How to Create and Write Discount Offer Emails and Templates for Discount Emails

A discount email is an electronic message sent to customers offering discounts, such as coupons or promotional codes. The origin of discount emails is traced back to the early 2000s, when companies began to recognize the power of digital communication for connecting with their customer base. Statistics show that in 2020, an average of 306.4 billion emails were sent and received daily. 89% of marketers use email as the primary channel for generating leads. 22% of marketers report email click-through rates over 20%, as opposed to the industry average of 10.69%. The average unsubscribe rate for 2020 was 0.1%. Discount emails are important for email marketing because they offer a direct way for businesses to connect with customers and provide them with incentives for making purchases. It helps to create brand loyalty, build relationships, and improve customer engagement. Furthermore, it encourages customers to open and read emails, positively affecting sales and other conversions.

Below are the step-by-step instructions for creating a discount email.

  1. Think about any potential ill repercussions on your business. It emphasizes the importance of considering how a discount offer impacts the overall profitability and reputation of the business before sending it out to customers.
  2. Avoid sounding rehearsed in your discount offer emails. It stresses the importance of making the email sound natural and personalized, rather than sounding like a generic template sent to multiple customers.
  3. Make email discounts offer time-limited or restricted. It suggests that adding a sense of urgency or scarcity to the offer is more effective in encouraging customers to take advantage of the discount.
  4. Get to the offer quickly and keep it brief. It advises that the discount offer has to be prominent and easy to find in the email and that the email is concise and to the point.
  5. Attract your audience's attention. It is about ensuring that the email and offer stand out in the customer's inbox and capture their attention.
  6. Give the Discount Theme to Grab the Attention in the Subject Line. It suggests that the email's subject line is crafted to entice the customer to open the email and learn more about the offer.
  7. State Discount Percentage, Conditions and Timeline Directly. It advises that the email clearly states the details of the discount, such as the percentage off and any conditions or restrictions, as well as the time frame during which the offer is valid.
  8. Avoid scripted Discount Emails with repetition. It advises against sending out the same, repetitive discount offer email to customers. Instead, vary the offer and language to keep it fresh.
  9. Arrange the Best Time for the Discount Offers. It's important to choose the best time to send out the discount offer email when the customer is most likely to see it and take action.
  10. Create Landing Pages for the Discount Offer Emails. It advises creating a dedicated landing page for the discount offer, where customers learn more and take advantage of it.
  11. Use Best Designs for Mobile and Desktop Devices at the Same Time. It stresses the importance of ensuring that the email design is optimized for mobile and desktop devices so that it looks good and is easy to interact with, no matter how the customer chooses to read it.
  12. Analyze the Email Opening Behaviors for the Users. It's important to track and analyze how customers interact with the discount offer email, such as whether they are opening it and clicking through to learn more or make a purchase.
  13. Segment the User Behaviors for Different Discount Offers. It advises that it is useful to segment customers based on their behaviors and past purchases and send them different discount offers tailored to their interests.
  14. Understand How Discount Offers Generate Leads. It highlights how discount offers generate leads and attract new customers to the business.

1. Think about any potential ill repercussions on your business

Discount emails have potential ill repercussions on a business if they are not implemented properly. One potential issue is that it devalues the brand or products if discounts are offered too frequently or at too high of a percentage. Additionally, offering discounts to all customers, rather than targeting specific groups, leads to decreased profit margins. It is important to carefully consider the reasons and justification for implementing a discount email strategy. For example, targeting specific groups or offering smaller discounts is more effective if the goal is to increase sales during a slow period. The benefit of discount emails for further success is that it attracts new customers and encourages repeat business from current customers. Additionally, it helps to clear out slow-moving inventory and increase overall sales. However, it is important to track the results of the discount emails and make adjustments as needed to ensure that they achieve the desired results.

