Most businesses recognize that email marketing is an essential part of their success. But still, it can be difficult to decide what types of emails to send to your customers, what to say, and when to send them.
To help you, we’ve put together this list of 11 types of emails you should consider sending as part of your email marketing strategy. We’ve included sample text you can expand and adapt for your business for each type of campaign. You’ll find everything from automated abandoned cart messages to promotional offers and event reminders.
Our list assumes you are automatically sending out welcome letters to new subscribers. If you aren’t sending them out automatically, read our tips on how to write welcome letters.
1. New Product Announcements
New product announcements let your customers know about the latest products in your store or on your website. These messages can be sent as part of a general email campaign or targeted to specific customers based on their purchase history.
Example:
Subject line: Just Arrived! Chore Robots Do What You Don’t Want to Do
Hi [Name],
We are always striving to bring you products that make your life easier. And here’s our latest: it’s a new line of Chore Robots to do the everyday chores you hate doing.
Our new line of Chore Robots handles a wide variety of hated chores, from cleaning the bathtub to cleaning the cat’s litterbox. Whether you need an extra hand to load the dishwasher, take out the trash, or pick up the toys the kids left out, one of our new robots will meet your needs.
To check out our new line of Chore Robots, simply visit our website or come into our store. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you find exactly what you are looking for. We can’t wait to see what you think of our new products! Thank you for being the best part of our business.
Thanks,
The XYZ Store Team
2. Automated Abandoned Cart Messages
Email is one of the most important tools in an ecommerce business’s arsenal. So, it should come as no surprise that abandoned cart messages are a key part of many ecommerce strategies.
Abandoned cart messages are emails that are sent to customers who have started the checkout process on an ecommerce website but have not completed their purchase. These messages usually include a link back to the website so that the customer can complete their purchase. Automated emails about abandoned carts can be a powerful tool for ecommerce businesses. They can help to recover lost sales and boost customer loyalty. And, when done correctly, they can be completely automated.
Example:
Subject line: You Left Something Behind!
Hi [NAME],
We noticed that you left our website without completing your purchase.
We would hate for you to miss out on the item you were looking at, so we’ve put it on sale for a limited time. Click the link below to finish your purchase and take advantage of the sale price.
Sincerely,
The Team at Your Ecommerce Store
3. Promotional Offers
Promotional offers are a type of email used to increase sales and boost customer loyalty. However, it’s important to make sure that your promotional offers are relevant to your customers and your business.
For example, if you sell women’s clothing, you wouldn’t want to send a promotional offer for men’s clothing. That would be irrelevant and could actually annoy your customers. Instead, you would want to focus on promotional offers that are relevant to your customer base.
Don’t limit your promotions to major holidays. There are “holidays” and special days for almost any type of product or celebration. Check out our calendar of email marketing promotional opportunities.
Example:
Subject line: 20% Off Your Next Purchase!
Hi there!
We wanted to let you know that we’re currently running a promotion. For a limited time, you can get 20% off your next purchase when you use the code XYZ at checkout.
Click here to start shopping.
Related: Can you use AI to create images for email marketing campaigns?
4. Event Reminders
As anyone who has ever tried to plan an event knows, details are important. It’s all too easy to forget something important in the midst of all the planning, which is why it’s a good idea to set up some kind of reminder system. For e-commerce websites, one of the most effective ways to do this is through email messages.
By creating a template for event reminders and setting up automatic send times, website owners can make sure that their customers always have the most up-to-date information.
Additionally, including links to relevant pages on the website will make it easy for customers to find more information or make purchases. With a little effort, event reminders can be an invaluable tool for e-commerce websites.
Example:
Subject line: Just a friendly reminder…
Hi there [name],
Just a friendly reminder that our biggest sale of the year is only 3 days away! Make sure to browse our website and check out all the amazing deals. Discounts include clothing, shoes, and accessories for the whole family.
And don’t forget — free shipping on all orders over $100!
To make sure you don’t miss any of the great deals, be sure to visit our website and sign up for our emails. We will be sending out special discounts and coupons only available to our email subscribers.
Thanks,
The XYZ Store Team
5. Customer Appreciation Messages
Customer appreciation messages are a type of email that show your customers that you value their business. These messages can be sent for a variety of occasions, such as a customer’s birthday or the anniversary of their first purchase.
Example:
Subject line: Happy Birthday from The XYZ Store
Hi [Name],
We just wanted to wish you a happy birthday from everyone at The XYZ Store! To show our appreciation for your business and to help you celebrate, we’re giving you this $10 XYZ Store coupon to use on purchases made in the next 30 days.
Click here to start shopping.
