Email marketing is a rewarding engagement tactic as it helps you convert visitors into leads and paying customers. It offers an ROI of $36 for every dollar spent. Plus, it also helps you build relationships with your existing customers. In fact, 41% of marketers admit that email is their most effective marketing channel.
In this blog, let’s look at how businesses use email to succeed. We’ll also share relevant email marketing examples and tips to help you get started. Let’s dive in!
15 Best Email Marketing Campaign Examples
Successful email marketing campaigns are a great way to build trust and nurture long-term relationships with your target audience. Email marketing emails can also be powerful channels for building a loyal customer base.
If you’re wondering what such campaigns look like, check the best marketing email examples we’ve compiled. Your inspiration for the best email marketing templates might be among them!
1. Welcome Email Template by Food52
Fun fact: 74.4% of consumers expect a welcome email.
You wouldn’t want to miss such a chance, would you?
Welcome emails are one of the oldest marketing tactics, but they perform exceptionally well. They show your appreciation for new subscribers when they sign up for your newsletter. Here is an email marketing example by Food 52 that welcomes new subscribers:
Look at the fine details of the email — particularly the pre-header. Notice the preview text “We brought snacks”.
It’s a clever hack that grabs attention instantly. It’s so simple yet so good. Plus, the email is written as a personal letter from the brand’s founder, which adds a personal connection to the entire process of welcoming a subscriber. They could’ve used the subscriber’s first name in the subject line or email header to create a deeper impact, though.
Key Takeaways
- Keep your welcome email short and simple;
- Use your pre-header cleverly to grab attention;
- Give instant value in the form of a discount code or special offer.
2. Promotional Email by Headspace
Promotional emails are marketing emails that inform your audience about a running promotion or offer. Send these email marketing ads about limited-time offers, exclusive deals, and seasonal or holiday promotions. Here’s a promotional email template example from Headspace:
The image reinforces the benefits of Headspace – enjoying a calm mindset and even reflects a positive, friendly vibe. The simple layout with a single communication – subscribers can get an extra discount if they sign up fast. The element of urgency in the subject line is subtle and effective.
Key Takeaways
- Use a positive, friendly tone to convey your message;
- Offer a clear incentive in the subject line and a bold CTA to prompt action from the recipient;
- Use a simple design to help readers follow along easily.
Pro tip: A/B test your subject lines before finalizing the best one for your email marketing campaign.
3. Effective Marketing Campaign by Forever 21
An effective marketing campaign entices users to act. And what’s a better incentive to act fast than announcing a new collection? Sending a new arrivals email is a great tactic to engage if your audience is fast-moving and trend-conscious.
Use contextual CTAs linking to the product pages to close sales in such emails to make them more effective. Here’s an example by Forever 21:
The email has personalized recommendations for all the new things at their online store. The star ratings tell the users that though the products are new, they are equally loved by shoppers with similar tastes. You can add a timer or include a limited-time discount code to make such emails more effective and encourage instant action.
Key Takeaways
- Choose a creative and aesthetically pleasing email template;
- Add links to your product pages in the email;
- Use some social proof or incentive to encourage users to check out the product on your website.
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4. Company Announcement Email Template by Clay
Share about the latest updates, upcoming promotions, media features, or any other information via an announcement email. You can also plan an announcement email marketing campaign to share updates about new feature development, release a new app, or simply announce a fresh sale. Look at this successful email marketing campaign example from Clay:
This marketing email sample shares about the Product Hunt launch and urges subscribers to support them by checking out their Product Hunt listing.
The simple email copy with a big, clear CTA button clearly states the intention of the email with just a glance – something an announcement should do. They could’ve told them more about what to expect during the launch and made it more about the reader.
Key Takeaways
- Be straightforward and clear about what you bring for the reader;
- Write shorter paragraphs – encourage the subscriber to find out more by clicking your CTA;
- Make it about the subscriber instead of yourself by sharing incentives or benefits.
5. New Article Email Template by DocuSign
New article emails inform subscribers about your website’s latest blog or article. Such emails are used to generate traffic and boost online engagement. Such emails are automatically sent every time you publish a new blog post. Look at this email marketing example by DocuSign:
Your email content should highlight the latest blog post and what it means for them as a reader, like this email. The email has a bold header announcing the new post’s topic and a clear CTA — Continue Reading to take the recipient to the website. The post-script message also makes the reader curious about the previous post.
Key Takeaways
- Automate new blog announcements using marketing automation;
- Give a glimpse into the new post that makes them want to read more;
- Send contextual blog topics to your email audience using segmentation.
