Beefree blog

How To Design Landing Pages That Convert

Emily Santos
Emily Santos
Oct 15, 2021
How To Design Landing Pages That Convert
How To Design Landing Pages That Convert

Thoughtful content connects with your target audience and guides them to complete a specific action. Whether that action is to subscribe, purchase or review a product or service, a landing page serves as one of the best content forms to truly drive home conversions.At the core of a landing page is one defined intention. This intention or goal is more specific than only driving sales, it’s typically how you want to demonstrate value for each specific campaign: How can you show up for your customers and guide them towards a genuine solution to their problem? Once you narrow in on your goal, build a persuasive strategy and design the landing page to support that strategy: Why does your solution matter and how do you get customers to trust that it does?Understanding customer needs is the first step to creating an optimized landing page. Once you solidify that knowledge, you will be able to design and piece together your landing page elements that are geared towards customer personalities and interests.Let’s take this step-by-step so you can successfully craft a high-converting landing page.

What is a landing page?

A landing page is a standalone web page that serves one focused goal. In digital marketing, this is where your visitors end up or “land” after clicking on a link from your emails, social ads, or digital promotions. The best landing pages are campaign-specific and guide your visitors towards a CTA button.While normal web pages and your website showcase several different goals and allow visitors to explore,landing pages stay laser-focused on one goal: pushing visitors into the next step of the buying cycle. Depending on the stage they are on, this may be capturing leads, converting browsers into buyers or creating repeat buys.With a single CTA and the inability to explore the web page, the landing page is your best bet to increase conversion rates and lower costs of acquiring leads due its clear and direct mission.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

What is the difference between a landing page and a website? 

While the terminology seems similar, a landing page and a website have different makeups. Deciding on which to use will ultimately depend on your objective for creating the page.A landing page has one focused goal, and that is to convert visitors into customers. It will have the visitor fill out a sign up form, or simply click on a specific CTA. It partners a website but is used for a specific promotion, event or offering.However, a website is what finalizes the conversion. It gives visitors an opportunity to explore the offer in depth through other offerings and explanations. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences:

Landing page vs. Website

website vs. landing page

(Website)

website example
landing page

(Landing Page) 

Benefits of a high-converting landing page

Landing pages that convert are highly valuable for your business. They work to advance your visitors along in their buying journey. Some benefits of effective landing pages include:

  • Driving conversion rates
  • Providing actionable data tracking
  • Building credibility
  • Increasing search traffic

These are only a few of the reasons why you should develop landing pages for your campaigns. Keep reading to find out how to create a high-converting landing page.

What are the key components of a landing page? 

Developing a high-converting landing page comes down to a clear formula. Honing in on your landing page development, design and follow up that will make or break the momentum of your landing page. Depending on the type of page you plan to design, your elements will vary from each form. Follow along with this list to develop a page that increases those conversions:

A solid CTA

  • One/few CTAs
  • Visibility - clear, it stands out
  • Placement - above the fold

To-the-point copy

  • Compelling/catchy header and descriptive subheaders - aligned with other copy
  • Short, concise, informative and customer-centric
  • Considerable offer that communicates value 
  • Emotional triggers
  • Benefits and pain points - write content with your goal in mind
  • Strong grammar and spelling

Optimized design

  • Align the elements
  • Use white space to your advantage - spread out your content, and make it easy for customers to find your CTA
  • Add brand personality but don’t overload
  • Zero distractions - simple, focused design
  • Bullet point copy for a lighter design appearance

A single defined goal

  • Understand the purpose and intention of your landing page - clear message and defined goals
  • Customers come first - focus on the offer not who you are as a company. Speak and design for your target audience

Eye-catching imagery

  • Engaging imagery - images/multimedia
  • Videos 

Reviews/Testimonials

  • Customer feedback and support
  • Credentials and promises

Unique value proposition

  • What do you stand for?
  • What makes your company, product or service different from the crowd?

What are best practices for a high-converting landing page? 

Keep forms short

  • Know what specific information you want from potential customers
  • Showcase your data security badges so customers trust your brand

Promote on social media

  • Take advantage of PPC ads
  • Leverage your social media and post landing pages to those platforms

Automate

  • Ease the day-to-day by automating your landing page shares from the get-go

A/B test

  • A/B test your design components and personalized copy on each landing page you create
  • Check your metrics - pay attention and measure to know what to change and how to improve for more conversions on your next landing page

Follow up

  • Thank your customers
  • Give access to your other marketing channels 
  • Follow up by letting customers know how to reach you

7 Types of Landing Pages that Convert

With one set intention, landing pages cut out all distractions and lead your customers step-by-step through the buying process. Each page you use throughout your sales funnel plays such a crucial role that works not only to drive the final sale, but to also genuinely help your customers face their challenges and find their solutions alongside them.Kath Pay, CEO at Holistic Email Marketing, explains that our drive should be to help customers not just sell to them. She says that, “Good marketing is helpful marketing. Customers are subscribed to you for a reason, so make their conversion as easy as possible. Don’t put barriers in front of them.”A 404 landing page is just as important as a lead capture page because they all direct customers towards content they need. Include each of these landing page types to effectively help your customers and remove any barriers from their buying experience.