2. Avoid sounding rehearsed in your discount offer emails

Avoiding sounding rehearsed in discount offer emails helps increase the effectiveness of the emails. It is because when an email sounds rehearsed, it comes across as impersonal and does not capture the recipient's attention as well. One way to avoid sounding rehearsed is to personalize the email. It addresses the recipient by name and tailors the message to their interests or needs. Additionally, a more conversational tone helps make the email feel more authentic and less scripted. Another way to avoid sounding rehearsed is to vary the language used in the emails. Try to mix it up and use different language and tones to keep the emails interesting and engaging instead of using the same phrases and wording repeatedly. It leads to a higher open and click-through rate, ultimately leading to more conversions and increased success for the discounts offered.

3. Make email discount offer time-limited or restricted

Making an email discount offer time-limited or restricted is beneficial for creating and writing successful discount emails. Recipients feel like they need to take advantage of it before it's too late by restricting the offer, leading to more conversions and sales. Additionally, adding urgency in the form of a deadline adds another layer of motivation for readers to act quickly on the offer. The offer is valid only until midnight that day or until supplies last. Make sure to clearly state the promotion terms when crafting the discount offer emails, including any expiration date or other restrictions. Customers know what they're getting and when they have to act. Make sure to include easy steps to redeem the offer, so customers don't miss out because they don't know how to use it. Overall, making a discount offer time-limited or restricted creates urgency for the customer, which increases the chances that they take advantage of the deal before it expires. It ultimately leads to more conversions and success for the discount offer.

4. Please get to the offer quickly and keep it brief

Getting to the offer quickly and keeping it brief in discount offer emails is effective because it captures the recipient's attention and communicates the main message. It helps increase the chances that the recipient takes advantage of the offer. Furthermore, it is more likely to hold the recipient's attention and reduce the chances that they delete the email without reading it. Additionally, it is important to provide a clear and compelling reason for the discount and any associated limitations or expiration dates. It helps to justify the discount and increase the perceived value of the offer, making it more attractive to the recipient. The benefit is that it helps to increase conversion rates and boost sales by effectively communicating the offer to the recipient and providing a clear incentive to take advantage of it. Additionally, consistently using clear and compelling language in discount emails helps to build trust with the audience and establish the brand as one that offers valuable deals. It helps to increase customer loyalty and repeat business over time.

5. Attract your audience's attention

Attracting the audience's attention is crucial when creating and writing effective discount offer emails. The step helps to ensure that the email is opened and read by the recipient, increasing the chances that they take advantage of the discount offer. It is important to use a clear and compelling subject line highlighting the discount's benefits to attract attention. For example, "50% off your next purchase" or "Limited time offer: Save 20% on your order." The body of the email includes an attention-grabbing headline or opening sentence, such as a question that piques the recipient's interest or a statement that emphasizes the offer's value.

Additionally, high-quality images and design elements make the email visually appealing and easy to scan, which helps grab the recipient's attention and makes them more likely to read the email and take action. The benefit of attracting the audience's attention is that it increases the chances that the email is opened and read, increasing the chances that the recipient takes advantage of the discount offer. It led to increased sales and revenue for the business. Additionally, using effective email marketing strategies helps to build and maintain a loyal customer base.

6. Give the Discount Theme to Grab the Attention in the Subject Line

One effective way to grab recipients' attention in an email's subject line is to use a discount theme. It is done by prominently featuring the word "discount" or a related term, such as "sale" or "offer," in the subject line. Additionally, including the percentage or amount of the discount is effective in catching the recipient's eye. The reason for using a discount theme in the subject line is that discounts are often a key motivator for consumers to purchase. Recipients are more likely to open the email and consider the offer if the discount is highlighted in the subject line. The benefit of using a discount theme in the subject line is that it increases the open and click-through rates of the email, which ultimately leads to more successful conversions and sales. Additionally, using a discount theme helps establish trust and credibility with recipients, who view the offer as more valuable and legitimate.

7. State Discount Percentage, Conditions and Timeline Directly

The State Discount Percentage, Conditions, and Timeline are all important elements to consider when creating and writing discount offer emails and templates. The percentage of the discount, the conditions under which the discount is redeemed (such as a minimum purchase amount or a specific product or category), and the timeline for the offer (such as expiration date) have to be clearly stated in the email. The reason for including it is to ensure that customers understand the offer's details and easily take advantage of it. It helps to prevent confusion or misunderstandings about the offer, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Having clear and concise information about the discount offer helps increase its success in terms of benefits. Customers are more likely to take advantage of an offer that is easy to understand and redeem. Additionally, including a sense of urgency in the timeline drives more sales.

