Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, and everyone know that email campaigns are the driving force for BFCM sales.

Your email subject line serves as the gateway to your offer, making it the most critical element of your campaign. A compelling subject line can skyrocket your open rates, while a lackluster one may condemn your carefully crafted email to the depths of the inbox—or even in spam.

In today’s fiercely competitive market, simply mentioning “Black Friday” in your subject line won’t cut it. Consumers’ inboxes overflow with promotional emails and you need to stand out from the crowd. Your subject line must captivate, intrigue, and compel recipients to open your email over the dozens of others vying for their attention.

SECURE YOUR CONVERSIONS

A Robust Email List

the email list is the backbone of any successful email marketing campaign, and doubly so when it comes to Black Friday email marketing. If you’re looking to make a splash this holiday season, it’s important to build a strong email list.

Leverage Pop-Ups for Newsletter Sign-Ups

Your website is your primary asset, and you should utilize it effectively. Use attention-grabbing pop-ups to encourage visitors to sign up for your newsletter. Be sure to offer a compelling reason—whether it’s a sneak peek at your Black Friday 2024 deals, early access to Cyber Monday sales, or a special discount code.

Encourage Account Creation During Checkout

Another ripe opportunity to grow your email list is during the checkout process. Shoppers who are in the middle of making a purchase are already engaged. Prompt them to create an account, and make sure to include a checkbox for email subscriptions. This not only simplifies future purchases for the customer but also adds them to your treasure trove of email subscribers.

Offer Irresistible Lead Magnets

What’s better than free shipping? Maybe a 10% discount on the next purchase? Whatever you think will entice your target audience, offer it as a lead magnet to encourage email sign-ups. These incentives don’t just have to be limited to your website; promote them on social media to cast a wider net.

Leverage Social Media

Don’t underestimate the power of social media channels when building your email list. Use targeted ads or posts to drive potential customers to a landing page where they can sign up for special offers, thereby becoming part of your email marketing campaigns for the holiday season and beyond.

Utilize Partnerships and Collaborations

Consider teaming up with brands or influencers that align with your products. A joint email campaign can introduce your brand to a new set of eyes, growing your email list through cross-promotion.

Quality Over Quantity

Last but not least, focus on gathering high-quality emails—these are potential customers genuinely interested in your brand and products. They are the ones most likely to convert during your Black Friday and Cyber Monday email campaigns.

ENSURE YOUR EMAILS CONVERT

Content Diversity in Your Email Campaigns

So, you’ve laid the foundation with a robust email list—now what? The next step is to diversify the content of your email marketing campaigns. Sending out the same type of email repeatedly will not only bore your audience but also might lead to an increase in unsubscribe rates. Here’s how to keep things fresh and engaging.

Welcome Emails

First impressions matter. If someone has just signed up for your email list, kick things off with a warm welcome email. Use this opportunity to introduce your brand and give a sneak peek of what they can expect during the Black Friday weekend or Cyber Monday sale. Think of it as rolling out the red carpet for your new email subscribers.

Educational Content

Not every email should be a hard sell. Provide value by sharing educational content related to your products. Whether it’s a how-to guide, a video tutorial, or tips for making the most out of their purchases, educational content helps you build trust and credibility.

Promotional Offers

This is the bread and butter of any Black Friday email marketing campaign. Flashy subject lines like “Unbeatable Black Friday Deals!” or “Exclusive Cyber Monday Discounts Just for You!” can quickly grab your reader’s attention. Include limited-time discount codes to add a sense of urgency and encourage quicker conversions.

Cart Abandonment Emails

BFCM is not the time to let these potential sales slip away. Craft compelling cart abandonment emails that remind shoppers what they’re missing out on. Add a special offer or a countdown timer to inject that much-needed sense of urgency.

Teaser Emails

Building anticipation is key to a successful Black Friday email strategy. A week or so before the big day, send out teaser emails revealing a glimpse of what customers can expect. Think of it as the trailer before the main event. It sets the stage and builds excitement.

Sale Emails

These are your D-Day emails—sent out on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Make sure they are eye-catching, laden with call-to-action buttons like “Shop Now,” and designed to drive immediate action. Include phrases like “Final Hours” or “Last Chance” to enhance the FOMO.

GET IN THE BLACK THIS SEASON

Black Friday Email Subject Lines Best Practices

Here are 2024’s best practices for crafting winning Black Friday email subject lines.

Keep it concise and clear

Cut through the noise with short, punchy subject lines. Aim for 40 characters or less to ensure your message doesn’t get truncated on mobile devices. Clearly communicate your offer without unnecessary fluff.

Create a sense of urgency

Motivate immediate action by incorporating time-sensitive language. Use phrases like “24 hours only,” “Limited stock,” or “Ending soon” to prompt quick opens and conversions.