6. Follow-Up Email Template by Revue
Follow-up emails help engage and nurture your leads throughout the buying process. They offer context, add value, and typically feature a call to action, such as requesting a callback or completing a survey. Here’s an example of a follow-up email by Revue:
Follow-up emails are generally sent in 2-4 days using a marketing automation solution. But notice how the email has a clear layout and conversational tone. This makes it look like a personalized follow-up effort. The contextual image adds another level of engagement to their follow-up game.
Key Takeaways
- Always personalize the follow-up email and send it as a personal note;
- Don’t add too much information in a follow-up email;
- Use a simple and minimalist layout.
7. Getting Started Email Template by Grammarly
When a visitor signs up, joins a community, or buys something for the first time, a getting started’ or onboarding email is sent. Such emails increase user delight by providing helpful information for onboarding successfully.
You can use an onboarding email to educate users, introduce them to new features, get them to complete the signup process, or provide additional offers. Here’s an onboarding email campaign example by Grammarly:
he email does a great job of sharing the next steps and making them aware of how to use Grammarly. They’ve added an option to contact at the end of the email to reassure subscribers that they’re open to feedback and available to help if they need handholding.
Key Takeaways
- Break the email content into blocks and make it appear like a tutorial;
- Add an incentive to complete the onboarding steps or share the benefits;
- Add a support or contact button/link within the email.
8. Nurturing Email Template by Framebridge
Nurturing subscribers isn’t all about sharing promotional content. It also involves adding value and helping your prospects. They’ll trust you more if you nurture leads by appearing helpful. Look at one of the better nurturing emails by Framebridge:
The email is funny and also shares valuable information with the subscriber. If that does not improve brand recall, nothing can. Using email as a tutorial to hang frames is a nice trick to make subscribers remember to order frames for their walls. Check how the CTA is placed strategically to attract clicks to their store.
Key Takeaways
- Add a CTA to invite users to explore the product;
- Personalize the content according to the buyer’s journey;
- Educate your users and show them how you simplify their lives.
9. Feedback Email Template by Sender
Email surveys are used to gather customer feedback. Gain valuable insights about customer behavior and preferences which you can use to improve your product, create an advertising campaign, or refine your offer.
By using this template, you’ll be able to understand how happy your customers are and keep track of your company’s performance over time.
If you were to include a link to a survey in an email, this would greatly benefit your business.
It’s always more expensive to acquire new customers than to keep your ones. Feedback is essential to retain your customers. If you were to send the above survey as a thank-you email and track the results, you’d gain loads of insights into how customers perceive your brand. Then, use the information to create a better product or satisfy the customers.
Key Takeaways
- Send surveys regularly to understand what your customers want;
- Use the NPS metric to keep the survey emails simple;
- Track survey results and use them to optimize your product, pricing, or offer for customer delight.
10. Event Reminder Template by General Assembly
Many people sign up for a webinar or event, yet only a fraction attend it. To help forgetful people, send event reminders by email. This will increase the turn-around ratio and push potential leads further into the buyer’s journey. Here’s a great reminder template from the Email Design Workshop:
The email design is eye-catching and straightforward. It uses a clear layout with a self-explanatory header image and webinar details. The support email mentioned at the end encourages the reader to contact in case of confusion, increasing trust.
You should also create something like this email. If it’s too much work, customize a template and use email automation to automate email reminders.
Key Takeaways
- Create an attention-grabbing design using a drag-and-drop email builder;
- Add details about the event, including date, time, and location;
- Schedule the reminders as automated drips at least a week before the event date.
11. Re-Engagement Email by Animoto
Send re-engagement emails to customers who were active before but aren’t responding to your email marketing campaign currently. When done well, these emails reduce churn rates and increase customer engagement. Here’s a re-engagement email marketing campaign from Animoto:
Animoto asks a straightforward question – Do they want to hear from the brand? Their primary goal is to entice users to take an action. The CTA asks recipients to update their email preferences if they want to continue receiving emails (or not) by redirecting them to the preference center.
Key Takeaways
- Ask inactive subscribers questions to get a response;
- Show them how they’ll benefit by staying engaged;
- Tell them how much you’ll miss them if they unsubscribe.
12. Abandoned Cart Email Template by ASOS
Customers often abandon their carts for several reasons – the website crashes, the process is complicated, or they get distracted. Abandoned cart recovery emails convert three times more than any other type of automated email marketing campaign. Here’s an example of an abandoned cart email by ASOS:
An effective abandoned cart email campaign has a clear call-to-action (CTA), like the one above. It says the stock is limited, so the chances of closing a sale are even higher. The email is designed to make the abandoned cart item preview stand out. You can also include a voucher with offers like free shipping, 10% off the whole cart, or a free item in the email.
