5 Final Reminder Email Examples and Templates to Emphasize Last-chance Offers
A final reminder email is sent to notify recipients about a last opportunity to take specific action before a deadline.
In a world where businesses send endless sales offers and promotions, capturing your audience’s attention can be challenging in overcrowded inboxes. Even if you manage to have their focus, consumers may not always take the desired action reading your emails.
Recipients might miss out on emails for different reasons, from a critical organizational task with a deadline to a time-sensitive sale, sometimes by simply forgetting to check them. Or their email filters might be blocking such messages. The point is – even if you do everything right, your emails may still miss the mark.
Although this may be common in email marketing, you can still get things done by leveraging final reminders and promoting urgency while nudging your audience before it’s too late.
We’ll review final reminder email examples, templates, and best practices to skyrocket your email open rates and boost conversions.
What is a Final Reminder Email?
A final reminder email is a follow-up message sent to a recipient when they have not responded to a previous interaction. It’s typically a last attempt to get them to take the desired action before escalating the issue or closing the opportunity.
Since there’s urgency involved, final reminder emails usually have a higher open rate than general marketing emails. A last-chance message is often required for overdue payments, event reminders, project deadlines, or one-time special offers.
Sending a final reminder email is common in these scenarios:
- Invoice payments,
- Subscription renewals,
- Appointments or meetings,
- Conferences and webinars,
- Final project submission deadlines,
- Customer satisfaction survey requests,
- Product launches, demos, and offers,
- Early bird discounts.
Final reminder emails leverage scarcity and urgency, paving a straightforward path to close deals.
While different scenarios demand a final reminder email, we’ll focus on making more sales using them.
Main Elements of a Strong Final Reminder
Getting customers to look away from whatever they’re doing can be hard, especially with thousands of brands vying for their attention. Email volume is expected to rise from 361.6 billion daily emails to 408.2 billion by 2027.
However, a proper final reminder email can be your gateway to winning customers’ attention and returning them to the purchase game.
Use these essential components in your final reminder email to enrich the user experience.
| Element | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| An eye-catching subject line | Keep it short and conciseEmphasize urgencyPromote personalization |
| A compelling header | Use a bold and visually striking headline that emphasizes urgency |
| Focused and action-oriented copy | Highlight the benefits, such as offers, discounts, or exclusive accessUse a proper email tone, aligned with your branding. |
| A strong call-to-action | Use an intriguing CTAPlace the CTA button or link above the foldMake the CTA stand out by using contrasting colors |
| Reminder of scarcity or time-sensitivity | Implement visual cues like countdown timers or inventory barsInclude phrases that demonstrate urgency, such as “Last chance to grab your favorites” |
| Social proof | Use testimonials and reviews to address potential concerns of customers |
| Use a clear exit strategy | Provide an easy way for subscribers to opt-out or adjust their preferences |
While a regular reminder email can invite recipients to proceed with a purchase or use an email coupon, a final reminder is a more assertive follow-up message indicating a last chance to take action.
That’s why final reminders often stress urgency and time sensitivity, encouraging readers to act before the offers are gone.
The Power of FOMO and Urgency in Last-chance Emails
When your initial reminder emails do not get the necessary email responses, it’s time to send customers a last and final email. In email marketing psychology, FOMO (Fear of missing out) is a strong trigger that motivates customers to take advantage of a sale while it lasts.
Humans are naturally drawn to messages and opportunities that feel exclusive or fleeting. When they know their favorite items might go out of stock soon, the loss aversion triggers an immediate reaction to place an order.
In addition, limited-time offers can tap into the “Now or never” mindset, signaling users to take immediate action.
If you notice no response from recipients after the final reminder, it might be time to close the curtains on that particular sale. However, you can still send them regular marketing newsletters or promotional messages to keep them in the loop.
Examples of FOMO and Urgency in Action
- E-commerce sale:
- Email subject line: “Your cart is waiting with 25% off — until midnight”
- Strategy: Combine an expiring discount with a countdown timer.
