Black Friday is the biggest sales event of the year, with U.S. consumers spending $9.8 billion in 2023. It’s like the Hunger Games of shopping, where retailers compete for attention in overflowing inboxes. To stand out, your Black Friday email subject lines must be compelling.
As a big shopping event, customers are often showered with amazing deals from every ecommerce site. The key to getting noticed is a subject line that instantly draws them in.
To help you communicate your Black Friday deals effectively, we’ve gathered the best Black Friday subject line ideas to boost your open rates and drive sales.
Table of Contents
- Best Pre-Black Friday teaser subject lines
- Best Black Friday subject lines for campaigns with deals and discounts
- Best Black Friday subject lines with FOMO
- Best Black Friday subject lines with free shipping and freebies
- Best Black Friday email subject lines for campaigns with gifting
- Best Black Friday personalized subject lines
- Best Black Friday subject lines with humor and fun
- Use these Black Friday/Cyber Monday words to boost open rates
- Best practices to improve your Black Friday email open rate
Best Pre-Black Friday teaser subject lines
Teasing your sales before Black Friday helps build anticipation and excitement, making your audience curious about upcoming deals. This can increase engagement even before the big day.
- Biggest Black Friday sale is almost here! Peek inside
- Countdown begins⏰ 48 hours to Black Friday deals
- Black Friday preview — shop the deals before everyone else
- Something big is coming! Get early access to Black Friday deals
- Black Friday: Preview biggest savings of the year!
- Your exclusive early access to Black Friday starts now
- Exclusive: Early Black Friday offer just for you🖤
- Early birds get the best deals — Pre-Black Friday sale
- Sneak peek at our Black Friday offers — beat the crowd
- Black Friday is coming: See early deals before they drop
- Don’t wait, your early Black Friday offer is here⤵
- Big savings ahead🤑Get a peek before everyone else
- Early Black Friday deals you didn’t expect
- It’s almost here… grab early Black Friday deals today
- No need for a time machine — BF deals are here early!
Pro tip: If your subject line exceeds 50 characters, use the email preview text to extend the message and add more detail.
Best Black Friday subject lines for campaigns with deals and discounts
During Black Friday, customers want discounts. Make sure your subject lines clearly highlight the savings and offers. Emails directly mentioning a discount in the subject line often have higher open rates.
Big savings on popular items
- 50, 70, 90% off this Black Friday. No, we’re not kidding!
- Black Friday discounts so big, we cleared it with legal💰
- How about 50% off? Black Friday only
- BOGO: Buy One Get One🎁 Black Friday deal
- Yes, you can have it all! Black Friday at half the price✂️
- Feel the savings — Black Friday deals hit different!
- The Black Friday drop you didn’t see coming 👀
- Exclusive products at Black Friday prices!
- 60% off on best-selling items — Black Friday only
- Your Black Friday wish list just got cheaper
- Save big on trending items this Black Friday
- Shop big brands at the lowest prices this Black Friday
- Up to 50% off your favorites this Black Friday🛍️
- Black Friday prices so good! Shop your vision board
- Black Friday blowout — huge savings on best-sellers
- 50% off your wishlist — Black Friday savings
- These deals are for you… if you love 70% off 🤩
- Hot deals, big savings! Black Friday is here
- Save big on the hottest items this Black Friday
- Exclusive Black Friday deal: 50% off on top-rated products
- Lowest prices on your must-haves this Black Friday
- Big brands, bigger savings💰Black Friday deals are here
- Shop the season’s favorites at Black Friday prices
- Ready, set, shop🛒Black Friday savings have arrived
- Top products, bottom prices — only for Black Friday
- The biggest savings of the year start now
- Price drops you’ll love✂️ Black Friday deals inside
- We’re not saying you’ll need a bigger closet, but... Black Friday savings⤵
- Black Friday deals so big, even Santa’s taking notes🤑
Bonus tip: If you’re struggling with subject lines, Brevo’s AI Assistant makes writing them easy. With the built-in AI tool, easily generate subject lines that stand out in the inbox. Available in our email editor, learn more here.
Best Black Friday subject lines with FOMO
Creating a sense of urgency and scarcity is one of the best ways to boost open rates. FOMO taps into your customers’ psychology, making them feel like they’ll miss an amazing deal if they don’t act quickly.
