In this blog, learn the best subject lines, creative campaign ideas, and best practices to make your 2025 April Fools’ Day emails stand out.

How to pull off April Fools’ Day email campaigns without hurting your brand

1. Well-timed

Your April Fools’ email must land in your subscribers’ inboxes early on April 1st when people are expecting jokes and surprises.

Sending it after April 1st will waste your efforts as it has already lost relevance. You also miss the first-mover advantage, as many brands have likely reached their inboxes and captured their attention.

If your audience spans different time zones, consider scheduling or using an email marketing tool to send the emails at the right time.

2. Must be brand-relevant

Your April Fools’ joke should feel like an extension of your brand. It should not be way off the line of your brand messaging, as it can come across as outrageous or off-color.

The aim of the April Fools’ email is to showcase humor, create brand engagement, and drive sales. Hence, the marketing teams must have foresight while creating the April Fools’ campaign and not compromise on the brand identity or values.

For example, if your brand carries a more professional tone throughout the year, try to integrate your products or an offer with an engaging yet subtle prank. Highlight the key offering in the subject lines so that more and more subscribers open it.  

For example, Kind played a clever prank by announcing the start of pumpkin season and later introducing their pumpkin caramel bars in an April Fools’ email. The email featured a brand-relevant yet subtle joke without being over-the-top.

While, if your brand has a playful tone, you can be more adventurous with your prank. The idea is to maintain brand consistency while still being fun.

The other example, HelloFresh, is a great display of wit. They teased subscribers with a new product that combined two fan-favorite meals—only to pull back at the last moment. While some might see it as outrageous, we see it as a clever and playful move.

3. Have a purpose

An April Fools’ email should do more than just make people laugh—it should also serve a purpose. The goal should be both, engagement and conversions. 

Make sure it has a clear call-to-action (CTA), whether to drive traffic to a landing page, promote a new product, or boost social media engagement—your prank should naturally lead to action.

For example, Reebok’s April Fools’ email had one clear purpose—to introduce subscribers to their 50% off running sale—and they made the entire email revolve around it.

Focus on making your email as unique as possible to encourage action. You can also add a gamified element to it. For example, invite subscribers to guess the prank for a discount or tease a fake product and then redirect users to a real promotion.

Soylent introduced a fake lentil-based drink in their April Fools’ email and later cleared the air around it. In the end, they redirected subscribers to their blog with a “Shop Now” CTA.

Pros and cons of using humor in an April Fools’ Day email campaign

Pros

1. Shareability

People love sharing witty and unique humor, one of the reasons why memes on social media are so popular. 

When an email includes humor, it feels less like marketing and more like something worth passing along. This organic sharing increases brand reach without extra ad spend. 

However, make sure your email’s humor aligns with your audience’s interests and justifies your brand identity so that the brand messaging remains consistent.

2. Higher engagement

People engage more with content that evokes positive emotions. It also makes your brand even more likable and memorable to them. 

April Fools’ email instantly sparks curiosity in recipients’ minds because of its witty subject line, which makes them eager to find out more about the email content.

To make your email even more engaging, you can add interactive elements such as games, quizzes, or special offers tied to the prank, encouraging people to participate. 

3. Attention-grabbing

Humor captures attention and keeps people reading. People are so used to getting promotional emails that when they get a humorous email, it simply stands out without any effort. 

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The focus should not be on disappointing them with the email content. Use this attention to boost brand awareness and drive sales with smart product recommendations.

4. Relatability

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Humor makes brands feel more human. People connect with brands that understand their daily struggles, inside jokes, or shared experiences. 

This connection makes emails feel more like conversations with a friend rather than marketing messages.

5. Improves brand trust

Humor builds positive associations, and positive associations build trust. This is because humor lowers defenses in people, making them feel more comfortable. 

April Fools Day campaign breaks the wall of formal marketing and makes the brand come across as more approachable, authentic, and likable.

Cons

1. Could be misinterpreted

Humor is subjective—what one person finds funny, another might find confusing or even offensive. 

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Take into account cultural differences and avoid using extreme or sensitive language to protect brand reputation. 

Brands can also perform A/B testing for their April Fools email before launching it in full force, especially if they are experimenting and unsure about dropping it.

2. Leading to backlash

If a joke is seen as insensitive, offensive, or poorly timed, it can trigger a negative response. Especially in today’s time, where consumers quickly share opinions online, a single misstep can damage a brand’s reputation.

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Your marketing team should monitor social media conversations around the topic you plan to feature in your April Fools email. This will help you understand the right approach to take.

3. Limited time until irrelevancy

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Humor often relies on trends, pop culture references, or current events, which means it has a short shelf life.

If your team is planning to take a witty take on real topics, make sure those topics are currently trending because no one relates to an outdated topic. They just fall flat.

4. Could distract from the overall message

The primary goal of an email campaign is to engage and drive action—humor should support this, not overshadow it. If a joke takes center stage, recipients might remember the humor but forget the actual message. 

A good balance is a must to ensure that the audience laughs but also takes the intended action. For this, make sure the CTA is clear so that the campaign achieves its purpose.

40 subject lines example for your 2025 April Fools’ campaign 

Product & Pricing Pranks:

1. Oops! We Marked Everything $0—Hurry Before It’s Fixed!
2. Breaking: We Now Accept Monopoly Money!
3. Introducing Our Edible Shoes—Tastes Like Savings!
4. Introducing Our New Invisibility Collection—See It?
5. Your Order Ships Free… If You Can Sing!
6. New! Self-Washing Clothes – Just Add Imagination
7. Your Wishlist Items Are Now Free! (Almost)
8. We’re Accepting Barter Trades—Got Any Snacks?
9. We Swapped Prices with Luxury Brands—Lucky You!
10. Oops! We Accidentally Doubled Your Loyalty Points!

Fake Rebrands & Hilarious Announcements:

11. Big News: We’re Rebranding as a Taco Shop!
12. We’re Now a Dating App—Swipe Right for Deals!
13. We’re Now a Pet-Only Store—Sorry Humans!
14. Our Website is Now in Morse Code!
15. Breaking: We’re Launching a Space Delivery Service!
16. Meet Our New AI CEO—Beep Boop!
17. We’re Going Paper-Only… No More Online Shopping!
18. Say Hello to Our New Self-Washing Clothes!
19. NEW FEATURE: Smell Before You Buy Online!
20. Introducing Mind-Controlled Shopping—Just Think & Buy!

Delivery & Order Shenanigans:

21. Your Order Shipped… to the Wrong Planet!
22. Good News: Your Package Arrived… 10 Years Early!
23. Exciting Update! Your Order is Now Teleported!
24. Oops! We Sent Your Order to Your Ex!
25. We’re Delivering Orders via Drones… And Unicorns!
26. Surprise! Your Next Order Comes with a Mystery Box!
27. Your Package is Here! (Just Kidding… or Not?)
28. New Rule: All Deliveries Must Include a Dance!
29. You Ordered What?! Check Your Receipt…
30. New Feature: Packages Delivered by Trained Squirrels!

Customer Perks & Loyalty Program Pranks:

31. Congrats! You’re Our First-Ever Lifetime VIP!
32. Your Loyalty Points Just Multiplied… by Infinity!
33. You Unlocked a Secret Discount! Or Did You?
34. Today Only: All Customers Get CEO Benefits!
35. FLASH REWARD: We Owe YOU Money This Time!
36. SURPRISE! We’re Gifting You a Private Shopping Spree!
37. New Loyalty Perk: We Do Your Laundry!
38. VIP Upgrade! You Now Own Part of Us!
39. NEW: A Rewards Program Where You Do Nothing!
40. APRIL FOOLS! But Hey, Here’s a Real Discount!

Best practices for running an April Fools’ Day email campaign

1. Be light-hearted

The whole point of sending out an April Fools email is to be funny and establish relatability with your subscribers. Make sure you do not miss this one obvious chance to be witty or funny but in a positive light.

2. Be transparent that it is an April Fools campaign

While pranks can be fun, misleading your audience too much can backfire. Make it clear within the email that it’s an April Fools joke to maintain trust. Subtle hints, disclaimers, or a clever reveal at the end help balance humor with transparency. 

3.  Don’t be misleading & offer real benefits

Don’t play bait-and-switch, as it can feel misleading and damage trust, especially when other brands are offering real deals and discounts. Make sure you provide some sort of benefit—it could be free shipping, a discount code, or anything that makes the day feel special and encourages a purchase.

4. Ensure your audience is segmented

Not all of your subscribers will appreciate your April Fools’ humor; hence, it is better to perform email segmentation to target only those who are actually more likely to enjoy playful content. You can also use segmented email lists to send different content for better success. 

5. Avoid controversial/sensitive content

This is non-negotiable. In every situation, avoid adding any controversial angle to your April Fools’ email. Ask your marketing team to monitor the current sentiments of people around the topic you are planning to include in your campaign and ensure you don’t cross the line. You can also A/B test your April Fools’ email to check reactions before launching it to your real subscribers.

11 best examples of April Fools’ Day emails to gain inspiration

1. Quartz
2. FlockFoods
3. Threadless
4. QuestLab
5. PizzaHut
6. KiwiCo
7. Aloha
8. Boohoo
9. Urban Decay
10. Benefit
11. Brilliant Earth

1. Quartz

Quartz April Fool’s email takes a direct dig into the famous rumors on the internet. This makes the email instantly engaging and relatable as it feels like more of an inside joke. Also, the email smoothly leads to an offer i.e., a 50% discount on membership, making it worthy for subscribers who opened the email out of curiosity.

2. Flock Foods

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This Flock Foods’ April Fool email directly promotes a specific product (XL Hattie B’s Nashville Hot). It includes a 25% discount offer, encouraging subscribers to take immediate action. This is a good strategy and brands can take inspiration from it to focus on one specific product with a discount to drive sales. 

3. Threadless

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Threadless’ April Fool’s email is witty and engaging, staying relevant to their product since they sell meme-themed apparel. The email keeps April Fool’s spirit alive by emphasizing meme images in this email. This is an interesting blend of brand themes into the April Fool’s occasion. 

4. Quest Lab

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Quest Lab’s April Fool Email adds a witty element to their service i.e., provide test reports. Their humor instantly relates to their subscribers as it matches with their brand identity and also offers discounts for encouraging action and making the email more meaningful. 

5. Pizza Hut

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Pizza Hut pranked their subscribers by faking their newly launched breads as part of their April Fool’s email. They made this email more engaging by highlighting how their bread tastes just like their bestsellers’ pizza crusts. 

This email gained a mixed reaction from their recipients, some loved their approach while some were clearly disappointed by the news being fake.

6. KiwiCo

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KiwiCo takes a straight approach to the April Fool’s Day email. They directly introduced limited-time discounts and free shipping for this particular event. They also introduce their product categories in the email body to increase conversions and offer immediate value to recipients. 

7. Aloha

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Aloha highlighted their company values with a playful nod to April Fool’s Day—staying true to their mission without any gimmicks or compromising on product quality. They also added product testimonials, the company’s pledge to charity, products, and discounts to make their message more engaging and authentic.

8. Boohoo

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This April Fool’s Day email from Boohoo, a fashion brand, highlights immediate value (60% discount), teases the readers (is it a prank?), and encourages recipients to use the discount code to find out. An absolutely engaging storytelling approach that drives subscribers to explore their products—definitely a favorite.

9. Urban Decay

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Urban Decay introduced a faux product in their April Fool’s Day email only to lead recipients to their actual product. A risky move, if you ask me, but definitely a clever one. They also well- position their actual product by highlighting its benefits and complementary products. 

10. Benefit

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Benefit encourages sales with this April Fool’s Day email. The brand offers purchasers three surprise gifts on orders over $30. What makes this offer irresistible is the element of mystery and the fact that its value is mentioned ($16). 

To increase the likelihood of purchase, they also highlight being the number one brand for eyebrows and introduce some of their products.

11. Brilliant Earth

This Brilliant Earth email definitely brought smiles and cheers to people’s lives. It is one of the most engaging April Fool’s Day emails, smartly promoting their products. This jewelry brand gamified its approach by encouraging women to participate, choose their favorite rings, and share the results.

Our top favorites

Flock Foods for being direct, offering discounts, and clean email layout

Boohoo for the storytelling and the huge discount

Brilliant Earth for adding the gamified element that encourages participation and increases brand awareness

How to get started with SmartrMail?

You can create and send your April Fool’s Day email campaigns automatically with SmartrMail.

SmartrMail is an easy-to-use email marketing tool that any e-commerce merchant and e-commerce marketer, regardless of their technical skill level, can use. Here is how to implement April Fool’s Day email campaigns with Smartmail:

Step 1: Install SmartrMail on your Store (Shopify, BigCommerce, Neto, WooCommerce). Once installed, SmartrMail automatically imports your store’s data, including your store name, design, customers, order history, and products.

Step 2: Create and import your email lists easily. Once your list is created, you’ll be able to enter subscribers manually, or import subscribers from a CSV file.

Step 3: Set up email popups to increase subscriber lists. You can easily create and design pop-ups with SmartrMail by navigating to its tab.

Step 4: Design your emails with brand-aligned themes with Brand kits on SmartrMail. 

With Brand Kit, marketers can edit and add themes, interactive elements, colors, designs, texts, backgrounds, images, etc from a single place.

Step 5: Send your emails automatically. Navigate to the automation tab and create a New Automated Flow for your April Fool’s Day email.

You can easily customize the workflow with the drag-and-drop editor.

Looking for an easy-to-use, advanced email marketing tool for your brand? Book a demo with SmartrMail to see if it fits your needs.

Summing it up

The key to a successful April Fool’s Day email campaign is to be fun, unique, and brand value-aligned. Avoid being too political, controversial, or insensitive. 

Use an email marketing tool to implement every event campaign all around the year. It will not only allow you to automate the emails but also help you A/B test campaigns, segment your subscribers, and access detailed analytics for optimization. 

You can book a demo with SmartMail today to take your email marketing to the next level. 

The post 11 Successful April Fools’ Day Email Examples to Learn From in 2025 appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be just as stressful for e-commerce merchants. But with lots of planning and preparation, and you can turn one of the biggest annual sales events into a huge success for your business.

In this guide I’ll teach you how to do just that…

1) Pre-Black Friday Hype and Preparation

Black Friday shoppers are starting to choose to shop online, rather than lining up in front of bricks and mortar stores. I definitely get it. I wouldn’t want to get up early, brave the cold, or deal with big queues and vicious doorbusters in the hope of picking up a few bargains either.

Yikes.

This is where you come in as an e-commerce merchant – Black Friday shoppers can sit in the comfort of their own homes and take advantage of your online sales. But to make this event as smooth as possible (both for you and your store’s customers), there are some housekeeping things you need to take care of well in advance.

