Flash Sale Sequence for Course Creators Email Guide
Why Flash Sale Sequence Emails Fail for Course Creators (And How to Fix Them)
You launched your course with a bang, but now the initial excitement has faded. Many course creators find that even a successful launch leaves untapped potential in their audience, with interested prospects waiting for a nudge.
They know your course is valuable, but they need a compelling reason to act *now*. A flash sale isn't just about dropping a price; it's about reigniting interest, rewarding decisive action, and clearing the path for new students to finally join.
It creates a powerful, time-sensitive incentive that can transform hesitant leads into enrolled students. The templates below are designed to cut through the noise, create genuine urgency, and drive quick, focused enrollment for your next flash sale.
The Complete 3-Email Flash Sale Sequence for Course Creators
As a course creator, your clients trust your recommendations. This 3-email sequence helps you introduce valuable tools without sounding like a salesperson.
The Surprise
Announce the flash sale and create excitement
Hi [First Name],
Ever feel like you just missed the perfect moment to invest in yourself? Well, today, that moment is now.
For a very limited time, I'm opening up enrollment for [COURSE NAME] at a special flash sale price. This isn't something I do often, but I wanted to create an opportunity for those who have been waiting for the right moment.
Inside [COURSE NAME], you'll discover [KEY BENEFIT 1, e.g., how to build your course content faster] and [KEY BENEFIT 2, e.g., strategies to boost student completion rates]. This is the exact framework I use to [ACHIEVE OUTCOME, e.g., ensure my students get results].
This special offer is only available until [DATE/TIME, e.g., Friday at midnight PST]. Once it's gone, it's gone.
Don't let this opportunity pass you by. [CTA: Get the flash sale price here →]
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses the principle of salience, making the offer immediately prominent. The limited-time nature triggers a psychological heuristic known as 'scarcity bias,' where perceived rarity increases perceived value and urgency. The 'surprise' element also taps into positive emotional responses, making the recipient feel special and more receptive.
The Reminder
Remind and handle objections mid-sale
Hi [First Name],
The clock is ticking on our flash sale for [COURSE NAME], and I wanted to check in. Maybe you're wondering if now is truly the right time, or if this course is exactly what you need to [ACHIEVE OUTCOME].
I understand that hesitation. Many course creators feel overwhelmed by the thought of adding another thing to their plate.
But imagine this: What if you could finally [SPECIFIC PAIN POINT CURED, e.g., simplify your module creation process] or [ANOTHER PAIN POINT CURED, e.g., significantly improve your student success stories]? That's precisely what [COURSE NAME] is designed to help you do, without adding unnecessary complexity.
This isn't just a course; it's a proven roadmap to [DESIRED TRANSFORMATION]. And with the flash sale ending soon on [DATE/TIME], this is your chance to get started at a truly exceptional value. [CTA: Don't miss out, Enroll now →]
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email addresses cognitive dissonance, acknowledging the reader's internal conflict. By reframing common objections (time, overwhelm) into benefits and solutions, it helps overcome mental barriers. The reminder of the expiring offer uses the 'fear of missing out' (FOMO), encouraging action before the opportunity is gone.
The Final Hours
Create maximum urgency before the sale ends
Hi [First Name],
This is it. The final hours of our flash sale for [COURSE NAME] are upon us.
At [TIME] today, [DAY], this special offer will disappear. This is your absolute last chance to enroll in [COURSE NAME] at this reduced price and gain access to [KEY BENEFIT 1] and [KEY BENEFIT 2].
Think about what this course could mean for your student enrollment, your completion rates, and ultimately, your impact as a course creator. This isn't just about saving money; it's about investing in a clearer path to [DESIRED OUTCOME] before the opportunity passes you by.
Don't look back tomorrow wishing you had acted today. This is the moment to make a decision that will propel you forward. [CTA: Secure your spot before it's too late →]
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses extreme loss aversion, a powerful psychological bias where the pain of losing something is stronger than the pleasure of gaining it. The explicit countdown and 'last call' messaging create maximum urgency, pushing recipients to act immediately rather than procrastinate. It also reinforces the 'endowment effect', even if they don't own it, the idea of losing the *opportunity* is powerful.
4 Flash Sale Sequence Mistakes Course Creators Make
| Don't Do This | Do This Instead |
|---|---|
✕ Not clearly defining the flash sale's end time, leading to confusion and reduced urgency. | Always state the exact date and time the flash sale concludes in every email, creating a concrete deadline. |
✕ Offering a flash sale too frequently, which devalues your course and trains your audience to wait for discounts. | Use flash sales sparingly, perhaps once or twice a year, ensuring they feel like a genuine, rare opportunity. |
✕ Not preparing your course platform (Teachable, Kajabi, Thinkific) for an influx of new students, potentially leading to technical issues. | Before launching, test your checkout process, ensure your welcome sequence is ready in ConvertKit, and confirm your modules are accessible. |
✕ Failing to follow up with flash sale purchasers with a strong onboarding or welcome sequence. | Immediately after purchase, send a dedicated welcome email outlining next steps, how to access the course, and encouraging initial engagement to boost student success. |
Flash Sale Sequence Timing Guide for Course Creators
When you send matters as much as what you send.
The Surprise
Announce the flash sale and create excitement
The Reminder
Remind and handle objections mid-sale
The Final Hours
Create maximum urgency before the sale ends
Use for 24-72 hour sales. Send multiple emails on the final day.
Customize Flash Sale Sequence for Your Course Creator Specialty
Adapt these templates for your specific industry.
Video Course Creators
- In your flash sale emails, highlight specific video lessons or modules that offer an immediate 'aha!' moment or quick win, demonstrating the value of visual instruction.
- Consider including a very short (15-30 second) teaser video for one key lesson in your email body or linked from it, giving a taste of the visual quality.
- Emphasize how the video format allows for clearer demonstrations and easier understanding of complex topics, leading to higher completion rates.
Membership Site Creators
- Focus on the ongoing value: new content added regularly, the supportive community, and continuous access to resources.
- Mention exclusive member-only content or live Q&A sessions that flash sale purchasers will immediately gain access to.
- Highlight how the membership model provides consistent support for student success beyond a one-time course purchase.
Cohort-Based Course Creators
- Emphasize the unique benefits of live interaction, peer learning, and direct access to you as the instructor within a structured cohort.
- Clearly state the next cohort's start date and any limited cohort size to reinforce urgency and exclusivity.
- Highlight how the accountability and structured progress of a cohort significantly boost student success and completion rates compared to self-paced options.
Self-Paced Course Creators
- Focus on the flexibility and convenience of learning at one's own speed, perfect for busy course creators with unpredictable schedules.
- Highlight the benefit of lifetime access to the course content and any future updates, making it a 'buy once, benefit forever' proposition.
- Emphasize how the self-paced format allows students to integrate learning into their existing workflow without external deadlines, improving their personal completion rates.
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