Use power words and action verbs

Energize your subject lines with strong, emotive language. Words like “exclusive,” “secret,” “unlock,” and “save” can significantly boost engagement. Action verbs like “grab,” “shop,” and “discover” encourage recipients to interact with your email.

Personalize when possible

Leverage your customer data to create tailored subject lines. Include the recipient’s name, reference their past purchases, or mention their location to increase relevance and open rates.

Incorporate emojis strategically

Add visual appeal and stand out in crowded inboxes by using relevant emojis. However, use them judiciously – one or two well-placed emojis can enhance your message, while overuse can appear spammy.

Highlight specific offers or discounts

Be explicit about your Black Friday deals. Mentioning exact discount percentages, dollar amounts, or specific products can entice opens from interested shoppers.

A/B test your subject lines

Don’t rely on guesswork. Test different subject line variations with a segment of your audience before sending to your entire list. This data-driven approach helps you identify what resonates best with your subscribers.

POWERFUL PAYMENT PROCESSING FOR BFCM

50 Black Friday Email Subject Line Examples

Spark your creativity with these attention-grabbing Black Friday email subject lines. We’ve categorized them to help you find the perfect fit for your campaign.

General Black Friday Subject Lines

1. “Black Friday starts now: Unlock your exclusive deals!”
2. “Your Black Friday shopping list, sorted”
3. “Beat the Black Friday rush – shop early access deals”
4. “Black Friday’s here: Don’t miss out on these steals”
5. “Your Black Friday survival guide inside”

Urgency-Based Subject Lines

1. “24 hours only: Black Friday flash sale!”
2. “Quick! These Black Friday deals are vanishing fast”
3. “Last chance: Black Friday ends at midnight”
4. “3, 2, 1… Black Friday countdown begins!”
5. “Hurry! Our Black Friday stock is flying off the shelves”

Discount-Focused Subject Lines

1. “50% off everything – our biggest Black Friday yet!”
2. “Black Friday doorbusters: Up to 70% off”
3. “BOGO bonanza: Buy one, get one free this Black Friday”
4. “Slash prices, not quality: 40% off premium items”
5. “Triple threat: Save up to 30%, 40%, 50% this Black Friday”

Exclusive Offer Subject Lines

1. “VIP alert: Early access to Black Friday deals inside”
2. “Unlock your personalized Black Friday offer”
3. “Members only: Double discounts this Black Friday”
4. “Your exclusive Black Friday coupon awaits”
5. “Psst… here’s a secret Black Friday deal just for you”

Humorous Subject Lines

1. “Black Friday deals so good, you’ll think we’ve lost our minds”
2. “Is it Black Friday or Free-day? These deals say both”
3. “Warning: Our Black Friday prices may cause extreme excitement”
4. “Gobble up savings: From Turkey Day to Black Friday”
5. “Black Friday ninja: Master the art of stealth shopping”

Emoji-Enhanced Subject Lines**

1. “🚨 Black Friday alert: Prices are dropping! 🚨”
2. “🎁 Unwrap Black Friday savings early 🎁”
3. “🏃‍♂️ Run, don’t walk! Black Friday deals are here 🏃‍♀️”
4. “💸 Make it rain savings this Black Friday 💸”
5. “🔥 Hot deals, cool prices: Black Friday’s on fire 🔥”

Product-Specific Subject Lines**

1. “Dress to impress: 60% off party wear this Black Friday”
2. “Tech lovers rejoice: Gadget deals you can’t resist”
3. “Cozy up to 50% off home essentials this Black Friday”
4. “Beauty bonanza: Makeup kits at Black Friday prices”
5. “Gear up for less: Fitness equipment Black Friday sale”

FOMO-Inducing Subject Lines**

1. “Don’t let others grab your Black Friday deals”
2. “The Black Friday offer you’ll regret missing”
3. “Your friends are shopping. Are you missing out?”
4. “Black Friday’s hottest items – going, going, almost gone!”
5. “This Black Friday deal is too good to share publicly”

Question-Based Subject Lines**

1. “Ready to save big this Black Friday?”
2. “Guess how much you could save this Black Friday?”
3. “What’s better than Black Friday? Our Pre-Black Friday sale!”
4. “Can you keep a secret? Our Black Friday deals are here early”
5. “How much can you save in our Black Friday Bonanza?”

Curiosity-Piquing Subject Lines**

1. “We’ve never done this before… until this Black Friday”
2. “Open for a Black Friday surprise”
3. “The Black Friday hack you need to know”
4. “We’re breaking all the rules this Black Friday”
5. “Shh… this Black Friday secret is just for our subscribers”

Use these examples as inspiration to craft your own compelling Black Friday email subject lines. Remember to align your subject lines with your brand voice and test different options to find what resonates best with your audience.

