Did you know that over 361 billion promotional and transactional emails are sent daily? That figure is projected to reach 476 billion by the end of 2025. Email marketing strategies are evolving every day. So, what worked a few years ago might not bear the same result today. However, email remains the most effective business communication channel, boasting average returns of $42 for every dollar spent.
Therefore, an email marketing strategy is important for every business, big or small. Email marketing is the most cost-effective tool to promote your products and services, communicate with customers, and reach your business goals. In this article, we explore the fundamentals of email marketing campaigns and share top examples to help you get started.
What is an Email Marketing Campaign?
An email marketing campaign is a scheduled email sequence that generates leads, nurtures existing customer relationships, and converts prospects into paying customers. Each message in an email series serves a specific purpose aimed at guiding customers through various stages of the buyer’s funnel.
From getting new subscribers to sign up for your email newsletters to scheduling meetings, buying a product from your website, or reviewing your services, email marketing serves various purposes. Effective campaigns often guide recipients to well-designed landing pages, ensuring a seamless transition from email content to desired actions.
Emails are an essential part of inbound marketing efforts, which is an ongoing process where marketers meet buyers at different stages of their consumer journeys. The core principle of inbound marketing is that not everyone is ready to make a purchase just yet. However, with proper communication, your chances of convincing prospects to buy from you increase substantially. A well-crafted email campaign can engage subscribers and increase your click-through rate.
However, email marketing is not an invitation to send unsolicited messages. And you always want to send subscribers valuable information. The goal is to strike up and nurture a conversation with customers. So, the last thing you want to do is feel like an unwelcome guest in recipients’ inboxes.
15 Excellent Email Marketing Campaign Examples
A successful email marketing campaign never loses sight of the goal. Here are the 15 best examples to help you understand the fundamentals:
Netflix
This email from Netflix offers a curated list of shows based on customers’ interests. It is skimmable, has sufficient open areas, and has a bold CTA asking subscribers to set a reminder. The bold call to action is the highlight of this email campaign. Don’t miss the cheeky “Watch Trailer” button that takes users to the video streaming platform.
AutoTrader
This informational email from AutoTrader entices customers to stay subscribed to their newsletter. The email clearly states its intentions and expectations but leaves the reader to make the final call. The clear headline, relevant content, and user-friendly design are its highlights. The red CTA button is hard to miss and it leads users to a decisive action.
Lita Lewis Fitness
Fitness trainer Lita Lewis announced her new exercise program through this innovative campaign. If you always wondered what the best email marketing campaigns look like, this is a great example. For starters, the email is personable, easy to read, and feels like we’re talking to an old friend. The “Join Now” CTA tells readers what to do next.
Starbucks
Animated emails obviously look better. However, you risk losing email subscribers still using plain text emails. For the rest of us, these are highly effective email marketing campaigns. Starbucks removes the boring from their coffee ad by minimizing the text but making the offer hard to miss.
Venmo
Venmo’s target audience is inactive subscribers in this innovative email content marketing sample. The company highlights its most recent benefits to try to persuade readers. The copy is brief but provides sufficient details to help readers make up their minds. Subtle inclusions, such as the “Explore Venmo” CTA and the benefit-oriented body copy, make it an overall welcoming read.
Litmus
This is another great example of email campaigns using simple animation. While static text is great for an HTML email, it might look monotonous for modern-day. Litmus uses eye-catching yet subtle animations to woo subscribers. The overall creative, from email subject lines and headings to copy, design, and animation, fits neatly into a package.
Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods uses one of the oldest tricks in the copywriter’s handbook to entice customers with their high-performing campaigns. This mail cleverly creates a sense of urgency with the call to action while focusing on the importance of taking immediate action. The message is clear: “Shop the Sale” now or risk missing out. Classic FOMO tactics!
Harpoon Brewery
Email personalization distinguishes robotic campaigns from thoughtful ones. This email from Harpoon Brewery is the perfect example of what personalized emails should look like. From the heartfelt birthday wish to the subtle reminder to keep their fridge stocked, this individual email is uniquely personable and best describes what effective email campaigns look like.
Buoy
Asking for help is not for the weak-hearted. This powerful headline grabs attention instantly, influencing the target audience to read the rest of the message. This email from Buoy appeals to customers buy their products for a noble cause. It inspires people to take action and indirectly be a part of something greater than mere consumerism.
Uber
The beauty of this Uber campaign is simplicity and a mobile-friendly email template. The important information is provided over the fold and the initial description relates with the CTA. It’s ideal for readers who like to skim to the end of a long paragraph after reading the first two sentences. Uber maintains brand consistency with this email campaign while clarifying the value proposition.
theSkimm
What we love about this theSkimm newsletter is the simple layout and the use of pastel hues. Notice the use of white areas to spread out the message, while the headline neatly states the purpose of this email campaign. This email message works for various senders. For example, if your business model requires you to store customer data, you can use these types of email templates to send personalized messages to customers.
Birchbox
This email marketing campaign from makeup subscription service Birchbox is a great example of co-marketing campaigns. The discount code Birchbox offers is actually for Rent the Runway, an eCommerce platform for renting, subscribing, or buying designer apparel and accessories. While the content is text-heavy, it is easy to read and resembles a conversation with an acquaintance.
Postmates
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Who doesn’t like GIFs? They are eye-catching, relatable, and fun to watch. This rotating plate of tortilla chips is part of an entertaining email campaign by logistics platform Postmates promoting their services. The highlight of this email is that the message revolves around their core services and catches the reader’s attention in the very first second. Notice how the rest of the email is plain compared to the GIF. That’s done on purpose to prevent distractions.
Dropbox
Relating to a promotional email is difficult when you haven’t used the product. Dropbox does a great job of persuading potential customers to try its services with clear, actionable, and polite copy. Pay attention to how Dropbox uses the grid layout to showcase the template library. This helps readers visualize what the company is promoting instead of imagining the product.
Spotify
Spotify is renowned for sending personalized emails and this one is no exception. From the email subject line to the body copy, the content is professional yet personable. The palette deviates from Spotify’s brand color to put the spotlight on the album cover. This email is a great example of businesses trying something new in their marketing campaigns.
Take Your Email Campaigns to the Next Level
In an era where email marketing continues to evolve, it’s essential to remain at the forefront by implementing creative strategies that connect with your audience. These 15 email marketing campaign examples we’ve explored above highlight the importance of personalization, creativity, and clear calls to action. Whether you are curating content like Netflix, creating a sense of urgency like Uncommon Goods, or leveraging simplicity like Uber, these examples provide a blueprint for crafting effective email campaigns.
With email marketing’s high ROI and its ability to build and nurture customer relationships, integrating these strategies into your campaigns can significantly enhance your marketing efforts. Remember, the key is to deliver value, maintain relevance, and foster engagement with your audience. Book a discovery call today to learn how the experts at Email Industries can help elevate your email marketing campaigns, improve customer engagement, and boost revenue.
Marketing at Email Industries