Is there someone on this planet whose inbox isn’t flooded with emails? Given the sheer volume of emails people receive daily, making your brand’s messages stand out can be challenging. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we will show you effective email marketing campaigns examples and guide you on what to consider when crafting your future campaigns.
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An email marketing campaign is the process of sending a single email or a series of emails to your subscribers, with a particular goal in mind.
It’s important to understand that an email campaign is most often integrated into a broader marketing strategy that can include other types of advertisement like paid ads, social media, etc. These campaigns can serve various purposes, such as raising brand awareness, nurturing leads, driving website traffic, or boosting sales.
Some of the common types of emails marketing campaigns you can stumble upon are:
Sending purposefully crafted emails, rather than sporadic messages, can enhance brand awareness, boost your credibility, and offer numerous other benefits of email marketing. Moreover, people generally are more inclined to support businesses or freelancers with whom they have a connection.
Additionally, email marketing campaigns serve as an effective tool for gaining a deeper understanding of how your audience interacts with your content. By tracking key email metrics such as bounce rate, click-to-open rate, and unsubscribe rate, you can make improvements on your subject line, copy, layout, and send time, leading to better outcomes.
We’ve gathered some of the best email campaigns that can inspire you as you develop your own strategies and ideas. These email campaign examples are thoughtfully organized into categories to help you easily find the ones that suit your business needs at different times.
🔥 Learn the key elements and strategies to stand out in your readers’ inboxes with our tips for crafting high-performing email campaigns.
When it comes to lead nurturing, drip campaigns are crucial. These automated email sequences provide timely, relevant content to prospects based on specific actions they’ve taken, with the aim of guiding them further down the sales funnel.
Here are some of the best email campaign examples to inspire you when a customer makes their first purchase, when you’re launching a new product, or when you want to gather feedback on your products and services.
Subject line: Welcome! Here’s how to get started.
Welcome emails are a great way to kick off customer relationships when they join your email list, and the video streaming platform Vimeo utilizes them well.
What makes this email stand out: the skillful application of visual elements to engage the reader. The inverted pyramid layout starts with a captivating image at the top, immediately drawing the reader in and smoothly guiding their attention toward the primary goal – exploring their website, which will lead to more traffic.
The brand also incorporated images to highlight its services, including clear call-to-action (CTA) phrases that simplify the exploration of the specific service. The simple copywriting makes things sound so easy that anyone will feel like clicking the final CTA. It’s a great example of moving the user further into the customer journey.
The email concludes with another inverted pyramid layout, elegantly closing the framework and prompting readers to take action once more – this time, encouraging them to find their muse, again boosting website traffic.
Subject line: Thinking about Surreal?
Surreal not only provides out-of-this-world cereal, but their emails are equally impressive. The brand often relies on the principle that “a little laugh can’t hurt anybody,” and they nailed it once again.
What makes this email stand out: it doesn’t feel like an abandoned cart email. The headline pun “Grab breakfast by the bowls” is clever and bold, capturing the reader’s attention instantly and encouraging them to rethink their breakfast choice.
The message afterwards humorously suggests alternatives like oats or even spaghetti but quickly brings it back to why Surreal is a better choice. Followed by a vibrant and funny “Feed Me” CTA button, inviting the customer to return and complete their purchase.
The lighthearted, quirky tone carries through to the chart below, where Surreal demonstrates how it surpasses competitors with the health benefits of its cereal. The section wraps up with another humorous call to action, reminding you that this is, after all, an abandoned cart email.
Subject line: Got opinions? We’re all ears
Receiving feedback is essential for business improvement, yet many people postpone providing it, particularly when it involves completing a survey sent to their email inbox.
What makes this email stand out: its simplicity and direct approach. Not every email needs to be flashy to capture attention. Google recognizes that surveys aren’t always a preferred task, so they effectively communicate that it “will take less time than watching our latest YouTube Short.” This clever comparison entices readers with the idea that the survey will be quick and effortless, while also sparking curiosity about the latest Short. Genius!
Subject line: Complete Your Look
After a purchase, timely follow-up emails can introduce complementary items. Cross-selling and upselling leverage the excitement of the initial purchase and can lead to additional sales.
What makes this email stand out: Adidas’s masterful use of wordplay. The email begins by thanking the customer for their recent purchase, but cleverly suggests their look might not be complete through an animated headline with initially missing letters.
The sports apparel brand then recommends a few products that would complement the customer’s purchase. They opted for a minimalist approach, avoiding any pushy sales tactics, as there are no visible CTA buttons. Instead, they made the images clickable, encouraging the reader to “click to pick” whatever they like.
Subject line: An update on your subscription renewal and pricing
You might think it’s hard to appreciate an email from a company whose services you’ve used and then canceled. However, the mobile payment app Venmo is here to prove they deserve a second chance.
