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7 Tips to Send Your Best-Ever Thanksgiving Email

Beefree team
Beefree team
Nov 17, 2015
7 Tips to Send Your Best-Ever Thanksgiving Email
7 Tips to Send Your Best-Ever Thanksgiving Email

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. If Halloween didn't already mark the start of the busiest shopping season of the year, then Thanksgiving certainly will. During last year's holiday season, retailers reported 50% more traffic coming from mobile.And a large driver of that traffic isemail, which we increasingly check on our phones.So it's a total no-brainer thatcrafting emails with care is critical for brands who want to stand out from the crowd this holiday season. What better place to start than with Thanksgiving? Here are 7tips for a fantastic Thanksgiving email.

1. Start with the subject line

Inboxes will be overloadedwith emails in the coming weeks, and you can expect a huge chunk ofsubscribers—about 35%—todecide whether or not to open your email based on thesubject line alone.Stand out by putting some thought into your subject line. Try gettingreaders curious about your email with a line that asks a question, promises a deal or coupon, has a "how to," or includes a number.Looking for email subject line tips? Check out our 7 Tested Rules for Email Subject Lines – And When To Break Them.Here's an interesting take from PureWow, a women's lifestyle site, that caught our eye:

purewow subject

Not only is the subject line quirky, funny, short, and unique, butPureWow also capitalizes on a great second subject line by telling readers exactly what they'll find in the email: 4 easy tricks that will save Thanksgiving. Open the email, and we're greeted with exactly what they promised:

purewow video

2. Plan a special delivery

Match subscribers' holiday spirit with an email that's festive, taking the opportunity to level-up your usual design style. TasteBook, a website for cooking enthusiasts, has a bright, photo-centric visual identity.Here's a snapshot of recent posts on their blog:

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 3.28.56 PM

But look at how they mix up their usualphoto-forward approach withthis gorgeous illustrated Thanksgiving email:

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 3.18.41 PM

For subscribers who are used to seeing photos from TasteBook, this email immediately stands out as different and special. Click through, and you'll see a full illustrated guide for "Your Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner." Clearly, TasteBook planned ahead to deliver creative, high-value contentthis Thanksgiving, and it shows.

3. Have a single focus

Can you count how many times Amtrak says "book early" in this email? It's a lot, but that's okay. Having asimple, clear, focused message is agood strategy, and it doesn't mean you have to drop the holiday spirit. This email from Amtrak is to-the-point, but still Thanksgiving-themed and valuable to readers.Remember: attention spans are short, and you can expect readers tobe inundated with more emails than usual from now through the end of the year. The high qualityphoto with text overlay, simplemessage (4 sentences!), and single call-to-action buttoncome together in a short-and-sweet email that works.

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 3.37.01 PM

4. Say "thanks"

Thanksgiving is about being thankful, after all, and what better way to show thanks than to give something back to your loyal readers? In a recent email to subscribers, Evite, a digital invitation and event planning service, offers 15 free digital "Thank you" card sends. The cool thing about this offer is that it encourages readers to get in the Thanksgiving spirit and say "thank you" to friends or loved ones (vs. using a coupon solely for personal use).

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 4.08.06 PM

The offer is listed at the top of their email, right away, so viewers are sure not to miss it. The entire email itself is fall-themed, and Evite also has a lot of fun customizing their call-to-action buttons so they're on-brand and unique. I'd rather click on "Pass the Gravy" than on a button that says "Learn more," wouldn't you?

5. Design for mobile

It's a hectic time of year, and everyone—including your readers—will be running errands, shopping, traveling, and moving about. Mobile opens now account for up to 70% of all email opens, and especially during the upcoming holiday season, you can count ona high likelihood of your email being read ona phone or mobile device first. That's why it's critical to optimize your email for mobile-viewing with responsive design. Aresponsive email willtotally adapt to the screen size of a tablet or smartphone—layout, font size, images, and padding can all change—so that the message is easy to read and looks great.Here's a good example from Real Simple, a magazine about simplifying your life. This is the beginning of their Thanksgiving email viewed on desktop:

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 4.52.11 PM

And here it is on mobile:

real simple mobile

To optimize mobile reading, the email's multiple columns collapse to one, and font sizes increase, making it easier to read and click. Follow Real Simple's lead and make sure your Thanksgiving email looks good and is easy to readon all devices.

