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  • 100 Black Friday Email Subject Lines to Maximize Open Rates in 2024

100 Black Friday Email Subject Lines to Maximize Open Rates in 2024

  • Marketing
  • 6 min read

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Let’s be honest—Black Friday can make or break your Q4 revenue. And with inboxes flooded with deals during the Black Friday madness, your email subject line is the first (and maybe only) chance to grab attention.

So, how do you stand out when everyone is shouting “SALE!” from the rooftops?

You craft the perfect email subject line. One that cuts through the clutter, sparks curiosity, and convinces customers to open your email.

Lucky for you, we’ve compiled 100 real-life Black Friday subject line examples that can help boost your open rates in 2024. Whether you’re looking for early access teases, urgency-packed last-chance notices, or clever quips, there’s something here for every email strategy.

Let’s get started!

Why do Black Friday email subject lines matter?

Your Black Friday email subject line is the first thing your audience sees, and it’s the difference between an email that gets opened and one that ends up in the trash.

With inboxes overflowing during the holiday season, your subject line has just a split second to stand out. If it doesn’t grab attention, your amazing offer, exciting sale, or limited-time deal goes unseen.

Here’s why it’s critical to nail your Black Friday email subject lines:

1. First impressions matter

Your subject line is the gateway to everything else. It’s like the storefront window of your digital sale.

A dull or generic subject line could make your subscribers scroll past without a second thought. However, a compelling subject line that offers an exclusive Black Friday deal hooks them and entices them to explore what’s inside.

2. Inbox overload

During Black Friday, shoppers receive dozens—if not hundreds—of emails. Standing out in a crowded inbox is tough.

The right subject line can make all the difference. A well-crafted, creative, or intriguing subject line cuts through the noise and piques curiosity, which is crucial for boosting open rates.

3. Drives urgency and action

Black Friday sales thrive on urgency. Shoppers know the deals are time-sensitive, but it’s your job to remind them with every email.

Subject lines like “LAST CHANCE for 50% Off” or “Only 12 Hours Left to Save Big” instill a fear of missing out (FOMO), which can push customers to act immediately.

4. Boosts engagement and revenue

Open rates matter because they’re the first step to conversions. A great subject line leads to more opens, more clicks, and more sales.

It doesn’t matter how amazing your Black Friday deals are if no one sees them. The more people who open your Black Friday emails, the higher your chances of turning those leads into paying customers.

5. Sets the tone for your brand

Black Friday is a competitive time, and your subject lines also represent your brand’s voice.

Are you humorous, straightforward, or all about sustainability? Your subject line should reflect your brand’s identity and build trust with your audience.

100 real-life Black Friday subject line examples

Now, let’s dive into the good stuff.

Below are 100 real-life Black Friday email subject lines broken down into different categories, so you can swipe, tweak, and test them for your own email marketing campaigns.

23 early access/preview/countdown examples

Kick off your Black Friday campaigns by giving your subscribers an exclusive sneak peek or early access.

These subject lines build excitement and anticipation, encouraging customers to take action before the big rush.

  1. Black Friday is coming…
  2. Plan your Black Friday shopping!
  3. Black Friday: Early Access
  4. Our Biggest Sale Ever Early Access! 🎉
  5. Black Friday Early Access is LIVE!
  6. 👀 EARLY BIRD Black Friday!
  7. Early Black Friday is here just for you
  8. BLACK FRIDAY SALE STARTS TOMORROW 🗓
  9. Your Black Friday preview is here
  10. The Early Bird Black Friday sale is LIVE!
  11. Psst — You’re invited to shop our Black Sale early
  12. Get a Head Start on Black Friday: Shop KitchenAid.com
  13. Your early access starts now!
  14. Black Friday is starting early!
  15. ICYMI: Black Friday Sale starts now—up to 30% off.
  16. 💵 Early access to Black Friday Sale
  17. ⌛️ LAST CALL: Shop Black Friday Early
  18. 🎉 Black Friday Deals Came Early This Year!! 🎉
  19. Black Friday Drop 1 is LIVE
  20. Reminder: $150 Black Friday bonus value
  21. Black Friday Arrived Early.
  22. 🎉 Black Friday Deals Came Early This Year!! 🎉
  23. 🤫 Shhh! Black Friday is back. Just for you!

18 sale/discount announcement examples

When it comes to Black Friday, shoppers are hunting for the hottest deals. Announce your discounts loud and clear with these subject lines that highlight the savings and grab attention.