Tip 1: Prepare for a huge spike in sales

Black Friday is one of the biggest e-commerce events of the year, and it’s important that your e-commerce store is able to handle a massive increase in traffic and sales.

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Firstly, this involves making sure your site is stable enough to handle a massive amount of traffic. Start testing now! This is especially important for Cyber Monday (more on that later). The last thing you want is for your website to crash during one of your busiest trading periods of the year.

You’re obviously going to miss out on a lot of potential sales, but you might also get a lot of angry emails, messages and Tweets from shoppers (remember: Black Friday makes people a little crazy), damaging your brand and customer lifetime value.

You should also make 100% sure that you have enough stock. It might even be a good idea to overstock; it’s better to be safe than sorry. You also need to worry about whether you have enough people on hand to handle customer enquiries, whether you are able to handle shipping, and so on. All of these things need to be looked after months in advance.

Tip 2: Start hyping your offers with email and social media marketing

Before you start sending out a bunch of emails, tweets and Facebook posts, you need to plan out what you’re actually going to advertise. In other words: what will you be offering your customers on Black Friday?

Some options include offer codes, sales on specific products, free gifts and free shipping. It’s also important to clearly state the conditions of your special offers: When will the offer expire? Do customers need to spend a certain amount of money? Are there any conditions to get a free gift?

Once you have planned this out, you can start creating a content calendar, and schedule your social media posts and emails. This is something you can start doing now.
Your email and social media marketing should start 2 months before Black Friday.

You can starting sending out emails and posts about once a week to pique people’s interest. Start asking them to sign up to your email list, or to follow your social media accounts so that they can stay up to date with (and stay interested in) your sales.

What I like about this email: The call to action is really clear throughout – I need to follow their social media accounts to stay up to date with their sales. This is also reflected in their use of colour, which draws attention to the backlinks and social media icons.

What could be improved: For consistency, they could have also included a backlink to their Pinterest account in the body of their email. I would’ve also emphasized the timeline of their sale, as well as their free shipping offer – Mabel’s Labels could’ve included these details in the eye-catching graphic.

For more tips on how to grow your email list in preparation for Black Friday, read here: 5 Steps to Supercharge Your Store’s Email List Growth.

As people begin to subscribe to your email list, it’s also a good idea to avoid spamming those that aren’t actively engaging with your emails. Simply segment your active and inactive subscribers, based on those who have engaged with your previous email campaigns. Send 2-3 emails per week to active customers, but inactive customers should only continue to receive a maximum of 1 per week.

By not overloading your inactive subscribers’ inboxes with emails, you won’t be ruining your store’s email deliverability as you send out a large volume of emails over this period. This has a number of disadvantages for your e-commerce store.

Firstly, there is a negative impact on your email open rate, which will drop as customers become less likely to read your newsletters. As these unopened emails build up, you risk having ISPs sending your emails straight to your subscribers spam folders, or having them blocked altogether. Alternately, subscribers could start marking your emails as spam by themselves if they are receiving too many irrelevant emails. Your emails will therefore be unread, meaning that click-through and conversion rates will drop as well.

This means that it’s extremely important to send personalized content. Since you know what offers you’re going to have or what products you’re going to have on sale, segment your email list based on their purchase history – for example, those who have purchased cameras or camera equipment from your store.

To read more about email segmentation on SmartrMail, read here: 6 Ways You Can Segment Your Email List with SmartrMail.

In late October, about a month away from the big day, start sending members of this segment emails showcasing your sales offers on tripods, lenses, and other related items they might be interested in buying on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

What I like about this email: The objective of of this email is really straightforward, with a clear call to action.

What could be improved: For a company known for their product recommendations, they could have found a way to include a few to personalize this email.

What I like about this email: Zagg does a great job at creating hype for their Black Friday sale. By including a timer counting down to the big day, this helps to generate anticipation for their sales event. They also attempt to combat the pre-Black Friday sales slump by throwing an early sale two weeks out from the actual date.

What could be improved: This email splits focus between their current pre-Black Friday sale, and their actual Black Friday sale. It might have been better had they focused solely on one, and created a separate email that markets the other sale.

A week before Black Friday, you can increase your email and post frequency yet again. Send 3-4 emails this week to engaged subscribers, but again keep unengaged subscribers frequency capped at once per week.

What I like about this email: Again, the inclusion of a countdown works to get subscribers excited in anticipation of the sale.

What could be improved: Vistaprint could have included a few extra things in this email. Firstly, there aren’t any specific details on what their offers are. It might have helped to generate more excitement had they included what discounts Black Friday shoppers can expect. The email simply asks subscribers to visit their site at the start of the sale; Vistaprint could have made their call to action to visit their site now, so that customers can browse their products beforehand.

2) The Day of Black Friday

Tip 1: Allow top customers in on a special pre-sale

Sending out an exclusive email to your high-value customers, giving them early access to your special offers, can do wonders for customer lifetime value. To do so, send out an email to the aforementioned segment of those who actively engage with your emails a day or so before your official sale has been scheduled.

What I like about this email: The text in the body of the email reads as genuine – Victoire seems to really appreciate their high-value customers.

What could be improved: This email is really unclear about what their specific deals are. They also don’t include a button to easily click through to their website. As such, I don’t really feel inclined to take advantage of their Black Friday sales (whatever they may be). And as much as I love Oprah, the inclusion of a Christmas-themed picture seems a little irrelevant to this email, and their brand in general.

What I like about this email: The deals and conditions are crystal clear in this email from Urban Outfitters. The call to action is also really clear, and the inclusion of a button at the bottom of the bottom makes it easy for shoppers to click through and start buying.

What could be improved: It would have been nice if they had shown more appreciation for their high-value customers; a quick message to thank Urban On Members somewhere in the email would have done the trick.

Tip 2: Send frequently to engaged customers

Send out your big email at the very start of your sale – the one that lets everyone know that your sale is live. Make sure again to clearly state the conditions of your sale (when the offer ends, minimum purchase, etc.) and the offer code, if you have opted for that.

What I like about this email: The discounts, conditions, offer code and call to action are all really clear. And not to be shallow, but I really like the design of the email as well.

What could be improved: Although they include the time frame of their offer in the fine print, Bonobos could have included some sort of time-sensitive element in the body of the email. This would have increased the sense of urgency.

What I like about this email: I like how CanvasPop really emphasizes their huge 40% off discount throughout the email – not only by repeating it several times, but making use of font size and colour to draw attention to their offer.

What could be improved: Again, they have included several subtle time-sensitive elements (“Last chance” in the body of the email, and the offer expiration time and date in fine print). However, a stronger emphasis on the limited time frame of their offer would have increased a sense of urgency.

Don’t hesitate to schedule a few emails and posts on social media during the course of Black Friday. As mentioned before, just make sure you’re emailing your most engaged subscribers. For unengaged subscribers, it might be worthwhile sending out a quick reminder of your sales anyway (they might have been busy with Thanksgiving or actually attended Black Friday sales in person).

It could be a good idea to include some time-sensitivity to your emails and social media posts, increasing a sense of urgency. This can be either letting customers know how long is left to go on your sale, or letting customers know that some of your items are running out of stock.

What I like about this email: The inclusion of “Hurry, ends Sunday!” increases the sense of urgency with this email. Tradesy’s Black Friday offer is also really clear, with the inclusion of conditions in fine print as well.

What could be improved: Their choice of balloons as the centerpiece of this email is confusing, and irrelevant to their brand. As such, I think the inclusion of personalized product recommendations (or at least a few products from their website) would have improved the relevance of this email.

What I like about this email: The timer counting down to the end of Diamond Store’s sale really increases the sense of urgency.

What could be improved: Diamond Store could have clarified what their offers specifically are, rather than just including a general “All items reduced” statement. And while they have included links to specific parts of their website underneath the logo, including another button at the bottom of the email would have strengthened the call the action.

3) Cyber Monday

People often view Cyber Monday as less important than Black Friday. Don’t be one of those people.

Hear me out.

If other e-commerce stores ignore Cyber Monday, there’s less competition for you. Additionally, many Black Friday doorbusters continue the tradition of lining up at bricks and mortar stores (although this trend is decreasing slowly over time), so pay less attention to online sales, whereas Cyber Monday is purely an online event.

Therefore, you have so much to gain from giving as much attention to your Cyber Monday marketing efforts. In fact, online sales figures from 2016 show that shoppers spent $3.45 billion on Cyber Monday, compared to $3.34 billion on Black Friday.

While there isn’t a big difference between the two when marketing your sales for these events, there are some things you can do to make the most of Cyber Monday.

Tip 1: Make use of paid advertisement

Cyber Monday is a good opportunity to make use of paid advertising platforms, like Google AdWords or Facebook Dynamic Product Ads. Because the marketplace is less crowded in comparison to Black Friday, your ads are much more likely to be seen.

However, cost per click (CPC) costs tend to skyrocket during the holiday period, as lots of advertisers make use of these platforms to market their own sales. Bigger companies spend more money, meaning that the CPC is increased for everyone else too.

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Facebook CPC too spikes during this period. In fact, CPC for Facebook advertising saw a 24% increase from the third to the fourth quarter last year.

We don’t recommend that small to medium businesses attempt to outbid massive companies, like Walmart and Amazon, in an attempt to acquire new customers through these channels. However, a much more effective strategy to implement over this busy period is retargeting customers.

To get the most out of Facebook advertising, use Custom Audiences for your ads. Create a Custom Audience to target those who have engaged with your website. By doing this, you are ensuring that you are delivering ads to only those who are interested in your products (since they have viewed these products from your store, or purchased from you already).

This makes using these paid advertising platforms during Black Friday and Cyber much more cost effective, given that repeat customers generate the majority of e-commerce revenue.

Tip 2: Abandoned cart emails

If you don’t use abandoned cart emails, Cyber Monday is probably the best opportunity to start integrating this into your e-commerce marketing.

You can target the many shoppers that abandoned their carts on Black Friday for whatever reason, and convert them by reminding them of the products they were interested in, or offering an incentive.

For more information on abandoned cart emails, read here: How to Get More Sales with Abandoned Cart Emails in 2022.

4) Extension into Cyber Week

If your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales went successfully, you may decide to extend your sales into Cyber Week.

If you choose to do so, it would be a good idea to reduce your email and social media post frequency. By this stage, if a transaction was to have happened, it would have happened already among all the Black Friday/Cyber Monday hysteria.

Flooding your customers’ inboxes and social media feeds will just annoy them, especially if they have already spent a lot of money over the weekend. Limit your Cyber Week emails and social campaigns to customers who didn’t purchase over the weekend, rather than targeting customers who’ve just forked up hundred (if not thousands) of dollars on sales.

Continue to make use of segmentation (both with email and on Facebook) to ensure that the offers and product newsletters you send to your customers are relevant to them.

As Cyber Week dies down, start analyzing your data – which marketing tactics and channels worked best for you over this period? Which ones weren’t as successful? What improvements can you make to your email and social media marketing for better conversion results? All of this is really important, so that you’re better prepared for future e-commerce events.

The final step: sit back and relax. But not for too long, Christmas and Boxing Day are just around the corner!

The post The 2024 Guide to Black Friday E-Commerce Email Marketing appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

You know for a fact that Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Standing out in the crowded digital space is going to take more than generic SMS messages.

SMS marketing offers a direct and immediate way to reach your audience, ensuring your promotions are seen when it matters most.

With high open rates and instant delivery, SMS is a powerful tool for driving sales and engagement during this high-stakes event.

The many benefits of Black Friday SMS marketing

Although social media, direct messaging, and emails have become the staple channels of communication, SMS still holds its position as a channel to connect with customers on a more individual level.

Black Friday SMS marketing can do wonders to your bottom line by boosting customer engagement and improving conversion rates. Here are some of its assured benefits:

Instant delivery and high open rates

SMS messages are delivered almost instantly and boast open rates as high as 98%, far surpassing email and other digital channels. This immediacy ensures that your Black Friday offers reach customers at the right moment, increasing the likelihood of quick responses and conversions.

Personalization opportunities

From addressing customers by name to tailoring offers based on shopping behavior, SMS marketing offers you a higher degree of personalization. This personalized approach can create a stronger connection with your audience, making them more likely to engage with your Black Friday deals.

Additionally, personalized SMS marketing can significantly boost customer loyalty by making customers feel valued and understood.

Direct communication with customers

SMS provides a direct line of communication to your customers, cutting through the noise of crowded inboxes and social media feeds. This directness is particularly valuable during Black Friday, when timely and relevant Black Friday messages can make the difference between a sale and a missed opportunity.

Direct communication through SMS can also significantly improve customer retention by fostering a more personal and immediate connection with your audience.

Cost-effective marketing channel

Compared to traditional advertising, SMS marketing is relatively low-cost while offering a high return on investment. The ability to reach a large audience with minimal expense makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to maximize their Black Friday marketing budget.

SMS Marketing Vs. Social Media Marketing Vs. Email Marketing

We briefly mentioned earlier that SMS marketing stills holds value amidst social media and email marketing. 

SMS marketing, social media marketing, and email marketing each have unique strengths and weaknesses. 

Here’s a comparison to help you decide which combination of channels will best suit your strategy.

Planning Your Black Friday SMS marketing Campaign

Planning your Black Friday SMS marketing campaign is not going to be an easy task. Neverthless, if you follow a process you can still end it on a success note.

Setting Clear Goals

Whether you’re aiming to drive sales, increase website traffic, or build brand awareness, having specific goals will guide your strategy and help measure success. Introducing a Black Friday pre-sale can create early shopping opportunities with exclusive discounts, setting the stage for significant savings and encouraging early purchases. Be it for Black Friday SMS marketing, or for any other holiday season marketing, it is necessary to set SMART goals as a precursor. Setting clear goals can also lead to higher customer satisfaction.

For example, if your primary goal is to boost sales, your SMS messages should focus on time-sensitive offers and strong CTAs.

If brand awareness is the target, you might prioritize messaging that encourages engagement and social sharing.

Audience Segmentation

Effective SMS campaigns are built on personalization, and that starts with audience segmentation. By dividing your audience into specific groups, you can tailor your messaging to resonate more with each segment. For instance:

• Loyal Customers: Reward them with exclusive early access or higher discounts.
• New Subscribers: Entice them with a welcome discount or first-purchase incentive.
• High-Value Shoppers: Offer personalized recommendations or premium deals to encourage repeat purchases.

Segmenting your target audience can improve the effectiveness of your SMS campaigns by ensuring that each message is relevant and engaging to the specific needs and interests of each group.

Crafting Compelling SMS Offers

Different types of offers can appeal to various segments of your audience. Put in some copywriting effort to craft the right SMS that will hook customers and reel them into making a purchase. Highlighting black friday sale items can be an effective way to attract attention to special offers and discounts.

