Email marketing is a tricky business. That’s because there are so many moving parts in a single email marketing strategy. Yet small as they are, they have a huge impact on whether your campaign succeeds or not.
Here’s the deal:
It’s important that you study email marketing samples – both the good and the bad. This will help you pick the email marketing tips that work and drop practices that don’t.
This article will focus on some of the most successful email marketing campaigns out there.
But first, let’s look at a few factors that contribute to an effective email marketing strategy.
Effective Email Marketing Examples – What They All Have In Common
It’s never an easy task to attract, engage, and convert prospects via email.
Let’s face it, everyone’s inbox is full to overflowing. And every email in there is clamoring for time and attention. Unfortunately, your emails stand the risk of not being opened, like 80% of emails sent in a year.
So what do those emails that get opened have in common?
Email Design
Human beings are visual beings.
We are all attracted to good looking things, and emails are no different.
Email designs play a big role in the way subscribers interact with them. Emails that are just a wall of text for one are a major cause for many emails ending up in a virtual garbage dump.
Instead, spice up your emails with:
- images
- emoji
- GIFs
- video content
But make sure your media of choice doesn’t end up becoming a distraction.
Another design factor that you’ll find in successful email marketing campaigns is that certain email templates perform better than others. As a marketer, business owner, or blogger, invest in email templates that drive results. Even if they may cost more, they’ll pay for themselves in the long run.
Email Copy
One of the most important components of an email is the copy. After all, it’s the reason you are sending out emails in the first place. Investing time and money in ensuring that your copy converts well is one of the best investments you can make for your email campaign.
In order to craft the best copy for your email marketing campaigns, you will first have to study the type of copy that performs well in your industry or niche. For some, short copy works best while for others, long-form drives more conversions. It’s simply a matter of understanding your audience and their needs.
Speaking of email copy, one of the most important aspects to consider (and work on) is personalization. From the subject line to the content, your recipient must feel that the email was written specifically for them. This will help you gain their trust and cause them to look forward to your emails.
Clear Call to Action
Every email, no matter the industry, has one purpose – to get the recipient to take action.
You will notice, as we look at our email marketing examples, that emails with the highest click-through rates are those that have a CTA you can’t ignore. Not only is it clear, but it is also crafted to elicit a click – both in the way it is designed and in the way it is worded.
A Drip Strategy
Drip email marketing campaigns may take a lot of effort to set up, but the results they drive are definitely worth it. Sending targeted emails to subscribers who have taken a particular action on your website or in a previous email has been known to increase engagement and conversion rates. This is because a drip strategy gives you the power to lead a subscriber through the customer journey without being too pushy.
These 4 elements are just but a few of the most important elements you need to work on in order to see great results in your email campaigns.
Let’s dive in to what you came for: the best email marketing examples.
How to Do Email Marketing Right – 9 Email Marketing Examples to Emulate
Looking for tips on how to do email marketing the right way?
It’s simple.
Swipe the email marketing strategies of effective campaigns.
Fortunately for you, we know you don’t have the time to open every email that comes into your inbox and put them all under the microscope. So we’ve pulled some of the most effective email marketing campaigns in various industries for you!
1. BuzzFeed
There’s a reason BuzzFeed has become one of the most popular websites in the world. Well, maybe several, such as publishing “buzz-worthy” content that earns many social shares.
But one of BuzzFeed’s greatest tools for growth (and retaining subscribers) is their effective email marketing strategy.
BuzzFeed has nailed nearly every element (if not all) of their email campaign. From the design of their emails to the short, punchy, and curiosity-arousing subject line to the content itself, everything about their emails elicits a response from the recipient.
One thing that BuzzFeed has done exceptionally well with their emails is that they have turned them into a continuation of their website. Switching between email and website is a seamless experience as they are both branded the same and offer complimentary and relevant content the user relates to. This is where many businesses lose subscribers. If a subscriber can’t relate your email to your website, it’s highly likely they won’t bother with your email when it drops into their inbox
If there’s one email marketing tip you should glean from BuzzFeed’s example, it’s this – use your emails as an extension of your website. It will keep them engaged.
2. Uber
Uber is one company that deserves an award for being one of the fastest growing companies in the world. One thing to love about their example is that they took the very same elements that caused their company to grow and applied them to their email marketing strategy.
I know what you’re thinking – Uber is a transport service company and that has nothing to do with effective email marketing.