  1. Don’t miss your chance to save big during our Black Friday sale
  2. Our Black Friday Special is Live
  3. Save Up to 60% Sitewide + Gift With Purchase
  4. Our Black Friday Donation
  5. 🖤 Our Black Friday Deals are LIVE! 🏷️
  6. 30% Off – Black Friday Art Inspiration 💡
  7. LAST CHANCE for Black Friday
  8. Get Black Friday deals before they’re gone
  9. Now live: 50% off a Skillshare membership
  10. 30% off starts now…
  11. The Black Friday Sale is HERE 📲
  12. Save Up to 60% Sitewide + Gift With Purchase
  13. BLACK FRIDAY | 30-50% OFF
  14. 3-2-1: Our biggest sale is on❗️
  15. 💵 Early access to Black Friday Sale
  16. Black Friday Sale Still On! 🔥
  17. Black Friday is almost over 🔊🎧 You can still save with Bose
  18. 🖤 Huge Discount 50% off all templates 🖤

10 urgency/last chance examples

Nothing motivates action like the fear of missing out. Use urgency-driven Black Friday email subject lines to create a sense of limited time, pushing customers to act fast before the exclusive deals disappear.

  1. LAST CHANCE for Black Friday
  2. This is your last chance
  3. You’re about to miss out on 30% off select products
  4. Don’t Wait, 30% Off Is Already Here
  5. Last chance for free shipping
  6. Don’t miss out again! 😱
  7. Last chance to save big. Nest Black Friday ends soon.
  8. Sale ending in 8 hours
  9. Black Friday, 12 Hours Left
  10. ⚠️ We’ve extended our Best Black Friday Deal Ever!

5 humor/clever phrasing examples

Injecting humor into your Black Friday email subject lines can be a great way to stand out from the crowd. These clever subject lines add a playful twist, bringing personality to your Black Friday emails.

  1. Land of the heavily-discounted 🗽
  2. 48 HOUR BEER SALE 🍺
  3. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t 👀
  4. Every Friday is Black Friday when your eyes are closed. Because you’re napping.
  5. No Filler, No BS

2 environmental or social consciousness examples

More and more shoppers care about sustainability and social responsibility. Highlight your eco-friendly practices or charitable efforts with subject lines that resonate with values-driven customers.

  1. We’re Turning Black Friday Green
  2. Our Black Friday Donation

9 special offers/specific products examples

Showcase specific Black Friday deals or products to target customers looking for exactly what you’re offering. These Black Friday email subject lines zero in on enticing offers that feel exclusive and tailored.

  1. 👀 Black Friday Offer: Get 10% off at Counter-Print
  2. 20% Off All Etkin 8-Cup Pour-Over Sets ☕️
  3. Mystery Coupon: Will you save up to 99% off?
  4. 25% Off! Our Biggest Sale Yet Is Here!
  5. Don’t miss the Apple Shopping Event — now through November 28.
  6. Get your paws on Black Friday savings from Petplan
  7. ⚫ BLACK FRIDAY = 25% OFF SITEWIDE ⚫
  8. 30% Off – Black Friday Art Inspiration 💡
  9. Save Up to 60% Sitewide + Gift With Purchase

9 Black Friday sale is live examples

Once your sale is live, it’s time to let everyone know! These subject lines are all about announcing that your exclusive Black Friday deals have officially started, getting shoppers to dive into your discounts.

  1. Black Friday has arrived
  2. The wait is over – shop Black Friday now
  3. Black Friday Starts Now!
  4. Black Friday Sale Starts… Now! ⏰
  5. BLACK FRIDAY SALE STARTS TOMORROW 🗓
  6. ⚡Black Friday sale is here – act now!
  7. IT’S BLACK FRIDAY at TARLA
  8. Let the Black Friday savings begin ⏰
  9. The Black Friday countdown has begun

2 extended sales examples

If your Black Friday sale has been extended, don’t let your audience miss out.

These subject lines inform customers that there’s still time to grab those amazing deals, keeping the momentum going after the main event.

  1. ⚠️ We’ve extended our Best Black Friday Deal Ever!
  2. Black Friday Sale Still On! 🔥

5 Cyber Monday sale examples

Before we wrap up our examples, let’s not forget about Cyber Monday campaigns!

As the online shopping frenzy follows Black Friday, your Cyber Monday email campaigns need to stay sharp to capture your audience’s attention. Here are five subject lines promoting Cyber Monday deals.

  1. Cyber Monday Specials Await!
  2. 🚨 Last Chance: Final Hours for Cyber Monday Sale!
  3. 🤖 Cyber Monday is here.
  4. LAST CALL for Cyber Monday deals
  5. 24 hours left on Cyber Monday ⏰

How to optimize your Black Friday subject lines for maximum open rates?

With all the subject lines to choose from, how do you know which ones will work best for your audience?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to optimizing your Black Friday subject lines for maximum open rates.

1. Use action-oriented language

Action-oriented language gets to the point and encourages your subscribers to do something.

Whether it’s clicking to open, visiting your site, or making a purchase, strong action verbs set the tone for immediate action. Words like “Shop,” “Grab,” “Save,” and “Don’t Miss” not only convey urgency but also provide clear instructions on what the reader should do next.

