Holiday marketing emails, as the name implies, are emails sent by companies to their customers during the holiday season. This is designed to:
- Promote their products or services
- Offer special deals, discounts, and promotions
- Encourage sales
These emails can be personalized and targeted toward a specific audience segment, based on their preferences and purchase history. They can also be designed to create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to make purchases before the holiday season ends.
In the U.S., the holiday sales season typically starts a few weeks into November. It then ends roughly after the new year starts This means that companies have plenty of opportunities to send different kinds of holiday emails for events such as:
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas and Hanukkah
- New Year’s Eve
Let’s explore why this is advantageous, how you can engage with this popular marketing strategy, and what you can do to succeed with it.
What Are The Benefits of Sending Holiday Emails to Subscribers?
Sending holiday emails has a variety of benefits; this is why so many companies do it. Here are some of the prime advantages:
- Increases brand awareness: Sending holiday emails keeps your brand present and in fresh memory among your subscribers and customers, especially during the shopping-heavy and distractingly busy holiday season. It can also help to reinforce your brand’s messaging, allowing you to solidify brand identity and better connect with potential buyers.
- Drives sales: Holiday emails can promote special deals, discounts, and promotions that encourage customers to make purchases. The holiday season is a peak shopping period for many people, and holiday emails can help businesses capture a share of those sales.
- Builds customer loyalty: By offering personalized promotions and deals, holiday emails can help foster a sense of loyalty and appreciation among customers. This can help retain existing customers and encourage them to make repeat purchases in the future.
Provides valuable customer insights: By analyzing the open and click-through rates of holiday emails, businesses can gain insights into their customers’ preferences and behaviors. This information can be used to improve future email marketing campaigns and other marketing efforts, well outside of the holiday rush.
Holiday Email Examples
Now, let’s take a look at the kinds of emails that successful brands send to subscribers during the holiday season:
Apple
Apple’s holiday email campaigns usually showcase their products. Sometimes, they will offer free next-day delivery on eligible in-stock items. The emails have a minimalist, elegant design that is consistent with Apple’s brand.
Amazon
Amazon’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday emails highlighted their deals and promotions. They used a bold and eye-catching design that makes it easy for customers to quickly see and navigate their offerings. This is often paired with suggesting holiday-themed products and offering gift idea guides to encourage buyers.
Starbucks
Starbucks’ holiday email campaign featured their holiday drinks, seasonal merchandise, and gift cards. They especially feature their famous pumpkin spice latte, which they only sell from August to December. The emails have a warm and inviting design that evoked the holiday spirit.
Sephora
Sephora’s holiday email campaigns usually featured gift sets, holiday makeup looks, and free shipping. The emails have a playful and festive design that is consistent with Sephora’s brand. These emails are often intermixed with informative guides, including makeup and skincare advice that is tailored to the weather or specific holiday styles.
Nike
Nike’s holiday email campaigns feature their latest sneakers, workout gear, and gift cards. The emails have a sleek and dynamic design that is consistent with Nike’s popular sports branding.
These brands can serve as inspiration for crafting your own holiday emails, capitalizing on the sales-heavy season and making a better, more personalized connection with your subscribers.