Key Takeaways
- Have a minimalist design and play cleverly with the copy in your abandoned cart email;
- Appeal to the FOMO and remind them about what they’re missing out on;
- Add an additional incentive like a discount voucher or free shipping.
13. Product Promotion Email Template by Fast Times Skateboarding
Product promotion emails invite users to try out your product or service at a discount and help generate additional sales for your brand. They typically include a call-to-action (CTA) to check out more product details on the website. Here’s an example of a product promotion email:
The email highlights the product and its features right from the beginning. The informative product image is an attention-grabbing feature of the email. The use of product images in real settings influences the reader to think about how the product would look. Finally, the CTA would compel many people to explore more details.
Key Takeaways
- Add infographics about the utility and benefits of your product;
- Write crisp and compelling email copy that encourages readers to explore more;
- Use a simple CTA that redirects readers to the product landing page.
14. ‘Thank You’ Email Template by Austrian Airlines
Your customers want to feel appreciated, and a ‘Thank You’ email is a great way to make them feel special. You can send an email thanking the customer for their purchase, engaging with your content/website, or for their loyalty. Here’s an example of confirmation emails with a ‘Thank you’ message by Austrian Airlines:
This campaign thanks the flyer for their loyalty and provides a 25% discount on their next flying experience. The email starts with the flyer’s first name as a personalization tactic and opens with a heartfelt note.
Key Takeaways
- Keep the text short, focused, and warm in tone;
- Add images that show care, compassion, and gratitude;
- Provide a special offer or incentive when you’re thanking your subscribers.
15. Personalized Email by Trustpilot
If you’re still wondering what effective email marketing campaigns look like, consider personalized email campaigns. Including personalization in your email marketing strategy ensures that your customers receive tailored messages that resonate with their interests and preferences.
There are many ways to add a touch of personalization to your communication based on your audience’s preferences, behavior, demographics, and more. Here’s one of the personalized email marketing examples you won’t see every day:
Trustpilot personalizes its emails based not on customer behavior but on its impact. Showing how many views and clicks the review garnered engages the user and motivates them to leave even more reviews. The email is also personalized with the recipient’s name—another effective personalization tactic.
Key Takeaways
- Look at the data you have of your customers and consider how you can uniquely personalize them;
- Consider that revealing some personal information about the customer might come off as ‘creepy’ and avoid it;
- Personalizing your subject line, too, helps your emails get opened.
Email Marketing Campaign Types
The beauty of an email marketing campaign lies in its high versatility. You can connect with your audience at every stage of their buying journey, from welcome messages to new product releases. Here are the most common email campaign examples:
- Newsletter campaigns. Regular emails that provide updates, news, and valuable content to engage subscribers;
- Drip campaigns. Automated series of emails sent over time to nurture leads and guide them through the sales funnel;
- Promotional campaigns. Emails designed to promote specific products, services, or offers to drive sales;
- Transactional campaigns. Transactional emails triggered by specific actions, such as order confirmations, shipping notifications, and receipts;
- Re-engagement campaigns. Targeted emails to reconnect with inactive subscribers and revive their interest;
- Lead nurturing campaigns. Email sequences aimed at building relationships and educating leads until they’re ready to make a purchase;
- Survey and feedback campaigns. Emails designed to collect customer opinions, feedback, and insights;
- Event invitation campaigns. Invitations and reminders for upcoming events, webinars, or conferences;
- Announcement campaigns. Emails to inform subscribers about company updates, new features, or important news.
What Makes Great Email Marketing Campaigns?
According to the Content Marketing Institute, 76% of B2C marketers use email for organic distribution marketing. Even in the B2B industry, 81% of marketers use email newsletter campaigns to maximize customer engagement.
With almost all marketers turning to email to engage their customers, here are some things that separate an effective email marketing campaign from just ‘okay’ ones:
- Clear and compelling message. Your email content must be concise and persuasive. It should have a clear message resonating with your subscribers and a persuasive CTA (call-to-action) encouraging them to act. Avoid too much text and focus on the benefits you can offer.
- Personalization. Email personalization is critical to building solid customer relationships. Using your customers’ names, segmenting your audience, and tailoring your message to their interests and preferences increase engagement, stay memorable, and boost conversions.
- Responsiveness. Most emails are opened and read on smartphones, so they should be easy to read and navigate on smaller screens. Use concise subject lines, and keep the email design simple yet visually appealing.