For example, compare these two subject lines:

  • “Check out our Black Friday deals”
  • “Grab your Black Friday savings now!”

The second subject line uses a direct action verb (“Grab”) and creates urgency with the word “now.” This small shift in language makes the subject line more compelling and likely to prompt an open.

2. Leverage A/B testing

Not sure if your subject line will hit the mark? That’s where A/B testing comes in.

A/B testing (or split testing) is a simple yet powerful way to experiment with different subject lines to see which one resonates better with your audience. You can test a variety of elements:

  • Emojis vs. no emojis
  • Urgency vs. curiosity
  • Personalization vs. generic messaging
  • Short vs. slightly longer subject lines

For example, you might test “Shop Black Friday Deals Now” against “🚨 Limited Time: Black Friday Starts NOW!” to see which version leads to a higher open rate. The key is to isolate one variable at a time (e.g., emojis or length) to understand what works and apply those learnings to future campaigns.

Continuous A/B testing ensures that your subject lines evolve with your audience’s preferences, driving better performance over time.

3. Keep it short and punchy

Most email opens happen on mobile devices, where long subject lines get cut off. If your subject line is too lengthy, your core message might not be seen.

Ideally, you want to keep your subject lines under 50 characters to ensure they’re fully visible on all devices. Shorter, punchier lines are also easier to digest and more likely to grab attention in a busy inbox.

For example:

  • Too long: “Black Friday is here! Shop now and save 50% on everything in the store”
  • Short and punchy: “50% Off Everything! Early Bird Deals Start Now!”

The short version gets straight to the point, highlights the offer, and fits comfortably in a mobile view.

4. Personalize when possible

Adding personalization to your subject lines can make your email feel more relevant to your subscribers. People are more likely to open emails that feel like they’re written just for them.

You can personalize your subject lines by including the recipient’s name, referencing their purchase history, or tailoring the message to their interests.

For example:

  • “Sarah, your early Black Friday access starts now!”
  • “We’ve got pre-Black Friday deals on the items you love!”

These personalized touches make your subject lines more engaging and have been proven to increase open rates. In fact, personalized subject lines can increase open rates by 26%.

Just be sure to avoid over-personalization, which can feel invasive or gimmicky if overdone.

5. Add emojis (but don’t overdo it)

Emojis can add a visual element to your subject lines that makes them stand out in a crowded inbox. They can convey emotions, urgency, or even represent the type of sale you’re offering, all while saving space.

For example, using a fire emoji 🔥 can signify a “hot deal,” or a clock emoji ⏰ can highlight urgency.

But here’s the catch: less is more. Overloading your subject line with too many emojis can make it look cluttered or spammy. One or two well-placed emojis can enhance your message without overwhelming it.

For example:

  • “🔥 Hot Deals for Black Friday—Shop Now!”
  • “⏳ Time is running out—Black Friday deals expire soon!”

Just be sure to test how your emojis render across different devices and email platforms to avoid any formatting issues.

FAQ

How do you write a Black Friday sale email?

To write a successful Black Friday sale email, start with a compelling subject line to grab attention. Your email body should be clear, concise, and action-oriented, highlighting your best Black Friday deals and creating a sense of urgency. Use engaging visuals and a strong call-to-action. Personalize the message if possible, and ensure it’s optimized for mobile devices.

What is the best Black Friday subject line for an email?

The best Black Friday email subject lines are short, punchy, and action-oriented. They should clearly communicate the offer while creating urgency or excitement. Examples of effective subject lines include “Shop Black Friday Deals Now: 50% Off” or “🔥 Black Friday Deals Start Now—Don’t Miss Out!” Remember to A/B test your subject lines to find the one that resonates best with your audience.

How do you announce a Black Friday deal?

Announce your amazing deals with a subject line that highlights the key offer and creates excitement. In the email, lead with the biggest discounts or exclusive offers, and use bold visuals or countdown timers to reinforce the urgency. You can tease the sale with early access previews.

When to send Black Friday email campaigns?

For the best results, start your Black Friday email campaigns early. Many brands begin with teasers or pre-Black Friday sale emails 1-2 weeks before Black Friday to build anticipation. On Black Friday itself, send reminder emails throughout the day to capture last-minute shoppers. Don’t forget about extended sales or follow-ups through the weekend leading into Cyber Monday to maintain momentum.

Wrapping up

Black Friday is one of the most crucial sales periods of the year, and your email subject lines play a huge role in determining whether your campaigns succeed or get lost in the crowd.

With these examples and tips, you’re equipped to create compelling subject lines that maximize open rates and drive sales.

So, don’t be afraid to get creative, test your options, and watch those open rates soar!

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Written by
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Nikolett Lorincz

Nikolett is the Head of Content at OptiMonk. She is obsessed with content marketing and loves creating educational content for ecommerce store owners. She truly believes in the importance of quality over quantity.
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