8. Avoid scripted Discount Emails with repetition.

Creating and writing discount offer emails is an effective way to drive sales, but it's important to avoid using scripted, repetitive language in emails. It is because using the same language and format in multiple emails makes them feel impersonal and unengaging to customers. Instead, it's important to tailor the language and tone of each email to the specific recipient and offer. It increases the chances that customers are interested in the offer and more likely to purchase it. Additionally, by varying the language and format of the emails, it keeps them fresh and interesting by creating unique and personalized emails for each discount offer, which help to maintain customer engagement and interest over time. Avoiding scripted and repetitive language in discount offer emails helps to make them more engaging and effective, which leads to increased sales and customer loyalty.

9. Arrange the Best Time for the Discount Offers

It is important to consider the target audience and their buying habits when arranging the best timing for discount offers. For example, it is more effective to send discount emails during non-work hours or on weekends if the target audience is working professionals. Additionally, it is important to consider the industry and competition. For example, it is beneficial to align the discount offers if the industry is known for having sales at certain times of the year. Creating and writing effective discount offer emails and templates is crucial. The emails have to be clear and concise and highlight the benefits of the discount. The subject line has to be attention-grabbing and entice the recipient to open the email. The emails include a clear call-to-action, such as a link to the website or a code to use at checkout. The benefit of carefully planning and executing discount offers is that it leads to increased sales and customer loyalty. The discounts are tailored to be more effective by understanding the target audience and industry. Additionally, well-crafted discount offer emails increase the chances of the recipient taking advantage of the offer.

10. Create Landing Pages for the Discount Offer Emails

Creating landing pages for discount offer emails is a way to provide a dedicated, targeted destination for recipients of the discount emails to visit. The landing page includes more detailed information about the offer and a clear call-to-action (CTA) for recipients to take advantage of the discount. It's important to make the subject line compelling when writing emails, including a clear and concise message about the offer and a prominent CTA. Using templates helps ensure consistency and makes creating emails more efficient. Creating dedicated landing pages and well-written discount emails increases the conversion rate of recipients who receive the email and leads to more sales. Additionally, it helps track the email campaign's effectiveness and make adjustments accordingly.

11. Use Best Designs for Mobile and Desktop Devices at the Same Time

Creating and writing discount offer emails and templates for discount emails that are optimized for both mobile and desktop devices is a crucial step in ensuring that the message is clear and easy to read regardless of the device being used to view it. It is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the emails look good and are easy to read on smaller screens, with an increasing number of people using their mobile devices to check their email. It increases the chances that recipients read and engage with the message. Secondly, many people still use desktop devices to check their email, even though mobile usage is increasing. Consistency is maintained, ensuring the message looks good and is easy to read regardless of the device used, by optimizing emails for mobile and desktop devices. Lastly, a consistent brand experience is created across all devices, which helps increase brand recognition and trust with recipients by using the same design for mobile and desktop devices. Overall, the approach helps increase the success of discount campaigns.

12. Analyze the Email Opening Behaviors of the Users

Analyzing email opening behaviors for users is an important step in creating and writing effective discount offer emails. Businesses craft more targeted and effective discount offers by understanding when and how users are most likely to open and engage with emails. It includes analyzing the time of day or day of the week that users are most likely to open emails and the types of subject lines and language that are most likely to generate engagement. The benefit is that it allows businesses to create more effective discount offer emails that are more likely to be opened and acted upon by users. Businesses increase the chances of success for their discount offers by targeting the emails to the users most likely to engage with them, which helps drive sales and revenue. Additionally, businesses save time and effort when creating new discount offers by using templates for discount emails that have proven effective.