- Event registration:
- Subject line: “Last chance to join us along with [Key Speaker Name]”
- Strategy: Highlight limited availability to encourage immediate action.
- Subscription renewal:
- Subject line: “Renew before midnight and keep access to your favorites”
- Strategy: Explain the negative consequences of not taking action.
How to Write Final Reminder Emails?
Writing an effective final reminder email needs a clear focus on the email subject lines, body copy, and design to make an impact on the customers. Your email tone must be assertive yet subtle to avoid sounding too commanding.
We’ve outlined the steps to writing a great final reminder message to encourage immediate action.
1. Final Reminder Email Subject Line
The subject line opens up opportunities to engage customers, prompting them to make use of the final sale. Integrate your preheader text with the subject line to emphasize scarcity and urgency.
It’s okay to use AI to generate subject lines, but ensure they fit your audience’s preferences and align with your brand personality.
Funny email subject lines or specific abandoned cart reminders perform better since they focus on enhancing the overall customer experience. Additionally, use time frames and numbers to allow customers time to take the desired action.
2. Writing Persuasive Final Reminder Email Body Copy
You’ll send multiple reminder emails urging customers to complete a purchase, sign up for an event, or renew a subscription. The initial reminders will be long, explaining the benefits of using the product or the consequences of missing out on the action.
The final reminder email, however, will be the shortest. You’ll include a line or two about the last chance and how long the offer stays.
Maintain a friendly tone and understand how email copywriting can influence customer decisions. Start with a strong hook, highlight the offer clearly, and end with reassurance.
3. Designing Effective Final Reminder Email Layout
Consumers may not respond to reminder emails due to email fatigue, lack of urgency, or simply because of cluttered email elements.
However, a good final reminder email design will help you capture their attention and drive them toward the intended destination, such as a website, landing page, or social media handle. Maintaining a simple reminder email template can make it easier for customers to brush through the message and understand the timeframe left to take action.
Follow email design best practices for:
- A clean and focused layout with no distractions.
- Higher readability by using bold fonts, larger text for important elements, and ample white space.
- A mobile-responsive final reminder email.
- Visual cues to guide the reader toward the desired action.
Your final reminder must always include a header and footer to include critical information. The email footer will include unsubscribe links, company details, and a legal disclaimer.
When to Send Final Reminder Emails?
Your final reminder email timing is crucial to avoid overwhelming subscribers. Sending these emails too early can dilute their urgency, and delaying them can lead to missed engagement windows.
Here’s a detailed guide on when to schedule these emails for maximum impact.
1. Understand the Nature of the Event
The timing of your final reminder email depends on what you’re promoting. For example, send a reminder email during the final day between 2-4 before the sale ends.
You can wait up to 48 hours before the deadline for event registrations. Expiring subscription emails can be sent 2-3 days before renewal. Cart abandonment emails must be sent within 24 hours if a limited-time offer is involved.
2. Consider Your Audience’s Behavior
Analyze your email list segmentation and your audience’s purchase history. You can also gain specific pointers from previous campaign data, such as which campaign had the highest open and click-through rates.
If your subscribers belong to different time zones, schedule your final reminder emails in their local time. Simultaneously, you can review your audience’s habits to tailor your timing strategies. For example, working professionals are likelier to open emails during work breaks and not on weekends.
3. Leverage Email Automation
When your email list is large, manual email sending might be impossible. By automating your final reminder emails, you can reach recipients at the right time, capitalizing on the urgency.
Plus, trigger emails are sent automatically based on user preferences and actions, giving you more time to improve the overall email performance.
Finding the best time for final reminders depends on your campaign goals and the audience’s behavior.
Remember not to overdo email reminders. A good practice is to send one final reminder before wrapping up the offer.
