Here’s a step-by-step guide to optimizing your Black Friday subject lines for maximum open rates.
1. Use action-oriented language
Action-oriented language gets to the point and encourages your subscribers to do something.
Whether it’s clicking to open, visiting your site, or number book oman making a purchase, strong action verbs set the tone for immediate action. Words like “Shop,” “Grab,” “Save,” and “Don’t Miss” not only convey urgency but also provide clear instructions on what the reader should do next.
For example, compare these two subject lines:
“Check out our Black Friday deals”
“Grab your Black Friday savings now!”
The second subject line uses a direct action verb (“Grab”) and creates urgency with the word “now.” This small shift in language makes the subject line more compelling and likely to prompt an open.
2. Leverage A/B testing
Not sure if your subject line will hit the mark? That’s where A/B testing comes in.
A/B testing (or split testing) is a simple yet powerful way to experiment with different subject lines to see which one resonates better with your audience. You can test a variety of elements:
Emojis vs. no emojis
Urgency vs. curiosity
Personalization vs. generic messaging
Short vs. slightly longer subject lines
For example, you might test “Shop Black Friday Deals Now” against Limited Time: Black Friday Starts NOW!” to see which version leads to a higher open rate. The key is to isolate one variable at a time (e.g., emojis or length) to understand what works and apply those learnings to future campaigns.
Continuous A/B testing ensures that your subject lines evolve with your audience’s preferences, driving better performance over time.
3. Keep it short and punchy
Most email opens happen on mobile devices, where long subject lines get cut off. If your subject line is too lengthy, your core message might not be seen.
Ideally, you want to keep your subject lines under 50 characters to ensure they’re fully visible on all devices. Shorter, punchier lines are also easier to digest and more likely to grab attention in a busy inbox.
For example:
Too long: “Black Friday is here! Shop now and save 50% on everything in the store”
Short and punchy: “50% Off Everything! Early Bird Deals Start Now!”
The short version gets straight to the point, highlights the offer, and fits comfortably in a mobile view.
