Discounted offer emails are the golden tickets of marketing—disciplined, efficient, and absolutely impossible to overlook when done correctly. Imagine this: who wouldn't love the feeling of opening their inbox to find a deal on something they wanted?

It is envisioned that more than 333.2 billion emails are sent daily in 2022, a number which is expected to increase to 375 billion by the year 2025. That's quite a good number of emails hitting the inbox daily!

But let's get real a second: a discount email is not about just throwing a percentage sign in the subject line and hitting send. Truly capturing an audience's attention is all about striking that right balance between creativity, clarity, and strategy. And that's what we're about to explore right here.

Everything from crafting a subject line that actually makes people want to click, using the perfect tone, down to crafting a call-to-action that seals the deal—you'll go through it with the help of this guide. Let's dive in.

What Is a Discount Offer Email?

A discount offer email is pretty much what it sounds like: an email letting your customers in on some kind of special deal or promotion you're offering. Whether you're announcing a sitewide sale, socializing a time-sensitive discount, or rewarding loyal customers with a personalized deal, the emails can take many forms—it’s all about creating excitement and value.

Why Discount Emails Are a Marketing Favorite

Here's why discount emails have remained a staple in marketing:

• Boost Sales in an Instant: Unsold inventory? A slow week of sales? Sometimes, all it takes is one simple and effective discount email to turn it all around.
• Build Customer Loyalty: Offering your existing customers special deals makes them feel valued; thus, they are likely to continue buying from you.
• Attract New Buyers: Discounts are great to attract the attention of potential buyers who are quite shy to commit at full price.

Statistics to Consider

• In email marketing, for each dollar spent, businesses will realize an average ROI of $40; therefore, it is among the cost-effective means of marketing.
• Emails with personalized subject lines have been found to open 50% higher compared to generic ones.
• 81% of small businesses depend upon email for acquiring customers, and 80% use email to retain customers.

Imagine that you are a boutique selling handmade jewelry. The season is almost over, and you have to make room for new designs. Thus, an email with a discount offer may look like this: Last Chance! 20% Off All Summer Styles. You have framed it as valuable and presented urgency—an ideal recipe for sales.

Now that you know the basics, let's get to the good stuff: how to actually write one!

How to Write a Discount Offer Email: Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting a discount offer email is part art and part strategy. Follow these steps to create emails that grab attention, drive clicks, and boost sales.

Step 1: Define Your Goal and Audience

Before writing a single word, get clear on what you want to achieve. Is this email for:

• Attracting new customers?
• Rewarding loyal ones?
• Promoting a seasonal sale or clearing out inventory?

Next, consider your audience. Are they deal-seekers, loyal fans, or first-timers? Tailoring your message to the recipient ensures relevance and resonance.

Example:
If you’re offering a first-time buyer discount, use language like, “Welcome! Here’s 10% Off Your First Order.” For loyal customers, go with, “Thank You for Being Amazing—Enjoy 15% Off on Us!”

Step 2: Craft an Attention-Grabbing Subject Line

The subject line is your email’s first impression, so make it count.

• Keep it short and punchy (around 40 characters).
• Use urgency, value, or personalization to capture interest.

Examples:

• “Hurry! 20% Off Ends Tonight!”
• “Sarah, We Have a Gift for You—10% Off!”
• “Exclusive Deal: Save $15 on Your Next Order.”

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid spammy phrases like “FREE FREE FREE!” which could land your email in the junk folder.

Step 3: Personalize the Content

People love feeling special. Use personalization tools to include the recipient’s name, purchase history, or even location.

Emails with personalized subject lines generate 50% higher open rates, proving that a small touch of personalization can make a big difference.

Example Email Opening:
“Hi Alex, we noticed you loved our summer collection. Here’s 15% off to snag those sandals you’ve been eyeing!”

Personalization increases engagement and makes your email feel more like a conversation than a sales pitch.

Step 4: Focus on the Value of Your Offer

Don’t just tell them there’s a discount—show why it’s worth their time. Highlight what makes your offer unique or valuable to them.Instead of “Get 10% Off,” say, “Save $20 on our top-rated skincare set and glow all season long!”