No. Uber is not in the transportation business. They are in the convenience business.
The reason Uber is so successful is that they realized that many people need a speedy, reliable, and convenient solution to their transportation problems. They decided to fill that need. And that same model has helped fuel their email marketing campaigns.
Their emails, are short, to the point, and convenient to read on the go.
This has led to their emails generating a lot of engagement, which is a win as far as email marketing is concerned. Uber’s is probably one of the best B2C email marketing examples out there. Short, sweet, and relevant.
3. AutoPilot
When it comes to welcome emails, no one does it better than AutoPilot.
While the first email you get from them is plain text – save the CMO’s headshot, it is a well-designed email with brilliant copy.
Design-wise, they went with a minimalist approach but it works very well. The text is also designed in such a way that it forms a subtle funnel that points to the call to action. You definitely won’t miss it.
The best part about the email is that it manages to transform a rather boring topic (email automation) into an exciting adventure by using colorful language.
The lesson from Autopilot?
Turn a boring topic into an exciting journey your subscribers will follow you on.
4. Adobe
Want to inspire people to take the next step down your funnel?
Then take a cue from Adobe.
Their emails are usually short and direct in pointing you to the next step. Of course, being a company that deals in image creation, their emails usually have large images. But their images are cleverly designed to capture your attention and point you to the CTA at the bottom.
What can we learn from Adobe’s email marketing strategy?
Simplicity always outdoes complexity. Keep your emails simple and focused on one thing.
5. DropBox
DropBox is a cloud service provider that experienced a lot of customers jumping ship. Perhaps you are one of them. If you are, you’ve probably received an email from the company reminding you that they still exist.
But DropBox’s email is more than a reminder, it is filled with a lot of psychological triggers designed to give the company another try.
DropBox’s is a one of the best email marketing examples of the power of psychological warfare.
From the imagery to the language, the email tugs at your emotions, all designed to lead you to click the CTA. Although this tactic certainly won’t work on everyone, it definitely does help with conversions.
Focus on touching your subscribers emotionally, not intellectually. People are moved by emotions more than they are moved by logic. That’s why storytelling is a very powerful marketing strategy.
6. Zapier
If you’re looking for a good drip email marketing example, Zapier has a good one to swipe.
Upon signing up for any of their services, Zapier sends out a brief but very informative email to onboard new subscribers. The email highlights the action you took on their website (gaining your trust) and then goes on to offer a few resources to help you on your journey (building relationship).
With each step you take down their funnel, there’s always another (automated) email to walk you down the funnel.
Zapier’s is a great example of the power of automation done right. By harnessing the power of technology to create a powerful drip system, they are able to build an engaged list of subscribers.
7. Twitter
Another company that takes the drip model seriously is Twitter. So much so that they use it in reverse. That is to say, they send you an email when you are mentioned in a story or someone you follow posts something. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy getting attention from their followers on social media?
While Twitter’s version of drip emailing doesn’t work for many business models, it’s still something worth keeping in your swipe file.
What’s the lesson from Twitter’s drip strategy?
Creating your own twist on popular email marketing tactics can help you stand out from the crowd.
8. Amazon
Amazon is the second largest company in the world by market value. That’s because they are very good at what they do – selling.
One key strategy that drives their sales is their email marketing strategy.
Amazon sends targeted emails with deals on similar products you browsed or purchased. This is a simple yet effective strategy that you can implement if you run an e-commerce store or any other kind of B2C business with many products. It helps you to easily cross and upsell products as your subscribers are already warm leads.
9. Puma
Let’s face it. There are times people will unsubscribe from your list. It hurts I know.
However, there is always a way to re-engage an unsubscriber.
And sports goods retailer Puma shows us just how.
On their unsubscribe confirmation page they present an opportunity to re-subscribe. And they use a well-crafted copy for that too.
Of all the email marketing tips, this is one that is probably the least used, yet it can save you from losing a subscriber (and potential revenue).
Instead of using your unsubscribe page as an exit door, turn it into an opportunity to reclaim your prospect or to learn why they have opted to unsubscribe.
Effective Email Marketing Examples – Follow their Lead
There’s so much we can learn from those who are crushing it with their email marketing campaigns. Before you throw the towel on email marketing, evaluate your strategy, adapt what works for others, and give it another go.
Contact us for your Email Marketing services.
Which email marketing examples do you want to try or have already tried?
Let us know in the comments below!