13. Segment the User Behaviors for Different Discount Offers

Segmenting user behaviors for different discount offers is a process that involves dividing a customer base into smaller groups based on their characteristics, behaviors, or actions. Companies create more targeted and personalized discount offer emails and templates that are sent to specific segments of customers by doing so. Companies often use the approach because it allows for improved targeting and personalization, increased conversion rates, and a better ROI. The benefits of segmenting user behaviors for further discount success include improved customer engagement, increased customer loyalty, and greater revenue potential.

14. Understand How Discount Offers Generate Leads

Understanding how discount offers generate leads benefits a business in several ways. One of the primary benefits is that it helps increase the number of potential customers a business has access to. A business attracts new customers and encourages existing customers to make additional purchases. It ultimately led to increased sales and revenue for the business. Another benefit of understanding how discount offers generate leads is that it helps businesses identify which discounts are most effective at attracting new customers. For example, a business finds that offering a percentage off the total purchase price is more effective than a dollar amount. The information is used to tailor future discount offers to be more effective at generating leads. Lead generation emails are a great way to promote discount offers to potential customers. The emails target specific groups of customers, such as individuals who have shown interest in a particular product or service. They are personalized to include information about the specific discount offer. Additionally, lead generation emails are used to track the effectiveness of a particular discount offer, allowing the business to make adjustments as needed to optimize lead generation.

What is the Importance of Writing Discount Emails?

The use of discount emails in email marketing provides several benefits for businesses. One of the main advantages is that it is an effective way to increase sales and revenue, as discounts are a powerful incentive for customers to purchase. Additionally, discount emails help to build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business, as customers are more likely to return to a business that offers them discounts and special offers. Furthermore, discount emails are used to clear out slow-moving inventory or promote new products, which benefits businesses looking to boost their bottom line. Additionally, they target specific segments of the customer base, such as new customers or loyal customers, which helps to increase the effectiveness of their email marketing campaigns. Discount emails are valuable for businesses looking to improve their email marketing efforts.

When should discount emails be created?

It is important to consider the timing, target audience, and overall message when creating discount emails. The timing of the email plays a big role in its success, as sending it at the right time increases the likelihood of it being opened and acted upon. For example, sending a discount email on a Monday morning has a higher open rate than one sent on a Friday afternoon. Additionally, it is important to consider the target audience when creating the email, as their interests and needs have to be considered when crafting the messaging and offers. Finally, the email's overall messaging and design have to be clear, compelling, and easy to understand to encourage recipients to take advantage of the offer.

When to Use Discount Emails?

The best time to send discount emails depends on the target audience and their behavior. However, generally, it is recommended to send them on weekdays, preferably in the middle of the week, such as Tuesday or Wednesday. It is typically less crowded with email than Mondays and Fridays, which means the email is more likely to be seen and opened. Additionally, research suggests that people are more likely to make purchase decisions during the middle of the week. It's best to avoid sending emails on weekends, as people are less likely to check their inboxes at that time. It's important to consider the time of day; sending in the morning or early afternoon tends to have higher open rates, as people are more likely to be active. Consider sending emails during the evening before a sale ends, as people tend to procrastinate, and it is a good reminder for them.

What are the Best Examples of Discount Emails?

Here are some of the best examples of discount emails.

  • "Limited Time Offer" email from Amazon: The email highlights a limited-time deal or promotion on a specific product or category.
  • "Exclusive Discount" email from Sephora: The email offers an exclusive discount code for subscribers to use on their next purchase.
  • "Flash Sale" email from Zara: The email announces a short-term sale with a specific start and end time.
  • "Abandoned Cart" email from Target: The email is triggered when customers add items to their online shopping cart but do not complete the purchase. The email reminds the customer of the items left in their cart and includes a special offer to encourage them to complete the purchase.
  • "Welcome Discount" email from Nike: The email is sent to new subscribers and includes a special offer or discount code as a welcome gift.

The discount email examples above are some of the discount emails companies use to drive sales and attract customers. They all have different strategies, but the goal is the same: to entice customers to make a purchase. Some discount email examples are time-sensitive, such as flash sales, while others are personalized, such as abandoned cart emails.

What are the Best Discount Email Templates?

