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What To Include in Your Email Footer Design: Examples and Best Practices

Beefree team
Beefree team
Aug 8, 2023
What To Include in Your Email Footer Design: Examples and Best Practices
What To Include in Your Email Footer Design: Examples and Best Practices

Email footer design is often an afterthought for brands, as it's often boring and filled us legal-must haves. What many may not know is that footers are often where where subscribers look for key details about your brand.

An email footer is comprehensive place where folks can contact, learn more, and engage with your brand and external links, so let's work on optimizing it! 

What is an email footer?

An email footer is the section at the end of each email you send out. The footer serves a few purposes from sharing housekeeping information, legal statements and disclaimers to encouraging further brand engagement and conversion.

Legally required elements to include in your email footer

In the interest of securing consumers’ rights and protecting consumers from scams and harassment, there are legal regulations that require all marketing emails to include certain pieces of information. We’ll start by going through everything you must include in your footer, and then we’ll discuss the additional items you can include in your footer to improve your reader engagement.

An easy way to unsubscribe or manage preferences

While no one wants to lose subscribers, it’s paramount to include a clear, easy-to-find link to opt-out. If you’ve ever decided to unsubscribe from a brand’s emails but couldn’t find the link to do it, you understand the frustration. It’s good business and prevents spam complaints, but more importantly, it’s legally necessary.

In the US, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 includes this requirement as a way to ensure that consumers have a way to stop receiving emails from any organization. The same is true for similar laws like Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and the UK’s Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations of 2003.

Build transparency and trust with readers by giving them a simple way to opt-out if they choose to. You can do this through either an “unsubscribe” link or a “manage preferences” or “email preferences” link.

An “unsubscribe” link directly takes readers to a page where they can unsubscribe from all your emails or just select ones, while a “manage preferences” button typically gives customers more options, like reducing the frequency of emails. Either way, these make it convenient for customers to unsubscribe and show them that you aren’t trying to trap them in your mailing list.

Take Michael’s, for example. This is what the unsubscribe link looks like at the bottom of its marketing emails:

Michael's email footer example

When customers click that link, it brings them to a page to manage their preferences:

Michael's "manage your inbox"

Identifying information and contact information

To help prevent scams and give customers recourse against improper emailing behaviors, various anti-spam laws require that organizations include certain pieces of identifying information and contact information in every email. Legally, you must include:

  • Your business or organization’s name
  • Your full address. Include your street address, city, and state/province

Those legal requirements are the bare minimum, but you can improve your engagement and your consumer trust if you include a few additional pieces of contact information too:

  • A link back to your site. Try adding a linked logo or including specific pages (your blog, services page, etc.). This gives readers a way to get more information in a single tap.
  • Contact email address. This information is a way for readers to reply to the message or get in touch with questions or concerns.

    As an example, check out how For Days has included all of those contact details and links in its email footer:
FOR DAYS email footer example

Privacy policy and legal disclaimers

Privacy policies and legal disclaimers aren’t the most exciting elements of your email footer design, but they're among the most important. A privacy policy is legally required, not by anti-spam legislation but by privacy-focused legislation like General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in California.

If your emails may reach consumers in any of these locations (which is the case for most email marketers), you must include a privacy policy.

There are certain other pieces of information which, while they aren’t legally required, can help you establish trust with your readers and improve transparency so consumers know who you are and why you’re emailing them. They can also help you in the case of certain civil lawsuits, like copyright-related lawsuits. These additions can include:

  • Why you’re receiving this email. Many readers are subscribed to dozens and dozens of mailing lists. A permission reminder is a nice way to tell them exactly why they’re receiving this message. It’s also an email deliverability best practice because it further reduces spam complaints and helps you maintain a high sender reputation.

    Here, Health-Ade Kombucha explains that you’re receiving this email because you opted in via their website or an event.
Health-Ade Kombucha email footer design
  • Copyright. This doesn’t have to stand out boldly, but it’s a good email footer best practice to include the copyright mark (©), the year and the copyright owner (your business name).
  • Details or restrictions on an offer. Retailers often need to include fine print about the discounts or deals presented in an email, and the footer ends up being the place where these details are added.

Optional email footer elements to boost engagement

As we’ve discussed, most email service providers require you to include certain information in your footer, such as a physical address, a link to unsubscribe to comply with anti-spam laws, and a link to your privacy policy. Beyond these basic components, however, there’s much more information you can include to create more impact and engagement with your email footer. Here are some common footer elements to consider.

Social media buttons

As secondary calls to action, social media buttons often find a home in the footer, where they aren’t a distraction from the body of your message and your main CTA. These conveniently linked icons guide readers toward an additional way to engage with your brand and keep up with the latest sales and news, so they’re a win-win.

Check out how Thrive Causemetics included its social media links in its email footer using its brand color:

Thrive Causemetics on brand email footer

Website links

Your website is your digital “home” and for most brands, it’s the best place for customers to land because it’s where they learn about your organization, build brand familiarity, and perhaps even make purchases.

Something as simple as adding your website link to your footer can prompt consumers to visit your website (along with adding further transparency about who is sending them this email).

Take a look at how Dancing Goats Coffee does this, for example:

Dancing Goats Coffee footer

It’s simple and subtle but it’s clear and provides an easy path to added engagement.

Additional engagement links

You may want to include some other relevant links in your email footer design to boost engagement, too. This could include:

  • Forward to a friend: Sometimes your beautifully designed email doesn’t render correctly when forwarded, so many brands include a “Forward” link at the email’s close. On the marketing end, this can encourage readers to forward and help you track how many of them do.
  • Sign up: If your message does get forwarded, it’s useful to provide a direct way for those new recipients to subscribe.
  • Update your profile: If your email service provider offers a preference center where subscribers can update their profile and change things like messaging frequency, the footer is the perfect place to add a link to it.
  • App download: If you have an app, your email marketing is an excellent place to make customers aware and prompt them to download it and try it out.

    Check out the app download button in this ModCloth footer. Along with other engagement-centered buttons, this button helps to spread the word about ModCloth’s app and offers customers a more convenient way to shop.
ModCloth email Footer

Branding elements

Your email marketing is an excellent opportunity for branding. Something as simple as adding a few branding elements, like your logo and your brand colors or branded icons, into your footer can help to reinforce your brand image. The more familiar your brand feels to customers, the more likely they are to think of you for their future purchases, and every little bit helps.

Consider this footer of an email from TOMS, for instance. TOMS incorporates an image of its slogan, “Wear TOMS. Wear Good.” in the footer along with its brand color scheme. This not only strengthens the TOMS brand but it reinforces the brand’s core value of philanthropy.

TOMS footer

How to design a great email footer

Once you’ve decided what to include in your footer, it’s time to start designing. These email footer examples and tips can help.

