Drive sales on autopilot with ecommerce-focused features
See Features40 flash sale email and subject line examples for 2024
Sending a flash sale email with a limited-time offer and lucrative discounts is a great way to get a quick sales boost.
Email is a highly effective channel for sending flash sales. They arrive quickly, the offers can be personalized to your readers, and specific products can be highlighted.
However, for your flash sale emails to be effective, you need compelling subject lines that immediately grab attention. If you’re looking for ideas and examples, this guide is exactly what you need.
This article will equip you with everything you need to know to craft compelling flash sale emails.
We’ve put together a collection of 20 creative and high-performing flash sale email subject lines guaranteed to grab attention and boost open rates. We’ll also discuss 20 great examples to inspire you. Let’s get started.
20 most engaging flash sale subject lines
In this section, you’ll find our curated list of 20 engaging flash sale subject lines. We meticulously tested each subject line using our subject line tester, selecting the ones with a stellar 90-100 rating.
Here’s the list.
Flash sale subject lines | Score |
50% off everything starts now! | 100% |
Limited time 50% sale is happening! | 100% |
Father’s Day special: 25% off | 100% |
New arrivals! Today 30% off! | 100% |
There’s still time to save! | 100% |
Ready! Tomorrow’s 50% off revealed | 100% |
STARTS NOW 50-75% OFF EVERYTHING! | 100% |
Now! 12-hour sale: deals on Tech | 100% |
Limited time: 50% off all items | 100% |
Limited time: 40% off mothers day | 100% |
FLASH SALE | 30% Off Starts NOW | 92% |
Quick! 20% off until 10 pm tonight | 92% |
Flash sale alert: Up to 70% off now! | 92% |
Prices on fire! 50% off favorites now! | 92% |
Hurry! Flash sale ends today! | 92% |
Bestsellers 45% off today! | 92% |
25% Flash sale code: Friday | 92% |
Save 30% in exclusive flash sale 🌟 | 92% |
Hurry: all jeans half price today! | 92% |
20 best flash sale email examples
Crafting an effective flash sale email that compels recipients to act requires more than just a discount or sales offer announcement.
To maximize the impact of your flash sale campaign, you need an email that can grab attention, create a sense of urgency, and communicate the value proposition.
Here’s a list of 20 excellent flash sale email examples to inspire your next campaign.
1. Goldbelly
Subject line: 🐸 29 HOURS! Leap Day BOGO SALE 🐸
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The subject line communicates the sale details and the limited time frame. The use of emojis immediately grabs the reader’s attention.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The timing of the email on Leap Day is clever, as it ties the promotion to a special, once-in-four-years event. This makes the sale unique and memorable, enhancing its appeal.
The email also features visually appealing images of the products on sale, which can persuade people to buy.
2. Beats Music
Subject line: SALE: Up to 40% off select Beats
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It’s relevant to the content of the email, giving people an idea of what to expect. It makes the offer clear by mentioning the discount rate and that it’s limited to select products.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email reinforces the promise made in the subject line, highlighting the 40% discount prominently at the top. Visually, the email is appealing, including a high-quality image of the products on sale.
It also includes details about the available delivery and pickup options to let customers know when they can expect delivery.
3. Oobli
Subject line: 🚨 Last Chance: Final Hours for Cyber Monday…
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The alarm emoji is a good visual cue that signals something important and time-sensitive. Phrases like “Last Chance” and “Final Hours” tap into the fear of missing out (FOMO), a powerful psychological trigger that can compel recipients to open the email.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email gets straight to the point, with a bold headline and a succinct message highlighting the offer. It includes a large and prominent CTA button to make it easy for the recipient to click through and take advantage of the sale.
4. Collin Street Bakery
Subject line: $5 OFF — $5 OFF — $5 OFF
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It employs repetition, a powerful psychological tool to grab attention and reinforce a message. It leaves no room for ambiguity, making the offer clear.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email copy clearly communicates the offer and the deadline for the sale. The bright color scheme and prominent CTA buttons make the email visually appealing.
5. Eight Sleep
Subject line: Flash Sale⚡
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The subject line’s brevity makes it instantly noticeable and easy to comprehend, which is important for busy subscribers who receive many marketing emails. The lightning bolt emoji adds a visual element that can catch the recipient’s eye in a crowded inbox.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: Important information, such as the duration of the flash sale and the discounts, is prominently displayed, ensuring the recipient understands the value proposition. The email has an intuitive design, with a clear hierarchy that guides the reader’s eye from the headline to the CTA button.
6. P&Co
Subject line: 🚨 20% Weekend Flash Sale 🚨
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It’s direct and conveys the essential details of the flash sale. The emojis grab the recipient’s attention and make the subject line stand out.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email details the discount percentage, timeframe, and discounted prices for products on sale. It uses eye-catching visuals to showcase the products.