What makes this email stand out: re-engage the customer by promoting essential “never get old” features, while emphasizing that they have been “freshened up,” so that they spark curiosity. The use of the phrase “latest bells and whistles” further highlights the special features added to the product, enticing customers to see if they live up to the promise.
The email is designed with a simple one-column layout, ensuring readability on mobile devices, which aligns with the application’s intended mobile use. This layout also helps to highlight the new features, which are briefly explained with relevant and intriguing to the customers descriptions like “fast forward payday” and “pay in apps you love.”
The design takes a similar approach to Vimeo’s welcome email, using various graphics to showcase the platform’s new features. Clear call-to-action (CTA) phrases are included to simplify the exploration process.
Informational campaigns are designed to educate, recognize, or engage readers, gradually turning them into loyal customers. They allow you to connect with both existing and potential clients by sharing valuable insights or offering something special, all while subtly promoting your products or services.
Here are some of the best email campaigns to inspire you when you’re looking for ways to keep your audience engaged.
Subject line: 3-2-1: How to time travel, the power of reading, and being grateful when you don’t have what you want
The habits guru and best-selling author James Clear sends out a newsletter every Thursday featuring 3 short ideas from him, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question for readers to ponder. His newsletter is an excellent example of how an all-text message can be both elegant and engaging, without relying on visual elements.
What makes this email stand out: its direct approach, effectively engaging readers by highlighting the value they will gain from reading the email. Strategically placed headings help maintain the reader’s attention, while the short sentences and paragraphs ensure easy readability.
While some argue that adding social media links within emails isn’t effective, James Clear demonstrates how to do it right. By inviting readers to share their thoughts on social media, he not only fosters engagement but also enhances his online presence. This approach shows that, when integrated thoughtfully, social media links can extend the conversation beyond the inbox and build a stronger connection with your audience.
Subject line: 5 city guides for your next long weekend away
Who doesn’t love a quick getaway without the hassle of planning? Recognizing this, one of the most popular travel marketplaces, Booking, created tailored travel guides for their email subscribers.
What makes this email stand out: the creative use of visual design. By pairing color blocks with city images, it creates a visually pleasing experience without overwhelming the reader. The CTA buttons are stacked in a way that follows a natural flow, guiding readers to either the complete city guide or the accommodation options on the website, effectively driving more traffic to both.
Additionally, if none of the featured destinations appeal to you, Booking has smartly integrated a search bar. This feature not only allows readers to explore other options but also directs them to the website, increasing traffic. The search bar enhances user experience by providing immediate access to personalized travel searches, making the email both functional and engaging.
Subject line: I scream you scream…
Providing your audience with a step-by-step or how-to guide is a great strategy for retaining customers and turning them into brand ambassadors. This delightful ice cream recipe from the dairy-free milk brand, Bored Cow, taps into nostalgia by featuring the universal love for ice cream
What makes this email stand out: the masterful use of a pop culture reference, instantly capturing attention with a nostalgic, song-themed subject line: “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream.” This clever nod not only grabs the reader’s interest but also creates a personal connection by evoking fond memories.
The email further distinguishes itself with a well-designed layout that includes vibrant graphics and 3D call-to-action buttons, enhancing the overall childhood feel. The inclusion of a difficulty level bar underscores the simplicity of the recipe, encouraging readers to dive into memory land while preparing the ice cream.
The brand also thought about those who aren’t ice cream enthusiasts or don’t catch the reference, by offering milkshake recipes. They are prominently displayed against a white background, distinct from the rest of the email, ensuring the reader’s eye won’t miss them.
Subject line: EXCLUSIVE: Embarrassing photos of Duo inside 😈
Name a better occasion to remind all your customers of your brand than an anniversary celebration. The language education platform, Duolingo, used this opportunity to highlight key milestones while promoting its services in a clever and engaging way.
What makes this email stand out: the storytelling approach, which draws readers in and keeps them engaged. A powerful brand story has the potential to boost customer loyalty by 20%.
Duolingo, famous for its playful and lighthearted brand voice, infuses humor right from the subject line by teasing “embarrassing” photos of its main character, Duo. The use of the word “EXCLUSIVE” enhances the sense of connection between the users and the brand, fostering a community feel. Even if readers suspect the brand is joking, it’s a clever way to add intrigue and entice recipients to open the email.
Additionally, eye-catching visuals and a zig-zag pattern make the email easy to skim, allowing information to be conveyed quickly and effectively.
Subject line: We give you a reason to stick around, promise!
Many brands use gamification as part of their strategy to keep clients engaged and to boost sales, and the Japanese snack brand Bokksu has also embraced this trend.
What makes this email stand out: its vibrant and joyful look while using only two colors – orange and white. When used in an email, orange gives the energy and brightness of red but with a softer edge, making it less intense and easier to get along with. It’s a warm color that can get people interested.
The brand masterfully incorporated two shades of orange, using the more intense shade for the CTA buttons to signal attention, while the softer shade conveys a calm, joyful vibe. This approach highlights the importance and impact of colors in email marketing.