6. Delight and entertain

Withso much competing for their attention, it's not always enough to simply email readersa coupon code or deal. Savvy subscribers expect to be impressed and entertained by good design, too. Consider simple, elegant ways in which you can level up your visual style. Take this email from Rent the Runway, an online service that provides designer dress and accessory rentals, for example.

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 4.16.12 PM

The key visual in the center of the email is a GIF showing suggested outfits and accessories for Thanksgiving and possible Thanksgiving weekend events, like a high school reunion or spiked cider with friends.

rent runway gif

It'sclever, cute, and creative. And the GIF is an effective way to show multiple productswithout taking up too much real estate in the email itself.

7. Maintain your brand voice

There's a lot of pressure for brands to participate in the holiday hoopla,making sure to check off Thanksgiving froma long list of editorial opportunities. It can be overwhelming to brainstorm how to stand out.The answer is to stick to your brand! Be yourself. Think of your core values,mission, and audience, and create content that's in sync with your totally awesome, already established brand identity.Here's a peek at Thanksgiving content brands are emailing that offer something uniquewhileremaining true to their brand identity:UrbanDaddy, a lifestyle media company with an edge,has fun with an unconventional recipe:

UrbanDaddy

Buzzfeed does its usual round-up thing, this time with recipes for those too cool for pie:

buzz

Etsy points readers in the direction of printable gifts and crafts to say thanks:

etsy

Pet Plan, insurance for your furry friends, helps keep readers' pets safe with these holiday tips:

petplan

Tasting Table,a website and newsletter for culinary enthusiasts, got our attention with their uniquelygoofy copywriting:

taters

Let's recap:

  1. Spend time brainstorming a killer subject line.
  2. Plan ahead to deliver high-quality content that's festive and special.
  3. Keep your message short and focused with a single call-to-action.
  4. Thank subscribers with a giveaway, coupon, or special deal (even better if it's "thank you" themed).
  5. Mobile-optimize your message with responsive design.
  6. Think outside the box to incorporate simple, clever design elements that delight readers (try a GIF).
  7. Be yourself. Keep your content on-brand. And have fun!

Create your very own Thanksgiving email in the BEE editor -- it's free, online, requires no registration, and all emails you create are always 100% responsive.

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Let’s get into it.  

#1. Unique, tailored experiences 

Damian Grabarczyk, the co-founder and growth marketer of PetLab Co., says, “We faced the challenge of connecting meaningfully with an audience that expects more than one-size-fits-all communication.” 

When we speak about crafting tailored emails we mean going beyond the recipient's first name in the subject line. We’re talking about optimizing your entire email strategy to design multi-stage touchpoints to nurture leads across the customer lifecycle. As well as, leveraging data to send hyper-personalized, relevant, and engaging emails that feel less like a broadcast message and more like a conversation. 

Many are using AI machine learning algorithms and AI automation to analyze customer interactions, past purchases, browsing habits, website visits, and even social media behavior to curate engaging email content that resonates deeply with the real-time needs of recipients.

For PetLab Co this looked like including content such as an individual’s pet health history or product usage timelines. Damian Grabarzyk expands, “This approach transformed the conversion rate and strengthened customer loyalty. As we look ahead, I see brands in 2025 moving beyond generic personalization to adopt strategies that make customers feel truly understood and valued.”

On the other hand, many are leaning into user-generated content (UGC) for crafting tailored experiences. Customers today are more likely to trust the opinions of peers over branded messages. UGC like customer reviews, testimonials, videos, and photos are the best form of social proof depicting real people using and benefitting from your products or services. 

We see the benefits of using both AI and UGC to get the most out of your email conversions ;). 

#2. AI tools as an addition, not a substitution

Experts at NordPass state, "AI-powered content generation tools are not here to replace email copywriters and marketers. These tools make us more efficient. The smarter the tool is, the better equipped we are to create high-performing email content that drives results." 