7. TENGA
Subject line: ⏲️LIMITED TIME ONLY: 15% off all TENGA CUP Series Products
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It clearly states the discount percentage (15%) and the product category (TENGA CUP Series) to attract customers interested in those products.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: It has a clear CTA to direct the recipient to shop the sale. The email creates a sense of urgency by emphasizing that the offer is available only for a limited time.
8. Artfinder
Subject line: 🚨 Last Chance: Final Hours for Cyber Monday…
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It emphasizes the limited-time nature of the sale, triggering the fear of missing out (FOMO). The emoji further adds to it by providing a visual cue.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email uses a friendly and engaging tone right from the start. It informs the recipient about the flash sale event and its impending end in a way that reinforces urgency without being overly pushy.
9. DesignModo
Subject line: Summer Flash Sale on Designmodo! 50% Off!
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It’s concise and communicates the essence of the email. Highlighting the discount upfront piques interest, prompting the recipient to learn more by opening the email.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email employs striking visuals that can capture a recipient’s attention. The use of bright, summer-themed visuals aligns with the seasonal nature of the promotion. The CTAs are prominently displayed in contrasting colors that stand out against the background.
10. Aisle
Subject line: FLASH SALE TO CELEBRATE OUR IMPACT 🌎🥳
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The subject line provides context for the email, focusing on the company’s positive contributions rather than discounts. This can resonate with socially conscious consumers who appreciate brands with a purpose.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email starts with an attention-grabbing narrative of the flash sale to capture the recipients’ attention. Also, promoting the sale as a celebration of the brand’s impact creates a positive narrative that strengthens the brand’s image.
11. PAMPA
Subject line: FLASH SALE | 20% off our Ponchos & Scarves 🔥
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The discount and the products on offer are clearly stated in the subject line to appeal to people most likely to be interested. The emoji also adds visual appeal to the subject line.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email focuses on specific products — ponchos and scarves — which makes it targeted and relevant. By showing product pictures, the email acts as a visual catalog for consumers to choose and buy their favorite products.
12. Hush Puppies
Subject line: Our men’s flash sale ends TONIGHT. 🚨🚨🚨
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The subject line combines urgency and emojis to grab the reader’s attention. The use of “TONIGHT” in all caps ensures the deadline is unmistakable and prompts quick action from the recipient.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: High-quality images of the shoes are prominently displayed, allowing recipients to quickly see what’s on offer. The email creates a sense of urgency by reminding customers that the sale is limited to just a few hours, which can be a powerful motivator for quick decision-making.
13. Wix
Subject line: Ending soon! 50% OFF — upgrade your site now
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It highlights the discount upfront to spark interest and encourage people to open the email to learn more.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email uses a clean, professional layout with a balanced combination of text and visuals to make the content easy to scan.
The message is clear and direct, reinforcing the benefits of upgrading to access Wix’s enhanced features at a discounted rate.
14. Juniqe
Subject line: Yay, SALE! 15% off everything
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The simplicity and directness of this subject line make it easy to understand the key message at a glance. It also mentions the discount offered to attract interested consumers.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The tone is friendly and inclusive, inviting all subscribers to take advantage of the limited-time offer.
The content is straightforward, focusing on the key message — a 15% discount on everything. This eliminates ambiguity and makes it easy for the recipients to understand the offer.
15. DataCamp
Subject line: Save $150 for Cyber Week!
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The subject line stands out for its enticing value proposition. The generous discount is a strong incentive for recipients to open the email.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email highlights the value of DataCamp’s offerings by describing the practical skills and career advancement opportunities it provides. This not only attracts potential customers with the discount but also reinforces the value of the product, making the deal even more appealing.
16. Moo
Subject line: Sale ends… tonight!
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: It instantly creates a sense of urgency while piquing the recipients’ interest. The subject line discloses just enough information to make people curious and open the email to learn more.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: One of the standout features of this email is its concise and direct messaging. The email copy communicates that the sale is time-sensitive, using phrases like “final hours” to create a strong sense of urgency.
17. JUDY
Subject line: Discount Alert 🚨🚨🚨
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: This is a perfect example of short and effective messaging. It lets recipients know that the brand is offering discounts without disclosing the details to make people curious enough to open the email. The flashing light emojis create a sense of urgency while grabbing attention.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The layout is visually appealing, with bold headlines and vibrant colors that immediately draw the reader’s eye to the key message. The email imbibes a sense of urgency through its countdown timer to remind recipients that the discount is available for a limited time.
18. Good Eggs
Subject line: The timer’s ticking…
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: This subject line creates suspense and nudges recipients to check out the email before the time runs out.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The email’s structure is clear and direct, beginning with a strong visual countdown timer that adds a dynamic element and makes the time-sensitive nature of the sale apparent.
The email also provides details about the deal, ensuring that recipients understand the value proposition without needing to sift through too much text.
19. Framer
Subject line: Get 50% off Framer
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: This subject line quickly discloses the offer so interested recipients may open the email and claim it. Given the generous 50% discount, chances are that most people will at least check it out.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: The key message, 50% off offer, is displayed in big, bold font, instantly grabbing attention. The email also describes the benefits of using Framer and links these benefits to the discount, which makes the flash sale even more attractive.
