Why Email Marketing Is a Must for the Holiday Season

Email marketing has long been one of the most reliable digital marketing channels, boasting an impressive average ROI of $42 for every dollar spent. During the holiday season, this ROI often increases as people are primed to shop and look for seasonal deals. However, with everyone jumping on the holiday email bandwagon, standing out becomes essential. It’s not about flooding inboxes with promotional blasts; it’s about creating emails that are valuable, enticing, and drive action.

Crafting holiday email campaigns that engage readers can set you apart and keep your brand at the top of their minds this season.

The Three Key Elements of High-Converting Holiday Emails

To get the most out of your holiday email marketing, focus on three core components: subject lines, engaging body content, and clear calls to action (CTAs). Let’s break down each of these elements to ensure your emails are primed for clicks and conversions.

• Subject Lines That Demand Attention
• Your subject line is often the only shot you have at getting someone to open your email, especially during the holiday season when inboxes are brimming with messages. Aim to make your subject lines clear, compelling, and urgent, with a touch of holiday cheer. Here are some examples:
• 🎁 "Exclusive Black Friday Deal: 50% Off Just for You!"
• "Holiday Magic Inside: Your Special Offer Awaits 🎄"
• "Last-Minute Gift Ideas You Won’t Want to Miss"
• "Limited-Time Offer: Free Shipping on All Orders!"
• Don’t forget to A/B test different subject lines to see which resonates best with your audience. Testing allows you to optimize open rates and refine your approach throughout the season.
• Creating Engaging, Visual Body Content
• Once your audience opens your email, you need to hold their attention. Keep the content scannable and visually appealing, with holiday-themed imagery, product photos, and clear, short sections. Avoid lengthy text blocks, as readers are often skimming. Here’s a quick example of engaging body content:
• “Still looking for that perfect gift? Our [Product] has you covered! Order today and get it just in time for the holidays!”
• Adding festive colors and imagery that match the season’s vibe can help your message stand out while making it enjoyable to read.
• Calls to Action (CTAs) That Drive Clicks
• Your CTA is what gets readers to take the next step—whether it’s shopping, claiming an offer, or checking out a promotion. Make your CTAs bold, clear, and action-oriented, and repeat them in a couple of spots in your email. Examples of holiday-specific CTAs include:
• 🎁 “Claim Your 30% Off Holiday Deal”
• “Shop Our Bestsellers Before They’re Gone”
• “Get Free Shipping on All Holiday Orders – Limited Time!”
• Pro Tip: Always test your links before sending to ensure a seamless experience for your readers.

Building an Effective Holiday Email Sequence

A single email blast isn’t enough to maximize your Q4 sales. Building a strategic sequence allows you to gradually engage, build excitement, and encourage purchases. Here’s a simple four-step holiday email sequence that you can use to keep your audience engaged and primed to buy:

• Step 1: Teaser Email Send this 1-2 weeks before your big sale to create anticipation. Use a subject line like “It’s Coming… Our Biggest Sale of the Year 🎉” and let readers know something exciting is on the horizon.

• Step 2: Launch Email Announce your holiday sale or special offer. Make this email visually appealing, with product images, compelling CTAs, and phrases that emphasize urgency, such as “limited-time only.”

• Step 3: Reminder Email Not everyone will open the first email, so send a reminder a few days later. Use a subject like “Don’t Miss Out! Our Holiday Deals End Soon,” and add a sense of urgency by mentioning limited availability.

• Step 4: Last Chance Email The final push is critical—send this on the last day of your sale. Subject lines like “Last Call: 24 Hours Left to Shop Our Holiday Sale” work well. Emphasize urgency and scarcity, and make your CTA bold and easy to spot.

Using ChatGPT to Spark Fresh Email Ideas

Struggling to come up with new holiday email ideas? ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for brainstorming subject lines, body content, and urgency-driven ideas. Try prompts like:

• “Generate 5 Black Friday email subject lines for a skincare brand.”
• “Write a holiday email promoting a buy-one-get-one-free sale for a boutique.”
• “Give me 3 ideas for creating urgency in a Christmas email marketing campaign.”

Using AI tools can help you quickly generate creative options and break through any writer’s block.

Your Weekly Action Plan: Getting Your Holiday Email Campaign Ready

Here’s a quick action plan to set you up for holiday email marketing success:

1. Outline Your Sequence: Plan out a 3-4 email sequence for an upcoming holiday promotion, defining each email’s theme and timing.
2. Craft Three Subject Lines: Write three attention-grabbing subject lines for your holiday emails and test them if possible.
3. Design an Email Template: Use Canva or another design tool to create a holiday-themed email template that’s easy to customize throughout the season.

Happy Sending!