Top 10 email ideas trending this holiday season

MarketCategory
6 min read
Amanda Schewaga

Even before December arrives, email inboxes will be bursting at the seams. So … how do you make your sales email stand out from all the others?

This is the million dollar question, and the reason we decided to share some email ideas that will make your messages irresistible.

Email marketing is a highly competitive space at any time of the year, but there is no doubt the intensity increases as we get closer to December.

This is when brands launch their holiday discounts, advertisements and special offers.

Check out our 10 sensational email ideas you can use to sell more this holiday season.

1. The “Best of 2020” email

December is the perfect time to reflect back on your year and the special moments that impacted you or your customers. Revisiting these moments will make your loyal customers feel like they are joining in on the celebration with you.

Use photos pulled from your social feeds to illustrate this email. To make this promotional email idea even more impactful, include moments that involve your customers, or invite them to submit their own moments and share them on your social media profiles!

Editor’s note: Manage your email, Facebook and Instagram promotions all from one screen with GoDaddy’s Digital Marketing Suite.

2. The “Sneak Peek” email

Will you be launching a new product or service in 2021? Do you plan on hosting an event or starting a YouTube channel?

Why not give your subscribers a glimpse of what’s to come? Doing so will generate buzz and add an element of anticipation to your end-of-year emails.

3. The “Personalized Thank You” email

Nothing makes a person feel more valued than a personalized thank you that acknowledges their unique buying behaviors.

If you own an online store, you could send each subscriber a discount code for whatever product they purchased most frequently in 2020.

This will show your customers that you pay attention to their preferences and want to provide them with a customized experience.

4. The “Before It’s Too Late” email

This is another of our favorite December email ideas and a great way to gently nudge potential buyers to buy.

Let’s say you have leftover inventory of a specific product that you’ll no longer be restocking, or there’s a service that you intend to stop offering in 2021 — why not promote it and encourage your subscribers to grab it now before it’s too late? It could be the ideal Christmas gift and the sense of urgency will inspire them to act quickly.

5. The “BOGO” email

People love to shop in bulk in preparation for the holidays, and for this reason you can never go wrong with a buy-one-get-one offer. Whether it’s getting 50% off a second item, or getting it for free, your potential customers will see the value in doubling up and taking advantage of a limited-time offer.

6. The “Delivery Guarantee” email

One of the most stressful parts of online holiday shopping for consumers is the potential that their packages won’t arrive in time for their yuletide celebration.

Set your business apart by offering a delivery guarantee that orders will arrive on time (as long as they are placed before your specified cut-off date).

Just don’t forget to make the conditions of your guarantee visible within your sales email so you can refer back to them if an issue arises.

7. The “Shop Local” email

This is one of the best email ideas for local business owners who are looking for creative ways to increase awareness of their business in preparation for December.

This involves inviting several other local businesses to submit items to be featured in your “shop local” gift guide. Then, when it’s ready for sending, share it with the other businesses so you can all send it out to your subscriber lists.

It’s a super-smart way to capture new potential customers who aren’t familiar with your product or service yet! Plus, everyone benefits.

Related: Guerilla marketing — holiday marketing goes rogue

8. The “#GivingTuesday” email

If you’re a socially conscious brand (or even if you simply want to make a positive impact this holiday season) #GivingTuesday is a great way to give back.

Since its creation in 2012, GivingTuesday has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to celebrate generosity.

Let your subscribers know you’ll be participating in the movement on December 1, 2020 and that a portion of each sale you make that day will be donated to a charity that aligns with your mission and vision.

Even if some subscribers don’t purchase, it will show your commitment to your values and increase brand loyalty!

9. The “Treat Yourself” email

Woman standing near a shop window looking at her smartphone
2020 has primed people around the world to reward themselves for hanging in there.

There are few holiday email marketing ideas more enticing than this one. After all, your customers enjoy receiving a little Christmas cheer as much as they enjoy spreading it. So, why not offer something special to customers who purchase gift cards from you?

If you’re a coffee shop, for example, you could offer a free specialty coffee to those who purchase a $50.00 gift card. It makes your holiday offer a tiny bit self-indulgent and impossible to pass up!

10. The “Suggested Combos” email

Do you offer products or services that pair well together? Maybe it’s a pair of slippers with matching pajamas. Or a soothing aftershave that makes sense to pair with a classic men’s shaving razor.

Making product combo suggestions is a great holiday email idea that boosts sales.

Plus, they’ll appreciate that you made their gift-buying experience a little easier! You can even offer a discount to customers who bundle your recommended products for an added wow factor.

Pick one of these email ideas to try now!

Remember, Canadians like to get a head start on their holiday shopping. In fact, 54% of Canadian consumers are open to shopping early in 2020.

32% of Canadians say they are open to holiday shopping in October.

So there really isn’t any time to waste!

We hope these email ideas help you build buzz around your business this year. Happy holiday email marketing!