Email marketing continues to outperform most other digital marketing channels when done right. But what does “right” look like? If you’re looking to boost your open rates, click-throughs, and conversions, studying proven email campaign examples can provide the inspiration you need.
Below, we’ll explore some of the most effective email campaigns by top brands — campaigns you can study, adapt, and replicate in your own marketing efforts.
1. Welcome Email – Airbnb
Subject Line: “Welcome to Airbnb. Let’s get started.”
Airbnb nails its welcome email with a clean design, a friendly tone, and a crystal-clear call to action. The message helps new users get familiar with the platform and encourages them to explore listings right away.
Why it works:
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Personal tone makes users feel valued
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Easy-to-read layout and quick start tips
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Strong, relevant CTA: “Start exploring”
📌 Takeaway: First impressions matter. Use your welcome emails to guide users through their first step with your product or service.
2. Abandoned Cart Email – Casper
Subject Line: “Come back to bed.”
Casper’s abandoned cart email combines humor, personalization, and urgency. The playful subject line and reminder about items left behind make this email feel human, not pushy.
Why it works:
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Friendly, non-salesy tone
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Includes product image and CTA
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Encourages a quick return to checkout
📌 Takeaway: Use abandoned cart emails as gentle nudges. Add product visuals and personalized reminders to encourage completion.
3. Promotional Email – Grammarly
Subject Line: “Improve your writing in just 2 minutes a day”
Grammarly’s promotional email offers a clear value proposition. The design is sleek, the content is focused, and the CTA leads to a free trial or download, reducing friction for the user.
Why it works:
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Direct benefit in the headline
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Short, convincing copy
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Action-oriented button: “Add to Chrome – It’s Free”
📌 Takeaway: Don’t overload your promotional emails. Stick to one offer and make your CTA crystal clear.
4. Seasonal Campaign – Starbucks
Subject Line: “Pumpkin spice is back 🎃”
Starbucks leverages seasonal trends like no one else. Their autumn email campaign announces the return of the fan-favorite pumpkin spice latte with vibrant visuals and a fun tone.
Why it works:
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Timely, relevant content
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Bold images and seasonal emojis
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Encourages both in-store and app engagement
📌 Takeaway: Seasonal emails feel fresh and urgent. Tie your offer to a specific time or event for higher engagement.
5. Re-Engagement Email – Duolingo
Subject Line: “We miss you! Come back and learn.”
Duolingo keeps its email light-hearted with animated mascots and playful text that gently nudges inactive users. It’s a great example of a re-engagement email that feels warm rather than demanding.
Why it works:
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Friendly, emotional appeal
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Encourages small steps back into the app
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Uses gamification elements like streaks
📌 Takeaway: Re-engagement campaigns work better when they feel like an invitation rather than a guilt trip.
6. Newsletter Format – The Hustle
Subject Line: “AI is taking over… again”
The Hustle delivers daily tech and business news in a compact, conversational newsletter. Its layout is structured, scannable, and engaging — perfect for busy readers.
Why it works:
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Consistent delivery schedule builds trust
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Catchy headlines keep readers interested
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Promotes sharing with forward-friendly format
📌 Takeaway: A strong newsletter builds loyalty. Keep it informative, well-formatted, and valuable to your niche audience.
7. User Testimonial Campaign – Everlane
Subject Line: “Real customers, real reviews”
Everlane uses authentic user reviews and lifestyle photos in this campaign to build social proof. Instead of pushing hard sales, it lets customers do the talking.
Why it works:
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Builds trust with honest feedback
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Minimal copy with strong visuals
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CTA to shop products featured in testimonials
📌 Takeaway: Social proof is powerful. Share customer stories, photos, and ratings to connect with potential buyers.
8. Product Launch Email – Apple
Subject Line: “Introducing iPhone 15 Pro”
Apple is the master of hype. Their product launch emails are clean, image-rich, and feature bold CTAs. They make the product the star of the show and let the visuals do most of the talking.
Why it works:
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High-quality product imagery
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Focused, minimal text
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Strong CTA: “Learn more” or “Buy now”
📌 Takeaway: For launches, keep it sleek. Let your visuals and brand identity lead the way.
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling to create high-performing emails, don’t reinvent the wheel. Study and adapt these email campaign examples that have already proven effective across industries. Whether you’re onboarding a new user, launching a product, or trying to win back subscribers, these templates offer actionable ideas you can implement today.
Here’s a quick recap of what makes a great campaign:
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Clear and benefit-driven subject line
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Clean design and scannable format
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Personalization and segmentation
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Strong, single CTA
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Relevant, valuable content
Start experimenting with these styles and tailor them to your brand voice and audience. Your next successful email campaign might be just one send away.
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