AI tools can support us by significantly enhancing the speed, precision, and effectiveness of your emails. For instance while traditionally A/B testing has required a lot of time to analyze small variations with AI you quickly implement and test multiple email elements and make adjustments based on real-time engagement data. There are AI algorithms that can even predict which variations are most likely to resonate with different audience segments, leading to more accurate targeting and faster optimization.

In short, AI tools are revolutionizing the way we craft and optimize our email’s deliverability. There are many different types of AI solutions so we suggest finding the right one for your needs. 

#3. Even more transparency around data

With AI continuing to rise, folks are more and more concerned about where their data is going. That’s where zero-party data collection becomes a key strategy in email marketing, allowing you to gather data directly from customers rather than relying on third-party sources. 

Zero-party data includes information that consumers willingly share, such as preferences, interests, and purchase intentions. This data is often collected through surveys, preference centers, quizzes, or interactive content and is highly valuable because it is shared explicitly, ensuring accuracy and deeper personalization without privacy concerns associated with third-party tracking.

As privacy regulations tighten, zero-party data will empower you to deliver hyper-personalized email experiences while respecting user privacy. This approach will help you build trust, as customers feel more in control of their data, and you gain insights that lead to more relevant and engaging email content.

#4. The death of static emails

With attention span getting shorter day after day, digest-format emails are expected to rise in popularity in 2025. Presenting email content in an easy-to-scan, organized, and minimalistic layout will surely help deliver the most relevant information in a fraction of the time. 

Additionally, interactive emails will allow recipients to directly engage within the email without having to visit a landing page or website. Interactive elements like product carousels, polls, and quizzes create a dynamic experience that keeps subscribers engaged, especially in visually driven industries like fashion brands

So what now? 

You’ve heard these strategies before, but now it’s time to actually put them into action. The brands that win at email marketing in 2025 won’t just be sending emails—they’ll be creating experiences. Whether it’s hyper-personalized content, AI-driven efficiency, zero-party data collection, or interactive emails that break the mold, the key is to stay ahead of the curve.

So, what’s the first strategy you’ll finally implement? Your inbox (and your audience) are waiting.

How to Leverage Email Campaigns to Gather Sincere Product Reviews

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What do customers think about your brand’s products? The best way to find out is to ask them directly, which you can do via strategic email campaigns.

Email makes gathering authentic product reviews quick and easy. By collecting sincere feedback, you can build trust, increase sales, boost loyalty, and innovate product improvements. 

That said, requesting reviews via email requires precise timing, personalized messaging, and lots of engagement optimizations. But don’t worry—we’ll walk you through some key steps to create email campaigns that deliver the valuable feedback you need.

Why product reviews matter

Product reviews do more than confirm that you're meeting customers’ needs. Sincere feedback drives loyalty and sales, offers valuable customer insights, and helps you develop a strategic product development roadmap.

  • Fosters customer loyalty: Requesting and listening to feedback makes your customers feel valued and heard. It demonstrates that you prioritize customer satisfaction, which helps you build stronger, long-term relationships. Review requests also act as re-engagement emails by starting new conversations with customers.
  • Increases sales: Social proof drives sales. According to a recent survey by Power Reviews, 90% of potential customers use online reviews to make purchasing decisions. In fact, reviews have more influence over purchasing decisions than product prices. Turning product reviews into customer testimonials and encouraging reviews on third-party sites can significantly boost sales.
Image sourced from powerreviews.com
  • Builds Customer 360 insights: Customer feedback delivers insights into customer needs and sentiments, enriching Customer 360. Exactly what is Customer 360? It’s a unified, 360-degree view of customer data. It empowers you to tailor products and customer experiences to meet individual needs and preferences. 
  • Drives product improvements: Sincere customer feedback reveals what target customers like/dislike about your products. It provides key insight into their value, functionality, and usability, unlocking large-scale development opportunities.

How to create an email campaign to collect product reviews

Want to unlock the power of product reviews? Let’s explore how to create email campaigns that encourage customers to share their feedback.

Segment your audience

Like promotional emails, product review requests shouldn’t be sent to every subscriber.

If subscribers haven’t had the chance to try your product, product review requests will feel irrelevant and may trigger unsubscriptions. So, only send review email requests to customers recently trying your product.

