Email design & more

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.” 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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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.

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.

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.

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. 

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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}

#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}

#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.

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.

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}

Honorable email design trend mentions: 

Typography: Weird fonts

Typography: 3D Text

Shapes: Waves

Imagery: Hand models

Interactivity: Choose your own adventure

Movement: 360 rotate

Messaging: Sustainability

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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Newsletters are more than just digital letters; they're a bridge, connecting brands to their audience in the most personal way. In the vast sea of online content, creating a newsletter that stands out and resonates can be a challenge. 

Dive into this blog, and you'll discover 60 captivating newsletter ideas that readers absolutely adore. Whether you're a seasoned newsletter professional or just starting out, we've got the inspiration to help you craft content that not only informs but also engages and inspires your audience. Let's get started!

Why are newsletters important?

Newsletters are like the unsung heroes of email marketing. Not only do they keep your audience informed and engaged, but they also play a pivotal role in building and nurturing relationships. Think of them as a regular touchpoint, a friendly "hello" that reminds your subscribers of your brand's value. 

From sharing company updates to spotlighting new products, newsletters organize key information in a digestible format, ensuring your audience stays connected and in the loop. In essence, they're a bridge between your brand and its community, fostering trust and loyalty.

What to include in a newsletter

Crafting a newsletter? It's not just about filling space; it's about delivering value. The key is to provide content that resonates with your audience's interests and keeps them eagerly awaiting your next update. 

For instance, if you're focusing on business, perhaps share some behind-the-scenes insights or company milestones. Looking for something light-hearted? Fun trivia or seasonal highlights might be your go-to. From monthly recaps to themed specials and educational deep-dives, the possibilities are vast. 

Dive into this article, and you'll discover a treasure trove of newsletter ideas, whether you're in the mood for business insights, seasonal tidbits, or educational gems.

60 newsletter ideas to elevate your campaigns

So, you're on the hunt for newsletter content ideas that not only captivate but convert? You're in the right place! With a wide range of topics and themes at your fingertips, the challenge isn't about finding content—it's choosing which pieces of content to spotlight. 

Whether you're aiming to inform, entertain, or inspire, the right idea can transform your newsletter from a mere email into a must-read. Dive into these 60 ideas, spanning business insights to themed wonders, and watch as your campaigns soar to new heights. Ready to elevate your email game? Let's dive in!

Interactive newsletter ideas 

When it comes to newsletters, who said business can't mix with fun? Fun newsletters are the sprinkle of joy in your subscriber's inbox, offering a delightful break from the usual. They're not just about entertainment; they're about forging a deeper connection with your audience, showing the lighter side of your brand, and making your emails the ones they genuinely look forward to. Let's explore some ideas that'll infuse your campaigns with a dose of fun!

1. Trivia quizzes

There's something inherently engaging about quizzes. They challenge, entertain, and offer a moment of playful competition. Including trivia quizzes in your newsletter can boost engagement rates and encourage interaction. Plus, they're a fantastic way to highlight product features or company milestones in a fun manner.

We recommend initiating these emails with a direct and inquisitive questions about the topic. Not only does this challenges the recipient's knowledge but also establishes a personal connection, making them feel as if they're part of an exclusive inside joke only they know about.

2. Behind-the-scenes

Let your subscribers in on the backstage magic. Whether it's a sneak peek into your office culture, the making of a product, or a day in the life of your CEO, these glimpses humanize your brand and foster a sense of community.

3. Memes and GIFs galore

Who doesn't love a good meme or GIF? Incorporating these into your newsletters not only adds a touch of humor but also makes your content more relatable and shareable. It's a modern way to comment on current events or industry trends with a light-hearted twist.

4. Customer spotlights

Shine a light on your loyal customers. Share their stories, testimonials, or fun ways they use your product. It's a win-win: you get engaging content, and they get a moment in the spotlight.

5. Interactive polls

Engage your subscribers by seeking their opinions. Whether it's about a new product feature, industry trends, or just a fun "this or that" choice, polls can drive interaction and provide valuable insights.