GET THE BEST BLACK FRIDAY GATEWAY

Avoiding the Spam Folder

Ensure your carefully crafted Black Friday emails reach their intended recipients by implementing these strategies to avoid the dreaded spam folder.

Follow email regulations

Adhere to the CAN-SPAM Act to remain compliant and build trust with your subscribers. Always include a clear opt-out option, use truthful subject lines, and identify your business clearly in the email header. Honor opt-out requests promptly and monitor any third-party services sending emails on your behalf to ensure they comply with regulations as well.

Avoid spam trigger words

Steer clear of common spam trigger words in your subject lines to enhance your chances of landing in the inbox. Words like “free,” “guarantee,” “buy now,” “limited time,” and “click here” can raise red flags for spam filters. Instead, craft compelling subject lines that don’t rely on these potentially problematic terms.

Maintain a healthy sender reputation

Improve your email deliverability by implementing authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Build a quality email list using double opt-in methods and regularly remove inactive subscribers. Engage your audience with relevant, valuable content and monitor key metrics like open rates and click-through rates to identify and address potential issues early.

Use authentication protocols

Implement Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) to verify your identity as a sender and enhance deliverability.

Regularly clean your email list

Prune your subscriber list to remove inactive or unengaged recipients. This practice not only improves your sender reputation but also ensures you’re reaching an audience that genuinely wants to receive your emails.

PROTECT YOUR MERHANT ACCOUNT

Legal Aspects to Consider

In the rush of designing eye-catching emails and writing compelling copy, it’s easy to overlook the legal side of things. However, adhering to legal guidelines is not just about avoiding fines; it’s also a vital part of building trust with your email subscribers. Let’s dig into some of the key legal aspects to consider for your Black Friday email marketing campaign.

CAN-SPAM Act Requirements

If you’re based in the United States or sending emails to U.S. residents, you’ll need to comply with the CAN-SPAM Act. This federal law lays out specific requirements for commercial emails.

1. Physical Business Address – Including your physical business address at the bottom of your emails is not just good practice—it’s the law. This applies to all commercial emails, so make sure it’s part of your Black Friday email design.
2. Unsubscribe Button – A clear and conspicuous option for recipients to unsubscribe from future emails is another legal requirement. Make sure the unsubscribe button or link is easy to find, usually at the bottom of the email.

GDPR Compliance for European Customers

If you have email subscribers in the European Union, you must also consider the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This regulation demands explicit consent from individuals before you can send them emails. For your Black Friday weekend campaign, ensure that you’ve obtained the necessary permissions.

Privacy Policies and Data Use

Be transparent about how you handle customer data by including a link to your privacy policy in your emails. Transparency isn’t just good business practice; it also fosters trust among your subscribers.

Double Opt-In is Your Friend

Using a double opt-in process can add an extra layer of legal protection. It requires new subscribers to confirm their email address by clicking a link in a confirmation email. This step ensures that your email list consists of individuals who genuinely want to receive your Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday offers.

PAYMENT PROCESSING FOR HIGH VOLUME SALES

The BFCM Email Marketing Timeline

Timing is a crucial but often overlooked component of a successful Black Friday email strategy. Getting your emails out too early may make them forgotten; too late, and you risk getting lost in the holiday email deluge. So, when should you start planning, executing, and tweaking your BFCM email marketing campaigns?

Groundwork in September

Believe it or not, September is not too early to start thinking about Black Friday 2024 and Cyber Monday. Use this time to:

• Cleanse and segment your email list.
• Draft initial versions of your emails.
• Begin creating lead magnets to grow your list.

Ramp-Up in October

By October, you should be:

• Finalizing your Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday offers.
• Designing your email templates and creating attention-grabbing graphics.
• Setting up automation for certain emails like welcome messages and cart abandonment reminders.

Generating Hype in November

November is go-time. Here’s your to-do list:

• Send out teaser emails to create anticipation.
• Deploy early access offers to your most loyal customers.
• Perform A/B testing on subject lines and CTA buttons for your early campaigns to make last-minute tweaks.

Black Friday Weekend

• Black Friday: Send out the main sale email first thing in the morning. Follow up with a ‘Last Chance’ email in the evening.
• Small Business Saturday: If you’re a small retailer, consider sending out a special offer or promotion for Small Business Saturday.
• Cyber Monday: Similar to Black Friday, start the day with your major sale email and close the day with a ‘Last-Minute Deals’ email.

Post-BFCM

Don’t go silent after Cyber Monday:

• Send a ‘Thank You’ email to everyone who made a purchase.
• Share exclusive holiday season offers to keep the momentum going.

OPEN A DEDICATED MERCHANT ACCOUNT BEFORE BFCM SALES