Do you know that email marketing consistently delivers one of the highest ROI during Black Friday?
But with millions of people looking for deals, your Black Friday email campaign needs to stand out.
By crafting compelling subject lines, irresistible offers, and a sense of urgency, you will walk away with the biggest sales of the year. Your Black Friday email marketing strategy is key to standing out in inboxes.
In this article, we’ll dive into Black Friday email examples that you can emulate, and share expert tips on Black Friday email subject lines that demand attention. We will also outline the best practices to maximize your email marketing results.
Black Friday Statistics to Get You Prepared
According to Klaviyo, in 2024, over 40% of emails contained Black Friday deals starting from the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Shopify merchants were not far behind. 76 million customers bought products from Shopify-powered stores during Black Friday 2024. 67,000 Shopify brands had their best-selling year ever during BFCM.
Black Friday 2025 will be even more successful. This is all the more reason to focus on your Black Friday email marketing strategy.
Winning Strategies for Black Friday Email Campaign
Start Your Campaign Early
The success of your Black Friday email campaign begins with early planning.
Ideally, start your preparations 4-6 weeks ahead of the big day. This gives you enough time to strategize your offers, segment your email list, and test Black Friday email subject lines.
Create Urgency
Begin your Black Friday email strategy by building anticipation in the weeks leading up to the sale.
Send out teaser emails that hint at upcoming discounts and exclusive offers. This will spark interest and keep your audience engaged.
When Black Friday finally arrives, ramp up the urgency with countdown timers and phrases like “limited-time offer” or “act fast before it’s gone!”
If you are on Shopify, best upsell apps like iCart help you add countdown timers directly to your cart. This creates urgency when customers are shopping in your store.
Craft Compelling Content
Highlight your most exciting offers, like “50% off everything” or “Buy One, Get One Free.” Keep your message clear and concise.
The subject line should grab attention, and the copy should convey exactly what the customer will get.
A strong call-to-action (CTA) should direct them to your store, making it as easy as possible to act on the offer.
Optimize Your Customer Journey
Once your subscribers click through your email, the journey doesn’t end.
The path to checkout should be seamless. Make sure the landing page matches the email’s offer. Whether it’s a discount or a limited-time deal.
Keep the shopping experience smooth and intuitive, with no unnecessary clicks or distractions.
Maintain Momentum Post Black Friday
Black Friday doesn’t have to be the end of your email marketing push. Keep the momentum going with follow-up emails.
After the sale, send out thank-you emails to show appreciation for your customers. You can also offer them exclusive discounts for future purchases or promote related products based on their shopping behavior.
Examples of Black Friday Email Subject Lines
Urgency & Scarcity Focused
- Hurry! 30% Off Ends at Midnight
- Last Chance: Black Friday Deals Disappearing Fast
- Only a Few Items Left – Grab Them Before They’re Gone
- Act Fast: Final Hours of Our Black Friday Sale
Discount & Offer-Based
- Buy One, Get One FREE – Limited Time Only
- Save Big on Black Friday – Up to 60% OFF!
- 30% Off + Free Shipping This Black Friday!
Curiosity-Piquing
- You Won’t Believe This Black Friday Deal…
- We’ve Been Waiting for This! Find Out Why…
- Ready for Something Big? Open to See!
VIP & Exclusivity Focused
- VIP Access: Early Black Friday Deals Just for You!
- You’re Invited: Exclusive 50% Off for Our Top Customers!
- Shh… Your Early Access to Black Friday Starts NOW!
- VIP Only: Shop the Best Black Friday Deals Before Anyone Else!
Benefit-Driven
- Free Shipping + 40% Off – Black Friday Starts Here!
- Free Shipping on ALL Orders This Black Friday
- No Code Needed: Enjoy Free Shipping + 25% Off
Best Practices for Black Friday Email Subject Lines
Crafting the perfect subject line can make or break your Black Friday email campaigns. Here are some quick, actionable tips to make your subject lines stand out in crowded inboxes:
Keep it Short
Most subscribers skim their inbox, so make your subject lines easy to read at a glance. Aim for 5–7 words or under 50 characters, especially for mobile users.
Use Emojis Strategically
Emojis draw attention and add personality to your subject line. They help your email stand out from plain text. Stick to 1–2 emojis that complement your message. Too many will look spammy.
Be Clear and Concise
Your subscribers should instantly know what the email is about. Use clear phrases like “50% Off,” “Limited-Time Offer,” or “Free Shipping” to communicate value upfront.
Create Urgency
Pique interest while making your audience feel they need to act fast. Use curiosity-driven phrases like “You won’t believe this deal” or urgency triggers like “Only a few hours left”.
Test and Iterate
No subject line works perfectly every time. Use A/B testing to experiment with different phrases, emojis, and designs. Track which content gets higher opens and clicks, then refine your strategy for future Black Friday email campaigns.
Real Life Black Friday Email Examples
Adidas
Big brands go big when it comes to Black Friday email campaigns. Adidas’s template hits a home run with its clear and simple design.
Christopher and Banks
I love how they added a countdown timer at the top to create urgency. Plus, their theme of green and red celebrates the holiday season.
Forever 21
When I first came across this email, I was confused about what’s OR after the 15% OFF. It’s the mystery that really made me click on the email.
Maingear
I loved their tagline, ‘Spend your holiday season gaming, not shopping for the best deal. ’ It made me browse their offers.
Happy Socks
This is a great example of an interactive Black Friday email campaign. The clear ‘Browse around’ CTA helped me click on it instantly.
Conclusion: Start Your Black Friday Emails Early
Black Friday is your chance to boost sales. The earlier you start your Black Friday email campaigns, the better.
Planning ahead lets you do A/B testing, craft attention-grabbing subject lines, and create a smooth customer journey.
Use urgency, curiosity, and personalization to drive clicks, and don’t forget to follow up after the sale.
Black Friday Email Campaigns FAQs
1. Does Shopify have an email newsletter feature?
Yes, Shopify offers an integrated email marketing tool called Shopify Email. It allows you to create, send, and automate email campaigns directly from your Shopify admin.
2. How to write a Black Friday email?
Begin with a compelling subject line that creates urgency. Follow with a clear and concise message highlighting your best offers. Include a strong call-to-action (CTA). Ensure your email design is mobile-friendly.
3. How to plan your Black Friday email marketing campaign?
Start planning 4-6 weeks in advance. Segment your email list based on customer behavior, such as past purchases. Create a series of emails leading up to Black Friday, including teaser emails, launch announcements, and last-chance reminders.
4. When to send Black Friday email?
The optimal times to send Black Friday emails are early morning (6-9 AM) and evening (8-10 PM). These periods consistently outperform. Tailor your send times based on your audience’s time zone.
5. What are some catchy email subject lines for Black Friday?
- 🔥 Black Friday Starts NOW – Shop & Save!
- ⏰ 24-Hour Flash Sale – Don’t Miss Out!
- 🎁 Exclusive Black Friday Deals Inside!
- 💥 Up to 50% Off – Black Friday Only!
- 🚨 Last Chance: Black Friday Deals End Tonight!
About the author
Vineet Nair
Vineet is an experienced content strategist with expertise in the ecommerce domain and a keen interest in Shopify. He aims to help Shopify merchants thrive in this competitive environment with technical solutions and thoughtfully structured content.