Stand out from the crowd with our straightforward suggestions for effective festive email campaigns, covering everything from Black Friday to New Year promotions.
As we enter the festive season, there are many opportunities to use email marketing to connect with customers and boost business. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas are perfect occasions to get in touch, but how can you make the most of these moments for your clients? Every organisation will have a unique approach based on its products, services and audience, so here are some ideas to help you get ahead at this busy time.
Campaign Ideas
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Whether you’re in B2B or B2C, there are various ways to make these events work for you. Think about what your customers value and what might catch their interest - this could be early access to sales, exclusive deals or special bundles. Adding elements like countdown timers or limited-time promotions can create urgency, but steer clear of spammy language to keep your messages out of the junk folder. If possible, consider segmenting your email list to send more tailored messages that reflect your audience’s preferences or past purchases.
Christmas Promotions
As Christmas approaches, think about how to showcase your products or services as ideal festive solutions. For B2C brands, this could mean creating festive gift guides, personalised recommendations or seasonal bundles to inspire holiday shopping. For B2B organisations, consider offering complimentary consultations, sharing valuable industry resources or giving exclusive access to new tools launching in January.
Season's Greetings and New Year Campaigns
December is the perfect time to thank your customers for their support over the past year. A genuine message of thanks keeps you front of mind and builds stronger connections. You can also include practical details like seasonal opening hours or last-minute offers, along with a sneak preview of what’s to come in the New Year.
If you’re planning any post-Christmas campaigns, scheduling them in advance is a smart move. By focusing on your New Year promotions or January sales now, you’ll have ample time to plan and create your emails, ensuring they go out on schedule. This allows you to relax over the holidays, knowing everything is taken care of. Plus, it helps you stay engaged with customers as they start the new year, ready to discover what you have to offer!
Tips for Successful Campaigns
Engaging Content
Consider what your audience wants from you and design your campaigns to deliver content they'll appreciate. If you know their interests or what they’ve previously bought, send targeted emails that will resonate with them. Segment your list to reach different audiences based on their preferences. Use personalised greetings that include your contacts' names and suggest products or services they’ve liked before. Highlight special offers that might interest them and create urgency with limited-time deals. Sharing customer testimonials or behind-the-scenes insights can also help build connections and encourage engagement with your brand.
Eye-Catching Designs
Your emails should be visually appealing and convey your messaging effectively. Use high-quality images, vibrant colours and engaging layouts to capture attention. If you need help with your email design, consider enlisting expert support. At Smart Messenger, we offer a professional template design service for just £149+VAT, helping to ensure your campaigns stand out for all the right reasons. At Christmas, we also provide a selection of customisable free festive email templates to our customers.
Smart Timing
Timing is key. With November already here, now's the time to start your Black Friday emails so customers know what to expect. Keep the festive emails coming throughout December, scheduling them for times when your recipients are most likely to check their inboxes. If you're already using an email marketing platform, check your analytics reports to see which times and days get the highest engagement and plan your campaigns accordingly. Smart Messenger provides detailed analytics and our account managers are here to help you prepare your campaigns. Whether you need a final design check or help with uploading lists, we provide unlimited phone support so you can send your emails with confidence.
About Smart Messenger
At Smart Messenger, we support organisations with email marketing all year round, including those times that call for extra creativity or thoughtful planning. Our plans start from just £10 per month and include 1:1 training and unlimited phone support from our friendly UK-based team. We have options for all types of sender, from our Lite plan, which offers essential features for low-volume senders, to our Pro plan, which includes advanced tools like landing page and form builders and automated workflows for high-volume or more complex campaign requirements.
For those starting out with campaigns, we offer an Email Starter Package for £169+VAT. This includes a bespoke email template and a newsletter sign-up form to add to your website or use as a standalone page. We also provide a fully managed campaign service, where we take care of everything from list uploads and custom templates to sending and reporting. Whether you need support for a one-off campaign or full management of your seasonal emails and beyond, we tailor our services to meet your needs. Get in touch today to see how we can help you make your email campaigns successful this Christmas and beyond!
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