- Measurable results. A great email campaign should be measurable, with clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs). Use email analytics to track open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and other metrics. Then, use them to optimize an email marketing campaign.
How to Create Successful Email Marketing Campaigns?
33% of marketers send weekly emails, and 26% send emails multiple times monthly. That’s too much competition for you in your subscribers’ inbox. So, how do you ensure your email is opened and read?
We’ve compiled a list of seven email marketing ‘how to’ tactics to set up for your campaign success even before you log into your email marketing software:
- Goal setting. Define your campaign objectives clearly, whether driving sales, generating leads, or retaining customers. Remember, while these goals are important, cultivating lasting customer relationships is crucial for sustained success in email marketing;
- Compelling email subject line. Craft subject lines that pique curiosity and provide value, aiming for brevity and personalization to increase open rates. Your subject line is the gateway to your message, making it irresistible and compelling to encourage subscribers to engage with your content;
- Content engagement. Use email notifications to share relevant blog content, encouraging subscribers to engage with it and share it with others. By actively involving subscribers in your content, you not only foster a sense of community but also attract new subscribers through word-of-mouth;
- Email personalization. Personalize your emails beyond just using the subscriber’s name; reference past interactions and preferences to create meaningful experiences. This level of personalization shows your subscribers that you value their individuality and understand their needs, fostering a deeper connection and enhancing their loyalty;
- Image utilization. Incorporate visually appealing images and complement them with clear, large-font text to capture attention and convey your message effectively. Visual content can significantly enhance engagement and convey information more memorable than plain text, making it essential for effective email marketing;
- Device optimization. Ensure your email designs are responsive and adapt seamlessly to various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. With the increasing prevalence of mobile devices, it’s crucial to prioritize mobile optimization and keep subject lines concise to maximize engagement across all platforms;
- CTA implementation. Include compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) that prompt subscribers to take desired actions, using persuasive language and clear instructions. A well-placed and articulated CTA can significantly impact click-through rates and conversions, guiding subscribers toward the next steps in their customer journey;
- Drag-and-drop email builder. Streamline the email creation process with user-friendly drag-and-drop email builders, enabling you to design visually appealing emails without the need for technical expertise. This tool empowers you to create professional-looking emails efficiently, freeing up your time to focus on crafting engaging content and maximizing the impact of your email marketing efforts.
Sender comes with a comprehensive email builder that you can use to create an attention-grabbing newsletter. Run your imagination free with timers to urge your subscribers, include customer reviews for social proof, catch attention with GIFs, and much more. And you can do all that for Free!
Improving Email Marketing Campaign Overtime
You saw what a successful email campaign looks like. Once you launch a few campaigns, you’ll have to start optimizing them for better results. Here are some optimization best practices for improving your campaigns:
- Respect your subscriber’s time. Most people disregard a promotional email primarily because it’s not relevant or useful for them. Save their time and add value to their life by creating contextual and relevant content. This will help you build trust over time and get better results;
- Improve your presentation skills. If you want to make emails work for you, you must create compelling email designs and invest in content presentation. Think animations, interactivity, simplicity, and attention-grabbing details. Leave your subscribers no space to doubt that your content is worth engaging with;
- Know your audience. Always remember that an email is not about your brand – it’s about your customer. Learn more about your audience and paint a clear picture – What’s their job? Ethnicity? Age? The answers will help you better understand their expectations, schedule, preferences, etc., and help you craft compelling emails that successfully hit the target;
- Highlight your brand identity. If used correctly, emails are a great way to develop a brand recall and solidify your brand identity. You can create a strong brand image in all email content you deliver through the tone, color scheme, and content presentation. Once the subscribers understand your brand’s value, they’ll be more likely to engage and convert;
- Design captivating emails. Find captivating and customizable templates that work for your brand and create emails that are easy to read and nice to look at. Sender has a rich library of free email templates to cover your needs. Find yours and customize it with their intuitive drag-and-drop builder;
- Remember that simplicity is crucial. On average, consumers spend 10 sec on brand email. So, better make this time count. Instead of beating around the bush and risking losing your reader’s interest, keep it short and engaging. If you’re worried that concise text lacks flavor, diversify the types of content in each campaign and watch email engagement yield results;
- Plan your email follow-ups. Always follow up with those who opened your initial campaign but haven’t interacted with you since. You can follow up by either sending regular emails or scheduling automated campaigns for interested prospects. You can create a single, one-time follow-up email or go full out on an elaborate drip sequence.