Make it simple

Footers can quickly become overly crowded with buttons, icons, links and fine print. Before stuffing your footer with information, evaluate what makes the most sense to include and then try to stick to the bare minimum. Overwhelming readers with too much information can lead them to skip over the footer altogether, not knowing where to begin. An email design best practice is to keep your message focused. Likewise, the simpler the footer, the more useful it will be to readers.

Here’s an example from BANGS Shoes. The clutter-free design makes the footer easy to scan. Readers can zero in on what they’re looking for quickly since the footer doesn’t include too many elements or an overload of information. And since most of the footer is plain text, it will always render correctly.

email footer example

Create a hierarchy

After you’ve established a basic list of what needs to be included in your footer, organize the information in a hierarchy based on the actions you most want readers to take and the information they’re most likely to be seeking.

Here’s an email footer example from WeTransfer that provides subscribers with direction and clarity.

First, the company clearly explains what they do for any new subscribers (or old ones who could use a refresh). Next you’re directed to social media, and finally WeTransfer gets down to the fine print, keeping this part to a minimum.

The simple black-and-white email footer includes what they really want readers to know at the top and then adds less essential information at the bottom.

WeTransfer email footer example

Get organized

Formatting your footer into sections, with headers and labels to clearly organize content, is a great approach to improving readability.

In this example from Seletti, the color scheme is slick and easy to read, with a couple of emojis that grab your attention. This is a great example of how smart email footer design can make a lot of content easier to scan.

Tthe footer content is separated into groups with website links first, social media next and then other contact information (such as the company’s address and phone number). The unsubscribe link is found at the very bottom.

Seletti Email Design Footer

Use HTML background colors

Footers are often distinguished from the body of an email with a substantially different HTML background color. Using a background color is one of the quickest and most effective ways to let readers know where one email section ends and the next begins.

Here’s an email footer example from Craftsy’s email newsletter. The light blue background pops, signaling to readers that these details are separate, in addition to incorporating part of the brand’s color scheme. Because footer information is typically small, it’s important to think about color and contrast between text and background to enhance legibility. Using colors with high contrast makes reading the smaller text a breeze.

Craftsy email newsletter footer

Take up space

There’s no rule of thumb for how big or small your footer should be. As you design your email, you’ll want to be cognizant of the content size and length to avoid having your message get clipped. But if there’s room for it, your footer can expand to be a bigger part of your email.

Here’s an example from AirBNB that uses the email footer to reinforce branding. The significant padding between each section of the footer allows readers to take in each section of information one at a time — no crowding or clutter here. It’s a cute, clever way to conclude an email without being overbearing.Keeping the footer light on text and big on blank space also helps create a sense of levity and scannability.

AirBNB Footer

Compare AirBNB’s email with this footer from TIME. The below examples compresses information to the point of making it uninviting and hard to read. When it comes to email footer best practices, keeping yours easy to scan is essential.

email footer

Include a sign off

Your email footer is a place to have fun, too! Some brands include a sign-off that inspires readers or adds a sense of playfulness to the message.

General Assembly closes their emails with a quote. With its monochromatic color scheme, two social buttons and high-contrasting HTML background, the footer is elegant and to-the-point.

email footer General Assembly

The clothing brand Huckberry also includes an inspirational quote in their oversized footer, combining the design elements we saw in the the General Assembly and AirBNB footers.

It’s a smart relationship-building technique to include a non-marketing-related sign-off that reinforces your company values. Not only does this help to improve your brand awareness but it also gives your brand more of a relatable personality.All the techniques and elements listed above will allow you to truly take advantage of your footer’s space in every email.

You’re not just checking boxes and including legally necessary information, you’re also making the footer engaging and productive for your bottom line. You don’t need to incorporate every technique in your footers, but even working in a few of them can boost your engagement in a meaningful and lucrative way.

creative email footer

Key takeaways: Designing effective email footer design

  1. Collect the information you’re required to include in your email footer, then carefully evaluate optional elements.
  2. Think about what actions you want readers to take to help create a short list of which elements you’ll include.
  3. Err on the side of too little information rather than too much.
  4. Arrange your footer information in a hierarchy, starting with the most important information or call-to-action.
  5. Organize your email footer design. Use headers and colors to create sections,  incorporate CTA buttons and allow plenty of space around each cluster of information.
  6. Separate the footer from the body of your email with a background color. Use contrasting colors to improve legibility.
  7. If you can afford it, take up space. Allow the information to breathe and increase padding.
  8. Include a thoughtful sign-off. Make a statement about your brand or your company values and strengthen your relationship with readers.Put These Tips In Action With Beefree 

60 Fall Email Subject Lines To Increase Autumn Sales

Discover the best fall email subject lines to drive conversions. Click here to explore a collection of expert subject lines to boost your fall email engagement.
Beefree team
Sep 5, 2024

The arrival of fall not only brings a change in the weather but also opens a window of opportunity for email marketers to tap into the sales season.

Did you know that according to OptinMonster, a striking “47% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone?” This makes your email subject lines a key player in your autumn marketing strategy. 

Let’s dive into a world where creativity meets strategy, exploring a variety of fall email subject lines designed to captivate your audience and boost your autumn sales.

Fall email subject line tips

Let’s explore some pivotal tips that will elevate your fall email subject lines and ensure they capture the essence of your message and the season.

1. Personalize with a touch of seasonal warmth

Utilizing data like past purchases, location, or browsing history allows you to craft subject lines that speak directly to the individual, enveloping them in a personalized experience that feels inviting.

2. Avoid the spam trap with thoughtful wording

Crafting a subject line that avoids the dreaded spam folder is akin to carefully stepping through a patch of crunchy fall leaves – it requires thoughtfulness and precision. Steer clear of using all caps, excessive exclamation points, and words that are commonly associated with spam, such as “free” or “buy now.” Instead, focus on creating a natural, conversational tone that gently guides your subscribers into your content.

3. Incorporate timeliness and urgency

Infusing your subject lines with a sense of timeliness and urgency, such as highlighting a limited-time offer or a flash sale, can encourage subscribers to open your email promptly. Ensure that the urgency is genuine and the offers are valuable to maintain trust and engagement with your audience.

4. Highlight your brand’s personality

Fall is a season that comes with its own array of playful language and puns. Whether it’s playing with phrases related to leaves, pumpkins, or cozy sweaters, a clever pun can add personality to your communication.

5. Embrace A/B testing for your subject lines

By testing two variations of your subject lines you can gain insights into which phrases, keywords, or emojis resonate best, enabling you to send the more effective subject line to your list. 