This approach emphasizes the benefit of the discount, not just the percentage.

Step 5: Create a Sense of Urgency

No one wants to miss out on a good deal. Adding urgency to your email motivates customers to act fast.

Phrases That Work:

• “Offer ends tonight—don’t miss out!”
• “Only 24 hours left to save big.”
• “Limited stock available—shop now!”

Bonus Tip: Use a countdown timer for extra motivation. Discounty makes this easy to implement in Shopify stores.

Step 6: Use Eye-Catching Design and a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

Your email’s layout should be clean, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Include:

• Bold headers for key points.
• Clear images of your product or service.
• A single, prominent CTA button.

CTA Examples:

• “Claim Your Discount Now”
• “Shop the Sale”
• “Get Your 15% Off”

Make sure the CTA stands out by using contrasting colors and positioning it prominently in the email.

Step 7: Test and Optimize Before Sending

Before you hit send, test your email on different devices. Check for:

• Proper formatting on mobile and desktop.
• Broken links or errors in the discount code.
• Subject line effectiveness (A/B testing is your friend here).

Email Checklist Before Sending

With these steps, you’re well on your way to creating a discount email that connects with your audience and drives results.

A Quick Win for Shopify Store Owners

Running a Shopify store? With Discounty, setting up and managing discount campaigns is as easy as clicking a button. You can create personalized offers like “Spend $50, Get 10% Off,” add countdown timers to build urgency, and apply discounts automatically to new products. These features ensure your discount offer emails drive maximum engagement and conversions without extra hassle.

Templates for Writing Discount Offer Emails

Sometimes, starting from scratch can feel overwhelming. That’s where templates come in handy. Here are a few tried-and-true examples tailored to different audiences and goals.

Welcome emails boast a 68.6% open rate, far exceeding the average open rate of 19.7%.

1. Formal Discount Offer Email Template

Ideal for corporate or B2B clients where professionalism is key.

Subject Line:
“We Are Pleased to Offer You a Discount Email”

Body:
Dear [Recipient’s Name],

Thank you for your continued interest in [Your Business Name]. To show our appreciation, we’re excited to offer you an exclusive [percentage or flat] discount on our [product/service].

Please use the code below during checkout to redeem your offer:

[DISCOUNT CODE]

This offer is valid until [expiration date], so don’t miss out!

Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team at [contact information].

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]

2. Casual Discount Offer Email Template

Perfect for everyday customers and a friendly brand tone.

Subject Line:
“Hey [Name], Here’s a Sweet Deal Just for You!”

Body:
Hi [Name],

We’re so glad to have you as part of our community! To say thanks, here’s [percentage/flat discount] off your next purchase.

Just use the code below at checkout:
[DISCOUNT CODE]

But hurry—this offer expires on [expiration date]. We wouldn’t want you to miss out!

Happy shopping,
[Your Brand’s Name] Team

3. Limited-Time Offer Template

Use urgency to encourage immediate action.

Subject Line:
“Last Chance: 20% Off Ends Tonight!”

Body:
Hi [Name],

Time is running out! For the next [time frame], enjoy [percentage discount] off everything in our store.

Use code [DISCOUNT CODE] at checkout to claim your savings. But act fast—this deal vanishes after [date/time]!

Shop now and snag your favorites before they’re gone.

[CTA Button: “Shop the Sale”]

Cheers,
[Your Brand’s Name]

4. Seasonal Sale Template

Great for holiday promotions or end-of-season sales.

Subject Line:
“Season’s Savings: 30% Off All Winter Styles”

Body:
Hello [Name],

The holidays are here, and so are the deals! We’re giving you [percentage discount] off our entire winter collection.

[Image: Showcasing winter products]

Use code [DISCOUNT CODE] to save big, but hurry—this deal ends on [date]!

Warm wishes and happy shopping,
[Your Brand’s Name]

5. Post-Purchase Discount Template

Encourage repeat purchases with a follow-up discount.

Subject Line:
“Thanks for Shopping! Here’s a Little Something Extra”

Body:
Hi [Name],

We loved having you shop with us! As a token of appreciation, here’s [percentage discount] off your next purchase.

