10 coupon email examples to make your promotions stand out

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Coupon emails enjoy a high open rate and can get your audience excited about what you send them. In fact, sending coupons to your subscribers comes with many benefits — not only can it boost engagement, but it can also increase sales and revenue.

Your customers are likely to shop more and spend more if you offer them discounts on your products or services. So, if you want to make your promotions stand out, you’re in the right place. These coupon email examples and tips will help you design your own creative coupon email subject lines and messages so you can start reaping the rewards of this effective marketing strategy.

What is a coupon email?

When someone receives an email offer for a discount on a product purchase or a reduced price for a service, it’s a coupon email. These vouchers may be in the form of a code the recipient can use online or a QR code they can scan when making an in-store purchase. 

A coupon email may be good for a discount on a single item or a percentage off an entire order. Sometimes, you may want to offer a free gift with a purchase or a discount on a specific service. Many businesses use email coupons for holidays, subscribers’ birthdays, and special events. 

Regardless of the reason you send coupon emails, the advantages are worthwhile. Here are some of the top benefits of sending coupon emails:

• Attracting new customers
• Presenting your brand positively
• Tracking promotional metrics
• Gaining customer loyalty
• Increasing revenue
• Boosting sales
• Reducing inventory
• Enhancing open rates
• Customizing promotions

10 coupon email examples to inspire you

Your coupon emails can make their way to your subscribers’ inboxes through a variety of channels. A newsletter, for example, could occasionally include a discount. Omnisend has free newsletter templates you can use to help you create the perfect newsletter with a coupon code or discount.

Check out these 10 coupon email examples to get inspired to craft your own:

1. Pulp & Press

Subject line: 15% Off Any 2 Cleanses Ends Soon, Lovebirds!

If you’re looking for a good example of a Valentine’s Day marketing email promotion, this coupon email from Pulp & Press is it. This email makes good use of colors that represent both the brand and the holiday. Adding fresh fruit to the product photo makes it feel fresh and clean, which also aligns perfectly with a brand that sells a healthy product.

The short message is fun and appeals to a wide audience. Plus, the discount is generous and encourages recipients to treat themselves to more than one product. Keeping the discount code simple makes it easy to remember.

 2. Little Beast

Subject line: Here’s 15% off

In this pet care product email example from Little Beast, you’ll see two offers. The first is in the banner at the top of the page, letting the reader know they can get free shipping if they purchase a minimum amount. The main offer, however, is for 15% off an order, but the coupon has a time limit.

By limiting the coupon to 24 hours, Little Beast can use this promotion to boost sales at the end of a quarter, or move inventory with a view to acquire new merchandise. Adding photos of cute dogs wearing the products and links to specific product categories informs the reader of their options.

3. Art of Play

Subject line: Smiles Davis, your code for 10% off expires tomorrow!

The Art of Play coupon email introduces itself with a large logo across the top, which lets readers know who the offer is from immediately. It quickly presents the discount in the first line, making it easy to see and understand. A short, personalized message tells the reader why they’re receiving the discount, followed by an expiration date for the coupon. This coupon email keeps it simple with a low-key background color and light but readable text.

Including product photos appeals to the reader, especially if the images are based on their shopping or browsing history. 

4. PLAE

Subject line: 10% off at PLAE – Welcome!

PLAE seamlessly blends the photo element of this coupon email with the discount graphic, creating a special and appealing image right away. Using a muted background color helps the bright white discount graphic stand out, while a lighter background and circular border help make the product photos pop. There are two CTAs in the PLAE coupon email that lead to shopping pages for products in adult sizes. 

This not only lets the reader know their options but also gives them a chance to click through at the top or bottom of the email. You could easily incorporate this type of discount example in an email newsletter design.

5. Flings

Subject line: Be Our Valentine?

Catchy email subject lines are a superb way to grab your recipients’ attention right away. Flings uses the Valentine’s Day holiday to create a fun, cheerful coupon email subject line. The friendly banter makes it feel like it’s from a friend or secret admirer, encouraging the recipient to give it a peek. 

In keeping with the Valentine’s Day theme, the coupon email weaves in heart images, a catchy poem, and the word “Love,” as well as using “CUPID” as the coupon code. The product images are of a chocolate variety, which also fits with the holiday theme. Several CTAs throughout the email provide the reader with plenty of opportunities to start shopping.

6. The Pro’s Closet

Subject line: Save money, ride on

The Pro’s Closet packs a lot of information into this coupon email, but the company gets to the point quickly. Having the offer right at the top of the email, just below the logo, ensures the reader knows what it’s about right away. Including a picture of a bike right under the offer reminds the reader of what the company is all about. 

As the recipient scrolls through the email, they’ll find several shopping options they can use to find exactly what they want. There’s also a general shopping CTA for recipients who aren’t sure yet.

7. Summer Solace

Subject line: Our Biggest Sale Ever Early Access!

The coupon email subject line for this Summer Solace Black Friday coupon makes it sound exciting and exclusive, compelling readers to see what it offers. Once they open the email, recipients will find a coupon code in the top banner, and in the section just below the company logo, they’ll learn about the generous offer. 

The company displays its product throughout the email, starting with a soft, inviting image and ending with a four-product catalog-style view with shopping CTAs for specific products. There’s also some information about the product to connect readers with the company’s message.