60 Best Fall Email Subject Lines 

From the allure of sales and the unveiling of new collections to the playful charm of puns and the festive joy of holidays, each of these subject lines is a pathway into the heart of your subscribers. 

Fall sale or discount subject lines

Incorporating the seasonal charm of fall into your sale subject lines not only enhances their appeal but also creates a timely and relevant context that can resonate with your subscribers, inviting them to explore your offerings and, ultimately, make a purchase.

Subject line examples:

  • "🍂 Fall Into Savings: Up to 50% Off Starts Now!"
  • "Harvest the Savings: Exclusive Fall Discount Inside!"
  • "Sweater Weather, Sweeter Deals: 30% Off Fall Fashion!"
  • "Unbe-leaf-able Deals: Your Exclusive Fall Sale is Here!"
  • "Autumn Exclusives: Enjoy an Extra 20% Off Sale Items!"
  • "Fall in Love with Our Autumn Sale: Up to 40% Off!"
  • "🎃 Spooktacular Savings: Frighteningly Good Deals Inside!"
  • "Cozy Up to Exclusive Fall Discounts – Limited Time Only!"
  • "A Cornucopia of Savings: Shop Our Fall Sale Now!"
  • "Rake in the Deals: Your Fall Discount Awaits Inside!"

Real-life example:

  • Brand Name: Hay
  • Subject line: "Crisp, cozy, colorful (and 15% off)"
  • Purpose of the email: Announce their “Autumn Sale.” 
(source)

Fall subject lines to introduce new collections or products

Introducing new collections with fall-centric subject lines seamlessly blends the anticipation of the new with the comforting familiarity of the season, crafting a delightful and enticing invitation to explore, discover, and shop.

Subject line examples:

  • "🍁 Fresh Picks for Fall: Explore Our New Arrivals!"
  • "New Season, New Styles: Shop the Fall Collection Now!"
  • "Autumn Elegance: Discover Our New Fall Jewelry Line!"
  • "Wrap Up in Style with Our New Fall Outerwear!"
  • "Fall Flavors Have Arrived: New Seasonal Menu Inside!"
  • "Step into Fall: New Boot Collection Just Dropped!"
  • "Cozy Up with Our New Fall Home Decor!"
  • "Sip into Autumn: New Fall Beverage Line Launched!"
  • "Fall Beauty Unveiled: Explore Our New Makeup Line!"
  • "Fresh Fall Reads: Discover Our New Book Releases!"

Real-life example:

  • Brand Name: Juvee
  • Subject Line: “Bringing You a Taste of Autumn” 
  • Purpose of the email: Promote the launch of their Caramel Apple drink.
(source)

Subject lines with fall puns

Fall provides a fertile ground for playful wordplay that can bring a smile to your subscribers and create a lighthearted, engaging entry point to your email content.

Subject line examples:

  • "Orange You Glad It’s Pumpkin Season? 🎃"
  • "Nuts About Our New Fall Collection!"
  • "Oh My Gourd, These Fall Deals Are Unbe-leaf-able!"
  • "Squash Your FOMO: Fall Sale Now On!"
  • "Leaf Your Worries Behind: Fall into Relaxation!"
  • "Yam-tastic! Sweet Deals on Our New Fall Menu!"
  • "Apple-y Ever After: Fall in Love with Our New Arrivals!"
  • "A-maize-ing Deals Just for You This Fall!"
  • "Harvest the Fun with Our Fall Festival Lineup!"
  • "Spice Up Your Wardrobe with Our Fall Collection!"

Real-Life Example:

  • Brand Name: FitVine Wines
  • Subject Line: "No tricks, just treats 🎃🍷🦇”
  • Purpose of the email: Promote their FitVine.
(source)

Holiday-specific fall subject lines

Crafting holiday-specific subject lines allows your brand to resonate with the festive spirit and sentiments that naturally permeate through the season. By aligning your messages with the holidays and celebrations that your audience holds dear, you create a bridge of relevance and shared joy, enhancing the connectivity and appeal of your emails during this festive fall period.

Halloween
  • "No Tricks, Just Treats: Spooktacular Deals Inside!"
  • "Unmask Frighteningly Good Offers This Halloween!"
  • "Boo-tiful New Arrivals to Spook and Delight!"
  • "Witching You a Happy Halloween: Special Treat Inside!"
Thanksgiving
  • "Gobble Up the Savings: Thanksgiving Deals Inside!"
  • "Grateful for You: A Thanksgiving Treat Inside 🦃"
  • "Feast Your Eyes on Our Thanksgiving Specials!"
  • "A Cornucopia of Thanks: Exclusive Offer Inside!"
Veterans Day
  • "Honoring Heroes: Special Veterans Day Sale!"
  • "A Salute to Savings: Veterans Day Exclusive!"
  • "Celebrating Courage: Special Offer for Veterans Day!"
  • "Thank You for Your Service: Exclusive Veterans Day Deal!"
Black Friday
  • "Black Friday Bounty: Unbeatable Deals Inside!"
  • "Sneak Peek: Black Friday Deals Unveiled!"
  • "The Black Friday Sale You’ve Been Waiting For!"
  • "Unlock Black Friday Savings Early: VIP Access Inside!"

Real-Life Example:

  • Brand Name: Carhartt 
  • Subject Line: "Black Friday: Early Access"
  • Purpose of the email: Promote their Black Friday early access sale. 
(source)

Fall subject lines that reference fall weather

Subject lines that reference the weather crafts a narrative that is immediately recognizable and engaging to your subscribers, inviting them to explore your offerings with the comforting, familiar backdrop of the fall season.

Subject line examples:

  • "Fall Breeze, Autumn Ease: Wind Down with Our Cozy Picks!"
  • "Rainy Day Rescue: Stay Dry with Our Stylish Raincoats!"
  • "Sweater Weather is Better Weather: New Arrivals Inside!"
  • "Crisp Air, Don’t Care: Explore Our Fall Essentials!"
  • "Stay Cozy in Our Must-Have Fall Layers!"
  • "Chilly Days, Stylish Ways: Warm Up with Our Collection!"
  • "Embrace the Chill: Hot Deals on Cool Styles Inside!"
  • "Leaf the Cold Behind: Warm Up with Our Hot Picks!"
  • "Autumn Showers, Stylish Hours: Waterproof Favorites Inside!"
  • "Warm Hues, Cozy Shoes: Step into Fall Comfort!"

Real-life example:

  • Brand Name: Hotel June
  • Subject Line: "Feels Like Fall"
  • Purpose of the email: Encourage travelers to book a stay at Hotel June by promoting new fall specials. 
(source)

Fall subject lines about autumn activities and events

From apple picking and leaf-peeping to festive gatherings and holiday preparations, these subject lines evoke anticipatation of these cherished moments. By aligning your messages with the activities that define the fall experience, your emails become a celebration of the season, intertwining your brand with the warmth and nostalgia.