Some of the strategies you can give a shot are:

• Percentage discounts
• Specific amount discounts
• BOGO (Buy One Get One)
• Exclusive early/VIP access
• Free shipping
• Limited-time offers

Let’s take a detailed look at these strategies and how you can leverage them.

Best SMS Marketing Strategies to Create Black Friday Text Messages

The right sale offer can motivate customers to act quickly, driving sales and engagement, especially during Black Friday sales. Here’s how to approach crafting offers for different types of promotions:

Discounts – Discounts are a classic and effective way to entice customers, especially during Black Friday. When crafting a discount offer, focus on making it substantial enough to stand out in the crowded market. Whether it’s a percentage off or a dollar amount discount, clearly communicate the value to the customer and include a sense of urgency to encourage quick action.

Flash Sales – Flash sales are short, time-limited promotions that create a sense of urgency and excitement. These offers work well in SMS marketing due to the immediacy of text messages. The key to a successful flash sale SMS offer is to emphasize the limited time frame and make the offer too good to pass up, such as a deep discount or an exclusive deal available only during the flash sale window.

Exclusive Access – Offering exclusive access to Black Friday deals can make your customers feel valued and appreciated. This type of offer works well for VIP customers or those who have subscribed to your SMS list specifically for early access. The messaging should highlight the exclusivity of the offer, making customers feel like they are getting a special advantage over others.

BOGO (Buy One, Get One) – BOGO offers are a popular choice for driving volume sales during Black Friday. These offers provide customers with a perceived higher value, as they’re getting an additional product for free or at a reduced price. When crafting a BOGO SMS offer, be clear about the terms and make it easy for customers to understand how they can take advantage of the deal.

Free Shipping – Free shipping is a powerful incentive that can reduce cart abandonment and encourage more customers to complete their purchases. This offer is particularly appealing during Black Friday when shoppers are looking to maximize their savings. In your SMS message, emphasize the convenience and cost savings that free shipping provides, and consider adding a minimum purchase requirement to boost average order value.

Bundle Deals – Bundle deals encourage customers to purchase multiple items by offering them at a discounted rate when bought together. This type of offer can increase the overall order value and help clear out inventory. Your SMS should clearly outline what’s included in the bundle and the savings customers will enjoy by choosing the bundle over individual items.

Loyalty Rewards – Loyalty rewards offer an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and reward your repeat customers. This could be in the form of extra discounts, bonus points, or exclusive gifts with purchase. The messaging should convey appreciation and make loyal customers feel like they are receiving a special perk for their continued support.

Gathering customer feedback can help refine your SMS marketing strategies by providing insights into what works and what doesn’t, allowing you to tailor your offers more effectively.

The art and science of crafting effective Black Friday SMS messages

Not just campaign planning, but copywriting also plays a crucial role in making your Black Friday SMS messages work. Consider following these best practices when writing your campaign messages.

Writing Attention-Grabbing Subject Lines

Subject lines are the first thing your audience will see, making them crucial in determining whether your message gets opened or ignored.

For SMS marketing, the subject line needs to be concise, yet powerful enough to capture attention immediately.

The best practices you must adhere to include:

• Keep It Short and Sweet: Aim for brevity, as you have limited characters. Focus on the key offer or benefit.
• Use Action-Oriented Language: Words like “Grab,” “Save,” “Unlock,” or “Exclusive” encourage immediate action.
• Highlight Urgency or Scarcity: Phrases like “Limited Time,” “Only Today,” or “Ending Soon” create a sense of urgency that can drive quicker responses.
• Personalize When Possible: Including the recipient’s name or referencing their previous shopping behavior can make your subject line more engaging.

Effective subject lines can significantly improve open rates, ensuring your message reaches a wider audience.

Example: “Hurry, [First Name]! 20% Off Just for You – Today Only!”

Message Length and Content

When crafting your SMS content, less is more. Given the character limit and the need to get straight to the point, your text message should be concise and focused on the essential details. Here’s why:

• Be Concise: SMS messages should be clear and to the point, as you only have about 160 characters. Avoid fluff and stick to the core message.
• Incorporate Urgency: Urgency drives action. Phrases like “Act Now,” “Limited Time,” or “Today Only” can encourage immediate engagement.
• Emphasize Exclusivity: Making customers feel special can increase their interest. Use phrases like “Exclusive Offer,” “Just for You,” or “VIP Access” to add value to your message.

Example: “Flash Sale! 50% off everything – today only. Shop now: <Link>

Using Personalization and Emojis

Personalization and emojis can add a layer of engagement and personality to your SMS messages, making them more relatable and impactful.

• Personalization Enhances Engagement: Tailoring your messages with the recipient’s name, past purchases, or browsing behavior can make them feel valued and more likely to engage. For instance, “Hi [First Name], your favorite items are on sale!”
• Appropriate Use of Emojis: Emojis can add a fun, visual element to your messages, but they should be used sparingly and appropriately. Emojis like (celebration), (urgency), or (shopping) can enhance your message without overwhelming it. However, ensure that they align with your brand’s tone and the message’s content.

Personalization and appropriate use of emojis can significantly enhance the customer experience by making messages feel more tailored and engaging.

Call to Action (CTA)

A strong, clear call to action is vital to the success of your SMS marketing campaign. The CTA directs your audience on what to do next and should be compelling enough to drive immediate action. Black Friday SMS templates are essential tools for creating compelling messages that effectively communicate deals and promotions during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales events.

• Crafting Clear and Compelling CTAs: Your CTA should be direct and easy to understand, leaving no ambiguity about the next step. Use action verbs and create a sense of urgency to encourage immediate action.
• Examples of Effective CTAs for Black Friday:
• “Shop Now” – Simple and direct, perfect for time-sensitive offers.
• “Claim Your Discount” – Creates a sense of ownership and urgency.
• “Unlock Your Offer” – Adds an element of exclusivity and intrigue.
• “Buy Now Before It’s Gone” – Combines urgency with scarcity, motivating quick decisions.

A strong CTA can significantly improve conversion rates by guiding customers towards completing a purchase or taking the desired action.

Example: “Don’t miss out! Claim a promo code for your 25% off today: Link

By focusing on these elements, you can craft SMS messages that not only capture attention but also drive the desired action, ensuring your Black Friday campaign is both effective and engaging.

If you’re looking for ready-to-use SMS messages for all occasions, here are 40 SMS templates you can use.

Black Friday SMS messages for all occasions

Now we have reached the most important part of this article. the one that is going to save hours worth of brainstorming and tedious copywritign effort.

Here are the Balck Fridat SMS message tempaltes that you can use for any occasion:

1. Exclusive Early Access Sale

1. You’re in! Get exclusive early access to our Black Friday deals now. Take advantage of our pre Black Friday sale to enjoy early discounts and exclusive offers. Shop before everyone else: < Link> #VIPAccess. Exclusive early access can significantly boost customer loyalty by making customers feel valued and appreciated.
2. Early birds catch the best deals! Use code EARLYBF for 20% off before the rush. Shop now: < Link>
3. Black Friday starts NOW for our VIPs! Hurry, grab your favorites before they’re gone: < Link>
4. Shh…it’s a secret! Early access to our Black Friday sale is live. Use code SECRETSALE: < Link>
5. You’ve unlocked early access! Shop our Black Friday deals before the crowd: < Link> Limited time only!

2. Last-Minute Reminders

1. Time’s almost up! Black Friday weekend ends tonight. Don’t miss out on huge savings: < Link>
2. Final hours! Shop our Black Friday deals before they’re gone. Hurry: < Link>
3. Last chance to save big! Black Friday ends soon. Get your deals now: < Link>
4. Tick-tock… Last-minute Black Friday shopping? We’ve got you covered. Shop now: < Link>
5. Only a few hours left! Grab your Black Friday favorites before they’re gone: < Link>. Last-minute reminders can significantly improve conversion rates.

3. Cart Abandonment Reminder

1. Hey < First Name>, you left something behind! Complete your purchase now and enjoy 15% off with code SAVE15: < Link>. Cart abandonment reminders like this can significantly improve customer retention by encouraging customers to complete their purchases.
2. Don’t miss out, < First Name>! Your Black Friday picks are still waiting. Complete your order: < Link>
3. Your cart is calling! Grab your Black Friday deals before they’re gone. Finish checkout: < Link>
4. We saved your cart! Use code BFCM20 for 20% off and complete your order: < Link>
5. Your Black Friday deals are waiting! Finish your purchase before they sell out: < Link>

4. Flash Sale Notifications

1. Flash Sale Alert! 50% off for the next 2 hours only. Don’t miss out: < Link> Cyber Monday deals are just around the corner, so stay tuned for exclusive offers.
2. Quick! Flash sale is live for the next 3 hours. Grab 40% off sitewide: < Link>
3. Surprise Flash Sale! Shop now and get 30% off for the next hour: < Link>
4. Limited-time flash sale! 25% off everything, but only for the next 2 hours: < Link>
5. Act fast! Flash sale ends in 1 hour. Use code FLASH25 for 25% off: < Link>

5. Personalized Product Recommendations

1. Hi < First Name>, we’ve handpicked these Black Friday deals just for you! Check them out: < Link>
2. Your favorites are on sale! Shop personalized Black Friday deals before they’re gone: < Link>
3. Special Black Friday picks for you, < First Name>! Don’t miss out on these deals: < Link>
4. Looking for something specific? Check out our personalized Black Friday recommendations: < Link>. Personalized recommendations can significantly boost customer engagement.
5. We know you’ll love these! Shop your personalized Black Friday deals now: < Link>

6. Bogo (Buy One Get One) Offers

1. BOGO is here! Buy one, get one free on select items for Black Friday. Don’t forget to check out our Cyber Monday sales for even more amazing deals. Shop now: < Link> BOGO offers can significantly drive customer acquisition by attracting new shoppers looking for great deals.
2. Black Friday BOGO! Buy one, get one 50% off today only. Don’t miss out: < Link>
3. Double the deals! BOGO on your favorite products for Black Friday. Limited time: < Link>
4. It’s BOGO time! Buy one, get one free on everything. Shop Black Friday deals: < Link>
5. BOGO Alert! Buy one, get one 50% off for Black Friday. Shop before it’s gone: < Link>

7. Free Shipping Promotions

1. Free Shipping Alert! Enjoy free shipping on all Black Friday orders today only: < Link>
2. Shop more, save more! Free shipping on all Black Friday orders over $50. Use code FREESHIP: < Link>
3. Black Friday Special! Free shipping on everything, no minimum required: < Link>
4. Skip the lines, we’ll ship for free! Black Friday free shipping on all orders: < Link>
5. Order today and get free shipping! Black Friday deals + free shipping: < Link>. Free shipping can significantly improve customer satisfaction by reducing overall costs and providing a better shopping experience.

8. Exclusive VIP Offers

1. You’re a VIP, < First Name>! Enjoy 25% off all Black Friday items. Use code VIP25: < Link> Exclusive VIP offers like this can significantly boost customer loyalty.
2. VIP Alert! Get early access to our best Black Friday deals with code VIPFIRST: < Link>
3. Exclusive for VIPs! 30% off your entire Black Friday order. Shop now: < Link>
4. VIP Black Friday sale just for you! Save big with code VIPSALE: < Link>
5. As a VIP, you get the best deals first! Use code VIPDEAL for 20% off Black Friday items: < Link>

Timing Your SMS Campaign

Timing is everything when it comes to SMS marketing, especially during Black Friday, when consumers are bombarded with promotions free gift, from all directions. Sending your messages at the right time can significantly impact their effectiveness. Timing your SMS campaign correctly can improve open rates.

Which are the best days and times to send black friday sms campaigns?

The days leading up to Black Friday, including the weekend before, are prime times for sending SMS messages. Early morning (8-10 AM) or late afternoon (4-6 PM) tend to be the most effective, as people are more likely to check their phones during these times. 

On Black Friday itself, consider sending reminders early in the day and then follow-ups in the late afternoon to capture any last-minute shoppers.

Do consider your audience time zones as well.

If your audience spans multiple time zones, it’s crucial to schedule your SMS messages accordingly. Sending a message at 8 AM Eastern Time might be too early for your West Coast audience. 

Most SMS platforms allow you to segment your list by time zone, ensuring your messages are received at the optimal time for each group. This consideration can prevent your message from being ignored or worse, seen as intrusive.

Drip Campaigns and Follow-Ups

A single SMS message might not be enough to engage your audience fully, especially with the heightened competition during Black Friday. That’s where drip campaigns and follow-ups come into play.

Drip campaigns can significantly boost customer engagement by providing consistent and relevant communication over time.

Setting Up a Series of Messages Leading Up to Black Friday:

Drip campaigns involve sending a series of scheduled messages to build anticipation and keep your brand top-of-mind as Black Friday approaches. Start with a teaser message a week before the sale, hinting at the deals to come. Follow up with a more detailed message outlining the key offers a few days later, and finally, send a last-minute reminder on Black Friday morning. This strategy ensures consistent engagement without overwhelming your audience. Additionally, a well-executed series of messages can significantly improve customer retention by keeping your audience engaged and informed.

Example Drip Campaign:

• 7 Days Before Black Friday: “Get Ready! Exclusive Black Friday deals are coming soon. Stay tuned for a sneak peek!”
• 3 Days Before Black Friday: “Here’s your sneak peek: Up to 50% off sitewide starting Friday. Don’t miss out!”
• Black Friday Morning: “It’s time! Shop our Black Friday deals now and save big: [Link]”
• Late Afternoon on Black Friday: “Last chance! Black Friday deals end tonight. Grab yours before it’s too late: [Link]”

Follow-Ups:

Sending follow-up messages is key to maximizing conversions. If a customer has clicked on a link but hasn’t made a purchase, consider sending a follow-up reminder with a slightly sweeter deal, like an additional discount or free shipping offer.

Timing these follow-ups is critical—send them too soon, and they might be annoying; send them too late, and you could miss the opportunity altogether. A well-timed follow-up, perhaps in the late afternoon or evening on Black Friday, can turn an undecided shopper into a buyer.

By carefully planning the timing of your SMS campaigns and incorporating strategic drip and follow-up messages, you can increase the likelihood that your Black Friday promotions will stand out and drive the desired results. Follow-up messages can significantly improve conversion rates by keeping potential customers engaged and encouraging them to complete their purchases.

Compliance and Best Practices in Black Friday SMS marketing

Compliance is a cornerstone of any SMS marketing strategy, especially during major shopping events like Black Friday. Failing to adhere to legal guidelines can result in hefty fines and damage to your brand’s reputation.

Moreover, compliance with regulations can significantly improve customer satisfaction by ensuring that customers feel respected and valued.

