10+ Winning Examples of Email Marketing That Make Sales in 2023

Email marketing remains a potent tool for businesses to connect with their audience and drive sales. In our blog, we delve into a curated selection of examples of email marketing that excel in engaging customers and generating revenue. These real-world examples showcase the strategies and tactics employed by leading brands to create effective email marketing campaigns that not only capture attention but also drive conversions

1. Buzzfeed’s Double Opt-In Confirmation

Subject: Confirm your This Week In Cats subscription now!

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Buzzfeed‘s email stands out as a confirmation email due to its entertaining and engaging approach. Unlike typical confirmation emails that are purely functional, Buzzfeed infuses its brand personality into the message. The subject line, “Confirm your This Week In Cats subscription now!” is both clear and intriguing, prompting subscribers to take action. Therefore, it is definitely one of the greatest email marketing case studies.

• Goal

The primary goal of this email is to verify new subscribers’ email addresses, which is essential for maintaining a clean email list and ensuring email deliverability. It leverages the double opt-in method to confirm that subscribers are real people.

• Key Elements

• Engagement: Buzzfeed keeps subscribers engaged by incorporating humor and a cat image, aligning with its brand identity focused on entertaining content. This engagement email strategy is particularly effective for retaining subscribers who are already familiar with Buzzfeed’s tone and style.
• Clear CTA: The email features a clear and brightly colored Call-to-Action (CTA) button that guides subscribers to complete the verification process. The visibility of the CTA is crucial for ensuring that subscribers don’t miss it.
• Opt-Out Option: Buzzfeed’s email includes an unsubscribe button, giving accidental subscribers an easy way to opt out. This respects subscribers’ preferences and promotes transparency in email communication.

2. KonMari’s Welcoming Personalization

Subject Line: “Welcome to KonMari”

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

KonMari‘s welcome email exemplifies excellence in email marketing due to its friendly and personal approach. The subject line, “Welcome to KonMari,” immediately conveys a warm greeting and sets the tone for a positive customer experience.

• Goal

The primary goal of this email is to greet and engage new customers who have signed up for KonMari’s newsletter. It aims to create a great first impression, establish a connection with subscribers, and introduce them to the essence of KonMari’s brand.

• Key Elements

• Personalization: The use of the first person in the email’s copy makes subscribers feel like they are receiving a personal message from Marie Kondo herself. This personal touch helps build a sense of connection and trust with the brand.
• Visual Appeal: KonMari’s email incorporates eye-catching visuals that align with the brand’s aesthetic, giving subscribers a taste of what they can expect from the brand’s tidying philosophy. Visual content can be a powerful tool in conveying a brand’s identity and values.
• Clear CTA: The email provides a clear Call-to-Action (CTA) by directing subscribers to explore Marie Kondo’s books and join her Instagram account for a more personalized experience. This encourages engagement and offers subscribers a clear next step.

3. EM Cosmetics’ Cart Abandonment Recovery

Subject Line: EM Cosmetics, did you forget something?

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

EM Cosmetics‘ cart abandonment email stands out due to its personalized and compelling approach. The subject line, “EM Cosmetics, did you forget something?” immediately captures the recipient’s attention and addresses them directly. Personalization is a powerful tool in email marketing, and using the subscriber’s name can significantly increase email open rates.

• Goal

The primary goal of this email is to recover potentially lost revenue by encouraging customers who abandoned their shopping carts to complete their purchases. Cart abandonment is a common issue in e-commerce, and this email aims to re-engage potential customers and convince them to finalize their orders.

• Key Elements

• Personalization: The use of the subscriber’s name creates a personalized connection, making the email more relevant and engaging for the recipient.
• Urgency: The email introduces a sense of urgency by urging customers not to let their desired products “end up with someone else.” This can prompt quick action and decision-making.
• Incentive: EM Cosmetics offers a 10% discount as an incentive to encourage customers to click and complete their purchase. Discounts and promotions are effective strategies to motivate hesitant shoppers.

4. Hootsuite’s Blog Update Campaign

Subject Line: The secret to a more effective social marketing plan?

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Hootsuite‘s blog update email is noteworthy for its simplicity, clarity, and strategic content promotion. The subject line, “The secret to a more effective social marketing plan?” piques the recipient’s interest by offering valuable insights. It employs a direct question, engaging the B2B audience and encouraging them to explore further.

• Goal

The primary goal of this email is to increase blog traffic and educate subscribers. By updating subscribers on new blog posts and related resources, Hootsuite aims to keep its audience informed and engaged. Additionally, the email promotes a webinar, furthering the goal of educating and engaging subscribers.