Subject line examples:

  • "Harvest Happiness with Our Fall Collection!"
  • "Leaf-Peeping Essentials: Gear Up for Autumn Adventures!"
  • "Apple-Picking Season is Here: Grab Your Fall Favorites!"
  • "Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: Fall Flavors Have Arrived!"
  • "Get Festive: Everything You Need for Fall Gatherings!"
  • "Fall Crafting: Create Your Cozy with Our DIY Kits!"
  • "Bake Up a Storm: Autumn-Inspired Baking Essentials Inside!"
  • "Cozy Campfires Await: S’mores, Stories, and Styles Inside!"
  • "Haunted Happenings: Spooky Styles and Decor Inside!"
  • "Thanksgiving Prep Starts Now: Get Ready to Feast!"

Real-Life Example:

  • Brand Name: HomeAway
  • Subject Line: "Get in the fall spirit with a cabin stay”
  • Purpose of the email: Encourage customers to book a cabin stay. 
(source)

Elevate your fall email campaigns to new heights

The harmony between a captivating subject line and a visually engaging email design is where the true magic happens.

With Beefree’s fall email templates, you gain access to a curated selection of designs that encapsulate the warmth and vibrancy of fall and perfectly compliment your captivating subject lines.

8+ Hot Email Design Trends in 2024 & Beyond

We’ve teamed up with Really Good Email’s Matt Helbig and a group of email experts for a roundup of the hottest email design trends.
Beefree team
Aug 30, 2024

We’ve teamed up with Really Good Email’s Matt Helbig and a group of email experts for a roundup of the hottest email design trends.

How can you incorporate email design trends into your brand? 

“You have to know what's right for your audience, your brand, and your company. Don't just adopt a trend because it's the cool thing to do. 

Focus on the foundations, what makes a really good email is this email is customer-centric and solves a problem that someone might have. 

A lot of the time, company emails are very self-serving, but keep in mind that the person at the other end is not just a dollar sign; they are people as well. Use human language and not corporate gobbledy. 

Be clear about what you are making, why, and who it's for. Its really important to communicate your message clearly and tell people, you know, come to our site, come visit us. Send emails with a purpose and think about, “How can I make this person's day better?”

Accessibility is always a big thing. At Really Good Emails, we see a lot of all-image emails and that’s rarely ever accessible. You want to meet your readers where they are, whether it's on a mobile device or they have a disability and can't access your email. 

Beyond just including something like alt text, it's making sure your email is available on all devices that they might be reading on.

Lastly, just treat the inbox as a sacred, personal, and safe place. It is a safe place and you have some responsibility behind what you're sending to your audience. Your email should be a delight and a nice surprise in an inbox filled with annoyance and filtered spam emails. People should look forward to receiving your email in their inboxes.”

Matt Helbig, Integrated Manager at Beefree & Really Good Emails

Email design trends for 2024 & beyond 

#1: Raw & unfiltered 

“As an amateur photographer myself,  I'm always excited to see that this trend continues to gain momentum. It's all about capturing images in their most natural state with minimal to no editing or retouching.

Unlike traditional stock photos or marketing images, which are often very produced, very stylized, very polished – raw and unfiltered embrace imperfection. This style, this trend, shows real people, real environments, and it captures genuine moments.

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

It's often characterized by natural lighting, minimal post-production editing, and authentic expressions and scenarios, which makes it feel very spontaneous and very candid. 

This trend is becoming popular largely due to social media. We're very used to seeing what at least appears to be authentic situations and with consumers demanding more transparency from brands we are kind of skeptical of overly polished images or images that we may feel are too photoshopped. 

Another plus of “raw and unfiltered” is that it can evoke a sense of nostalgia and help to strengthen the connection with your audience. 

Finally, and one of the most important, I think, is that it can be very cost-effective. You don't have to pay for the big production, the expensive photographer, or all the editing.”

Kristy McCarley, Founder & Managing Director of Pure Firefly. 

#2: Chunky text

“This trend of oversized text is really dominating the visual space. If you're a design geek, this can be super fun to experiment with to add a sense of playfulness and grab a reader’s attention as soon as the email is open.

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

This trend is really popular because of the rise in appreciation for minimalism and the need to create quick digestible content. It allows you to convey that message in a really concise way. 

If you're trying to decide whether to experiment with this or if it's right for your brand, just keep in mind that you don't want it to be overwhelming. There should be a balance between the size of the text and its chunkiness so that it doesn't affect readability.” 

Kristy McCarley, Founder & Managing Director of Pure Firefly. 

#3: Deep & dark

‘’This trend was sparked or spurred by the prevalence of dark mode, but think we've moved way beyond that now. 

I just love the spectrum of dark colors that I see brands bringing into the inbox to create this kind of mood instantly within their email. 

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

My cautionary tale is to test the heck out of it beforehand. For a few email clients with some partial color inversion, darker tones turn into a salmon pink, which can strain the eyes. You obviously don't want to accidentally serve the audience that wants dark mode, something that's way outside of your brand guidelines.’’

Laura Sullivan, Head of Brand & Marketing at Inbox Monster

#4: Color blocking

"These big, bold areas of color usually help you differentiate visual hierarchy in emails or make a section in an email stand out.

If you do a little bit of Googling on the history of color blocking, apparently this is a big fashion trend coming back from the 1960’s which is what gives color blocking a little bit of a retro feel."

Justin Jordan, Head of Strategy & Community at Beefree

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

#5: Longing for Dial-up

"This trend combines old-school nostalgia with some of the new fun trends we’ve mentioned previously. This is all about the nineties being cool again. 

This summer, I have gone to so many concerts with 90s bands coming out and playing. For example, I saw a Green Day show, and they played the entirety of Dookie because it was Dookie's, I think, 25th or 30th anniversary of being released. That night, I felt like I was 18 again. The next morning, maybe not so much. But I was totally willing to relive 18 for an evening. 

If you've got that demographic, then take advantage of it. This is not for every brand; you really have to know your audience, know your style, and see if it works."

Justin Jordan, Head of Strategy & Community at Beefree

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

#6: Ticker GIFs 

"Ticker GIF also known as the repeating text, usually at the top of the email, really grabs attention and makes the email feel lively and energetic. It can add playfulness similar to the chunky text, and it's eye-catching.

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

I’m kind of on the fence about ticker text because I'm affected by movement in email. So sometimes, if it's a little too fast or if it just feels like too much, I will look away, but I know there are other subscribers, the audience that loves it and really get into it.