Lead capture page

A lead-capture landing page is created to collect leads through a data capture form. This page encourages or incentivizes customers to fill out the form with their information to gain some sort of reward in return. It’s a win-win, your customer gets something they want and you get the conversion.When to use this page: Mid-sales funnel —Where your customers have learned about your product and are now evaluating if what you have to offer is a right fit for them.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

Squeeze page

Similar to the lead-capture page, the squeeze landing page is another form-based page to collect data. They are used to gather email addresses from potential customers. A squeeze page needs to quickly get straight to the point with a bold headline, a clear CTA, an exit option and links to next steps if they decide to move forward.When to use this page: Top of sales funnel—Where you gather leads through bare minimum information (the email address) to create an email list.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

 (Easily delete content to simplify the landing page) 

Splash page 

A splash landing page is a simple version of a landing page where an announcement or special offer is provided. There’s no data collection, it's simply about giving potential customers information. The splash landing page should have a clean layout with a clear CTA, minimal copy and few images.When to use this page: Any time in your sales funnel—Where you provide customers with general information before they end up on your main website.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

 (Easily delete content to simplify the landing page) 

Sales page

The sales page is a landing page where you convince your customers to make a purchase. These pages are often touchy with design because it’s best to thoroughly understand your customers before finalizing any of the copy or design elements. If you push too hard or not hard enough, you could lose the sale. Your page length will depend on the details of the product or service you’re providing. Whether it be a small push with quick bullet points of benefits or a page filled with extensive info, make sure your push is backed by your intentions and clearly represents your value proposition.When to use this page: Bottom of sales funnel—Where you push visitors to become customers and make that purchase. Convincing people to buy from you is difficult so design with clear intentions.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

404 page 

A 404 page is a safety landing page and pops up when the page customers landed on was not found. The error, “Page not found,” should be stated and then should offer a solution. That way, customers won’t simply exit your page, the solution will guide customers to an alternate form of assistance or page. Focus on keeping the mood light here by using funny copy, memes or other humorous content that your customer base will respond well to.When to use this page: Any time in your sales funnel (safety net)—Where you give customers the option to head to your website or other pages that will assist their needs. This shows that you care for their experience as a customer and want to help them in ways you’re able to.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

(Customize design to fit 404 page standards) 

Unsubscribe page 

An unsubscribe page is a landing page where customers are able to opt-out of receiving your emails. It’s considerate to set this page up to show customers that you care about how you engage with them. Don’t feel discouraged by an unsubscribe page. Use this page as an opportunity to re-engage. Provide options to understand how frequently customers want to receive emails from you, or offer something of value like a tutorial on how to work with your product.When to use this page: Any time in your sales funnel (safety net)—Where you have the opportunity to gain insight and survey your customers. Try to understand the reason as to why they are leaving you and how you will be able to win them back and build trust.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

(Customize design to fit unsubscribe page standards)

Thank you page

A thank you landing page is a great way to show appreciation of your visitors and customers. They are perfect for creating and nurturing your leads and should include a survey, customer feedback box or where you simply thank customers for making a purchase.When to use this page: Any time in your sales funnel—Where you thank your customers and then incentivize them to come back and purchase more or click further to learn more details.

Use this template in Beefree!

Use this template in Beefree!

(Customize design to fit thank you page standards)

Landing pages that convert: Expert insights with Emily Ryan

Now that you understand the importance of landing pages to support and drive conversions for your marketing campaigns, let’s open the conversation to an expert in the field.Emily Ryan, MailChimp PRO Partner and Digital Strategist, shared her thoughts on landing page best practices to thoughtfully drive conversion rates. Follow along with Emily to nail down your high-converting landing page for future campaigns:

Considerations before creating your landing page

Before you start designing your page, you need to understand what your main goal is for the page.

  • Is it to get more subscribers or clicks on your product?
  • Or offer a discount? 

Nail down your goal and then start to work backwards on how to get to that goal.You always want to consider your Audience too. 

  • Who is your landing page for? 
  • What do they like and want? 

If you understand your ideal customer then you can build a great page for them. Keep the tone natural and not too salesy. Write your headings/sub-headings as if you're writing to one person in your audience. 

Best landing page design elements 

A great landing page has a few important elements. Most importantly, it has to be easy to read and understand. Think 8th-grade reading level. You should have:

  • A strong headline
  • Simple body text/copy
  • Great images

You also want your landing page to flow naturally and not feel like you're selling. The simpler, the better. A great headline with a beautiful image and a big button can do wonders! 

Benefits of  landing pages that convert 

The benefits of a great landing page are that it increases conversions — whether that's more sales or more subscribers. A landing page is a simple and effective way to reach your goal without having to build an entire website. I often say that a landing page is like a one-page website. They take little time to create and can have massive ROI. They're also incredibly useful when you have a simple offer and a strong CTA. A single page lets you focus on one goal instead of many. 

Key takeaways

Simple is always better. Make it super easy for people to understand your offer and then click on your button. Landing pages do not need to be long or have a lot of copy. A great image and strong headline can do the trick -- so don't overthink it. Stay clean and simple and remember to make that CTA button stand out!

Design landing pages that convert with BEE Pro

An effective landing page will ultimately do two things:

  1. Focus in on one focused goal 
  2. Turn visitors into customers

When designing your landing page, think about how you want your customers to engage with your content. Follow along with the key design best practices and get creative in a way that’s going to intrigue your distinct customer base. BEE Pro offers a collection of professional landing page templates to customize to fit your specific brand needs.Adapt different elements to optimize landing page conversions, and be sure to take advantage of extensive features like Mobile Design Mode, co-editing and more. Try it out here.

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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