Mentioning Incentives & Discounts

Give recipients some additional incentive to open your email! A Black Friday subject line that reveals the bonus – free shipping, buy 2 get 1 free, or gifts – will show your subscribers you go above and beyond.

  1. “FREE SHIPPING 🚢 with every Black Friday purchase”
  2. “Black Friday deal: Buy 2, get 1 free! 🤩”
  3. “Buy 1, Get 1 for 70% off! 🤯”
  4. “30% OFF STORE & SITEWIDE 📢”
  5. “Get a free GIFT with every purchase! 🎁”
  6. “Black Friday Weekend: Up to 70% OFF!”
  7. “Up to 50% off – Friday only!”
  8. “$5 flat shipping rate this Black Friday!”
  9. “The Black Friday deal? 30% OFF on EVERYTHING!”
  10. “A gift 🎁 with every order!”
  11. “Get 3 bonus months on your yearly subscription: TODAY ONLY!”
  12. “Best Deal Yet: 30% Off + Free Shipping!”
  13. “Buy 1, Get 1 Free!”
  14. “Black Friday Rules: Up to 70% OFF!”
  15. “Get a FREE [item] with every [other item]!”
  16. “Black Friday Deal: Free [item] with every purchase 🎁”
  17. “OPEN for our BLACK FRIDAY OFFER! 🖤💌”

19 Creative Subject Lines That Hint at Black Friday Without Saying It

A subject line that doesn’t actually mention the big Black Friday discount day can help you stand out. And standing out is paramount when your recipient’s inbox is crowded with all sorts of offers.

  1. “If you survived Thanksgiving, you deserve this discount”
  2. “Pssst – a 30% discount is waiting for you”
  3. “HUGE deals coming your way 🚶🏿‍♀️”
  4. “A sale so nice you’ll shop here twice”
  5. “We slashed our prices so deep, they’re suing us”
  6. “Don’t lose it on Friday – bargain hunt today”
  7. “The BIG day has arrived 🐈‍⬛”
  8. “At these prices, you’d be losing money by NOT shopping”
  9. “Our CEO is on holiday, so we went disco(unt) wild“
  10. “We won’t make you wait till Friday 💸”
  11. “It’s not holiday season without our crazy discounts 🤪”
  12. “Don’t wait – we certainly didn’t!”
  13. “It’s not Friday the 13th – it’s much darker than that…”
  14. “You know what this Friday means. Get your credit card”
  15. “A sale like you’ve never seen before…”
  16. “We caved. Everything’s on sale”
  17. “November sucks. But not today…”
  18. “Treat yourself without the guilt”
  19. “Finally – a shopping holiday that won’t break the bank”

16 Black Friday Subject Lines That Create Urgency

Some of the best Black Friday subject lines to drive engagement create a sense of urgency. When you let customers know that the clock is ticking and that tomorrow they won’t get the same deal, you increase the chance of making a sale.

This is basically a scarcity mindset at work.

  1. “🚨 best sellers are RUNNING OUT”
  2. “🚨 final flash sale – BF countdown”
  3. “⏳ time’s running out!”
  4. “Last chance for your Black Friday discount”
  5. “[number] hours left on our sitewide sale”
  6. “Going, going, gone – items nearly out of stock!”
  7. “⌚ Only [number] hours left on the biggest sale of the year!”
  8. “Don’t pay full price tomorrow”
  9. “🚨 Our BLACK FRIDAY sale is nearly over! 🚨”
  10. “Our [name of product] are flying off the shelves!”
  11. “[name of product] is almost out of stock!”
  12. “Hurry before we run out! 🏃‍♂️”
  13. “Only [number] [item] left on discount! 🪧”
  14. “Shop BLACK FRIDAY discounts before it ends!”
  15. “Our Black Friday sale ends today”
  16. “Tick-tock! Only [number] hours left on our biggest sale of the year 💸”

10 Black Friday Subject Lines For Extended Promotions

Sometimes, people get busy on Black Friday. Sometimes, you don’t sell as much as you’d like… and sometimes, you really want to push certain items from stock. All these are great reasons to extend your discount for another day or over the weekend.