20. Etkin Design
Subject line: 20% Off All Etkin 8-Cup Pour-Over Sets ☕️
Why this flash sales email subject line is good: The combination of clear discount information, product specificity, and a relevant visual cue makes this flash sales email subject line compelling.
Here’s how the email looks:
Why this flash sales email is good: This flash sales email from Etkin Design maintains a balance between brevity and an engaging tone, providing just enough information to attract potential customers without overwhelming them.
How to write the best flash sale email subject lines
The subject line is the first thing a recipient sees when they receive an email. Whether they open the email or not really depends on whether a subject line catches their attention.
The best flash sale subject lines have the following features:
1. A sense of urgency
People can be averse to missing out on good deals. You can highlight the time-limited nature of the sale to create a sense of urgency and encourage them to open the email and take advantage of the offer before it’s gone.
You can create a sense of urgency using words and phrases like:
- Sale starts (soon/today/now)
- Limited time offer
- Don’t miss this
- Now
- Fast
- Save today
- Act now
In fact, Omnisend’s post-Black Friday research showed that “Sale starts…” and “Last chance” had the highest effect on open rates.
2. The value proposition
A flash sale email subject line should convey the value or benefit recipients will gain by opening your email.
Whether it’s a significant discount, exclusive products, or early access, your subject line should let the reader know what’s in it for them.
Emphasizing the value proposition can grab recipients’ attention and make them curious to learn more by opening the email.
3. Emojis
Emojis can add a visual element that breaks the monotony of text and stands out.
They can convey emotions, emphasize urgency (⏰), highlight offers (💸), or add a playful tone.
You can use emojis in your flash sales email subject lines to grab attention and add a touch of personality.
Pro tip: Use emojis to emphasize something in a positive context.
4. Flash sale details
Providing some details about the flash sale can encourage interested customers to open your email.
Specific details about the flash sale, such as the discount percentage, duration, or unique selling points should be included to generate interest.
Pro tip: Don’t give recipients too much information. Provide limited (but adequate) information that generates curiosity to open an email and find out more.
5. Pique curiosity
Get your subscribers curious about the content in your email by providing open-ended details in your flash sale subject lines.
Tease them with a question or promise something interesting that compels them to read the email.
Make it funny. Flash sale subject lines that make subscribers laugh make them curious to see what’s inside.
You could also say something unusual, such as a cliffhanger that tempts readers to open the email.
How to create the best flash sale email
Flash sales are a great way to clear out inventory but you need to take care of several aspects to drive sales conversions.
Let’s take a look at the key components to focus on for crafting the perfect flash sales email that drives customers to take action:
- Subject line: Keep it concise, typically under 50 characters. Include important information about the email, like the flash sale offer, the product, or the timeframe
- Headline: You can use a bold headline to announce the offer and encourage further reading
- Email design: Visual appeal can enhance readability and engagement — use eye-catching design elements, such as high-quality images, bold colors, and clear typography, and keep the layout clean and easy to read across various devices
- Email copy: Provide more details about the flash sale, such as which products or services are included and any limitations in time frame, quantity, or location
- CTA: Ensure that the CTAs are placed strategically, use bold colors and font to draw attention, and employ strong action words to drive more clicks
- Terms and conditions: Provide clear terms and conditions for any offers to manage customer expectations
Best practices for flash sale emails
Here are some best practices you can follow to ensure that your flash sale emails engage recipients and drive sales.
Timing and frequency
Don’t wait until the last minute. Instead, announce your flash sales a few days in advance to create excitement.
Consider sending your main sale email during peak open times, which often fall mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in the afternoon.
Flash sales thrive on a sense of urgency. Avoid running frequent flash sales to customers to ensure it holds more value when you do. Aim for a strategic cadence, perhaps monthly or quarterly, to maintain the “limited-time offer” appeal.
Segmentation and personalization
Targeting different customer segments with different messaging can enhance relevance and engagement.
You can segment your email list based on demographics, purchase history, and interests. Then, you can tailor your flash sale message to suit specific customer segments.
Customize the flash sales email subject lines, product recommendations, and offers for each segment to boost open rates and conversions.
Follow-up reminder
You can send a reminder email shortly before the flash sale ends to encourage last-minute purchases. Include a countdown timer to give a visual cue of the limited time remaining.
A/B testing
Using A/B testing for your flash sale campaigns can allow you to optimize the various elements, such as subject line and offer, for maximum impact.
Consider experimenting with different subject lines, email layouts, and offers to see what works best with your audience.
Next steps
You already put a lot of effort into organizing your flash sales. Don’t allow ineffective flash sale email subject lines to make them a flop.
By following the tips and best practices outlined in this post, you can create high-performing flash sale email campaigns that capture attention and boost sales.
Put these tips into action and take advantage of the power of flash sales in your email marketing strategy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
No fluff, no spam, no corporate filler. Just a friendly letter, twice a month.
What’s next