Common Mistakes While Sending Final Reminder Emails
Since a final reminder email could be your last chance to increase sales, you might get excited and want to include as much information as possible. However, going overboard can make customers back out as quickly as they can click.
Keep your final reminders clean by avoiding these common pitfalls:
- Overly aggressive language: Guilt-tripping or being too pushy can turn off recipients. Stay assertive but polite in encouraging them to act.
- Poor timing: Sending the final reminder email too early or too late can prove inefficient. Find an optimal time based on consumer behavior and general industry patterns.
- Missing key details: Being too generic without mentioning timelines, exclusive offers, or other information may not help recipients understand the urgency. Start with the key details so people can skim your reminders.
- Unclear CTA: Including vague or multiple calls-to-action can confuse the readers. Use a single but effective CTA that guides customers to the correct sales spot.
- Overwhelming design: Too many images, flashy graphics, or unoptimized layout can frustrate recipients. Pay attention to email accessibility to remain inclusive.
- Impersonalized final reminders: Sending common information might not get the desired responses from customers. Include their first names in the subject lines and email greetings to increase conversions.
- Ignoring email deliverability: Having spammy subject lines or overly salesy email body can push your final reminders to the spam folders. Maintain clean sending practices and regularly check email deliverability rates.
- Providing no follow-up options: Not including alternative options if customers miss the deadline can leave them frustrated. Give them additional options, such as “Contact us at [Email Address]”, or “Schedule your next session.”
- Overlooking analytics: Failing to monitor email marketing metrics will not help you refine your messages. Instead, use a reliable email marketing tool to track email performance.
5 Final Reminder Email Examples
In this section, we’ll review 5 outstanding examples of final reminder emails to help you create effective last-chance messages.
1. Google — Last Chance to Save Final Reminder Email
This is a “last chance to save” final reminder email from Google. The email begins with a headline that states the urgency and what customers might miss out on if they don’t act immediately. Google makes it easy for customers to surf through the deals from within the email.
The CTA leads to “More offers” from Google, instead of a conversion-oriented button. This gives users a higher chance to find a deal that suits their needs.
2. Aether Apparel — Final Sale Day Reminder Email
Aether Apparel uses a unique designed final reminder email to insist on a purchase. It uses a clean email layout with minimalistic colors and fonts with enough white space to balance the modern look.
The subject line “Final day for up to 60% off” conveys immediacy, urging consumers to consider purchases before time runs out. The brand uses product photography to give customers a taste of their items and style.
3. Serif — Final Reminder Email for the Launch Offer
Serif uses compelling copywriting in its final reminder email to encourage recipients to use the offer that ends soon. The CTA is clear and includes numbers, instantly capturing the attention of subscribers.
For people unfamiliar with their products, Serif uses a video to explain the benefits. Right below it, the brand encourages users to go through their newly added tutorials or visit their social media handles.
4. Grammarly — Subscription Renewal Final Reminder Email
Grammarly’s final reminder email informs customers about the last date for their subscription renewal. The email mentions details about the automatic renewal and the pricing. Users can cancel their subscriptions if they change their minds.
The business uses the final reminder email to showcase the benefits of upgrading to the premium account through a side-by-side comparison.
5. Feeling Swell — Don’t Forget Your Discount Final Reminder
This is a typical discount final reminder sample. Feeling Swell mixes fun and curiosity to portray urgency. Its intriguing subject line “Don’t forget your discount code” with a 10% off the recipient’s first order nudges them into action.
The email also contains important links such as the brand story and FAQ on returns and exchanges, helping readers learn more.
The next section contains final reminder templates to further help you craft a compelling email.
5 Final Reminder Email Templates to Keep Your Audience Intrigued
These customizable and professionally crafted final reminder emails will inspire you to write messages that persuade your audience to act.
1. Event Registration Final Reminder Email Template
Subject Line: Last chance to join us — Registration closes today
Hi [Subscriber Name],
The clock is ticking and our [Speaker Name] is all set to deliver their expertise on [Topic Name]. We will be thrilled to have you there, but the registration closes tonight and we don’t want you to miss this rare opportunity.