Understanding SMS Marketing Regulations

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the United States is the primary regulation governing SMS marketing. It mandates that businesses must obtain explicit consent from individuals before sending them SMS messages.

This consent must be clear, voluntary, and specific to the type of communication being sent.

Additionally, messages must include a clear opt-out mechanism, allowing recipients to easily stop receiving messages. Violations of the TCPA can result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $1,500 per message.

Other regions may have similar regulations, such as the GDPR in the European Union, which also requires explicit consent and provides individuals with rights over their personal data.

Adhering to these SMS marketing regulations can build customer trust by ensuring transparency and respecting consumer preferences.

A note on obtaining proper consent from customers

Obtaining proper consent isn’t just about compliance—it’s about respecting your customers’ preferences and building trust. Consent must be explicit, meaning customers must knowingly opt-in to receive SMS messages from your brand.

This can be done through a signup form on your website, an in-store registration, or any other method where the customer is fully informed about what they’re agreeing to. Using pre-checked boxes or assuming consent from other forms of communication (like email) is not compliant and could lead to legal trouble.

Proper consent also ensures that your messages are welcomed and reduces the likelihood of complaints or opt-outs. Obtaining proper consent can significantly build customer trust, as it shows that you value their choices and privacy.

Managing Opt-Ins/Opt-Outs

Managing opt-ins and opt-outs effectively is key to maintaining a healthy, engaged SMS subscriber list and ensuring a positive user experience. Building a robust list of SMS subscribers is crucial for effective SMS marketing campaigns, especially around events like Black Friday. Managing opt-ins/opt-outs effectively can significantly enhance the customer experience by ensuring that communications are relevant and welcomed.

Follow these best Practices for Managing Opt-Ins and Opt-Outs:

Opt-Ins

When a customer opts in to receive SMS messages, it’s important to immediately confirm their subscription with a welcome message that outlines what they can expect, such as the frequency of messages and the type of content you’ll be sending.

Opt-Outs

Providing a simple and easy opt-out mechanism is both a legal requirement and a best practice. A typical method involves allowing users to reply with a keyword like “STOP” to unsubscribe.

It’s important to acknowledge their opt-out request with a confirmation message, and ensure their number is removed from your list promptly to avoid any further communications, which could lead to compliance violations and customer frustration.

By understanding and implementing these compliance practices, you not only protect your business from potential legal risks but also foster a trusting relationship with your audience, leading to better engagement and more successful SMS marketing campaigns.

Wrapping up: Black Friday SMS marketing

SMS marketing is a powerful tool for Black Friday, offering direct and immediate access to your audience during one of the most competitive shopping events of the year. Its ability to create urgency, deliver personalized offers, and drive quick actions makes it an essential component of any comprehensive Black Friday marketing strategy.

To launch a successful campaign, remember to plan your timing carefully, craft concise and compelling messages, and stay compliant with regulations. By focusing on these key elements, you can maximize engagement, boost sales, and make the most of the Black Friday shopping frenzy.

Now that you know how to go about your BFCM SMS marketing, it’s time to create your own campaign! Black Friday SMS marketing can significantly boost customer engagement and conversion rates.

With SmartrMail, it’s easy to set up an SMS campaign for Black Friday (or any other event for that matter) and also combine it with your email marketing strategy.

If you’re already a SmartrMail user, you can learn how to do this right here. Otherwise, you can install SmartrMail for free right here.

All the best this Black Friday!

The post 40+ Black Friday SMS templates to win this holiday season appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

And if there’s one thing you can bet on merchants doing every Black Friday in addition to heavily discounting their products, it’s that they’ll be sending plenty of emails. 

Whether they be your traditional brick and mortar store or colossus ecommerce website, every good retailer will be perfecting their Black Friday email campaigns to maximize sales. 

While email marketing is the most profitable marketing channel, you’ll never be up against more competition in making your email marketing campaigns stand out in subscribers’ inboxes.

With so much pressure, we’ve decided to lend a helping hand by showcasing these 10 great Black Friday email examples.

Feel free to use these as your Black Friday email inspiration when coming up with your own design and copy!

Black Friday Email Examples

Carhartt’s Animated Black Friday Email

Carhartt’s Black Friday email design includes a simple gif that’s attention grabbing and provides a clever way of announcing that their sale has started.

What’s one firesure way to make your emails stand out? Add an animation to them. 

The only thing missing is any mention of what discounts and specials they’re offering. 

This is important information when it comes to enticing people to click through. At least they have two clear CTA buttons at the bottom of the email to help with clicks.

Key takeaway:

• When most emails only include static images, a simple gif can go a long way to making your emails stand out.
  

Forever 21’s Anticipation Building Email Design

People love to reveal what’s hidden on scratch cards. That’s what makes this email design from Forever 21 so great (even if they went bankrupt).

By taking advantage of the compulsion to scratch these cards, they’ve effectively ensured that people will click through to see what their additional two offers are. 

Unlike other Black Friday emails, this one also includes a customer support phone number and links to FAQs, store locator and mobile apps. This helps to remove any barriers between a customer and their purchase.

Key takeaway:
Thinking outside the box when coming up with Black Friday email ideas will help you create a clever and unique design

ModCloth’s Colorful Black Friday Email

What’s the most common theme between Black Friday emails? The use of black.

That means making your emails stand out can be as easy as just using some color. 

ModCloth certainly dials the use of color up to the max, which they can get away with as it matches their brand. Even if your brand doesn’t lend itself to using the full rainbow, experiment with adding a few colors in your email design. 

Like every good Black Friday email, this example also states their offer and includes a clear CTA button through to their online store.

Though technically a Cyber Monday email, this design works as both a Black Friday and Cyber Monday email.

Key takeaway:

• Just because it’s Black Friday it doesn’t mean you need to go heavy with the black, experiment with other colors as apart of your Black Friday email strategy.

Casper’s Snooze Through Black Friday Email

Casper has always been creative with its email campaigns, and this Black Friday email promoting their gift promo code is no different. 

The pleasant image with gift boxes and pillows in the background is visually aesthetic. Product photography works fine for any situation, and Casper has leveraged it. 

The imagery is enriched with a smart copy which proclaims ‘Sleep as a gift”. Along with the copy they are announcing a gift code with an expiry date – which certainly creates an urgency to shop in the user. 

Key takeaway:

• The clever use of imagery that aligns perfectly with Casper’s business makes this a great Black Friday email.

Christopher and Banks Creates A Sense of Urgency

A few things stand out about this Black Friday email design. 

First, there’s no black in the design. The use of green and red helps tie it into the broader holiday season and Christmas. 

Second, the countdown timer at the top of the email beneath the words “FINAL HOURS” creates a sense of urgency which is a great strategy to get people to convert from your emails. Without it, you run the risk of people opening your email and then forgetting about your sales when they don’t head to your online store straightaway. 

However this is not the part of the email that immediately grabs your attention. Instead it’s the $19 figure that captures people’s attention by being so large. Whether it’s better for the Black Friday offer or the timer to be most prominent depends on the offer.

Either way, the CTA buttons at the bottom of the email should definitely be made to stand out more. With the design above they disappear into the background of the email, likely reducing click-through rates.

Key takeaway:

• Including a timer creates a sense of urgency that’ll get more people clicking through your email.

Peel’s Black Friday Sneak Peek Email

A great Black Friday email marketing strategy is to reward your loyal customers with a sneak peek of your offer. 

That’s exactly what this email from Peel does.

The sense of exclusivity also helps to make the email stand out from other Black Friday emails while also enticing the subscriber to click through and see what the offer is. 

Key takeaway:

• Making your loyal customers feel valued by offering them an exclusive sneak peek of your Black Friday offer is sure to boost email engagement.

Pretty Little Thing’s Colorful Black Friday Email

We’ve saved the most striking Black Friday email for last. 

There’s no denying that this email will definitely grab people’s attention when they open it. It’s not only the pink color that stands out compared to the usual black, but also the font choice and imagery. 

This email example incorporates a lot of the great elements of others on this list. Such as the clear CTA buttons, explicitly stating their offers and including a countdown timer.

The inclusion of a discount code helps to make their subscribers feel that this is an exclusive offer just for them too. 

While your brand might not be suited to such a striking design, it still goes to show that Black Friday emails don’t all have to look alike. 

Key takeaway: 

• Creating a unique email design will capture your subscribers’ attention when they open your email. 

Baggu Black Friday offer early announcement email

There are two things that capture your or any user’s attention right off the bat. First, the copy that says “This weekend won’t laster forever.” Next, the prominent clouds announcing the discount offers. 

Baggu has also experimented with three fonts across the email. We don’t recommend doing the same, because it might hamper the user experience. 

Key takeaway:

Mixing a combination of two fonts is recommended, any more could make the design appear cluttered.

Brooklinen’s bundle offers and referral deal

Black Friday offers two opportunities – one, to sell more to existing customers, second, to win new customers. Bundle deals and referrals are a great way to achieve both.

Brooklinen’s email announces a combination of several bundles on which specific deals are available.

Further, their final CTA banner is announcing a referral deal wherein existing customers referring new customers get a $15 discount for themselves and their friend. 

Key takeaways:

• If you have a product portfolio which has an opportunity for cross-selling, do consider bundling them together as a bundle.
• Announce holiday-specific referral deals that will build your existing customer base without incurring exorbitant marketing costs.

Tinker’s urgency-inducing countdown email

Of course, it is a watch brand. So using a catchphrase relevant to watches is obvious, and Tinker Watches has used a simple copy along with an abstract image of the watch for the email.

The visual is definitely captivating and relatable for the target audience who could be vying for exotic luxury watches with character. 

Key takeaways:

• Write copy and select visuals that are aligned to your product and brand.
• An announcement email prior to announcing the product launch or offer could create some excitement and garner customer attention.

Google’s last chance Black Friday Emails

Google’s Black Friday email announces hefty discounts in its hardware products. The copy is straightforward and announces the discount amount on each product.

The CTA which says ‘Save now’ is definitely persuasive and can help increase conversions. The email banner has a CTA that directs users to the page where all offers are listed. 

Key takeaways:

• If you have multiple offers that cannot be listed in a single email, create a landing page of offers and direct users from the email.
• Copy that announces the deal directly without making the users make sense of it is the best.

Adidas Black Friday email that announces free expedited shipping

There are two offers that tis Black Friday email from Adidas is spotlight on. Their massive 50% discount and free expedited shipping.

It is a very simple email with hardly three scrolls that contains all the possible information that a user might need. 

The carousel beneath the CTA with all their product categories takes care of helping users reach the right page where the product they’re looking for is available.

Key takeaways:

• Minimal emails do work out well, provided all necessary information is packaged properly.
• Use dynamic content blocks to personalize the content to make it suitable for the target audience.

Grammarly’s premium plan comparison email

Grammarly is one of the most widely writing tools and their free plan is perhaps the most popular one as well.

Their Black friday email announces an attractive 55% discount on the premium plan. To convert existing ree users, they are also showcasing the differences with a table. 

Since the email is targeting existing free users. This minimal email with relevant information works well.

Key takeaway:

• Black Friday emails can convert freemium customers into premium paid customers, if they are provided the right information aligned with a good discount.

Article announcing the biggest sale of the year

Article makes a splash with its email that uses gif to showcase its product. Further, they are announcing a 45% discount along with free shipping above a minimum order restricted to a deadline. 

User’s attention is captured, interest is won, and urgency is created with the simple copy.

Key takeaways:

• Static images are great, but animations and GIFs do have their own potential to impress recipients. Don’t shy away from experimenting.
• Arrange offers in a logical fashion that follows the user’s thought process, capture attention, sustain it, create urgency.

Postable’s madness Black Friday email

Postable calls its Black Friday offer the ‘Black Friday madness’. It is a quirky way to announce an offer along with a promo code. There is also a CTA button that takes users to the homepage where all offers are listed.

Key takeaways:

• Use a quirky theme or copy to announce the offer.
• Use emojis in the subject line.

United By Blue altruistic Black Friday Email

United By Blue’s email announces a 25% sitewide discount and free shopping on all orders. The messaging is loud and clear to existing customers who might have been buying at higher prices and were incurring shipping fees on low-value orders.

Further, there is also a second part of the newsletter where dedicated sections for gifts, new arrivals, women, men and products are provided for quick accessibility.

Key takeaways:

If your store has been charging for shipping or has been premium price for its products, maybe this format would be a good choice to announce the offers.

Encircled – an email with a difference

If being ‘candid’ was an email, Encircled owns it. Their copy seems to be reaching out to you and talking in person. It is personal, but, with a certain marketing angle to it that is characteristic to all Black Friday emails.

This particular email is an announcement of the upcoming Black Friday & Cyber Monday emails. It is giving up a gentle heads-up of the deluge of emails that are to follow and is offering users the option to opt out if required. Quite a contrarian approach compared to what other brands are doing. And that is exactly what captures the attention of some users as well.

Key takeaways:

Be wary of the user’s inbox. Don’t bombard them with emails. Do provide the option to opt out voluntarily. It will help the brand retain only those users who are really keen on receiving emails.

Sonos – Simple and straight-forward with no frills

Sonos is an premium audio equipment brand and any offers from them is well-received by users. This Black Friday email from Sono is focusing only on two major products – their home theater and their speaker set.

Sono is pretty clear about the discount being offered and its validity. There is no loud marketing copy or sales pitches. A simple and straightforward announcement, which should resonate well with its intended target audience of audiophiles.

Key takeaways:

Simple and straight-forward email communications trumps every other form of marketing pitches, especially for premium products.

Hill-Side – promo codes for the win

There are two things at play here. First, Hill-side is announcing the 30% discount prominently for Black Friday. 

However, it can be claimed only using the discount code “BLACKFRIDAY”. Promo codes are widely used by brands for holiday season sales. First, it helps keep a track of revenue the specific campaign has generated. Also, it becomes easier to toggle on and off a promo code once its validity expires. 

Key takeaways:

If you have the necessary tech stack, a promo code is the simplest and easiest way to provide discounts to customers.

Yoco – show’n’tell email for new customers

Some products are not readily accepted by customers. They need a little bit of content help to set context to sell better. Yoco is taking that route. 

The first scroll of the email prominently announces the Black Friday discount and when the sale is going live.

The second part of the email explains the product features and why customers have chosen it. It is a way of showcasing social proof to win new customers. 

Key takeaways:

For products with sophisticated target audience, it is ideal to set context with content. Showcase social proof that will create awareness and help them take a conscious decision.

GoPro’s email with stunning product imagery

When the world’s best action camera goes on discounted sale, it will sell like hotcakes. 

But, even a brand GoPro has to up its email marketing game to win new customers. 