I say be very thoughtful about the use of it. Make sure you have enough contrast. If you're using it to highlight a key message, it can be great. Or a sense of urgency for like a promotion or limited time offer. Just be aware that it can overwhelm some subscribers and it may be distracting and sometimes it's just not the right fit for the campaign."

Kristy McCarley, Founder & Managing Director of Pure Firefly. 

#7: Styled letter 

"This trend is leading in popularity because it approaches email with a human voice instead of a product or brand. With the rise of AI, people’s spidey sense is up for things that aren't authentic and real and this approach helps tackle that. 

Style letter is a good balance between using plain text and brand elements like fonts and colors to make it feel a little bit more personalized.

In the example below, which is written by Justine, is all written in her voice, like when I read it, I could hear her reading it.

Read full email

This trends is relatively low effort. You don't always need a designer to do something like this. You can make things stand out by using bullet points or adding a GIF. 

I like to think of email almost like as a tool belt, you know, you can use a plain text email or you can use a well-designed email. It doesn't have to be one or the other. 

You just know that your reader has this problem that they’re trying to solve, and you can use different types of content to make your email get the job to be done"

Laura Sullivan, Head of Brand & Marketing at Inbox Monster

#8: Hover effects

We are seeing brands do some really cool, fun hover effects in email. It's a good way to tell people that something's clickable.

I think it's catching on because it's interactive. I think it catches your eye when you're scrolling, especially on like a desktop environment where it's supported. And some of these, especially hover effects, are little things you can add at the end of the email that may not change the whole design, but they show that you are spending the time and attention on your email designs and your marketing.

Matt Helbig, Integrated Manager at Beefree & Really Good Emails

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Honorable email design trend mentions: 

Typography: Weird fonts

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Typography: 3D Text

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Shapes: Waves

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Imagery: Hand models

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Interactivity: Choose your own adventure

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Movement: 360 rotate

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Messaging: Sustainability

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Final hot take: 

"It’s important for me to share the disclaimer that trends are not going to save your business; however, they can help you better communicate your message. 

I've mostly been on the B2B side of things for my entire career. And so every time I look at what all the cool things that retail and e-commerce brands are doing, I'm reminded that B2B doesn't have to be boring.

While all of these trends may not not be totally a “hot” for your brand,it cool to at least be informed about what other brands are doing in the space and maybe one of them will work for you.

This is not an endorsement for any trend in particular. Choose your trends responsibility. Don't use it if it might not be for your brand. 

And finally make sure that whatever you do, you continue to be really good and make some really good looking emails."

Matt Helbig, Integrated Manager at Beefree & Really Good Emails

You can watch the entire live event with Q&A here

How to Write PR Pitch Emails

Chris Norton, host of Embracing Marketing Mistakes and a Founder of an award-winning PR agency, shares his process for writing PR pitch emails that get results. 
Chris Norton
Aug 16, 2024

Despite the digital revolution, PR professionals still prefer emails when pitching news stories to relevant journalists.

However, journalists receive tons of emails daily, making it hard to stand out. Reports show that 47.5% of journalists get 100 emails daily, with more than a third of journalists getting 200 emails every day! 

So unless you have an ace up your sleeve, your pitch will likely go unnoticed. 

Writing a successful PR pitch email is tough but not impossible.

After leading an award-winning PR agency for over a decade, I have developed a process for writing PR pitch emails that get results. Let's get into it.

1. Research

The foundation of a successful media pitch lies in its relevance to the recipient. Hence, your first step when writing a PR pitch email is to research and generate a list of relevant media contacts.

You can use tools like Prowly or Muck Rack’s media database, shown below, to easily find journalists who cover topics that align with your story.

Once you have your list of journalists in your niche, dig deep into their recent articles and general topics of interest. Again, a tool like Muck Rack can help you easily find their most recent articles or beats since each journalist has a profile on the platform.

https://muckrack.com/anthony-zurcher

2. Write a personalized email pitch

According to a 2020 Muck Rack survey, “33% of the 1000 journalists surveyed reported rejecting a PR pitch due to its lack of personalization.” 

Personalization doesn’t just mean writing pitches to journalists who cover your specific niche. It also means adding some elements to each individual pitch to show that it was created with that specific media personality in mind. 

For instance, the pitch could offer a fresh perspective or angle on a topic the journalist covered previously. Or it could mention that time you met them at an industry event. You could even mention the fact that you have a common acquaintance.

How long should an email pitch be?

The 2020 State of Journalism survey found that “61% of journalists prefer pitches that are around two or three paragraphs.” This length allows you to provide enough information while still keeping your pitch brief and personalized.

You don’t have to write your email pitch from scratch. You can use an AI tool as a starting point. AI will generate a PR email pitch instantly based on the press release’s contents. However, ensure you have a solid AI policy template to set clear guidelines and standards for using AI within your organization.

3. Use a clear, compelling call to action

Do not leave it up to the journalist to decide the next steps after reading your pitch. End your pitch with a clear and compelling call to action. What do you want the journalist to do after reading it? Do you want them to request more information? Are you inviting them to attend an event? 

Your call to action should be explicit and easy to act upon. Avoid generic phrases and verbs like "please consider” or “avail of.”

Instead, opt for a direct approach. A “Please respond to this email if you want more details,” is a great call to action. 

One look and the journalist will know exactly what you’re asking of them. They won’t have a hard time acting on your request either, so it increases the likelihood of them doing just that.

4. Sign off

When signing off, use a courteous farewell. For instance, end your pitch with “Thanks for your time” or “Thanks in advance.” 

Include your name and contact details, such as your email and phone number. This ensures the journalist can reach out to you on their preferred channel for additional information. 

Before you send your pitch, remember to proofread your email to ensure it has no grammatical or spelling errors. This shows professionalism, increasing the likelihood of a positive response.

5. Craft a compelling subject line

Most journalists are busy and genuinely lack the time to sift through lengthy email pitches to decide if your story merits further investigation. Therefore, you must use your subject line to get their attention and entice them to open your email in the first place. 

Think of your subject line as your pitch’s headline. 

A killer subject line should be engaging and reflective of what your pitch is. It should be a hook that piques the journalist's interest and sets clear expectations about what the email contains.

For instance, if you plan to pitch a story about the benefits of hosted phones for small businesses, a subject line like 'Revolutionize Communication: How Hosted Phones Are Transforming Small Business Operations' could grab their attention.

Additionally, you can connect your email subject line to a trending story. Around 77% of journalists surveyed for The State of Journalism report believed this is one of the top practices that make a story more shareable.

Avoid using vague or salesy words that are spam triggers, like now or limited time, in your PR pitch email subject lines. Instead, use words like pitch or launch to show that your email is legit. This will prevent your email pitch from going to the spam folder, which could affect your sender reputation and email deliverability.  