Scarcity and sense of urgency
- Going, going… gone! Only a few items left at 70% off
- Only a few left! Black Friday must-haves are selling out
- Don’t miss out: only a few items left at 50% off
- Black Friday warning: $9.99 deals selling out quick!
- Last call📣grab your Black Friday favorites now
- Almost gone — don’t miss these Black Friday deals
- Act now — Black Friday steals are flying off the shelves
- Limited stock — grab your Black Friday deals now
- Selling fast⚡ don’t miss these Black Friday specials
- Hurry! Low stock, Black Friday deals won’t last
- Last chance — Black Friday deals won’t be restocked
- Black Friday countdown: just hours left to grab your deals
Limited-time offers
- Last chance! 70% off sitewide — only a few hours left
- Only 24 hours left for these Black Friday deals
- Hurry! Black Friday flash sale ends tonight!
- ⏰Final hours to save big this Black Friday!
- Grab it while the sun shines! Black Friday sale ends midnight
- Just like good times, this BF deal won’t last forever ⏰
- Limited-time Black Friday offers just for you
- Hurry! These Black Friday steals expire soon
- Final hours to score your 60% off Black Friday coupon
- Time’s running out on our best Black Friday offers
- Only for a limited time — Black Friday savings end soon
- Black Friday ends in 4 hrs. You can still get in…
- Last chance to grab these Black Friday deals
- Don’t wait, these Black Friday prices end today
- Act now — limited-time Black Friday ends soon
- Clock's ticking⏰ last day for Black Friday deals
- Time’s ticking! Black Friday savings disappearing fast!
- Last minute deals: Black Friday ending soon!
- Deals like these don’t last... Black Friday is calling
- Your Black Friday deals expire in 24 hours
- Don’t walk. Run🏃 5 hours left to save big for Black Friday!
- Black Friday deal! Can you make it in time for 70% off?
One-time only sales
- One-time offer: 60% off — don't miss out
- Once-in-a-lifetime Black Friday sale — shop now
- One-day only: 50% off everything for Black Friday
- This Black Friday deal won’t come again — shop now!
- Shop once, save big — Black Friday’s best one-time offers
- One-time-only prices for Black Friday — shop now
- Don’t miss this one-time Black Friday sale
- Exclusive Black Friday offer — one-time prices on top products
- One-time-only Black Friday special — get yours before it’s gone
- Black Friday’s one-time deals you can’t afford to miss
- One shot, one deal — Black Friday’s biggest offer is here
- One-time Black Friday price drop — act fast!
- Only today: exclusive Black Friday deal, don’t miss out
- This Black Friday deal comes once, don’t let it slip
- Last chance for one-time Black Friday savings
- When it’s gone, it’s gone — one-time Black Friday offer
Protip: To reinforce urgency, use a real-time countdown timer inside your email template to visually remind your customers that time is running out.
Best Black Friday subject lines with free shipping and freebies
Promotions that include free shipping or special gifts are often the tipping point that pushes customers from interest to conversion. Highlight these perks in your subject lines for maximum impact.
- Black Friday special🖤 Shipping on us
- Black Friday free shipping starts now!
- Shop Black Friday and get free gifts with every purchase
- Black Friday special — free shipping on all orders
- Free gifts & shipping📦🎁Black Friday just got better
- Enjoy free shipping and amazing deals this Black Friday
- Free shipping on all Black Friday deals — don’t wait
- Black Friday: Free shipping + goodies with every order!
- Free shipping all weekend long — Black Friday deal
- Free shipping + gifts? Yes, it’s Black Friday!
- Your order ships free this Black Friday🆓🚚
- Get more: Free shipping + gift with every Black Friday order
- Get free shipping+gifts with your Black Friday haul
- Black Friday bonus: free shipping and gifts for all
- Shop with joy: free shipping & Black Friday treats included
- This Black Friday, gifts and free shipping are on us🚚
Protip: Pair your free shipping offer with an exclusive discount to increase the perceived value of your deal. This potentially results in higher conversions.
Best Black Friday email subject lines for campaigns with gifting
During the holiday season, many shoppers are looking for the perfect gifts for friends and family. Write your subject lines to help them find great deals on gifts.
- Perfect gifts at 50% off sitewide — Black Friday only!