You can do this by segmenting your email list based on where customers are in the buying cycle. Target loyal customers, recent purchasers, and first-time buyers with tailored email campaigns. This ensures that you’re sending emails to customers most likely to respond with insightful feedback.

Write a compelling email subject line

According to Superoffice, 33% of people open an email based on the subject line. 

Image sourced from superoffice.com

To get the click-through rates you want, your email subject lines should be personalized, relevant, and engaging. Here are some examples:

  • Did you love [product]? Or hate it? Let us know!
  • We value your opinion — help us improve!
  • We want YOU to help us make our product better!
  • Up for a discount? Share your feedback for 10% off! 

Learn more > Tips for writing open worthy subject lines.

Optimize for customer engagement

A successful email marketing strategy relies on customer engagement. Here are some key email elements you need to encourage interactions.

  • An attractive email design: With the right layout, color scheme, typography, and images, you ensure easy readability and promote interaction. Use these engagement-boosting email design best practices to help you create a design that boosts conversion rates.
  • Gratitude and value: Thank customers for reading the email and explaining why their feedback is so important. Also, consider including a personalized Gmail email signature with your content details to build trust and encourage customers to engage with your review request. 
  • Personalized, relevant content: Personalized email content motivates engagement. Use customer data platform (CDP) data to tailor messages to individual customers. What is a CDP? It’s a centralized platform that collects and unifies customer information, building comprehensive customer profiles. 
  • Incentives: Offering a small discount can motivate customers to leave reviews, especially first-time buyers. That said, incentives can (sometimes) generate insincere reviews, so stress the importance of honesty. 
  • A strong call-to-action (CTA): Your CTA should direct readers straight to the reviews submission page. Use clear CTAs with bold buttons and typography to make it stand out.
  • Mobile responsiveness: If your emails are slow to load or don’t display correctly on mobile devices, your bounce rate will spike. Leverage solutions that offer advanced mobile optimization features — such as Beefree— to create responsive emails every single time.

Ask specific, concise questions

Complex, drawn-out questions that are too open-ended can disengage customers. So, get straight to the point with concise, direct questions. Here are some examples:

  • What did you think of [specific product feature]?
  • How often do you use our product?
  • What are your favorite/least favorite features?
  • How likely are you to recommend this product?
  • What could we do to improve our product?

Use a mixture of closed and open-ended questions to increase your chances of receiving meaningful responses.

Make it easy to respond

The easier it is for customers to leave a review, the more responses you’ll receive. So, make the process as seamless and convenient as possible. One way to do this is with survey emails.

Email surveys have high response rates. They can be completed within the email with minimal effort, which is a big plus for busy customers. And, they can generate a wealth of quantitative data and metrics that are quick to analyze, leading to faster improvements. BeeFree has an extensive collection of email survey templates to suit every need.

For longer review requests, include a CTA that directly links to the review submission page. Review forms should use simple, clear language, be optimized for mobile, and have a progress bar. 

You could even provide your telephone contact details to allow customers to leave a review via telephone. It’s the preferred communication method for 55% of Baby Boomers according to Hubspot, so it’s worth considering. 

Leverage small business telephone services from Vonage to access call center capabilities like virtual receptionists and CRM integrations, streamlining processes.

Also consider directing customers to leave reviews on popular review sites, such as Google and Amazon.

Optimize email timings

If you send product review requests too early, there’s a chance your customers won’t have tried your product yet. But if you send them too late, your customer might have forgotten their experience. 

So, when’s the best time to request reviews? 

Aim to send review requests within 7-14 days post-purchase. This gives customers a chance to try the product a few times, leading to more sincere, meaningful reviews. Plan for seasonal surges such as Black Friday and incorporate them into your schedules.

Key takeaways

Do email campaigns work for gathering valuable product reviews that drive improvements, boost trust, and increase sales and loyalty? 

Absolutely — but they need to be strategic.

To generate sincere reviews and valuable data, ensure your marketing emails are personalized, engaging, and optimized for convenience. And, use email list segmentation and marketing automation to ensure they’re sent to the right customers at the right time.

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