Here are some of the best discount email templates:

"Get 15% off your next purchase when you sign up for our newsletter! Simply enter the code WELCOME15 at checkout."

"Limited time offer: Take 20% off your purchase when you use code "SUMMERSALE" at checkout. Don't miss out!”

"Exclusive deal for our loyal customers: Enjoy 25% off your next order when you use code LOYAL25 at checkout."

"Happy holidays! Get 30% off your entire order when you use code HOLIDAY30 at checkout. Offer valid for a limited time only."

"Last chance to save! Take 40% off your purchase when you use code "FINALSALE" at checkout. Offer ends soon!"

Images are an effective tool in discount emails because they quickly communicate information about the product or sale. They help to grab the reader's attention and make the email more visually appealing. Additionally, images create a sense of urgency or highlight key details about the sale. They are used to showcase the product to the viewer and make it more appealing, which increases the chances of the viewer buying the product. Overall, using images in discount emails helps make the email more effective at communicating and increasing conversions.

What are the Best Practices for Crafting Discount Emails?

Crafting effective discount emails is a powerful tool for boosting sales, but it takes careful consideration to ensure the messages are engaging and have the desired impact. Consider the following best practices for crafting discount emails.

  • Personalize the email: Personalization helps increase open rates and engagement. Use the recipient's name in the subject line and throughout the email to make it feel more relevant and targeted.
  • Create a sense of urgency: Use language and design elements that create a sense of urgency to encourage recipients to take advantage of the discount offer before it expires.
  • Make it visually appealing: Use images and graphics to make the email more attractive and engaging. High-quality images help to showcase the product or service being offered.
  • Be clear and concise: Keep the email short and to the point. Use simple, easy-to-understand language and formatting to ensure that the recipient quickly understands the offer and how to take advantage of it.
  • Test, track and optimize: Test different versions of the email to see which one performs best. Use tracking tools to monitor open, click-through, and conversion rates. Use the data to optimize the email for better performance.
  • Segment the audience: Segment the email list based on past purchase behavior, demographics, or other factors, and send targeted emails to different segments. It increases the relevance of the offer and improves the chances of conversion.
  • Use a clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Make it easy for recipients to take advantage of the offer by including a clear and prominent call-to-action (CTA) button in the email. For example, it is a "Shop Now" or "Learn More" button.
  • Follow-up with abandoned cart: It is important to use the appropriate subject line when sending an email for an abandoned cart, incorporate personalization, and convey a sense of urgency. Additionally, it is recommended to include a reminder of the items left in the cart.
  • Make it exclusive: Make the recipient feel special by offering them an exclusive discount not available to the general public. It helps to create a sense of exclusivity and increases the offer's perceived value.

How to Determine Discount Email Topic?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to determine the topic of a discount email.

  1. Identify the target audience. The first step in determining the topic of a discount email is to understand who the target audience is. It includes demographics such as age, income, and location, as well as their interests and purchasing habits.
  2. Research the competition. Take a look at what other companies in the industry offer regarding discounts and promotions. It gives an idea of what types of discounts are popular and what has been successful.
  3. Consider the timing. Think about the time of year and any upcoming events or holidays relevant to the audience. For example, a discount on winter clothing is more relevant in the fall, while a discount on summer items is more relevant in the spring.
  4. Identify the main message. Decide on the main message or theme of the discount email. It is a specific product or category, a certain percentage off, or a gift with purchase.
  5. Use a catchy subject line. The subject line is the first thing people see when they receive the email, so make sure it grabs their attention and communicates the email's main message.
  6. Create a sense of urgency. Use language and imagery that creates a sense of urgency and encourages the recipient to take advantage of the discount as soon as possible.
  7. Test and refine. Track the performance and make changes to improve the open rate and conversion rate after sending out the discount email.

It creates an effective discount email that speaks to the target audience and encourages them to take advantage of the offer by following the steps above.

How to Choose the Design and Colors for a Discount Email?