For the content, the subject line should pique recipients’ curiosity about what’s inside while accurately setting expectations. Bokksu successfully fulfilled their promise of “We give you a reason to stick” by clearly outlining the benefits of their loyalty programs in a straightforward one-column layout.
Promotional campaigns tend to include sales-driven emails, which typically include a call to action, encouraging readers to take specific actions.
Here are some of the best email campaigns to inspire you the next time you want to announce a product launch, promote limited-time sales, or run a seasonal campaign.
Subject line: Roses are Red, & These Plants Are Too!
When you think of “holiday email marketing” your mind might jump straight to Christmas, but there are other holidays sprinkled throughout the rest of the year that you can create campaigns around.
What makes this email stand out: the brand thought about every little detail – from the header image to the CTA button. As Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, using red is ideal – associated with strong emotions, it’s a color that commands attention and is meant to be noticed. It shouts ‘look at me” and adds a sense of enthusiasm and boldness to anything it’s applied to.
The strategically placed phrase “and they’ll last a lot longer” highlights the benefits of buying this product (a plant) rather than its competitors (a soon-to-die flower). When trying to sell your products, it would be hard not to provide visuals so that the reader gets an idea of what to expect. However, if the appealing images don’t do the trick for you, the catchy and amusing plant descriptions are what would convince you to buy!
Subject line: Our new product sucks…
You probably wouldn’t think to promote your new product by stating that it sucks. But let’s be honest. Wouldn’t you be intrigued to open the email and see what the problem is? Fellow is a brand dedicated to making coffee a pleasant experience without the clunky equipment.
What makes this email stand out: the playful, tongue-in-cheek approach undertaken to promote a product. The new Electric Atmos is designed to remove air from your coffee beans – and yes, it “sucks,” but in the best way possible.
The zig-zag layout, paired with a black-and-white color scheme, creates an elegant and minimalist aesthetic that complements the subtle humor and highlights the product images. The email wraps up with the playful phrase “They’re all keepers,” cleverly underscoring the product’s ability to keep your coffee fresh for as long as possible.
Subject line: We’re starstruck ⭐️
Showcasing positive client reviews is always a smart move – it boosts your brand’s reputation and encourages potential customers to try your products. Mode Chocolate, known for its zero-added sugar treats, nails this with a simple design and captivating graphics.
What makes this email stand out: it tells a story even though it’s a promotional email. The opening line, “A little sweet talk,” sets the stage for customer reviews that likely praise the delicious treat. The three-dimensional graphics of spilling chocolate enhance the narrative, making you almost taste the chocolate the email promotes.
The use of purple, with its unique blend of warm and cool tones, is a great choice, as purple is known to spark curiosity. This blend of colors also helps clearly distinguish the two sections – the reviews and the products – and highlights the featured chocolates bars.
Subject line: Lemon Blueberry Giveaway! 🍋
Often, a bold subject line is needed to capture readers’ attention. However, when offering discounts or giveaways, being direct can be just as effective. Honey Mama’s, known for its healthy candy bars, ran a giveaway campaign that grabbed attention with its straightforward subject line, encouraging immediate engagement.
What makes this email stand out: it effectively leverages email marketing to boost social media channels. The email provides just enough information to entice you to participate and is intriguing enough to prompt a click on the strategically placed CTA button.
The header image helps visualize what you might miss out on if you don’t participate, enhanced by yellow stars that add a sense of joy and warmth. The phrase “two winners” provides a feeling of excitement, imagining you can be one of these lucky people. The use of yellow brings enthusiasm and optimism to the email, making it perfect for highlighting the urgency to join now.
Subject line: Prime Deals Start Now: 20% Off
And the last email that we’ll take a look at is from the bubble tea company, Pearly, which decided to make their customers happy by offering a limited-time sale.
What makes this email stand out: it screams urgency – from the subject line to the purple label stating “48 hours only.” If you didn’t get the idea that you should be running to catch the discounts, the strategically placed heading “unbeatable deals for only 48 hours” is there to remind you.
They have categorized their bubble bundles starting from beginners to more advanced customers, ensuring that none of their audience feels left out. They have also strategically crossed out the old prices and put the new ones in bold and bigger fonts, so you see that their discounts are worth taking advantage of.
Additionally, using bullet points helps readers easily understand and retain the information. If you’re convinced to purchase the bundle, the darker CTA button, prominently displayed against the warmer purple background, is designed to catch your eye.
Are you inspired by the creative email marketing campaign examples we just shared and eager to create your own? Take a look at how you can seamlessly craft email campaigns using the SiteGround Email Marketing Platform 👇🏼
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Junior Marketing Specialist
A nature lover and sunset chaser who also happens to speak French and occasionally dabbles in writing marketing content.
Dilyana Kodjamanova
Digital Marketing Specialist
Ilina Dobreva
Marketing Expert
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