This particular email is visually pleasing and goes on to showcase the bundle – including the camera and essential accessories.  Further, the sub-text before the CTA highlights unlimited cloud storage and replacement guarantee, all of which are highly persuasive for the adventure camera enthusiasts.

Key takeaways:

When text cannot describe an entire story, use images to showcase product value. Bundling products together based on most-purchased items is a good way to sell more to new and existing customers.

Creating Your Own Black Friday Email Campaign

Now that we’ve gone through 20 Black Friday email examples, it’s time to think about your own campaigns.

Hopefully now you have a good idea of what to include in your email copy as well as some inspiration for your email design.  

The truth is however that creating a great Black Friday email is only half of the challenge. 

Without a great subject line that entices people to click on, most of your subscribers won’t even open your email. Meaning that all that effort you went through for your email isn’t properly realized. 

Luckily we have a list of great Black Friday email subject lines that you can use.  

In addition we also have plenty of other Black Friday resources to help you create your best Black Friday email campaign ever. 

Looking for even more Black Friday email examples? Check out Really Good Emails.

The post 20+ Best Black Friday Email Examples to Spark Your Inspiration appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

And if there’s one thing that’s more certain than merchants offering massive discounts it’s that they’ll be sending plenty of Black Friday email campaigns. And for good reason too. 

Email campaigns are directly responsible for a fifth of all online store visits over the holiday and consumers who convert through email spend 138% more compared to those who through different channels. 

None of which is particularly surprising seeing as email is the most profitable and effective marketing channel.

So with merchants understanding the clear importance of sending emails this Black Friday, the only thing standing in their way is creating the actual emails. 

How email templates can help

Designing and composing emails can take time. Especially when you’re creating them from scratch. 

Email templates, however, significantly reduce the time and amount of work you need to put in to get emails out.  

Templates provide the structure and layout for your email along with some generic imagery to improve the design of the email. From there, all you have to do is add your own content to customize them how you’d like. 

SmartrMail’s free Black Friday templates take it a step further

The downside to most email templates you download online is that you’re usually only given a PDF or Photoshop file that you then need to try to get to work with your email app. 

The difference with the email templates below, however, is that you don’t need to download anything.

Instead, you just enter your store’s domain and branded Black Friday templates are automatically generated based on your online store’s design. 

If you then connect your store with SmartrMail, you can then customize the templates with products from your store by looking them up and adding them with a single click. You can then tweak the design however you like and add additional images and text to your heart’s content. 

Send emails to your customers right away

Because you’re doing all of this in SmartrMail, you don’t have to worry about whether the templates are compatible with your email service provider or not. 

When you first connect your store with SmartrMail, you’ll automatically begin a 15-day free trial. During this time you can send emails to your entire email list, so if you connect SmartrMail now, you’ll be covered for your Black Friday email campaigns. 

The trial is also 100% commitment-free and you don’t have to add any credit card details. 

This means you can connect SmartrMail now, quickly and easily customize the templates below and add your own products in a single click stress-free. 

Black Friday email templates you can send right now

So what are these templates you can take advantage of right now? 

Well at the moment there are 6 Black Friday and Cyber Monday email templates you can use: 

1) All-purpose Black Friday template

This is a good general, all-purpose Black Friday template to get you started. 

After you connect SmartrMail, your store’s logo will automatically be added to the top of the template and the fonts will reflect your current site’s design (as will be the case with all the templates on this list).  

Of course, you can customize and change the images and text however you want. 

You can get the template here.

2) White Black Friday template

Most Black Friday templates tend to be quite dark (it is Black Friday, after all). 

For stores where the dark vibe doesn’t suit them all that well, there’s this brighter, more minimalist version of the general, all-purpose template.

You can get the template here.

3) Fashionista style template 

Of course, things aren’t all black and white. 

This fashionista style template is a good in-between option that’s warmer and well suited for fashion and apparel brands. 

Black Friday email design shouldn’t be all monotone. 

You can get the template here.

4) Fitspo Black Friday template

If you sell anything related to fitness, this fitspo inspired template is the way to go with your Black Friday sale emails. 

You can, of course, add your own products directly from your store in a single click complete with description, price, and link to buy once you’ve connected SmartrMail. 

You can get the template here.

5) Cyber Monday sale email template

Cyber Monday also demands its own email campaign, which you can get out quickly with this template. 

Again, like with all the templates on this list, once you connect SmartrMail with your store, your logo will be added to the template automatically and fonts will change to match your store’s design. 

You can get the template here.

6) Cyber Week template

What started off as a single day of sales on Black Friday morphed into a 4-day weekend event with Cyber Monday. Now merchants are increasingly holding week-long sales dubbing it “Cyber Week”. 

If you want to get in on the Cyber Week action too, then this template is a good starting point. 

You can get the template here.

More templates are also available 

The above are templates designed specifically for Black Friday and Cyber Week sales. 

However, SmartrMail has plenty of other templates you can use as well. Below are a few examples of them. 

Start sending now

With Black Friday approaching quickly, there’s no time to waste in getting your email campaigns out into people’s inboxes. 

The sooner your customers receive your emails with your sale offers, the sooner they’ll decide to shop with you instead of with one of your competitors. 

By connecting your store with SmartrMail and starting your 15-day free trial, you’ll be able to use these templates to get your emails out faster than ever before. 

You can connect your store with SmartrMail and get the templates here.

What’s the catch? 

Free Black Friday email templates? Free trial to send them to all your entire email list in time for Black Friday? It might seem too good to be true. 

There is no catch. 

The free trial is just that: free. Completely free. There’s no requirement to continue using SmartrMail after the 15 days nor do you have to upload any sort of payment details that we’d sneakily charge if you didn’t cancel after your trial expires. 

After your trial, it’s up to you whether you actively decide to continue on a paid plan (read: you have to actively upgrade to a paid plan yourself). 

If you have fewer than 1,000 subscribers, you’ll also have the option of continuing on our free plan as well. Albeit with slightly fewer features and no live chat support. 

The only thing close to a catch is that we currently only integrate with Shopify, Bigcommerce, Neto, PrestaShop, and Woocommerce stores. 

So if your store’s on any of these platforms, there’s no reason not to start a free trial to get these templates now! 

Additional Black Friday resources

Black Friday templates aren’t the only resource we have to make your job easier. 

To help inspire you further, we also have a collection of Black Friday emails along with examples of Black Friday subject lines which will be very useful in terms of getting people to open your email. 

We’ve also got plenty of other resources including past webinars and guides for Cyber Monday. You can check them all out in our Black Friday email marketing hub here.

The post The Best Black Friday Email Templates You Can Use Right Now appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

And when it comes to sales events, few compare with Black Friday. 

Not only is it one of the biggest single days for sales, but it also kick starts the holiday shopping season. The time of the year where retailers and merchants roll out their biggest marketing campaigns.

This gives rise to some of the most creative, well executed campaigns you’ll see all year round. 

So whether you’re just curious to check out some of the very best Black Friday marketing campaigns of all time or are looking for inspiration for own campaigns, we’ve put together this list.

The All Time Best Black Friday Email Campaigns

It’s no surprise that some of the greatest marketing campaigns for previous Black Fridays involve email. According to Shopify, email marketing is the highest converting channel for Black Friday promotions with an average conversion rate of 4.29%. 

Email also gives you plenty of scope in terms of marketing automation, making it an incredibly easy channel to succeed with. 

As far as inspiration for your own email campaigns, look no further than the examples below. 

Apple

The genius behind Apple’s email marketing is how they’ve staggered out their emails in the lead up to Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. 

Instead of just blasting out an email campaign on Friday morning, they started early letting them build anticipation. 

This started with an email announcing (or teasing) their sale a couple of weeks before the sales weekend. As the date approached, a second email highlighting Apple’s exact offering was sent a week in advance.

By advertising their offer in advance, Apple is able to capture a greater share of consumers’ wallet before they decide to spend their money on other purchases. 

If you’re looking at running your own Black Friday email marketing, this is a strategy you can easily adopt too. For more tips on running email campaigns at this time of year, check out our Black Friday sale email tips here.

Steve Madden

Email marketing isn’t that useful if you don’t have anyone on your email list. 

Even though we doubt that Steve Madden’s email list was that small to begin with, they killed two birds with one stone with their early access email campaign. 

Offering people early access to your deals and offers makes them feel important and a part of an exclusive club. It also creates a sense of urgency as people want to take advantage of the opportunity before the offers are opened up to the public. 

On Steve Madden’s end, they’re growing their email list which lets them establish a long term relationship with their Black Friday shoppers. As opposed to just making a quick sale from them and not engaging with them again. 

The All Time Best Black Friday Social Media Campaigns

As Black Friday shoppers increasingly ditch bricks and mortar stores for the convenience of online shopping, it’s no surprise that retailers are also increasingly turning to social media. 

This has led to some incredible social media campaigns.

Kohl’s

Social media is intrinsically a two-way medium. 

Unlike with traditional media, you aren’t just broadcasting your message to your target audience. Instead your audience is able to respond back to you and interact with your brand. 

Smart social media marketers understand this and use it to their advantage. Just like Kohl’s Black Friday campaign. 

By asking their audience questions across their social accounts in the lead up to and during Black Friday, Kohl’s earned plenty of social media engagement. 

Social platforms like Facebook and Twitter love engagement on your posts. It increases the organic reach of their posts and lowers costs for any paid reach they may have been getting. 

If you follow in the lead of Kohl’s, just make sure you adquently monetize the attention by placing some clear calls to action in your posts. At the end of the day, you want to be converting people into customers after all. 

Pieminister

You don’t need a large social media following to run a successful social media campaign that reaches plenty of people.

Pieminister decided to team up with a well-known homeless charity to give away pies to shelters on Black Friday. 

By partnering with a much larger organization with a greater social following, Pieminister was able to expand the reach of their posts without spending big on advertising. This is particularly valuable when your competitors are likely bidding big over the holiday shopping season. 

The fact that Pieminister also found a heartwarming and worthwhile cause also helped with gaining organic traction on social. 

The All Time Best Black Friday Video Ads

Video ads are still a popular medium for running marketing campaigns during Black Friday, especially for larger retailers.

Even though you might not have the budget to execute your own video ads, these ads are still worth a watch.

AussieBum

By ripping off famous production house logos including 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers and Marvel, AussieBum has created a fun and attention grabbing ad. 

It also helps that the ad is well and truly on brand and will resonate with their target audience.

Kohl’s

Being Kohl’s second entry on this list, it’s fair to say they do a great job with their Black Friday marketing.

This time they’ve created a parody of Rebecca Black’s Friday complete with their own offers.

There’s no denying that this is an old ad now, but that shouldn’t detract from how great it was when it ran. 

Rebecca Black’s Friday is an incredibly easy song to get stuck in your head, something that Kohl’s was aiming for with their ad too. By capitalizing on a social media phenomenon at the time, the ad also has a decent amount of shareability.

The All Time Best Anti-Black Friday Campaigns

Are you already sick of seeing so many Black Friday ads? Well we’ve got bad news for you: you’ll be seeing plenty more of them as November 24th draws closer. 

Good news is that these anti-Black Friday campaigns will serve as a good antidote. 

These are campaigns from retailers who are going against the grain of trying to maximize profits over the shopping holiday. 

Whether it’s to raise awareness of ethical consumption, a charitable cause or just to make a mockery of Black Friday, here are the greatest ant-Black Friday campaigns.

Patagonia

Patagonia is a brand that’s already well known for its emphasis on ethical consumption, and their Black Friday campaigns more than live up to this reputation. 

In 2011 they launched one of the first ever anti-Black Friday campaigns with their “Don’t Buy This Jacket” ad in the New York Times and online.

This wasn’t a one off either. 

In 2016 Patagonia donated 100% of its sales on Black Friday to nonprofit environmental groups around the world. 

Cards Against Humanity

Making a mockery of Black Friday has become a habit for Cards Against Humanity. 

Last year they held 99% off sale on a range of items from a Sony 4K TV to a bust of President Obama. They even sold cold hard cash letting you score a $100 bill for just $1. 

As you’d expect, supplies were severely limited on all the items, but the sale was real! 

In 2014 they even took down their entire product range from their online store and offered just one product instead: literal poop. 

But for all their pranks, their best is perhaps when they increased their prices by $5. 

What might seem like commercial suicide, actually increased sales compared to Black Friday the year before. 

Creating Your Own Black Friday Campaigns

We’re not going to lie. It’s going to be hard to match the creativity of these Black Friday campaigns. 

If you are now planning to go and create your own campaigns, you should at least have some inspiration. If you’re still struggling to come up with some ideas, check out what 18 experts came up with when we asked for their top Black Friday campaign ideas. 

As far as your email campaigns go, we also have plenty of other resources to help you including examples of great Black Friday emails and a list of subject lines you can use. 

We’ve placed all of these resources in our Black Friday/Cyber Monday hub that you can access below. 

Best of luck with your Black Friday campaigns!

The post The Best Black Friday Marketing Campaigns Ever appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

The significance of this shopping event extends far beyond just a single day; it kicks off the holiday shopping season, driving a surge in consumer spending that often determines a brand’s annual success. With billions of dollars at stake, the competition among eCommerce brands to capture shoppers’ attention is fiercer than ever.

In such a high-stakes environment, the effectiveness of your email marketing can make or break your Black Friday campaign. 

One of the most critical elements of any email campaign is the subject line—it’s the first thing your audience sees, and it often determines whether they open the email or scroll past it. 

 A compelling subject line not only boosts open rates but also sets the tone for the entire customer experience, guiding them from inbox to checkout.

Crafting Black Friday email subject lines for e-commerce success

Crafting the right Black Friday subject lines is more than just a creative exercise; it’s a strategic move that can significantly impact your holiday season revenue. By leveraging urgency, personalization, and clear value propositions, you can cut through the noise of crowded inboxes and drive engagement. 

Ultimately, the success of your Black Friday email campaign hinges on your ability to connect with your audience from the moment they see your subject line, setting the stage for a successful shopping season.

That said, there are certain traits of an effective Black Friday subject line. 

Traits of an effective Black Friday Subject Line

There are specific traits that make a Black Friday email work — it would make the recipient open the email, consume the information in it and take appropriate action.

Here is a round-up of the traits for your reference while crafting Black Friday email subject lines.

It creates urgency and scarcity

Urgency and scarcity are powerful motivators that compel customers to act quickly before they miss out on a limited-time offer. By emphasizing deadlines or low stock, you can create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) that drives immediate action.

Example: “Last Chance! Black Friday Deals End Tonight!”

It uses customer data to personalize subject lines

Personalization enhances relevance of the subject line by using customer data. These could default or custom fields such as first names of the recipient or info about their past purchases. 

This personal touch increases the likelihood of the email being opened, as it feels more directly addressed to the recipient.