- Gift big, spend less🎁Black Friday deals enclosed
- Black Friday savings for everyone on your gift list
- Spread joy this season with our Black Friday specials
- The best Black Friday deals for all your gift needs
- Find the perfect gift — Black Friday discounts on top items
- Check everyone off your gift list🎁Black Friday deals
- Give more, spend less — your Black Friday gifting coupon
- Black Friday gifting made easy — shop the best deals now
- Nail the perfect gifts with Black Friday’s best deals
- Surprise them with gifts🎁 50% off Black Friday deals
- Up to 70% off! Make holiday gifting easy with BF deals
- The best gifts at the best prices — shop Black Friday now!
- Holiday gifts at 50% off — Black Friday exclusive deals
Good to know: Mentioning gifts in your subject lines shifts the focus from just the product to the emotional value of the purchase. For many consumers, gifting is a key motivation during the Black Friday weekend.
Best Black Friday personalized subject lines
Adding personalization can make your emails feel special, encouraging higher open rates.
- Jamie, 50% off sound good? Black Friday only🖤
- Alex, your Black Friday deals will blow your mind🤯
- Taylor, your wishlist is on sale — and it’s exciting🤩
- Ben, your Black Friday deal’s almost gone!
- Casey, your cart’s going to love these BFdeals🛒
- Uh-oh, Alex—your Black Friday deal’s slipping away!
- Riley, amazing Black Friday finds just for you!
- Jordan, time’s ticking⏰ Grab your Black Friday deal!
- Avery, we’ve got a Black Friday treat with your name on it🖤
- Katie, you’re in for a Black Friday shopping spree🛍️
- Casey, act fast⏰Your wishlist is getting impatient!
- Big reveal:Exclusive Black Friday deals for you Alex
- John, Black Friday fun starts with you — check these deals!
- Jen quick! Your Black Friday offer is disappearing fast
- Kelly, 50% off [Product] just for you this Black Friday!
- Taylor, your Black Friday savings are about to ghost you 👻
- Wait, Jamie! Your cart just sent an SOS for Black Friday deals 🚨
- Hold up, Morgan! Your wishlist says it needs Black Friday love!
- John, exclusive Black Friday deal just for you today🖤
Best Black Friday subject lines with humor and fun
Adding a touch of humor or lightheartedness to your Black Friday email subject lines can help your message stand out in an inbox full of serious, sales-driven headlines.
- Sorry, Santa — Black Friday came early! Shop now🛒
- Is your cart ready for a Black Friday workout? 🛒💪
- Save so much this Black Friday, it feels like a heist
- Forget the turkey — Black Friday is where it’s at🛍 Coupon⤵
- Don’t wait for Santa, Black Friday deals are here!
- These Black Friday deals may cause extreme happiness🤩
- Black Friday’s calling☎ don't leave it hanging — shop now
- Your wallet’s new best friend — 70% off Black Friday deals!
- Get ready for Black Friday madness — 70% off sitewide
- Cart lifting is today’s workout🛒 Black Friday deals await!
- Black Friday deals so good, your wallet will thank you!
- Get your shopping game face on — Black Friday’s here! 🛒
- This Black Friday, your cart gets a workout and so does your grin 😄
- Smile to the checkout with these Black Friday steals
- Shop now, sleep later 🛒🛍️it’s Black Friday!
- Forget the Avengers — Our BF deals will save your wallet
- Turn off Netflix, these deals are the real drama🛒🛍️🤯
You can adapt these Black Friday subject lines to Cyber Monday with few adjustments to highlight Cyber Monday deals and promotions.
Use these Black Friday/Cyber Monday words to boost open rates
Certain words and phrases perform exceptionally well in email subject lines, especially when creating urgency or highlighting savings. Here’s a list of some of the top-performing words and phrases to incorporate into your subject lines:
Words to create a sense of urgency
- Limited-time
- Ends tonight
- Final hours
- Only [X] hours left
- Last chance
- Hurry
- Don’t miss out
- For the next [X] hours only
- [X] more hours until …
- Soon
- Midnight
- Ends
- Won’t last
Discount phrases
- 50% off
- Up to 70% off
- Lowest prices ever
- Huge savings
- Special offer
- Deal of the day
- Buy one, get one (BOGO)
Active call-to-action words
- Shop now
- Buy now
- Grab yours
- Get it before it’s gone
- Claim your deal
- Start saving
Free and bonus offers
- Free shipping
- Bonus gift
- Gift with purchase
- Free returns
- Free upgrade
Special event phrases
- Biggest sale of the year
- Cyber Monday special
- Holiday savings event
- Flash sale
- Small business Saturday
Exclusive and VIP words:
- Exclusive
- VIP
- Early access
- Members-only
Good to know: Better performing subject lines contain scarcity and time reference: now, while they last, until midnight, today
Like these holiday marketing tips? Download our free 2024 holiday marketing calendar for more ideas and important dates.