• Key Elements

• Simplicity: Hootsuite’s email design favors simplicity, ensuring that the message is clear and easy to digest. The straightforward layout directs the recipient’s attention to the main blog post update and related content.
• Clear CTA Buttons: The email features clear and actionable call-to-action (CTA) buttons that guide subscribers to explore additional resources and register for the webinar. Well-defined CTAs facilitate user interaction.
• Content Promotion: In addition to the primary blog post update, Hootsuite takes advantage of the email space to promote two more pieces of content. This strategy maximizes engagement and provides subscribers with a variety of valuable resources.

Hootsuite’s blog update email effectively combines simplicity, strategic content promotion, and clear CTAs to achieve its goals of increasing blog traffic and educating subscribers. These together make it one of the best email marketing examples.

5. Amazon’s Cross-Sell Strategy

Subject Line: Your Amazon.co.uk order of “POP! Bobble: Star Wars…”

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Amazon‘s email is remarkable for seamlessly incorporating cross-selling within an order confirmation email. While the primary purpose is to confirm the customer’s order, Amazon cleverly utilizes this opportunity to cross-sell relevant items. The subject line, personalized with the customer’s order details, immediately engages the recipient’s attention.

•  Goal

The main goal of this email is to provide an order summary and encourage cross-selling to customers. By suggesting additional items related to the customer’s purchase, Amazon aims to increase the average order value and enhance the shopping experience. The section titled “Customers who bought this also bought” effectively resonates with the audience, encouraging them to explore complementary products.

• Key Elements

• Cross-Selling Integration: Amazon seamlessly integrates cross-selling within the order confirmation email, making it convenient for customers to discover and purchase related items. This strategic placement enhances the chances of customers making additional purchases.
• Personalization: The subject line is personalized with the specific order details, adding a sense of relevance and urgency. Personalization helps engage customers and draw their attention to the email content.
• Clever Copy: The use of the phrase “Customers who bought this also bought” is both clever and relatable. It creates a sense of community and trust by highlighting the preferences of other customers, encouraging the recipient to explore complementary products.

Amazon’s cross-selling email example effectively achieves its goal by suggesting relevant products in a personalized and engaging manner. 

6. Durham University’s Event Invitation

Subject Line: St Cuthbert’s Society Virtual Alumni Day 2020

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Durham University‘s email stands out due to its simplicity and effectiveness in conveying information about the virtual Alumni Day. While other emails may focus on elaborate designs, this one prioritizes a straightforward approach. The clear and concise email copy provides recipients with essential details about the event, maintaining a user-friendly format. 

• Goal

The primary objective of this email campaign is to invite alumni to express interest in the virtual event, “St Cuthbert’s Society Virtual Alumni Day 2020,” and encourage them to learn more about it. By presenting the event’s purpose and schedule in a simple and focused manner, the email aims to maximize click-through rates. 

• Key Elements

• Simplicity: Durham University’s email maintains simplicity in design and content, ensuring that the message is clear and easily digestible for recipients.
• Clear Email Copy: The email provides essential event details, including the purpose and schedule, in a concise and straightforward manner.
• Multiple CTA Buttons: The inclusion of multiple CTA buttons invites recipients to take immediate action, whether it’s exploring more details or contacting the event organizers.

Durham University’s email exemplifies effective communication through simplicity. Its straightforward approach ensures that the recipient can quickly grasp the event’s essence and respond promptly.

Examples of Email Marketing: 7. Wendy’s Mobile App Engagement

Subject Line: ⏳ Last chance for free food!

Analysis:

1. Why It’s Special 

Wendy’s email campaign stands out for its compelling and time-sensitive subject line, “Last chance for free food!” This subject line creates a sense of urgency, prompting recipients to open the email promptly to discover the enticing offer. The email’s primary focus on engaging with customers through a mobile app competition is noteworthy. The use of a well-designed newsletter image guides customers through the steps, making it user-friendly.

• Goal

The main objective of this email campaign is to encourage customers to download Wendy’s mobile app by participating in a captivating competition. Wendy’s aims to increase mobile app engagement and usage, ultimately driving brand loyalty. By leveraging the irresistible incentive of free food, the campaign seeks to not only attract new app users but also retain existing customers.

• Key Elements

• Urgent Subject Line: The subject line creates a sense of urgency, motivating recipients to take immediate action.
• Engaging Incentive: Wendy’s offers free food as a prize, a highly attractive incentive that appeals to a wide audience.
• Clear CTA and Visual Guidance: The email design uses a well-crafted newsletter image to visually guide subscribers through the app download process. A clear Call-to-Action (CTA) button directs users to find and download the app.

Wendy’s successfully utilizes email marketing to drive mobile app engagement by creating an appealing competition with a valuable prize. 

Examples of Email Marketing: 8. Audible’s Order Confirmation and Cross-Selling

Subject Line: Thanks, your order is complete

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Audible‘s order confirmation email exemplifies simplicity and effectiveness. While it may lack flashy visuals, it excels in delivering essential information in a concise and user-friendly manner. The subject line, “Thanks, your order is complete,” serves as both a confirmation and a form of gratitude, immediately reassuring the customer about their purchase. What sets this email apart is its focus on delivering a seamless post-purchase experience. 