Example: “John, Your Exclusive Black Friday Deal Inside!”

It provides clarity and value

A clear and straightforward subject line that communicates the core offer or benefit will quickly grab attention. Shoppers appreciate knowing exactly what they’re getting, whether it’s a discount, free shipping, or a special bundle.

Example: “50% Off Everything—Black Friday Mega Sale!”

It piques interest

Curiosity-driven subject lines tease the content without giving it all away, encouraging the recipient to open the email to learn more. By sparking interest, these subject lines entice customers to engage with the email and explore the offers further.
Example: “You Won’t Believe These Black Friday Deals…”

The Ultimate List of 225 Black Friday Email Subject Lines for every imaginable scenario

We know writing subject lines from scratch is going to cost you endless hours of time and burning midnight oil. 

You should ideally use that time focusing on how to improve sales for your e-commerce store during the holiday season. 

Here is a comprehensive list of Black Friday email subject lines organized into various categories based on the timing, type, and unique traits of the email. 

a. Pre-Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Build anticipation, offer sneak peeks, or give early access to loyal customers.

1. Ready for Black Friday? Get a Sneak Peek Now!
2. Early Access: Shop Black Friday Deals Before Everyone Else!
3. Black Friday Preview: Unmissable Deals Inside!
4. Get a Head Start: Black Friday Savings Start Now!
5. Shh… Our Black Friday Sale Is Coming Soon!
6. Unlock Early Bird Deals Before Black Friday!
7. VIPs Only: Pre-Black Friday Access Starts Now!
8. Exclusive: Pre-Black Friday Prices Revealed!
9. Be the First to Shop Our Black Friday Collection!
10. Black Friday is Coming—Are You Ready?
11. It’s Almost Here: Black Friday Deals You’ll Love!
12. Countdown Begins: Get Ready for Black Friday!
13. Early Black Friday Deals Just for You!
14. Mark Your Calendar: Black Friday Starts Soon!
15. Something Big is Coming: Black Friday Preview!
16. Don’t Wait! Early Black Friday Savings Inside!
17. Black Friday Teaser: Get Ready to Shop!
18. Pre-Black Friday Deals: Shop Before the Rush!
19. Sneak Peek: Our Best Black Friday Deals!
20. Get Ready: Black Friday is Just Around the Corner!
21. It’s Coming: Early Black Friday Access Inside!
22. Get Excited! Black Friday Preview Sale Starts Now!
23. Prepare Yourself: Black Friday is Almost Here!
24. VIP Early Access: Black Friday Deals Revealed!
25. Don’t Miss Out: Pre-Black Friday Sale Starts Soon!

b. Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Announce the sale, highlight major discounts, and drive immediate action.

26. It’s Here: Our Biggest Black Friday Sale Ever!
27. Black Friday Starts Now: Save Up to 70%!
28. Shop Black Friday: Deals You Can’t Miss!
29. The Black Friday Event You’ve Been Waiting For!
30. Black Friday Blowout: Everything Must Go!
31. Your Ultimate Black Friday Shopping Guide Inside!
32. Don’t Miss Out: Black Friday Deals Live Now!
33. Black Friday Starts Now—Shop Before It’s Too Late!
34. This Black Friday: Shop More, Save More!
35. Our Best Black Friday Deals Are Live—Shop Now!
36. Black Friday Frenzy: Deals You’ll Love!
37. Ready, Set, Shop! Black Friday Deals Are Here!
38. Black Friday Special: Up to 50% Off Everything!
39. Black Friday Extravaganza: Huge Savings Inside!
40. Black Friday Madness: Deals You Can’t Ignore!
41. Black Friday Bonanza: Unbeatable Prices!
42. Your Black Friday Wishlist Just Got Better!
43. Don’t Miss the Hottest Deals This Black Friday!
44. Black Friday Mega Sale: Up to 80% Off!
45. It’s Finally Here: Black Friday Deals Await!
46. Shop Now: Black Friday Deals Won’t Last!
47. This Black Friday: Grab the Best Deals Before They’re Gone!
48. Black Friday is Live: Start Saving Now!
49. The Wait is Over: Black Friday Sale Starts Today!
50. Black Friday Price Drops: Shop and Save Big!

c. VIP Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Exclusive deals, early access, and personalized offers for VIP or loyal customers.

51. VIP Access: Your Exclusive Black Friday Deal Inside!
52. As a VIP, You Get Early Access to Our Black Friday Sale!
53. For Our VIPs Only: Black Friday Just Got Better!
54. Your Black Friday VIP Pass: Extra Savings Await!
55. VIPs Get More! Extra 20% Off This Black Friday!
56. Exclusive VIP Offer: Early Access to Black Friday!
57. Because You’re Special: VIP Black Friday Deals Inside!
58. VIP Treatment: Shop Black Friday First!
59. You’re a VIP! Enjoy Early Black Friday Savings!
60. VIP Access Granted: Black Friday Deals Await!
61. VIP Preview: Get a Head Start on Black Friday Savings!
62. Early VIP Access: Unlock Black Friday Deals Now!
63. Just for VIPs: Black Friday Early Bird Discounts!
64. VIP Only: Get the Best Black Friday Deals Before Everyone Else!
65. Your VIP Status Means Extra Black Friday Savings!
66. VIP Black Friday Exclusive: Shop Before the Crowd!
67. Special Access: VIP Black Friday Deals Inside!
68. Black Friday VIP Sale: Sneak Peek Just for You!
69. VIP Offer: Save Big with Early Black Friday Access!
70. Your VIP Black Friday Pass: Shop Early and Save More!
71. Exclusive VIP Black Friday Deals You Don’t Want to Miss!
72. VIPs Get the First Look at Black Friday Discounts!
73. Enjoy VIP-Only Black Friday Offers—Shop Now!
74. As a VIP, You Get Extra Black Friday Perks!
75. VIP Early Access: Black Friday Deals are Live!

d. Extended Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Encourage additional purchases by extending the sale period, often with a sense of urgency.

76. Black Friday Extended: More Time, More Savings!
77. Missed Black Friday? We’ve Extended the Sale!
78. Good News: Our Black Friday Sale Has Been Extended!
79. Can’t Get Enough? Black Friday Extended Just for You!
80. One More Chance: Black Friday Deals Extended!
81. Extended by Popular Demand: Black Friday Continues!
82. Black Friday Isn’t Over Yet—Shop the Extended Sale!
83. We’ve Extended Black Friday—More Deals, More Time!
84. Extended! Keep Shopping Our Black Friday Sale!
85. It’s Not Too Late: Black Friday Deals Extended!
86. Extended Sale: Black Friday Prices Still Available!
87. More Time to Save: Black Friday Extended!
88. Black Friday Extended—Don’t Miss Out!
89. Extended Black Friday Sale: Shop and Save More!
90. Good News: Black Friday Sale Extended for Extra Savings!
91. Keep Shopping: Black Friday Extended for a Limited Time!
92. Black Friday Extended: Grab Your Deals Before They’re Gone!
93. Last Chance to Shop: Black Friday Extended!
94. Extended Black Friday Sale: More Deals Just for You!
95. Black Friday Isn’t Over—Extra Savings Available Now!
96. Black Friday Sale Extended: Your Savings Continue!
97. Shop Extended Black Friday Deals—More Time to Save!
98. Extended by Popular Demand: Black Friday Savings Continue!
99. Don’t Miss the Extended Black Friday Sale—Shop Now!
100. Extended Sale Alert: Black Friday Deals Still Going Strong!

e. Last Chance Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Final reminder to create urgency, emphasizing that time is running out.

101. Last Call: Black Friday Deals End Tonight!
102. Hurry! Last Chance to Save This Black Friday!
103. Final Hours: Don’t Miss Out on Black Friday Savings!
104. Last Chance for Black Friday Deals—Act Now!
105. This Is It! Last Day to Shop Black Friday Deals!
106. Don’t Miss Out: Final Hours of Black Friday!
107. Last Chance! Black Friday Ends at Midnight!
108. Time’s Running Out: Last Chance for Black Friday Deals!
109. Final Reminder: Black Friday Sale Ends Soon!
110. Last Chance to Score Black Friday Savings!
111. Act Fast: Black Friday Ends in Hours!
112. Last Minute Deals: Black Friday Sale Ending Soon!
113. Don’t Wait: Last Chance to Grab Black Friday Deals!
114. Final Countdown: Black Friday Deals Ending Soon!
115. Last Chance Alert: Black Friday Savings Disappearing!
116. Final Call: Shop Black Friday Deals Before They’re Gone!
117. Last Chance for Huge Black Friday Discounts!
118. Black Friday Ends Soon—Shop Now or Miss Out!
119. Last Opportunity: Black Friday Sale Ends Today!
120. Time’s Almost Up: Final Black Friday Deals Inside!
121. Last Chance! Don’t Miss Our Black Friday Deals!
122. Act Now: Last Hours of Black Friday Savings!
123. Hurry Up! Black Friday Deals End in a Few Hours!
124. Final Hours to Save Big This Black Friday!
125. Last Chance to Shop Black Friday—Don’t Miss Out!

f. Post-Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Capitalize on momentum by encouraging shoppers to take advantage of remaining deals.

126. It’s Not Over Yet! Shop Our Black Friday Leftovers!
127. Black Friday’s Over, But the Deals Aren’t!
128. Missed Black Friday? Here’s One Last Deal!
129. After Black Friday: Extra Savings Just for You!
130. Black Friday May Be Over, But the Savings Continue!
131. Missed Out? Grab These Post-Black Friday Deals!
132. Still Shopping? Post-Black Friday Deals Inside!
133. One More Shot: Post-Black Friday Sale Starts Now!
134. Post-Black Friday Savings—Don’t Miss Out!
135. Black Friday’s Done, But We’ve Got More Deals for You!
136. Keep the Savings Going: Post-Black Friday Sale!
137. Black Friday Over? Enjoy Extra Discounts Inside!
138. Post-Black Friday Sale: Shop the Deals You Missed!
139. Didn’t Get Enough? Post-Black Friday Offers Await!
140. Last Chance: Post-Black Friday Deals Ending Soon!
141. Don’t Miss Our Post-Black Friday Clearance Sale!
142. Continue the Savings: Post-Black Friday Offers Live Now!
143. Shop Our Post-Black Friday Sale Before It Ends!
144. Black Friday May Be Over, But We’ve Got More Deals!
145. Still Here: Post-Black Friday Discounts Just for You!
146. Wrap Up Your Shopping with Post-Black Friday Deals!
147. Extra Savings Inside: Post-Black Friday Sale!
148. Shop Now: Post-Black Friday Deals Still Available!
149. Your Post-Black Friday Savings Are Waiting!
150. Missed Black Friday? Enjoy Extended Deals Now!

g. Urgency-Driven Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Use time-sensitive language to create a strong sense of urgency and drive immediate action.

151. Act Fast! Black Friday Deals Won’t Last!
152. Hurry! Limited Time Black Friday Offers Inside!
153. Only a Few Hours Left—Shop Black Friday Now!
154. Last-Minute Black Friday Deals—Don’t Miss Out!
155. Limited Stock! Black Friday Deals Going Fast!
156. Time’s Almost Up! Black Friday Ends Tonight!
157. Tick-Tock! Black Friday Savings Won’t Last!
158. Only a Few Left! Black Friday Items Selling Out!
159. Don’t Wait! Black Friday Deals Disappearing Soon!
160. Final Hours! Last Chance to Save This Black Friday!
161. Rush In! Black Friday Prices End Soon!
162. Last Call: Black Friday Deals Ending in Hours!
163. Don’t Delay! Black Friday Sale Ends Soon!
164. Almost Over: Black Friday Discounts Ending Tonight!
165. Hurry! Limited Time to Get Your Black Friday Savings!
166. Act Now: Black Friday Deals Ending Fast!
167. Final Countdown: Black Friday Savings Ending Soon!
168. Shop Now or Miss Out: Black Friday Deals Ending!
169. Urgent: Last Chance to Get Black Friday Discounts!
170. Ending Soon: Don’t Miss Out on Black Friday Deals!
171. Last Few Hours: Black Friday Sale Ending Soon!
172. Final Opportunity: Black Friday Prices Will Rise!
173. Ending Soon! Grab Your Black Friday Deals Now!
174. Time’s Running Out: Last Chance for Black Friday Offers!
175. Final Hours to Score Big Black Friday Savings!

h. Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines with Emojis

Traits: Use of emojis to capture attention and add a visual element to the subject line.

176. It’s Here: Our Biggest Black Friday Sale Ever!
177. Black Friday Alert: Save Up to 60%!
178. Hot Deals: Black Friday Starts Now!
179. Time’s Running Out: Black Friday Ends Tonight!
180. Black Friday Gift Guide: Deals Inside!
181. Black Friday Blowout: Up to 70% Off!
182. Don’t Miss Out: Black Friday Sale Going Fast!
183. Get Ready for Black Friday: Deals Await!
184. Flash Sale: Black Friday Starts Now!
185. Shop Our Best Black Friday Deals—Hurry!
186. Black Friday Frenzy: Discounts You’ll Love!
187. It’s Here: Black Friday Mega Sale!
188. Shop Now: Black Friday Deals Up to 50% Off!
189. Black Friday Special: Unwrap Huge Savings!
190. Black Friday Madness: Don’t Miss These Deals!
191. Get Ready to Save Big This Black Friday!
192. Black Friday Savings Are Live—Shop Now!
193. Hurry Up: Black Friday Prices Won’t Last!
194. Exclusive Black Friday Deals Just for You!
195. Black Friday Sale: Shop Before It’s Gone!
196. Huge Discounts Inside: Black Friday Event!
197. Last Chance: Black Friday Deals Ending Soon!
198. Black Friday Blowout: Extra Savings Await!
199. Hot Black Friday Deals: Shop and Save Big!
200. Black Friday Alert: Don’t Miss These Offers!

i. Specific Offer-Based Black Friday Sale Email Subject Lines

Traits: Highlight specific types of offers such as discounts, BOGO (Buy One, Get One), or free shipping.

201. Black Friday Exclusive: 50% Off All Items!
202. Buy One, Get One Free—Black Friday Only!
203. Save $100 on Orders Over $500 This Black Friday!
204. 25% Off Your First Purchase—Black Friday Special!
205. Extra 20% Off Sale Items This Black Friday!
206. Black Friday Deal: Free Shipping on All Orders!
207. Black Friday Flash Sale: Up to 60% Off!
208. 30% Off Everything—Black Friday Deal Ends Soon!
209. Buy 2, Get 1 Free—Black Friday Offer!
210. Save 40% on Bestsellers This Black Friday!
211. Black Friday Only: 15% Off Sitewide!
212. Limited Time: $50 Off Orders Over $200!
213. Black Friday Deal: 10% Off New Arrivals!
214. Buy One, Get 50% Off Your Second Item!
215. 20% Off All Electronics—Black Friday Special!
216. Flash Deal: 40% Off Select Categories!
217. Save Up to 70% on Clearance Items This Black Friday!
218. Black Friday Special: Free Gift with Purchase!
219. Extra 25% Off Sale Items—Today Only!
220. 50% Off All Shoes—Black Friday Only!
221. Get $20 Off Your Purchase of $100 or More!
222. Exclusive Offer: 35% Off Sitewide for Black Friday!
223. Black Friday Steals: Save 30% on Home Goods!
224. Special Deal: 45% Off All Accessories!
225. Black Friday Sale: 10% Off All New Arrivals!