[Mention social proof] have benefited from this masterclass, allowing them to progress into [Achievements] and complete their goals.
[Mention the date, time, and venue of the event].
Spots are filling fast, secure your seats now.
CTA – Register Now
See you inside!
Best,
Company Name
2. Offer Expiry Final Reminder Email Template
Subject Line: [Recipient Name] the offer of flat 20% expires in [Mention time]
Hi [Recipient Name],
We understand you have other things, but your exclusive access to [Offer Name] will expire soon. By using the code within tonight, you can get 20% off your favorite items with free shipping.
CTA – Claim your offer now
Best,
Your Company and Team Name
3. Appointment/Booking Final Reminder Email Template
Subject Line: Reminder: Your dental appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at [time]
Hi [Recipient Name],
Just a friendly reminder about your upcoming appointment at [Venue] on [Date and time].
Please bring along the following documents for the regular checkup [Mention the documents].
If you wish to cancel or reschedule the appointment, please click the link here – [Link to cancel/reschedule option].
See you soon.
Best,
Clinic Name
4. Cart Abandonment Final Reminder Email Template
Subject Line: Final Reminder to complete your purchase
Hey [Subscriber Name],
We noticed you left items in your cart. While we would have waited a little longer to remind you about it, the hot deals are expiring soon. Plus, we’re losing these big sellers and soon will be out of stock.
[Mention the items and discounts]
Don’t wait too long, complete your purchase before [Mention deadline].
CTA – Complete my order
Need assistance? We’re here to help! Reach us on [Email or phone].
Best,
Company Name
5. Payment Final Reminder Email Template
Subject Line: Reminder for overdue payment for [Product]
Hi [Subscriber Name],
This is a final reminder to pay for your [Mention subscription type and product] before [mention deadline]. Please complete this payment to avoid disruption to your services.
If you wish to change your payment method, visit [payment page link] or write to us at [your email address].
If you’ve paid the bill already, kindly ignore this message.
Thank you
Company Name
11 Key Takeaways for Crafting Compelling Final Reminder Emails
Reminder emails are great ways to nudge subscribers to complete the desired action. However, remembering these key details will help you avoid spam traps.
When creating your final reminder emails, use these 11 tips:
- Create short and intriguing final reminder messages.
- Write curiosity and action-driven final reminder email subject lines.
- Consider your audience’s journey and perspective when sending a reminder email.
- Remind them about the past interactions.
- Write in a friendly tone without being pushy or demanding.
- Personalize the reminder and highlight benefits.
- Include critical details, such as the deadline, type of offer, or event times.
- Ensure reminder emails are optimized for mobiles, including the layout and email elements.
- Check for spam triggers and test reminder messages on multiple email clients.
- Thank recipients for their attention and sign off with a polite and encouraging tone.
- Use a reliable email marketing solution to send timely reminders.
Being on a solution-centric email marketing platform like Campaign Refinery can ensure better email campaign results.
Below, we’ll tell you more about how we can elevate your email marketing.
Send Friendly Email Reminders that Land in Customers’ Primary Inboxes
With the right email marketing tools, sending a final reminder email is simple. Campaign Refinery makes it easier to set up and automate email campaigns for the best results.
While you focus on delivering value using our dynamic content blocks, audience groups segmentation tool, and the evergreen flash sale feature, we handle the technical aspects of your emails.
The premium email deliverability system and our clean sending policies help clients enjoy the highest inbox placement rate on the market.
You can review your email deliverability performance in real time and adjust campaigns accordingly. Our support team regularly monitors your deliverability rate and fine-tunes issues to ensure your reminder emails always land in customers’ primary inboxes.
Optimize your reminder emails for maximum deliverability with Campaign Refinery — apply to become our customer now!