  1. “Pssst… you don’t want to miss our EXTENDED SALE 👀 “
  2. “INVENTORY REPORT FOR OUR EXTENDED SALE 📈📉💲”
  3. “We EXTENDED 40% OFF → “
  4. “SURPRISE SALE RESTOCK: [item] + [item]”
  5. “You asked, we listened: EXTENDED BLACK FRIDAY SALE 💌”
  6. “Did you procrastinate? It’s OK – we extended our BF discounts 😊”
  7. “Black Friday was yesterday – but we extended the sale today!”
  8. “This Weekend Only: Extended Black Friday Sale 😎🛍️”
  9. “Good News! Black Friday has been extended – SHOP 20% OFF”
  10. “Don’t miss out – Black Friday got another 24 hours 👀🤩”

Also, check out these impactful stats related to Black Friday to make the most of your marketing strategy

12 Top Tips for Crafting Click-Worthy Black Friday Subject Lines

The best subject lines are click-worthy. One way to achieve that is to hire a professional email campaign management service that’ll make sure you put your best foot forward.

If you want to put together the whole campaign by yourself, here are some tips on how to write the best Black Friday sale email subject lines for engagement and sales:

1. Keep it short and concise: You only have so many words at your disposal to get readers to click on your email. It’s especially important for mobile. Try to use no more than nine words (but test).

2. Create compelling copy: The subject line is the hook and needs to reel readers in and stand out in a crowded inbox. People will be getting lots of emails on Black Friday and compelling copy ensures that yours will be opened.

3. Give a sneak peek: Mentions of freebies, items in stock, a Black Friday preview, free shipping, or the percentage discount incentivize readers to open your email. However, it’s best practice to provide context that these incentives relate to your Black Friday sale, to ensure your emails don’t end up in subscriber spam inboxes (more on this shortly).

4. Incorporate emojis😀: Emojis can help your email stand out, giving it a fun, visual element. They show the personality behind your brand and evoke emotions.

5. Steer clear of spam words: Spam words not only put off recipients but they may also get your email sent straight to the spam folder. Avoid using words or phrases such as Act now, Proposal, Discount, Buy, Click, No Fee, Free, etc. without context.

6. Make it personal: Personalized email subject lines can increase your open rates by 26%. You can personalize your subject lines by adding names and using email segmentation and custom fields. This allows you to target the right people with suitable content, thus enhancing open rates and driving sales.

7. Enhance with preview text: Preview text lets readers see what’s in your email before they open it. This part that goes next to the subject line can increase the chances of readers opening the email, as they’ll have a clearer idea of what’s waiting inside.

8. Highlight exclusive discounts: Emphasize the duration of the discount or the exclusivity – through VIP or Black Friday priority access emails, for instance – of a certain offer.

9. Incorporate numbers: Numbers incentivize people to open your email. These can include the % number, hours left on the sale, buy 1 get 1 free type deals, etc.

10. Add a touch of humor: People appreciate humor. It’s a great way to stand out, display authenticity, and show customers that you’re just like them and don’t take yourself too seriously.

11. Create a sense of urgency and scarcity: Reminding recipients that time is running out or that certain items are almost or completely out of stock is an effective way to get them to act promptly.

12. A/B testing: Trying out several subject lines can help you see what works and what doesn’t. Essentially, this will help you craft stronger email campaigns in the future, as it gives you a better understanding of what audiences like.

Crafting Winning Black Friday Subject Lines

What you put in the subject line can make or break a sale. It makes the difference between an unopened email and a strong sale. That’s why those nine words that pop up in inboxes have to be to the point, engaging, and impactful.

Hopefully, these Black Friday sale email subject line examples and tips on how to craft winning copy will help you drive more conversions come November. And don’t forget that InboxArmy can also do it all for you, start to finish, with our email campaign management service.

FAQs

1. How do you stand out on Black Friday?

Here are some ways to make your Black Friday emails stand out:

  • Announce the promotions ahead of time
  • Create a sense of urgency
  • Offer early-bird incentives
  • Experiment with A/B testing
  • Use segmentation tactics

2. How do you attract customers on Black Friday?

To attract customers on Black Friday:

  • Offer special deals (like a free gift with every purchase)
  • Promote early sale
  • Add social media buttons to the bottom of emails
  • Promote incentives (free shipping)
  • Send abandoned cart emails
  • Offer special discounts to VIPs/subscribers

3. Why is Black Friday so famous?

Black Friday falls between two big holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas. It takes advantage of the slight lull right after the first, incentivizing people with discounts. Plus, it’s right at the start of the Christmas shopping season, so people are ready to start spending.

About Author

Winner of the ANA Email Experience Council’s 2021 Stefan Pollard Email Marketer of the Year Award, Scott Cohen is a proven email marketing veteran with nearly 20 years of experience as both a brand-side marketer and an email marketing agency executive. He brings to our clients a unique blend of experience building and managing larger CRM and retention teams, sending millions of emails and SMS per week, and award-winning copywriting chops. For more information, follow him on Linkedin

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