Your email subject line should also be short. A Backlinko study found long subject lines (36-50 characters) yield a higher successful pitch rate than shorter subject lines.

Bonus tip: Follow up

After sending your pitch, mark your calendar for a follow-up. If you haven’t heard back in a week or so, it’s acceptable to send a polite follow-up email. 

Following up shows your commitment and interest. A single follow-up message enhances outreach conversion rates, potentially increasing replies by as much as 65.8%.

Follow-up email best practices:

  • Follow up within three to seven days after sending your original pitch.
  • Keep the email short. It’s simply a brief and polite reiteration of your key message and an expression of why the story would interest their readers.
  • Provide any additional information that may be helpful.
  • Alternatively, change your approach to the story. For instance, you could suggest a different news angle or offer a different, more relevant finding.

Examples of PR emails done well

Example #1

This example shows how you can offer value by offering an original report on a topic that is newsworthy at the time.

Notice that touch of personalization? The writer used the journalist’s first name to make it appear the email was written especially for them.

The subject line is also compelling. It mentions a key finding of a study that hasn’t been done before. As for the call to action, "Let me know if this is something you can use for a story," is pretty straightforward and easy to act on.

Example #2

In this example, the pitch points out an interesting study to intrigue the journalist and prompt them to consider the story for publication or mention.

The writer, Remy, also personalizes by referencing the journalist’s recent post on romance scams and by mentioning his first name. Remy also signs off courteously with a brief “Cheers” and her name.

Wrap-up

Creating a successful media pitch largely hinges on its relevance and alignment with the interests of the targeted journalist. Therefore, ensure you understand the journalist's background, recent articles, and publication style before you craft a resonating pitch. That requires extensive research on your part.

Once you have all the information you need, you can start creating a compelling subject line and writing your pitch. Make sure your content is personalized. It demonstrates to the individual journalists that you are genuinely interested in collaborating with them. 

Then, include a clear CTA and conclude your email with a courteous farewell. 

Now go and write a great PR pitch email that will get you media coverage. Don’t forget to send follow-up emails for the best results.

All the best!

60 Fall Email Subject Lines To Increase Autumn Sales

Discover the best fall email subject lines to drive conversions. Click here to explore a collection of expert subject lines to boost your fall email engagement.
Beefree team
Beefree team
5 Sep
2024

The arrival of fall not only brings a change in the weather but also opens a window of opportunity for email marketers to tap into the sales season.

Did you know that according to OptinMonster, a striking “47% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone?” This makes your email subject lines a key player in your autumn marketing strategy. 

Let’s dive into a world where creativity meets strategy, exploring a variety of fall email subject lines designed to captivate your audience and boost your autumn sales.

Fall email subject line tips

Let’s explore some pivotal tips that will elevate your fall email subject lines and ensure they capture the essence of your message and the season.

1. Personalize with a touch of seasonal warmth

Utilizing data like past purchases, location, or browsing history allows you to craft subject lines that speak directly to the individual, enveloping them in a personalized experience that feels inviting.

2. Avoid the spam trap with thoughtful wording

Crafting a subject line that avoids the dreaded spam folder is akin to carefully stepping through a patch of crunchy fall leaves – it requires thoughtfulness and precision. Steer clear of using all caps, excessive exclamation points, and words that are commonly associated with spam, such as “free” or “buy now.” Instead, focus on creating a natural, conversational tone that gently guides your subscribers into your content.

3. Incorporate timeliness and urgency

Infusing your subject lines with a sense of timeliness and urgency, such as highlighting a limited-time offer or a flash sale, can encourage subscribers to open your email promptly. Ensure that the urgency is genuine and the offers are valuable to maintain trust and engagement with your audience.

4. Highlight your brand’s personality

Fall is a season that comes with its own array of playful language and puns. Whether it’s playing with phrases related to leaves, pumpkins, or cozy sweaters, a clever pun can add personality to your communication.

5. Embrace A/B testing for your subject lines

By testing two variations of your subject lines you can gain insights into which phrases, keywords, or emojis resonate best, enabling you to send the more effective subject line to your list. 

60 Best Fall Email Subject Lines 

From the allure of sales and the unveiling of new collections to the playful charm of puns and the festive joy of holidays, each of these subject lines is a pathway into the heart of your subscribers. 

Fall sale or discount subject lines

Incorporating the seasonal charm of fall into your sale subject lines not only enhances their appeal but also creates a timely and relevant context that can resonate with your subscribers, inviting them to explore your offerings and, ultimately, make a purchase.

Subject line examples:

  • "🍂 Fall Into Savings: Up to 50% Off Starts Now!"
  • "Harvest the Savings: Exclusive Fall Discount Inside!"
  • "Sweater Weather, Sweeter Deals: 30% Off Fall Fashion!"
  • "Unbe-leaf-able Deals: Your Exclusive Fall Sale is Here!"
  • "Autumn Exclusives: Enjoy an Extra 20% Off Sale Items!"
  • "Fall in Love with Our Autumn Sale: Up to 40% Off!"
  • "🎃 Spooktacular Savings: Frighteningly Good Deals Inside!"
  • "Cozy Up to Exclusive Fall Discounts – Limited Time Only!"
  • "A Cornucopia of Savings: Shop Our Fall Sale Now!"
  • "Rake in the Deals: Your Fall Discount Awaits Inside!"

Real-life example:

  • Brand Name: Hay
  • Subject line: "Crisp, cozy, colorful (and 15% off)"
  • Purpose of the email: Announce their “Autumn Sale.” 
(source)

Fall subject lines to introduce new collections or products

Introducing new collections with fall-centric subject lines seamlessly blends the anticipation of the new with the comforting familiarity of the season, crafting a delightful and enticing invitation to explore, discover, and shop.

Subject line examples:

  • "🍁 Fresh Picks for Fall: Explore Our New Arrivals!"
  • "New Season, New Styles: Shop the Fall Collection Now!"
  • "Autumn Elegance: Discover Our New Fall Jewelry Line!"
  • "Wrap Up in Style with Our New Fall Outerwear!"
  • "Fall Flavors Have Arrived: New Seasonal Menu Inside!"
  • "Step into Fall: New Boot Collection Just Dropped!"
  • "Cozy Up with Our New Fall Home Decor!"
  • "Sip into Autumn: New Fall Beverage Line Launched!"
  • "Fall Beauty Unveiled: Explore Our New Makeup Line!"
  • "Fresh Fall Reads: Discover Our New Book Releases!"

Real-life example:

  • Brand Name: Juvee
  • Subject Line: “Bringing You a Taste of Autumn” 
  • Purpose of the email: Promote the launch of their Caramel Apple drink.
(source)

Subject lines with fall puns

Fall provides a fertile ground for playful wordplay that can bring a smile to your subscribers and create a lighthearted, engaging entry point to your email content.