8. Cometeer

Subject line: Get Started With $16 Off

Cometeer starts this coupon email off with a vibrant picture that speaks to its audience of coffee lovers. The discount offer isn’t the main focus of this email, which instead zeroes in on providing information to add value. However, putting the coupon in white lettering over a black background makes it hard to miss.

The CTA, placed just below the offer in a white box, leads the reader to click the link to take advantage of the free coffee. After the discount, the email provides CTAs as a way to learn more about the company and the product.

9. Portrait Coffee

Subject line: Thanks For Joining Us In Pouring A New Narrative!

The best welcome emails typically have some sort of coupon or discount to encourage new subscribers to use a product or service. Portrait Coffee has a fabulous welcome email with a coupon to thank new users for signing up. Recipients can find the discount code for 10% off their first order just below the warm welcome greeting. They’ll only have five days to use the offer, making it time sensitive. 

A time limit adds a sense of urgency to the offer and encourages people to take advantage of it right away. Adding reviews to the email provides a form of social proof to help gain trust.

10. Public Desire

Subject line: Hey new bae on the block

For a fashion ecommerce business, using top-tier imagery in a coupon email is key. A bold image helps readers see the products used in this coupon email from Public Desire. It displays the discount above and below the image to ensure readers won’t miss it.

Since the discount offer is for a percentage discount off shoes, it helps to have the shoes in the image visible just before the main discount graphic. Shifting from a white background up top to a pink background midway also helps draw the eye to the shoes.

Best practices for crafting coupon emails

Exploring coupon email templates is a smart way to discover the secrets to crafting a perfect coupon email of your own. Consider these best practices for writing coupon emails to ensure you effectively achieve your email marketing goals:

Tailor coupons to relevant customer segments

Generic coupons may not resonate with your audience because they lack a personal touch. Tailoring your emails to your customers can help you reach them on a more personal level, increasing loyalty and retention. 

Email segmentation allows you to send coupon emails based on where your audience is in their relationship with your company and products or services. For example, sending a coupon for an item in an abandoned cart or something a customer bought in the past can increase your chance of making a sale.

Showcase the savings clearly

Making your offer clear right away should be the focal point of your coupon email. Use eye-catching visuals, an appealing color scheme, and concise text to inform your audience of the email’s value. Choosing the right email images ensures your readers understand your message and brand.

Concise language helps you get to the point, and your readers will appreciate knowing what the email is about from the start. Select a font and colors that are easy to read, and include photos or graphics that align with your brand.

Encourage customers to act quickly

Many of the coupon email examples above put a time limit on the offer. This encourages customers to act quickly before the offer expires. Adding a sense of urgency to the coupon gets people to shop soon after receiving the message. 

You can choose the limit you want to put on your coupon based on the shopping habits of your customers and the goal of your promotion. The time limit needs to be clearly visible if you want the benefits of including this marketing tool in your coupon email.

Incorporate social proof to build trust

Including social proof, such as reviews from customers and clients, in your marketing email can help you build trust in your brand. Hearing what others think of your brand helps you look more credible, especially to potential customers who are still on the fence about making a first purchase from you.

Offering testimonials in your coupon email that directly relate to the offer can be ideal, but it’s important to stay on brand with your messaging as well. Use social proof to demonstrate your popularity and build excitement around your product or service.

Pair coupons with product recommendations

Pairing coupons with product recommendations can increase customer loyalty while boosting sales. When you offer product recommendations based on segmentation, you’ll have a much higher chance of making a sale.

Knowing what your customers ordered in the past, abandoned in their cart, or just looked at once or twice, and recommending these products with a coupon simplifies the shopping and ordering process. Your customers see the discount alongside items they want to buy. You can also include entire categories in the email so your customers get familiar with all their shopping options.

15+ coupon email subject lines you can steal

Coming up with attention-grabbing coupon email subject lines can be tiresome. Luckily, Omnisend has an amazing subject line generator that can help you come up with the best subject lines for your coupon email. Below, you’ll find some coupon email example subject lines you can use as inspiration:

1. YOUR EXCLUSIVE COUPON IS HERE!
2. You’ve got savings to unlock…
3. Ready to save? Your coupon’s inside!
4. A gift for you: 20% OFF!
5. THIS COUPON WON’T LAST LONG…
6. Unlock your special coupon now!
7. Don’t forget to use your coupon!
8. You + this coupon = savings heaven…
9. Limited-time coupon inside — act fast!
10. Your coupon is waiting — don’t miss it!
11. Shop now and use this coupon!
12. YOU WON’T WANT TO WASTE THIS DEAL!
13. Hurry! Coupons are running out…
14. Save BIG — your exclusive coupon is here!
15. Use this coupon before it’s gone!
16. COUPON ALERT: Save up to 30%!
17. Your cart needs this coupon… STAT!
18. Coupons this good don’t come often!
19. STOP! You don’t want to miss this offer
20. BONUS: Get 20% Off Now

Wrap up

A coupon email is a popular marketing tool with many benefits. You can send as many or as few as you’d like, and when you sign up with Omnisend, you can find coupon email examples that guide you in crafting your own. 

Whether you want to increase sales, show customer appreciation, or get higher open rates, sending coupons to your subscribers gets them motivated to read your content. Done right, coupon emails can become a vital part of your email marketing campaign.