Brilliant Email Marketing Campaign Examples
Email remains one of the most effective marketing channels for businesses of all sizes. However, standing out in an oversaturated market requires highly creative email campaigns. Here are some examples of brilliant campaigns that raised the bar for email marketing.
Airbnb’s Valentine’s Day Email
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Airbnb sent subscribers an email with an illustrated story about the unexpected love story behind their own home. The personal tale included prompts for recipients to click a button to read the “unique love story “of their own address. This simple,curious and personalized story elevated an ordinary promotional email.
Barnes & Noble’s Warm Fuzzy Hat Day
Bookstore chain Barnes & Noblecreated a fictitious holiday called “Warm Fuzzy Hat Day” and encouraged subscribers tosend an email to a loved one to “spread the Warm Fuzzy Feeling this year.”The catch? BN supplied just a subject line.Recipients had to craft their own personalized message.This clever campaign highlighted BN’s role as a facilitator of human connection, while driving shares and subscriber growth.
Dell’s Self-Deprecating Newsletter
Dell published a humorous newsletter for subscribers informing them their computers were now officially” relics.”The company jokingly described subscribers’ Dell devices as”clunkers”and “dinosaurs” beforeoffering good-natured deals onnewer models.Instead of forcibly selling its latest products, Dell embracesubtle self-deprecating humor to make an honest pitch.The campaign went viral for its refreshing approach.
Casper’s “Please Read This” Subject Line
Mattress brand Casper sent an email with the simple yet intriguing subject line “Please Read This.”The body text then revealed,”It’s an email. We hope you enjoy it anyway.”The lighthearted campaign highlighted Casper’s brand personality while drawing manyopens and social shares for subverting expectations. The email proved that “please read” subject lines can still cut through the noise when utilized creatively.
Apple’s “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” Email
Apple’s “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” Email – Apple’s famous “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” advertising campaign carried over into clever email marketing. Messages featured the Mac and PC characters bickering good-naturedly about Apple products in an entertaining yet informative way.
Starbucks’ Pink Drink Email
When Starbucks’ Pink Drink craze began on social media, the coffee chain capitalized by sending an email recommending customers “pinterest” in the new drink. The play on words captured the online buzz in a creative and relevant email.
Netflix’s Choose Your Own Adventure Email
Netflix sent subscribers an interactive “choose your own adventure” email. Recipients there could pick from two movie options at multiple decision points. The email followed a story-like path tailored to the choices made, highlighting Netflix’s huge content selection in an immersive way.
W Hotels’ Secret Menu Email
W Hotels created an “insider’s guide” email with a secret hotel menu of perks only available if subscribers mentioned the email. The novelty and exclusivity of the offer incentivized both opens and in-hotel promotion.
Glossier’s “I Hate Writing Emails” Email
Beauty brand Glossier sent an email that playfully admitted “we hate writing emails”. This was before highlighting new products in an intentionally casual, to-the-point style. The self-aware and concise tone aligned perfectly with Glossier’s young, authentic brand image.
In summary, these email marketing examples showcase the impact of clever and thoughtful creative execution. Indeed, effective campaigns leverage elements of story, humor and personality to forge memorable connections with customers. Stale templates and generic promotions won’t drive results – only innovative and insightful email creativity will break through today’s overloaded inboxes.