Best Practices for Crafting Black Friday Email Subject Lines

Keep It Short and Sweet

Short and concise subject lines are crucial for capturing attention quickly. Aim for 40-50 characters to ensure your subject line is fully visible on most devices. 

Brevity helps convey your message clearly and immediately, increasing the likelihood of your email being opened.

Optimal Length for Mobile Devices

With a significant portion of emails read on mobile devices, it’s important to consider how your subject line appears on smaller screens. 

Keep your subject lines within 30-40 characters to ensure they display properly and grab attention even on mobile.

Include Actionable Words

Using actionable words in your subject lines encourages recipients to take immediate action. Words like “Shop,” “Discover,” “Save,” and “Get” create a sense of urgency and motivate readers to open your email and engage with your content.

Using Verbs That Drive Action

Verbs that inspire action can significantly impact your open rates. Strong, action-oriented verbs such as “Unlock,” “Claim,” and “Snag” push recipients to act quickly and take advantage of the offer or content in your email.

Conduct A/B Testing to Find Successful Variants

A/B testing different subject lines is essential for optimizing email performance. By testing variations, you can determine which subject lines resonate best with your audience, leading to higher open rates and more effective email campaigns. Regularly perform A/B testing to refine your approach and improve results.

Plan to Avoid Spam Triggers

Certain words and phrases can trigger spam filters, causing your emails to end up in the junk folder. Avoid using excessive punctuation, all caps, or spammy phrases like “Free,” “100%,” or “No Cost” to ensure your emails reach your recipients’ inboxes.

Highlight Exclusive Offers

During Black Friday, emphasize the exclusivity of your deals to stand out. Subject lines that mention “Exclusive,” “Limited Time,” or “VIP Access” create a sense of urgency and specialness, motivating recipients to open your email to discover the unique offers.

Use Urgency to Persuade action

Black Friday is a high-pressure shopping event, so your subject lines should reflect urgency. Phrases like “Ends Soon,” “Last Chance,” and “Final Hours” can drive immediate action and create a sense of urgency that compels recipients to act quickly before the deals are gone.

Personalize for Better Engagement

Personalization can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your Black Friday emails. Use data such as past purchase behavior or browsing history to tailor subject lines with personalized offers, making the email more relevant and appealing to the recipient.

Emphasize Time-Sensitive Offers

Black Friday is all about limited-time deals, so make sure your subject lines reflect this urgency. Highlighting the limited availability of offers or mentioning specific deadlines (e.g., “Today Only” or “While Supplies Last”) can drive quicker actions from recipients.

Now That You Have Plenty of Black Friday Email Subject Line Ideas… 

By now you should have plenty of Black Friday subject line ideas to choose from or get inspired by.

You might even find that now the problem isn’t coming up with ideas for subject lines, but rather choosing between multiple ones you want to use. 

Thankfully, SmartrMail has A/B testing tools so you can try out different subject lines and see which delivers the best open rates. This is available to all users and we have a comprehensive guide on A/B testing too.

We also have a guide on writing subject lines that includes more general best practice tips to writing subject lines that compel subscribers to open the email such as including a call to action. 

The only thing that’s left is to actually create your email design and get it sent to your list!

PS: Wanting to get a head start on your Christmas email marketing? Check out our list of Christmas email subject lines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Black Friday Email Subject Lines

The post 225 Best Black Friday Email Subject Lines to Skyrocket Your Holiday Sales appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

With sales projected to reach $10 billion, 2024 is truly a year for e-commerce business owners wanting to cash in on the Black Friday event frenzy.

Even if you feel confident with your existing email marketing strategy, Black Friday and Cyber Monday emails represent a different beast entirely. At no other time during the year will as many merchants be sending as many emails vying for a share of your subscribers’ limited attention.

Optimizing your Black Friday sale emails will therefore require you take a slightly different approach to your email marketing than you usually would. Especially when it comes to when and how often you send your Black Friday email campaigns.

In this post, we’ll cover what you should do differently with your Black Friday sale emails and how to space them out in the lead up to and during the weekend. 

First, let’s understand black Friday email campaigns in detail before getting into the finer details.

Understanding Black Friday Email Campaigns

Black Friday email campaigns are specialized marketing efforts designed to engage your customers and drive sales. These campaigns typically consist of a series of emails, each strategically crafted to guide customers through the purchase funnel, from awareness to conversion. 

Here’s a closer look at the different types of Black Friday emails:

Teaser Emails

Teaser emails are sent in the weeks leading up to Black Friday to build anticipation and excitement among customers. They aim to create a buzz around your upcoming deals and encourage subscribers to keep an eye out for your Black Friday offers.

What do they contain?

• Sneak peeks of upcoming discounts and promotions.
• Visual elements like countdown timers to highlight the time left until the sale.
• Calls to action encouraging customers to sign up for early access or VIP lists.

Countdown Emails

Countdown emails are designed to remind customers of the approaching Black Friday event and create a sense of urgency. These emails aim to keep your brand top-of-mind as customers plan their shopping.

What do they contain:

• Prominent countdown timers showing the days, hours, or minutes left until the sale begins.
• Highlights of key deals or offers that will be available.
• Reminders to take advantage of early shopping opportunities or set reminders for the sale.

Early Access Emails

Early access emails provide select customers, such as loyal subscribers or VIP members, with the opportunity to shop the Black Friday deals before the general public. This rewards loyalty and helps drive early sales.

What do they contain:

• Exclusive links or codes that unlock the sale early.
• Messaging that emphasizes the exclusivity of the offer and the benefits of early shopping.
• A focus on limited-time offers or deals that may not last until the public sale.

Black Friday Day Emails

These emails are sent on the actual day of Black Friday and are designed to drive immediate action. They capitalize on the heightened shopping activity and encourage customers to take advantage of the best deals.

What do they contain?

• Strong, clear calls to action, such as “Shop Now” or “Don’t Miss Out.”
• Feature the biggest and most attractive deals available on that day.
• Use urgency-driven elements like limited-time offers or stock alerts to prompt quick decisions.

Last-Chance Emails

Last-chance emails, as the name indicates, target customers towards the end of Black Friday or leading into Cyber Monday. They aim to prompt any undecided or procrastinating shoppers to make a purchase before the deals expire.

What do they contain:

• Urgent language with phrases like “Last Chance” or “Final Hours.”
• Countdown timers showing the limited time remaining to shop.
• Summaries of the most popular deals, with a reminder of benefits like free shipping or exclusive discounts.

Cyber Monday Transition Emails

These emails serve as a bridge between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, maintaining momentum and encouraging continued shopping. They help to smoothly transition customers into the next wave of deals.

What do they contain: 

• Teasers for Cyber Monday offers that may differ from Black Friday deals.
• Messaging that keeps the excitement alive and encourages customers to continue shopping.
• Highlight additional discounts or special offers exclusive to Cyber Monday.

Best time to send Black Friday Emails — Why Timing Matters

Sending emails at the right time can significantly impact your campaign’s performance, influencing key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Here’s how timing plays a role:

Open Rates

Sending an email when your audience is most likely to be checking their inbox can increase the likelihood that your message will be seen and opened.

Considerations:

• Time of Day: Early morning or late evening might be optimal, depending on your audience’s habits.
• Day of the Week: Research shows that certain days, like Tuesday or Thursday, may have higher open rates.
• Personalization: Consider the time zones of your audience and personalize send times to match when they are most active.

Click-Through Rates (CTR)

Even if your email is opened, it needs to be engaging enough for the recipient to click through to your website or landing page. The timing of your email can affect the recipient’s readiness to engage with the content.

Considerations:

• Shopping Mindset: Send emails during times when customers are likely to be in a shopping mindset, such as during lunch breaks or after work.
• Follow-up Timing: Consider sending follow-up emails shortly after the initial send to capture additional clicks.
• Frequency: Avoid sending too many emails at once to prevent overwhelming your audience and decreasing CTR.

Conversions

The ultimate goal of your Black Friday email campaigns is to convert opens and clicks into sales. Proper timing can ensure that your emails reach customers when they are most likely to make a purchase.

Considerations:

• Urgency: Send last-chance emails at the end of the day to create a sense of urgency and drive final conversions.
• Promotion Timing: Align your email sends with peak shopping times to maximize conversions.
• Segmenting: Consider segmenting your audience based on behavior and past purchasing patterns to time emails for when each segment is most likely to convert.

Avoiding Email Fatigue

Sending too many emails at the wrong times can lead to email fatigue, where customers become overwhelmed and start ignoring your emails or unsubscribing altogether. Effective timing helps maintain engagement without overwhelming your audience.

Considerations:

• Strategic Spacing: Space out your emails to avoid overwhelming your subscribers.
• Relevance: Ensure each email has a clear, relevant purpose to keep the audience engaged.

Monitoring Metrics: Keep an eye on open and unsubscribe rates to adjust timing as needed to prevent fatigue.

Here’s a quick reference table outlining the types of Black Friday emails and the best times to send them:

Starting Early: Send Multiple Emails during the Pre-Black Friday week

This might seem obvious, but when it comes to Black Friday, you shouldn’t stop at just one email. 

Ideally you’ll be sending multiple emails spaced out over a few weeks in the lead up to and during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend. 

If you only send one email, especially on the day of Black Friday, most of your subscribers will miss it and never know about your sale.

By spreading out multiple emails, you’re also able to tailor your messaging in each email based on when you send it. For example your first sale announcement email can be an early-bird offer whereas on Black Friday you can play with creating a sense of urgency. 

You can also tailor your emails to different segments of your email list. 

This lets you, for instance, reward your loyal customers with a free gift or target shoppers from last Black Friday with special offers. 

So exactly what emails should you be sending and when? Well it depends on what kind of offer you have, but the emails below are a good starting point.

Black Friday Sale Teaser Email

Whatever your Black Friday offer, you should get your first email out at the very least a week in advance, preferably at least two.  

If you still haven’t finalized your Black Friday offer, no worries. A teaser without all the details makes for a great first Black Friday email. Just like this example from Apple.

Apple’s marketing is world renown, yet all they’ve done is simply teased that their Black Friday sale is coming. This builds anticipation and excitement as people wait to find out what their offers are. 

This is an incredibly easy and quick email to get out, so there’s no excuse not to send it a couple of weeks before Black Friday.

Black Friday Sale Announcement Email

Just because you got ahead of your competition and sent your teaser email out early doesn’t mean you can wait until Black Friday to announce more details of your sale. 

The second email you send should include your actual offers and be sent ideally at least a week before Black Friday. This builds on your sale teaser email by generating further anticipation

Which is exactly what Apple did. 

As announcing offers early is a tactic many retailers are now employing, shoppers now plan their purchases well in advance. So by advertising your Black Friday sale in advance you have a better chance at capturing a greater share of customers’ wallets. 

Getting your first couple of emails out early also has another advantage: you have plenty of time to resend it to people who didn’t open it. 

By using a tool like SmartrMail’s Send Boost, you can easily resend the email campaign only to those who haven’t opened it. When doing this, it’s best to change the subject line (in case that’s why it wasn’t opened the first time round) and the email content slightly to help with engagement. 

Black Friday Sneak Peek Email

When it comes to announcing your sale a couple of weeks in advance, one twist you can put on it is to offer “an exclusive sneak peek” to your customers. Such as like the email from Peel below. 

This is a great way to make your loyal customers feel valued and grab the reader’s attention. 

Of course, you don’t have to only send this email to your loyal customers. There’s no reason you can’t also offer a “sneak peek” to one time purchasers or even people on your email list who have never purchased. 

That said, you’ll want to tweak the email copy slightly for the different audiences. 

Saying that you’re offering a subscriber “an exclusive sneak peek at our Black Friday offers as our way of saying thanks for being a regular customer” will seem weird if they’ve never made a purchase. 

For actual loyal customers you’ll want to use this kind of wording. Otherwise your email will just seem like an ordinary Black Friday sneak peek offer without the feeling of exclusivity. 

To further create a sense of exclusivity you can experiment with creating a password protected landing page and give your loyal customers the password in the email. Seemingly random coupon codes with strings of letters and digits like “12FI993” also works.

Of course, what defines a loyal customer will vary depending on factors like your average order value (AOV) and average purchase frequency for your online store. 

If your AOV is $100 you may want to consider anyone with an AOV of above $150 as a loyal customer. Likewise, if customers average a purchase every 4 months, anyone purchasing more than twice in the last 3 months could be considered loyal.

Black Friday Sale Reminder Emails

Don’t go overboard and send emails rehashing the same message about your Black Friday sale every day of November, but a couple of reminders are okay. 

There’s no ultimate best time or day to send your Black Friday email, but if your sale starts on Friday, then you’ll probably want to send a reminder on the Thursday. Just like in the example below. 

Whether you want to send any additional reminder emails earlier depends on how early you got your sale announcement email out. 

If you only announced your sale through email on the Wednesday before Black Friday (certainly not recommended), then there’s not really time to send an additional reminder. 

If however you’re better prepared and sent your Black Friday sale announcement email a week in advance, then reminders on the following Tuesday and Thursday should be fine. 

Black Friday Email

Once the big day arrives, you’ll definitely want to send another email reiterating your Black Friday offer in the morning.

The goal of this email is to get people to take action and purchase from your store without delay. Just like the email below.

Creating a sense of urgency here can be hugely effective. Especially later in the day as your sale is nearing its end.

Whether it’s by activating people’s FOMO (fear of missing out) or by including a countdown timer to when your sale ends like in the email below from Christopher and Banks.

If your sale is ending on Friday night, then by all means send a few reminder emails on Black Friday. This is probably the only day of the year that you’ll be able to get away with sending multiple emails on the same day.

If your sale lasts until the end of Cyber Monday, you’ll want to space your emails out over the weekend instead of cramming them all into Friday. Leaving the urgent final reminder emails until the Monday. 

Last-minute shoppers: Cyber Monday Email

It’s up to you whether you decide to have your sale exclusively on Black Friday or have it last the whole 4 day weekend. 