Here are the steps to choose the design and colors for a discount email:

  1. Define the target audience. The design and colors of the email have to appeal to the target audience. Consider their demographics, interests, and preferences when choosing the design and colors.
  2. Choose a color scheme. Pick a color scheme that reflects the brand's identity and appeals to the target audience. Stick to a maximum of 3-4 colors to keep the design clean and simple.
  3. Select a layout. Decide on a layout that is easy to read and navigate. Use white space to separate sections and make the email more visually appealing.
  4. Pick appropriate images. Choose images relevant to the discount and the target audience. Make sure the images are high-quality and appropriately sized for the email.
  5. Test the design. Test it on different devices and email clients to ensure it looks good and is easy to read before sending the email.
  6. Keep it simple. Remember that the main goal of the email is to inform the recipients of the discount, so don't clutter the design with too many elements. Keep the design simple and easy to read.
  7. Keep branding consistency. Make sure the design and color choices align with your brand's overall visual identity. It helps build trust and recognition with the audience.
  8. Keep it mobile-friendly. Most people read their emails on mobile devices, so make sure the design is responsive and looks good on smaller screens.

Each step is important to ensure the email is visually pleasing and effectively communicates the message of the discount. Keep in mind the target audience, color scheme, layout, images, and branding consistency, and ensure the email is mobile-friendly.

What types of Emails should be Used in Discount Emails?

Below are some of the email types to be used in discount emails.

  • Limited-time offer emails: It highlights a promotion or sale with a specific expiration date, encouraging recipients to take advantage of the deal before it's too late.
  • Abandoned cart emails: The emails are sent to customers who have added items to their online shopping cart but have not completed the purchase. The email serves as a reminder and includes a special offer or discount to incentivize the customer to complete the purchase.
  • Loyalty program emails: The emails are sent to customers enrolled in a loyalty program, such as a rewards program. They include exclusive discounts or special offers for members.
  • Welcome emails: The emails are sent to new subscribers or customers and include a welcome message and an introductory offer or discount.
  • Win-back emails: The emails are sent to customers who have not purchased in a while. The email includes a special offer or discount to entice the customer to return and make a purchase.
  • Upsell/Cross-sell emails: The emails are sent to customers who have made a purchase and encourage them to buy complementary or additional products.
  • Referral emails: The emails are sent to customers who have referred friends or family to the brand. They include a referral code or link for the friend or family member to use for a discount or special offer.
  • Customer appreciation emails: The emails are sent to show appreciation to customers. They include discounts or special offers as a thank-you for their loyalty.

The types of emails mentioned above are among the most frequently encountered.

How to Use Mail Merge for Discount Email?

Mail merge is a feature that allows users to send personalized emails to many recipients. The user first needs to create a list of email addresses for the recipients to use mail merge for discount emails. The list is imported from a spreadsheet or a database. Next, the user needs to create a template for the email that includes the personalized discount code for each recipient. The user then uses the mail merge feature to combine the email addresses with the template to create individualized emails for each recipient once the template is created. The user then sends the emails to the list of recipients, with each email containing the personalized discount code.

How often are Discount Emails used in Email Marketing?

Email marketing commonly uses discount emails to incentivize customers and increase sales. They contain information about special offers, such as discounts or promotions, that customers take advantage of when purchasing. Discounts help draw attention to products and services and motivate people to shop more often. The emails provide helpful reminders to customers who have forgotten about certain items they were interested in buying. Businesses ensure that the right audience sees their message by using discount emails, which helps them maximize their potential profits.

Are Discount Emails Useful in Email Marketing?

Yes, discount emails are useful in email marketing. They are used to enticing customers to purchase by offering a limited-time promotion or exclusive deal. Discount emails increase customers' likelihood of purchasing by providing a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Additionally, they are used to drive repeat business by offering discounts to loyal customers. However, it is important to use discounts strategically, as overusing them leads to customers becoming accustomed to receiving discounts and expecting them as a regular occurrence, which decreases the perceived value of the product or service being offered. It's important to note that the discounts are relevant to the target audience and that the emails must be sent at the right time to get the desired conversion rate.

Email merge and marketing fundamentals

Email merge and marketing fundamentals, techniques and methods for every type of email (outreach, newsletter, discount, confirmation, etc.) in client, member, user and subscriber communication.