Happy Birthday,
The XYZ Store Team
6. Contest Announcements
Contests can increase engagement with your website or social media pages. They can also be used to boost sales or generate leads. However, it’s important to make sure that your contest is relevant to your customers and your business.
For example, if you sell oil paints and other artist’s supplies, you wouldn’t want to run a recipe contest. That would be irrelevant. Instead, you would want to focus on a contest that is relevant to your customer base.
Example:
Subject Line: Enter to Win a $100 Gift Card
Hi there!
We’re excited to announce that we’re running a spring art supply contest! To enter, visit our website and fill out an entry form. No purchase necessary.
Click here to enter.
Thanks,
The XYZ Store Team
7. Sale Announcements
Sale announcements let your customers know about special offers and discounts on individual products, or storewide specials. This type of email campaign can be sent as part of a general email campaign or targeted to specific customers based on their purchase history.
For instance, if you sell jewelry, you could send all your customers an announcement of a one-day sale on all your products. Or, you could have a sale on silver pendants, and send an announcement to all customers who have purchased silver jewelry from you.
Example:
Subject line: Biggest Sale of the Year!
Hi [Name],
It’s that time of year again! Our biggest sale of the year is just around the corner, and we don’t want you to miss out.
Starting next Friday, we are running a 3-day sale on all the jewelry we have in stock. Whether you are looking for a new earrings, a bracelet, or a necklace, this is your chance to take 10% off your entire purchase.
To take advantage of our sale, simply visit our website or come into our store. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff would be happy to help you find exactly what you are looking for. We can’t wait to see you during our sale! Thank you for being the best part of our business.
We look forward serving you,
The XYZ Store Team
Related: 10 topics to add variety to your email campaigns
8. Seasonal Greetings
Seasonal email marketing campaigns show your customers that you are thinking of them during special times of the year. These seasonal messages can be sent as part of a general email campaign or targeted to specific customers based on their purchase history.
Example:
Subject line: Happy Holidays from the XYZ Store!
Dear [Name],
As we approach the end of the year, we just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for being our customer and for supporting our business. We are truly lucky to have such amazing customers like you.
We hope that you have a happy and safe holiday season. And we look forward to serving you in the new year. Thank you for being the best part of our business.
Happy Holidays,
The XYZ Store Team
As you plan your seasonal mailings, keep these holiday marketing best practices in mind.
9. Customer Surveys
Customer surveys are an excellent option for getting feedback from your customers about their experience with your business. These messages can be sent as part of a general email campaign or targeted to specific customers based on their purchase history.
Although you could send emails asking customers for their opinion, a better option is to use survey tools to allow your customers to respond anonymously. Survey tools also help you visualize and summarize the results. There are a variety of survey products available. Constant Contact* includes a survey tool for free as part of it’s “Plus” email and marketing service plan.
Example:
Subject line: We Want to Hear from You!
Hi [Name],
At the XYZ Store, our number one priority is providing the best possible experience for our customers. And we would love to hear your feedback about your recent experience with us.
If you have a few minutes, please take our survey. We would really appreciate it! And as a thank you for taking the time to fill out our survey, we will enter you into a drawing to win a $100 gift card.
Thank you for being the best part of our business. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thanks,
The XYZ Store Team
10. Thank-You Messages
Thank-you messages show your customers that you appreciate their business. These messages can be sent as part of a general email campaign or targeted to specific customers based on their purchase history.
They can — and should — be sent automatically to customers after they have made a purchase online. Purchase thank you emails should list the items purchased and provide information about when the item will ship, how to track the shipping. They should include a phone number and email address customers can use to contact your company if they have questions about their purchase. You can also include a coupon or an invitation to buy additional products.
Example:
Subject line: Thank You for Your Purchase!
Hi [Name],
Thank you for your order. We appreciate your business!
Here are the details of your purchase: (Enter items purchased.) Orders ship within 1-2 days of receipt. We will email you the tracking number when the items ship. Regular shipping within the U.S. usually takes 5 to 10 days to arrive.
If you have any questions or concerns about your purchase, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be more than happy to help.
Thanks again for your business. We look forward to serving you in the future.
Thanks,
The XYZ Store Team
11. Reactivation Emails
Reactivation emails are email campaigns you send to customers who haven’t been responding to your mailings. The purpose of them is to re-interest subscribers in opening your email and clicking through to your website and offers. For more information, read of blog post with detailed information on how and why to send reactivation emails.
These are just some of the many different types of email campaigns that you can send to your customers. The key is to find the right type of campaign for your business and your customers. If you’re unsure whether a campaign is right for your list, test it on a small sample of your list before sending it out to the entire list.
*Note: Email & Marketing Ideas is a solution provider for Constant Contact. We will make a small commission if you sign up through our link.