Another option however is to have two separate sales: a Black Friday sale and a Cyber Monday sale. Doing so gives people who didn’t make a purchase on Black Friday one final chance to grab a bargain. 

If you didn’t create a sense of urgency with your Black Friday sale emails, you definitely should with your Cyber Monday emails. 

Simply including a countdown timer in your email design along with some copy such as “Today Only” or “Last Chance” can easily achieve this. Like how Dr. Martens did with their Cyber Monday email.

Another thing you can do to increase the sense of urgency is to make your Cyber Monday sale less generous than your Black Friday sale. That way people realize that the offer is vanishing and unless they want to pay full price, they need to act straight away. 

For those who still something: Cyber Tuesday Email

If you’re desperate to clear remaining stock or squeeze as many dollars out of people as you can, you could even try sending a ‘Cyber Tuesday’ email. 

While not many retailers will do this, it might be something you want to experiment with. Just don’t create a ‘Cyber Wednesday’ email or you’ll really start to annoy your customers!

Some practical Tips for Scheduling Black Friday Emails

We now know the best time and to send Black friday emails. Even if you get the timing right, if you miss out on other vital checks, your mail Black Friday campaigns could still decline in performance. 

Below are some practical tips to ensure that your emails are not only sent at the right time but also reach your audience effectively.

When scheduling Black Friday emails, it’s important to consider the diverse time zones of your global audience. Sending an email at the optimal time in one region might mean that another region receives it at a less favorable time. Here’s how to adjust your email send times for different time zones:

• Segment Your Audience by Time Zone: If your email list includes subscribers from multiple time zones, consider segmenting your audience based on their geographical location. This allows you to send emails at a time that aligns with their local time zone, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
• Use Time Zone Data in Automation: Many email marketing platforms allow you to use time zone data to schedule emails automatically. This feature ensures that each segment of your audience receives emails at the optimal time for their region without the need for manual adjustments.
• Test and Analyze: Conduct A/B testing to determine the best send times for different regions. Analyze the open and click-through rates to fine-tune your email scheduling strategy. Over time, you’ll gather valuable insights into when your global audience is most likely to engage.

Setting Up Automated Workflows for BFCM Campaigns:

Create a Series of Emails: Plan and automate a series of emails that cover all stages of your Black Friday campaign, from teasers and countdowns to early access and last-chance emails. Each email should be triggered at a specific time based on customer behavior or pre-set dates.

Use Behavioral Triggers: Set up automation that triggers emails based on customer actions, such as opening a teaser email or clicking on a countdown timer. This ensures that each subscriber receives emails that are relevant to their engagement level.

Monitor and Adjust in Real-Time: Most automation tools allow you to monitor the performance of your email workflows in real-time. Use this data to make on-the-fly adjustments, such as resending emails to non-openers or adjusting the send times for different segments.

Handling High Traffic and Volume

The increased volume of emails during Black Friday can put a strain on your email infrastructure. To ensure that your emails are delivered on time and without issues, consider the following tips:

Ensure Your Email Infrastructure is Scalable:

• Use a Reliable Email Service Provider (ESP): Choose an ESP that can handle high volumes of email sends without delays or downtime. Providers like SendGrid, Amazon SES, and Mailgun are known for their scalability and reliability.
• Test Your Infrastructure Before the Event: Conduct load testing in the weeks leading up to Black Friday to ensure your email infrastructure can handle the increased volume. This includes testing for email deliverability, server capacity, and send speeds.
• Monitor for Deliverability Issues: Keep an eye on deliverability rates during your Black Friday campaign. High traffic can sometimes lead to issues like emails being marked as spam or delayed deliveries. Be prepared to make adjustments if needed, such as throttling email sends or adjusting your sending domain.

Automation Tools to Optimize Send Times

Automation tools are essential for optimizing your Black Friday email campaigns, especially when managing multiple emails across different time zones.

SmartrMail offers automation workflows specifically designed for e-commerce businesses, making it an excellent choice for Black Friday campaigns. Its smart segmentation and personalized product recommendations can boost conversions.

Final Thoughts

Your Black Friday email campaign should be unique not only in what you’re offering, but also how you space out your emails in the lead up to the shopping holiday. 

The suggested frequency and times above are a good template to follow, but remember that there’s no single best time to send your Black Friday sales email.

This is not something you can easily hack at the last minute and do well. 

Start sending your emails early, build anticipation and as you start increasing the frequency as Black Friday draws closer, turn that anticipation into urgency. 

For more resources to nail this year’s Black Friday email campaign, check out our collection of great Black Friday email examples and our list of Black Friday email subject lines. 

If you want to expand your Black Friday strategy with an affiliate program, make sure to check UpPromote which is offering 20% OFF for all new users who install UpPromote here.

Good luck!

The post When To Send Your Black Friday Sale Emails – the best times and other best practices appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

Despite its name, the 16-day beer festival actually kicks off in September. So it’s coming up much sooner than you might realize.

While the official event in Munich is canceled again in 2021, it would’ve started on September 18th. 

And just like last year, many stores will still launch an Oktoberfest sale even though festivities may still not be back to normal.

If you’re one of these merchants, then you’ll want to dedicate an email campaign to your sale. And for that, we have all the inspiration you need. 

Below you’ll find a collection of great Oktoberfest emails as well as subject lines to improve the performance of your campaign. 

Oktoberfest emails

1) Bonobos 

This campaign from Bonobos is the perfect example of a typical Oktoberfest sale email campaign. 

The image of someone holding up a beer stein and the Gothic lettering both immediately communicate that this is an Oktoberfest sale.

Even small details like the call-to-action being “Shop Responsibly” and the coupon code being “Cheers” complete the theme of the email and make it a fun campaign.

And in terms of email marketing best practices, the email fills all the boxes: The offer is front and center making it the first thing you read, the call-to-action is clear and inviting, and the email is just generally simple and well executed. 

2) Chubbies

If you’re looking for an Oktoberfest email that really dials up the holiday theme to 11, this example from Chubbies is for you. 

It goes heavy on the beer, pretzels and lederhosen. It also includes copy such as “won’t be the wurst” to really double down on the Oktoberfest theme. 

If you think your audience would appreciate this style of holiday email, then by all means use this example as your inspiration.  

3) Ulla Popken

This email from Ulla Popken strikes a good balance between clearly being an Oktoberfest campaign and not going overboard with the holiday theme. 

It achieves this by showcasing holiday-themed products and subtly including small images of pretzels and lebkuchen (the traditional German heart-shaped cookies). 

4) Brookstone

You don’t have to sell lederhosen or stereotypically German items to get in on the Oktoberfest action. 

This campaign from Brookstone is an excellent example of how you can tie in other products with the holiday. 

In this case, there is a clear collection between Oktoberfest beer drinking and glasses for other alcoholic drinks. 

But they’ve also reinforced the holiday theme through the color scheme with orange also being associated with fall and the general time of year Oktoberfest takes place in. 

5) Homage

Lastly, here’s an Oktoberfest email from Homage that is a solid example of a well-designed marketing email campaign. 

They managed to make their email Oktoberfest themed without leaning too heavily on images of beer and pretzels but instead with some special holiday items. 

“Prost” (being ‘cheers’ in German) is something you’ll find in plenty of Oktoberfest campaigns as well. Not just in the emails themselves, but also in their subject lines. 

Oktoberfest email subject lines

When it comes to your Oktoberfest email marketing, just sending a great-looking email isn’t enough. You also need to entice people to open your campaign with a great holiday email subject line. 

Especially when a third of people base their decision on whether to open emails or not entirely on their subject line. 

So what goes into a good subject line that will boost your open rate? Well there are a few best practices to keep in mind:

• Keep it short
• Keep it clear and have it accurately reflect the contents of your email
• Personalize it with your customer’s name whenever you can

It’s hard to go wrong if you keep these three points in mind when coming up with your Oktoberfest email subject lines. 

The other thing you might want to consider is adding an emoji (such as a beer glass ?  or pretzel ? ) to help your subject line stand out in customers’ inboxes.

For more tips, check out our guide on the best practices when writing subject lines.  

Oktoberfest subject line examples 

To help give you some inspiration for coming up with your own subject lines, here are some examples that have been used with Oktoberfest campaigns in the past. 

• ? ? New Arrivals for Oktoberfest ? ? – Brookstone
• ? Come hang with the gnomies at Design Toscano’s Oktoberfest ? – Design Toscano
• Celebrate Oktoberfest – 25% off – Ulla Popken USA
• Deals in the Haus! Save 20% on all things Oktoberfest. – World Market
• INSIDE: Oktoberfest ideas to fill your fall – TripAdvisor
• It’s That Time of Beer… Raise Your Growler and Toast Oktoberfest! – Campmor
• It’s Oktoberfest. Have a barrel of fun! – Sharper Image
• Join the Klean pub crawl for Oktoberfest. – Klean Kanteen
• Lederhosen. Sauerkraut. Beer. Oktoberfest! – Spreadshirt
• O’ Zapft Is! ? Raise a glass to $26 Oktoberfest tees. – HOMAGE
• Oktoberfest Is Here! ? – Betabrand
• Oktoberfest Is Here! 20% Off Sitewide – Capezio
• Oktoberfest Sale – Sneak Peek – Betabrand
• Prost! Oktoberfest is here – Saucony
• Prost! The Oktoberfest Sale is here – Premium Suits from $349 – Indochino
• Put your bratwurst down for this – Build Network
• Raise a glass to 50% off! – Home Chef
• Tap The Keg! Oktoberfest Starts Today. – The Tie Bar
• The best ways to wurst – HomeAway
• Win All the Essentials to Celebrate Oktoberfest at Home! – Mantry
• Your Trip to Munich Germany – Original Grain

Conclusion

Oktoberfest is by no means the biggest holiday or event of the year but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun and dedicate an email or two to the occasion. 

It’s also a great opportunity to hold a sale.

So if you think your audience would appreciate an Oktoberfest-inspired campaign, there’s no reason not to have a little fun and start creating the email now.  

The post Oktoberfest Email & Subject Line Inspiration appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.

And if there’s one thing Canadians love doing on Canada’s birthday besides celebrating their country and the arrival of summer, it’s making the most of the holiday sales. 

In fact, more than $1 billion is expected to be spent on Canada Day sales with the average shopper spending $91. 

If you’re thinking about making the most of this sales opportunity, you’ll want to send a dedicated email campaign to let your customers know about your sale.

And to help you do just that, we’ve put together this collection of great Canada Day email examples and subject lines for inspiration for your own campaigns. 

Canada Day email campaigns

Bootlegger

This email campaign from Bootlegger is a good example of a typical Canada Day email. 

It makes heavy use of red and white, Canada’s national colors, as well as some maple leaves to show off their Canadian pride. 

Instead of mentioning Canada Day however, it opts to ‘celebrate Canada’s birthday’. This reference to Canada’s ‘birthday’ is something you’ll commonly see in other campaigns and is reinforced in this email with the 53% offer. 

If you want to go with a similar offer, just keep in mind that in 2021 Canada will be celebrating its 154th birthday.

Jack & Jones

Jack & Jones’ email tones down the Canadianess with just a simple ‘Happy Canada Day’ banner at the top. 

Instead, they’ve taken full advantage of the holiday occurring at the start of summer to highlight their summer collection. These are exactly the kinds of products Canadians will be looking to purchase at this time of year. 

The other great aspect of this email design is how the 25% offer is what immediately grabs your attention. The offer is then repeated down the email as it links to various product categories which helps to reinforce the key message.

Michael Hill

Don’t have a summer collection of products you can highlight in your Canada Day email? 

Another option is to create a collection around the color red like Michael Hill has done in their email campaign. 

This is a simple and easy way to make your email holiday-themed regardless of what you sell. 

Instead of going with a single X% offer, they’ve also shown the before and after prices. This can provide a more concrete way of showing just how much customers can save.

Running Room

Not every Canada Day email necessarily needs to be all about boosting sales over the holiday. 

Instead, you can opt to do what Running Room has done and simply send your customers an email wishing them a happy Canada Day. 

While it likely won’t generate as many immediate sales as a traditional sales email would, it’ll strengthen your brand’s relationship with your customers which will have a longer-lasting effect on sales.

This makes this type of email a great option if you’re not running a sale over the holiday.

Hauser

Lastly, this email from Hauser is a great example of a ‘last chance’ style email that you can send as your sale comes to an end. Especially if your sale is over multiple days. 

By including the ‘final hours’ banner and the 11:59 pm deadline, the email is attempting to create a sense of urgency in the minds of their customers to get them to click through and make a purchase.

After all, there’s nothing like the fear of missing out to compel people to take action.

Canada Day subject lines

Creating a well-designed email is only part of what goes into creating a successful Canada Day email marketing campaign. The other vital part is giving it a subject line that will stand out in people’s inboxes.

While we have a detailed guide on writing subject lines, some key points you’ll want to keep in mind are:

• Keep your subject lines short 
• Highlight your offer in your subject line
• If possible, personalize it with your customer’s name

Another thing to consider is including an emoji or two to help your subject line stand out from others in customers’ inboxes.

As the most popular emojis for Canada Day are the Canadian flag (??) and the maple leaf (?), consider using something different like an emoji representing what you sell to stand out even more. For more tips, check out our guide on using emojis in subject lines here. 

To provide some general inspiration below is a collection of subject lines from previous years.

Subject line examples from previous campaigns

• ? Don’t forget to grab your Canada Day Gift from us! – Bootlegger
• Happy Canada Day, Eh! – Dickies
• ?? Celebrate Canada Day with savings! ?? – Ethan Allen
• Canada Day Sale ENDS TONIGHT ? – Flair Air
• Celebrate Canada Day with huge savings! – Golf Town
• Celebrate Canada Day with $35 OFF ? – Goodfood
• Final hours! Up to 50% Off Canada Day Sale – Hauser Stores
• Happy Canada Day from Everyone at Holts – Holt Renfrew
• Wishing You a Happy Canada Day – Joe Fresh
• Canada Day offers extended ! – JYSK
• ?? Happy Canada Day! Take 30% Off Storewide! – People’s Jewellers
• ?? A Reflection on Canada Day ?? – The Kindred Clothing Co.
• ? Canada Day ? Clearance – Wayfair
• Here’s a Canada day surprise just for you ?? – Weight Watchers
• ? Canada day weekend special ? – Wicker Emporium
• It’s Canada Day! Celebrate With 20% Off Everything! – Zazzle

Conclusion

Canada Day represents a great sales opportunity for your store and to make the most of it, you’ll want to send a dedicated email campaign. 

Hopefully now you have plenty of inspiration and ideas on not just your email design but also its subject line. 

The only thing left to do is actually start creating your email! 

The post Canada Day Email Design & Subject Line Inspiration appeared first on SmartrMail Email Marketing Blog.