Subject line examples:

  • "Orange You Glad It’s Pumpkin Season? 🎃"
  • "Nuts About Our New Fall Collection!"
  • "Oh My Gourd, These Fall Deals Are Unbe-leaf-able!"
  • "Squash Your FOMO: Fall Sale Now On!"
  • "Leaf Your Worries Behind: Fall into Relaxation!"
  • "Yam-tastic! Sweet Deals on Our New Fall Menu!"
  • "Apple-y Ever After: Fall in Love with Our New Arrivals!"
  • "A-maize-ing Deals Just for You This Fall!"
  • "Harvest the Fun with Our Fall Festival Lineup!"
  • "Spice Up Your Wardrobe with Our Fall Collection!"

Real-Life Example:

  • Brand Name: FitVine Wines
  • Subject Line: "No tricks, just treats 🎃🍷🦇”
  • Purpose of the email: Promote their FitVine.
(source)

Holiday-specific fall subject lines

Crafting holiday-specific subject lines allows your brand to resonate with the festive spirit and sentiments that naturally permeate through the season. By aligning your messages with the holidays and celebrations that your audience holds dear, you create a bridge of relevance and shared joy, enhancing the connectivity and appeal of your emails during this festive fall period.

Halloween
  • "No Tricks, Just Treats: Spooktacular Deals Inside!"
  • "Unmask Frighteningly Good Offers This Halloween!"
  • "Boo-tiful New Arrivals to Spook and Delight!"
  • "Witching You a Happy Halloween: Special Treat Inside!"
Thanksgiving
  • "Gobble Up the Savings: Thanksgiving Deals Inside!"
  • "Grateful for You: A Thanksgiving Treat Inside 🦃"
  • "Feast Your Eyes on Our Thanksgiving Specials!"
  • "A Cornucopia of Thanks: Exclusive Offer Inside!"
Veterans Day
  • "Honoring Heroes: Special Veterans Day Sale!"
  • "A Salute to Savings: Veterans Day Exclusive!"
  • "Celebrating Courage: Special Offer for Veterans Day!"
  • "Thank You for Your Service: Exclusive Veterans Day Deal!"
Black Friday
  • "Black Friday Bounty: Unbeatable Deals Inside!"
  • "Sneak Peek: Black Friday Deals Unveiled!"
  • "The Black Friday Sale You’ve Been Waiting For!"
  • "Unlock Black Friday Savings Early: VIP Access Inside!"

Real-Life Example:

  • Brand Name: Carhartt 
  • Subject Line: "Black Friday: Early Access"
  • Purpose of the email: Promote their Black Friday early access sale. 
(source)

Fall subject lines that reference fall weather

Subject lines that reference the weather crafts a narrative that is immediately recognizable and engaging to your subscribers, inviting them to explore your offerings with the comforting, familiar backdrop of the fall season.

Subject line examples:

  • "Fall Breeze, Autumn Ease: Wind Down with Our Cozy Picks!"
  • "Rainy Day Rescue: Stay Dry with Our Stylish Raincoats!"
  • "Sweater Weather is Better Weather: New Arrivals Inside!"
  • "Crisp Air, Don’t Care: Explore Our Fall Essentials!"
  • "Stay Cozy in Our Must-Have Fall Layers!"
  • "Chilly Days, Stylish Ways: Warm Up with Our Collection!"
  • "Embrace the Chill: Hot Deals on Cool Styles Inside!"
  • "Leaf the Cold Behind: Warm Up with Our Hot Picks!"
  • "Autumn Showers, Stylish Hours: Waterproof Favorites Inside!"
  • "Warm Hues, Cozy Shoes: Step into Fall Comfort!"

Real-life example:

  • Brand Name: Hotel June
  • Subject Line: "Feels Like Fall"
  • Purpose of the email: Encourage travelers to book a stay at Hotel June by promoting new fall specials. 
(source)

Fall subject lines about autumn activities and events

From apple picking and leaf-peeping to festive gatherings and holiday preparations, these subject lines evoke anticipatation of these cherished moments. By aligning your messages with the activities that define the fall experience, your emails become a celebration of the season, intertwining your brand with the warmth and nostalgia.

Subject line examples:

  • "Harvest Happiness with Our Fall Collection!"
  • "Leaf-Peeping Essentials: Gear Up for Autumn Adventures!"
  • "Apple-Picking Season is Here: Grab Your Fall Favorites!"
  • "Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: Fall Flavors Have Arrived!"
  • "Get Festive: Everything You Need for Fall Gatherings!"
  • "Fall Crafting: Create Your Cozy with Our DIY Kits!"
  • "Bake Up a Storm: Autumn-Inspired Baking Essentials Inside!"
  • "Cozy Campfires Await: S’mores, Stories, and Styles Inside!"
  • "Haunted Happenings: Spooky Styles and Decor Inside!"
  • "Thanksgiving Prep Starts Now: Get Ready to Feast!"

Real-Life Example:

  • Brand Name: HomeAway
  • Subject Line: "Get in the fall spirit with a cabin stay”
  • Purpose of the email: Encourage customers to book a cabin stay. 
(source)

Elevate your fall email campaigns to new heights

The harmony between a captivating subject line and a visually engaging email design is where the true magic happens.

With Beefree’s fall email templates, you gain access to a curated selection of designs that encapsulate the warmth and vibrancy of fall and perfectly compliment your captivating subject lines.

8+ Hot Email Design Trends in 2024 & Beyond

We’ve teamed up with Really Good Email’s Matt Helbig and a group of email experts for a roundup of the hottest email design trends.
Beefree team
Beefree team
30 Aug
2024

We’ve teamed up with Really Good Email’s Matt Helbig and a group of email experts for a roundup of the hottest email design trends.

How can you incorporate email design trends into your brand? 

“You have to know what's right for your audience, your brand, and your company. Don't just adopt a trend because it's the cool thing to do. 

Focus on the foundations, what makes a really good email is this email is customer-centric and solves a problem that someone might have. 

A lot of the time, company emails are very self-serving, but keep in mind that the person at the other end is not just a dollar sign; they are people as well. Use human language and not corporate gobbledy. 

Be clear about what you are making, why, and who it's for. Its really important to communicate your message clearly and tell people, you know, come to our site, come visit us. Send emails with a purpose and think about, “How can I make this person's day better?”

Accessibility is always a big thing. At Really Good Emails, we see a lot of all-image emails and that’s rarely ever accessible. You want to meet your readers where they are, whether it's on a mobile device or they have a disability and can't access your email. 

Beyond just including something like alt text, it's making sure your email is available on all devices that they might be reading on.