• Goal

The primary goal of this email is to confirm the customer’s recent order, ensuring they have all the necessary details readily available. Beyond confirmation, Audible utilizes this opportunity to cross-sell relevant items to the customer. By recommending additional audiobooks under the “You might like these listens” section, Audible aims to increase sales and enhance the customer’s listening experience.

• Key Elements

• Grateful Subject Line: The subject line combines gratitude with order confirmation, setting a positive tone for the email.
• Clear and Concise Information: Audible provides a well-organized summary of the purchased items, allowing customers to quickly review their order details.
• Prominent CTA: The bright yellow CTA button stands out, encouraging customers to take immediate action and begin listening to their new audiobook.
• Strategic Cross-Selling: The “You might like these listens” section strategically recommends additional audiobooks, promoting further purchases.

Examples of Email Marketing: 9. Zendesk’s E-book Promotion for Lead Nurturing

Subject Line: “Great customer service is expected”

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Zendesk‘s email stands out for its ability to nurture B2B leads and customers effectively through content promotion. The subject line, “Great customer service is expected,” immediately sets the tone for the message. The email’s structure is well-crafted, featuring a two-paragraph format that first highlights a common issue and then provides a solution. 

• Goal

The primary goal of this email is to educate leads and customers through valuable content. By promoting an e-book, Zendesk aims to provide solutions and insights related to customer service. The inclusion of a link before the main call to action (CTA) strategically increases click-through rates and e-book downloads. The straightforward CTA encourages recipients to take immediate action, aligning with the goal of distributing educational content.

• Key Elements

• Personalization: The email’s subject line and content are personalized, creating a sense of relevance and urgency. Personalization enhances engagement and encourages recipients to explore the content further.
• Visual Appeal: Zendesk uses a high-quality image that complements the subject line and content, making the email visually appealing and engaging.
• Clear CTA: The email features a clear and straightforward CTA, guiding recipients on the desired action – downloading the e-book.

Examples of Email Marketing: 10. Blizzard’s Storytelling for Promotional Email

Subject Line: “Headmaster Kel’thuzad has chosen you as his pupil, Marilou.”

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Blizzard‘s email stands out due to its exceptional use of storytelling to engage its B2C audience. The subject line, personalized with the recipient’s name, immediately immerses them in the narrative. The email seamlessly combines visuals and storytelling to create a captivating experience. Personalization enhances the engagement, making the subscriber feel individually chosen.

• Goal

The primary goal of this email is to promote a product through storytelling. Blizzard effectively leverages the immersive narrative to introduce and promote a gaming product. By making the subscriber feel like they are part of the story, the email encourages them to explore the product further and potentially make a purchase.

• Key Elements

• Personalization: The use of the subscriber’s name in the subject line adds a personal touch, enhancing engagement and immersion in the narrative.
• Immersive Storytelling: Blizzard’s storytelling approach creates a captivating and immersive experience for the recipient, making them the hero of the story.
• Seamless CTA Integration: The CTA button is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, ensuring that the transition from storytelling to product promotion is smooth and compelling.

Examples of Email Marketing: 11. Revolut’s Refer-a-Friend Campaign

Subject Line: “🤑 Enjoy 10€ on us whenever you invite a friend.”

Analysis:

• Why It’s Special

Revolut excels in using referral marketing to enhance brand visibility and acquire new customers. The subject line immediately highlights the benefit, drawing the recipient’s attention. The email leads to a conversion-focused landing page, with personalised elements like the subscriber’s name, boosting legitimacy and driving higher conversions.

• Goal

The main goal of this email is to prompt recipients to invite friends to join Revolut’s services, either via the mobile app or a referral link. It highlights the referral benefits and simplifies the process with a shareable link, increasing user engagement.

• Key Elements

• Clear Subject Line: The subject line is concise and directly communicates the email’s purpose, highlighting the incentive for the recipient.
• Conversion-Focused Landing Page: The email leads to a well-designed landing page that not only maintains brand consistency but also incorporates personalization and social proof elements to boost conversion rates.
• Effective Branding: Revolut’s email campaign aligns with the company’s branding and website design, creating a seamless and trustworthy experience for subscribers.

Revolut’s email campaign exemplifies the effectiveness of referral marketing when executed strategically. 

Conclusion

As businesses seek to harness the power of email marketing in 2023 and beyond, it’s clear that mastering this art is essential. Surfline Media, with over 15 years of experience in the field, offers a top-tier email marketing service backed by the best expertise and cutting-edge email automation tools. Our team is dedicated to helping you craft email campaigns that not only resonate with your audience but also maximize sales and ROI. Whether you’re looking to optimize your existing email strategy or start from scratch, Surfline Media is your partner in achieving email marketing success in the ever-competitive digital landscape. Contact us no