Use code [DISCOUNT CODE] at checkout. It’s our way of saying thanks for being a part of the [Your Brand] family.

Offer expires on [date], so don’t wait too long!

See you again soon,
[Your Brand’s Name]

These templates are versatile and can be customized to match your brand’s tone and goals. They work even better when paired with Shopify tools like Discounty, which helps you automate personalized emails and apply dynamic discounts effortlessly.

Real-Life Examples of Discount Offer Emails

Sometimes, the best inspiration comes from seeing what others are doing. Here are examples of discount offer emails from successful brands, showcasing what makes them effective and how you can replicate their strategies.

1. Uber Eats: Short, Sweet, and Action-Oriented

Subject Line:
“What’s Better Than Food? FREE Food!”

What Works:

• Clear Value Proposition: The email immediately highlights the offer: 50% off food orders.
• Straightforward CTA: “Add the promo code before you check out to claim your meal.”
• Minimal Design: Bold colors, enticing images of food, and clickable CTAs make the email hard to ignore.

Key Takeaway: Keep your message short and focused. Highlight the discount and make it ridiculously easy for the customer to act.

2. Sephora: Personalized and Novelty-Driven

Subject Line:
“[Name], NEW LANEIGE Just Dropped

What Works:

• Personalization: Using the recipient’s name and referencing their favorite brand makes the email feel tailored.
• Highlighting Newness: Emphasizing a new product taps into the novelty bias, making the email more intriguing.
• Relevance: Based on purchase history, the email suggests products the recipient is likely to love.

Key Takeaway:
Sephora combines personalization and novelty to grab attention and boost conversions. Highlighting what’s fresh and relevant ensures the email resonates.

3. WriterBuddy: Clear and Actionable Discount Email

Subject Line:
“Get 20% Off Forever!”

What Works:

• Personalization: The email addresses the recipient by name, adding a personal touch that grabs attention.
• Clarity: The offer is straightforward—20% off forever—making it impossible to miss.
• Urgency: A 24-hour deadline creates a sense of urgency, motivating recipients to act quickly.
• Clickable Banner: The entire banner is linked directly to the checkout page, making it seamless for users to redeem the offer.

Key Takeaway:
WriterBuddy nails the essentials: a clear value proposition, a sense of urgency, and effortless navigation. The clickable banner ensures minimal friction, letting the email do the heavy lifting with maximum simplicity.

4. Zara: A Seasonal Sale Done Right

Subject Line:
“Up to 50% Off: The Winter Sale Is Here”

What Works:

• Broad Appeal: “Up to 50% Off” caters to deal-hunters without limiting the audience to a specific discount.
• Visual Catalog: The email includes images of winter apparel, enticing customers to explore the sale.
• CTA Variety: Multiple CTAs (e.g., “Shop Women,” “Shop Men”) allow segmented browsing.

Key Takeaway: Use visuals and multiple CTAs to cater to diverse customer needs.

Conclusion: Your Guide to Crafting the Perfect Discount Email

Discount offer emails are one of the simplest yet most effective tools for boosting sales, engaging customers, and clearing inventory. By following the steps outlined in this article you’re well on your way to mastering how to write a discount offer email.

Remember to keep the design clean and the call-to-action clear, and always test before sending.

If you’re looking for an effortless way to manage your campaigns, Discounty simplifies the process. From creating tailored offers to automating updates, it’s the perfect tool to help your business succeed. Give it a try!

FAQs About Writing Discount Offer Emails

How Do I Say "Give a Discount" in an Email?

Use clear, direct language that fits your brand’s tone:

• Formal: “We’re offering you 15% off as a token of appreciation.”
• Casual: “Here’s 10% off—just because!”
• Urgent: “Grab 20% off before it’s gone!”

How to Write a Discount Offer Email Subject Line?

Make it short, clear, and engaging:

• “Save 20% Today Only!”
• “Last Chance: 30% Off Ends Tonight.”
• “Alex, Your Exclusive 15% Discount Awaits.”

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