2024 Holiday Marketing Calendar
Downloading this calendar means you're signing up to our monthly newsletter*, too.Best practices to improve your Black Friday email open rate
Writing the perfect subject line is just one part of a successful Black Friday email campaign. Here are some additional best practices for your email marketing strategy to optimize your open rates and drive conversions:
1. Optimize email timing
The best time to send promotional emails during Black Friday is in the morning, typically around 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., or in the evening around 5 p.m., when people are more likely to check their inboxes.
However, always look at the data from your past campaigns to identify patterns to find the perfect timing. Are there specific times or days when engagement was higher?
To prepare for this, conduct A/B testing of your email marketing campaigns before the Black Friday sale starts. Try scheduling emails at different times and days to gather data on what works best for your audience.
If your customers are spread across different regions, consider time zones for emails to be sent out at reasonable times.
2. Segment your audience
Not every customer is the same, and your subject lines should reflect that. Segment your email list based on factors such as purchase history, location, or engagement level. This allows you to send more relevant emails and improve open rates.
For example, customers who have purchased from you before might respond better to subject lines that highlight loyalty discounts, while new customers might be drawn to a more "50% off your first purchase" offer.
3. Optimize for mobile
With over 55% of emails opened on mobile devices, make sure your subject lines are short and to the point. Keep it under 50 characters to prevent truncation on mobile screens.
4. Clean your email list
Before launching your Black Friday campaign, clean up your email list by removing inactive subscribers. This improves email deliverability and ensures your emails reach active inboxes.
You should also whitelist your emails to prevent your emails from ending up in the spam folder. Check out how to whitelist an email in Gmail & Outlook to make sure your Black Friday emails land in your subscribers’ inboxes.
Avoid spam trigger words in your email copy, such as all-caps subject lines and excessive punctuation marks that can land you in the spam box.
5. Design appealing email templates
Now that your subscribers have opened your email thanks to your compelling subject line, your content needs to keep your audience engaged.
Make sure your design is clean, includes eye-catching visual elements, and highlights key offers. Brevo offers a variety of free email templates that make this easy.
6. Set up automated email sequences
As one of the busiest and most competitive shopping periods of the year, timing is everything. Automating your email sequences helps make sure your emails are sent on time without manual effort.
Choose an email marketing platform like Brevo that offers automation tools. With automated triggers, you can streamline your campaigns and send targeted Black Friday and Cyber Monday emails without delay.
7. Use pre-Black Friday teaser emails
Using a Black Friday teaser email helps build excitement and curiosity, boosting your open rates. The idea is to hint at upcoming deals without revealing everything, creating anticipation, and making subscribers feel special by offering early black friday deals.
Here are some timeline phases to consider:
- T-7 days: Announce your deals/offer sneak peeks. (Sneak peek: Our biggest Black Friday deals are coming!)
- T-48 hours: Remind your subscribers of what’s ahead. (Just 48 hours until Black Friday madness begins)
- T-24 hours: Open your deals early for VIPs. (VIPs, shop Black Friday deals 24 hours early!)
- Going live: Call to action (CTA) to start shopping. (The wait is over — Black Friday deals are now live!)
8. Include “Black Friday” or “Cyber Monday” in your subject line
Let your subscribers know exactly what your email is about by including phrases like "Black Friday" or "Cyber Monday sale" in your subject line. This signals the relevance of your sales email and can boost your open rate during the shopping season.
Bonus tip: Using emojis can help your subject line stand out but use them sparingly to complement the tone of your message. Black-themed emojis can help indicate the Black Friday context to your subscribers.
9. Be direct with your offers
Clearly outline what you’re offering. State your discount percentage, mention free shipping, and highlight the brands or products on sale. With so many offers flooding inboxes, your deal needs to be specific enough to grab attention.
10. Test and optimize
Don’t rely on just one subject line. A/B testing different variations can help you understand what resonates best with your audience. Test things like:
- The length of the subject line
- Use of emojis
- Personalization (e.g using the recipient’s name)
- Tone (e.g urgency vs. humor)
Now that you have a treasure trove of subject line ideas, it’s time to start planning your email campaign. Ready?