Highest Converting Black Friday Email Subject Lines for Your Campaign!

With the holiday season 2023 already started comes the excitement of Black Friday. This is the right time to start shooting your customers with irresistible Black Friday subject lines and catch their eye. 

If you’re unsure about where to start, don’t worry. Research on Black Friday emails suggests that simplicity is key: the top-performing subject lines usually have around 7 words, keeping it short and sweet for better open rates.

So, let us deep dive into the best practices to create the best performing Black Friday email subject lines with some really good examples with a high open rate.

Percentage Discounts Remain Classic for Black Friday Campaigns

One of the simplest ways to win over your customers is by offering them a good deal.

Let’s face it: we all love getting more bang for our buck.

Findings consistently show that the following discounts are the darlings of retailers’ email campaigns:

• 30% off (16% Click rate)
• 50% off (14% Click rate)
• 25% off (13% Click rate)
• 20% off (13% Click rate)
• 40% off (9% Click rate)

Discounts are a staple during the holiday season, so it’s wise to give your customers exactly what they’re looking for. 

Take a look at American Eagle, who kept their 2022 holiday campaign simple and sweet, ensuring their added value was crystal clear: a delightful 30% off everything.

Best Black Friday subject lines for campaigns with discounts:

A Little Something Special Makes the Difference

We all adore a good freebie, especially when it feels like a treat for ourselves while we’re busy gift-shopping for others. 

Last year, Urban Decay rolled out a playful campaign that offered free shipping and special deals for customers with a certain spending limit.

Setting a spending threshold is a smart move because it nudges your customers to bump up their average order value (AOV) to snag that delightful gift.

Sometimes, adding something special for your customers or throwing in an additional treat to complement their purchase can be the game-changer that sets your store apart from the competition.

It could be as simple as tossing in free samples at checkout (but advertising them in the cart) or something more expansive, like a tempting BOGO (buy one, get one) deal.

Best Black Friday email subject lines for campaigns with gifts and giveaways:

Free or upgraded shipping is the new normal

Who doesn’t love the magic of free shipping, especially during the holiday rush? With big players like Amazon offering it year-round, free shipping has become the norm in online shopping. 

Picture this: last-minute panic shopping and that one gift that almost slips through the cracks. Offering a free upgraded shipping option for customers who hit a specific spending target can make your brand their go-to for all holiday needs.

Take a cue from Old Navy, who offered free shipping and extended returns for any order over a reasonable $25 threshold. 

Best subject lines for Black Friday campaigns with free shipping in focus:

Bonus: Experience High Click Through Rates with These High Performing Black Friday Email Subject Lines 

Key Takeaways

Let’s dive into some intriguing findings on previous Black Friday email subject lines:

• Surprisingly, none of our top subject lines included personalized customer names, suggesting it’s not a must for a high open rate.
• The most commonly used words were “Black Friday,” “deals,” “%,” and “off,” indicating the magic lies in these simple yet powerful terms.
• Discounts with the trusty percent sign (%) reigned supreme, with 30%, 50%, and 25% being the most frequently used.
• Short and sweet subject lines proved to be the champions in converting readers into clickers.
• Active words and compelling calls-to-action like “buy,” “get,” “shop,” and “save” were prevalent, injecting a sense of urgency into the subject lines
• Effective subject lines often incorporated scarcity and time references, using words like “now,” “while they last,” “until midnight,” and “today” to create a sense of urgency.
• Notably, many retailers spiced up their subject lines with emojis, helping them stand out in crowded inboxes.

Wrap up

Creating catchy Black Friday email subject lines doesn’t have to be a puzzle.

Keep it simple by prioritizing convenience, clearing any hurdles that might block your customers, and crafting lively, action-oriented subject lines. You’ll soon notice your customers expressing gratitude with more purchases and bigger orders!

And, for effective holiday email marketing, contact your eCommerce handyman, QeRetail.