Lastly, just treat the inbox as a sacred, personal, and safe place. It is a safe place and you have some responsibility behind what you're sending to your audience. Your email should be a delight and a nice surprise in an inbox filled with annoyance and filtered spam emails. People should look forward to receiving your email in their inboxes.”

Matt Helbig, Integrated Manager at Beefree & Really Good Emails

Email design trends for 2024 & beyond 

#1: Raw & unfiltered 

“As an amateur photographer myself,  I'm always excited to see that this trend continues to gain momentum. It's all about capturing images in their most natural state with minimal to no editing or retouching.

Unlike traditional stock photos or marketing images, which are often very produced, very stylized, very polished – raw and unfiltered embrace imperfection. This style, this trend, shows real people, real environments, and it captures genuine moments.

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

It's often characterized by natural lighting, minimal post-production editing, and authentic expressions and scenarios, which makes it feel very spontaneous and very candid. 

This trend is becoming popular largely due to social media. We're very used to seeing what at least appears to be authentic situations and with consumers demanding more transparency from brands we are kind of skeptical of overly polished images or images that we may feel are too photoshopped. 

Another plus of “raw and unfiltered” is that it can evoke a sense of nostalgia and help to strengthen the connection with your audience. 

Finally, and one of the most important, I think, is that it can be very cost-effective. You don't have to pay for the big production, the expensive photographer, or all the editing.”

Kristy McCarley, Founder & Managing Director of Pure Firefly. 

#2: Chunky text

“This trend of oversized text is really dominating the visual space. If you're a design geek, this can be super fun to experiment with to add a sense of playfulness and grab a reader’s attention as soon as the email is open.

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

This trend is really popular because of the rise in appreciation for minimalism and the need to create quick digestible content. It allows you to convey that message in a really concise way. 

If you're trying to decide whether to experiment with this or if it's right for your brand, just keep in mind that you don't want it to be overwhelming. There should be a balance between the size of the text and its chunkiness so that it doesn't affect readability.” 

Kristy McCarley, Founder & Managing Director of Pure Firefly. 

#3: Deep & dark

‘’This trend was sparked or spurred by the prevalence of dark mode, but think we've moved way beyond that now. 

I just love the spectrum of dark colors that I see brands bringing into the inbox to create this kind of mood instantly within their email. 

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

My cautionary tale is to test the heck out of it beforehand. For a few email clients with some partial color inversion, darker tones turn into a salmon pink, which can strain the eyes. You obviously don't want to accidentally serve the audience that wants dark mode, something that's way outside of your brand guidelines.’’

Laura Sullivan, Head of Brand & Marketing at Inbox Monster

#4: Color blocking

"These big, bold areas of color usually help you differentiate visual hierarchy in emails or make a section in an email stand out.

If you do a little bit of Googling on the history of color blocking, apparently this is a big fashion trend coming back from the 1960’s which is what gives color blocking a little bit of a retro feel."

Justin Jordan, Head of Strategy & Community at Beefree

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

#5: Longing for Dial-up

"This trend combines old-school nostalgia with some of the new fun trends we’ve mentioned previously. This is all about the nineties being cool again. 

This summer, I have gone to so many concerts with 90s bands coming out and playing. For example, I saw a Green Day show, and they played the entirety of Dookie because it was Dookie's, I think, 25th or 30th anniversary of being released. That night, I felt like I was 18 again. The next morning, maybe not so much. But I was totally willing to relive 18 for an evening. 

If you've got that demographic, then take advantage of it. This is not for every brand; you really have to know your audience, know your style, and see if it works."

Justin Jordan, Head of Strategy & Community at Beefree

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

#6: Ticker GIFs 

"Ticker GIF also known as the repeating text, usually at the top of the email, really grabs attention and makes the email feel lively and energetic. It can add playfulness similar to the chunky text, and it's eye-catching.

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

I’m kind of on the fence about ticker text because I'm affected by movement in email. So sometimes, if it's a little too fast or if it just feels like too much, I will look away, but I know there are other subscribers, the audience that loves it and really get into it.

I say be very thoughtful about the use of it. Make sure you have enough contrast. If you're using it to highlight a key message, it can be great. Or a sense of urgency for like a promotion or limited time offer. Just be aware that it can overwhelm some subscribers and it may be distracting and sometimes it's just not the right fit for the campaign."

Kristy McCarley, Founder & Managing Director of Pure Firefly. 

#7: Styled letter 

"This trend is leading in popularity because it approaches email with a human voice instead of a product or brand. With the rise of AI, people’s spidey sense is up for things that aren't authentic and real and this approach helps tackle that. 

Style letter is a good balance between using plain text and brand elements like fonts and colors to make it feel a little bit more personalized.

In the example below, which is written by Justine, is all written in her voice, like when I read it, I could hear her reading it.

Read full email

This trends is relatively low effort. You don't always need a designer to do something like this. You can make things stand out by using bullet points or adding a GIF. 

I like to think of email almost like as a tool belt, you know, you can use a plain text email or you can use a well-designed email. It doesn't have to be one or the other. 

You just know that your reader has this problem that they’re trying to solve, and you can use different types of content to make your email get the job to be done"

Laura Sullivan, Head of Brand & Marketing at Inbox Monster

#8: Hover effects

We are seeing brands do some really cool, fun hover effects in email. It's a good way to tell people that something's clickable.

I think it's catching on because it's interactive. I think it catches your eye when you're scrolling, especially on like a desktop environment where it's supported. And some of these, especially hover effects, are little things you can add at the end of the email that may not change the whole design, but they show that you are spending the time and attention on your email designs and your marketing.

Matt Helbig, Integrated Manager at Beefree & Really Good Emails

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Honorable email design trend mentions: 

Typography: Weird fonts

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Typography: 3D Text

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Shapes: Waves

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Imagery: Hand models

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Interactivity: Choose your own adventure

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Movement: 360 rotate

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Messaging: Sustainability

RGE's Email Design Trends: What's Hot & What's Not Collection

Final hot take: 

"It’s important for me to share the disclaimer that trends are not going to save your business; however, they can help you better communicate your message. 

I've mostly been on the B2B side of things for my entire career. And so every time I look at what all the cool things that retail and e-commerce brands are doing, I'm reminded that B2B doesn't have to be boring.

While all of these trends may not not be totally a “hot” for your brand,it cool to at least be informed about what other brands are doing in the space and maybe one of them will work for you.

This is not an endorsement for any trend in particular. Choose your trends responsibility. Don't use it if it might not be for your brand. 

And finally make sure that whatever you do, you continue to be really good and make some really good looking emails."

Matt Helbig, Integrated Manager at Beefree & Really Good Emails

You can watch the entire live event with Q&A here

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