Dipping into newsletters like the one below, you'll see a masterclass in sparking customer interaction. Interactive polls not only spark email engagement, but it give your audience a voice, making them feel important and valued by your brand. Additionally, these emails are a goldmine for gathering genuine feedback about your offerings. It's a win-win: your subscribers feel heard, and you gain priceless insights. Talk about a conversation starter!
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6. Themed playlists

Music connects people. Share themed playlists related to your industry, season, or just for fun. It's a way to set the mood and offer something extra to your subscribers.

7. DIY tips and hacks

Everyone loves a good hack. Share DIY tips related to your products or industry. It's not just informative but also showcases the versatility of what you offer.

8. Jokes and puns

A little humor goes a long way. Share industry-specific jokes or puns that resonate with your audience. It's a simple way to bring a smile to your subscribers' faces while building a bond and brand recognition! If you want to go beyond using funny email copy, consider offering a pun-y sale to go along with the joke. Now that's how you serve up a memorable newsletter!

9. Virtual scavenger hunts

Engage your subscribers with a virtual scavenger hunt. Hide clues in your website or social media channels and let them embark on a digital adventure. It's interactive and can be a unique way to highlight features or products.

10. Caption contests

Challenge your subscribers' creativity with a caption contest. Share an intriguing image and ask them to come up with a witty or humorous caption. It's interactive, fun, and can lead to some hilarious results. These types of newsletter ignite a two-way conversation between your brand and customers. By weaving in a playful caption contest, you're not only keeping subscribers engaged, turning passive readers into active participants. 

Business newsletter ideas

Navigating the business world requires a blend of strategy, insight, and communication. Business newsletters serve as a bridge, connecting your brand with clients, stakeholders, and employees. They're not just about sharing updates; they're about showcasing your brand's journey, achievements, and vision. 

Whether you're celebrating milestones, introducing new initiatives, or sharing industry insights, these newsletters position your brand as a thought leader. Let's explore some ideas that'll infuse your campaigns with professionalism and purpose.

11. Company milestones

Celebrating achievements, big or small, fosters a sense of pride and community. Sharing these moments in your newsletter not only keeps your audience informed but also builds trust and showcases growth.

12. Employee spotlights

Your team is the backbone of your business. Highlighting their stories, achievements, or unique skills humanizes your brand and showcases the talent behind the scenes.

This employee spotlight newsletter is a stellar example of how businesses can really humanize their brand. By highlighting new employees and their roles, they are setting the tone for collaboration and building a company culture of acknowledgment. It's not just about showcasing numbers and achievements; it's about celebrating the individual and showing that there's a genuine people behind the impressive work they will go on to do. This not only fosters a sense of community and camaraderie within the company but also strengthens trust and connection across teams.

13. Case studies

Showcase real-world applications of your products or services. Case studies provide tangible proof of your brand's impact and can drive conversions.

14. Upcoming events

Whether it's a webinar, product launch, or networking event, keep your audience in the loop. It drives engagement and offers opportunities for face-to-face interactions.

15. Industry trends

Stay ahead of the curve by sharing the latest industry trends and insights. It positions your brand as a knowledgeable player and provides value to your subscribers. The following template showcases the most recent Color of The Year as it relates to this fashion brand.

16. Product updates

Keep your subscribers informed about the latest features, improvements, or launches. It's a way to drive excitement and showcase continuous innovation.

17. Testimonials and reviews

Word of mouth is powerful. Share genuine testimonials or reviews to build trust and showcase the positive impact of your brand.

By spotlighting endorsements from customer who know the ins and outs of your offer, you can brilliantly broadcast the wide-reaching wonders of your product. Pair each testimonial with a candid snapshot to add an additional a personal touch, making the brand feel less like a distant entity and more like a trusted friend sharing success stories.

18. Business tips and advice

Share valuable advice or tips related to your industry. It positions your brand as a helpful resource and can drive engagement.

19. Expert interviews

Bring in industry experts for interviews or guest posts. It provides fresh perspectives and boosts your newsletter's credibility.

20. CSR initiatives

Showcase your brand's commitment to social responsibility. Sharing CSR initiatives resonates with ethically-minded subscribers and highlights your brand's values.

Monthly newsletter ideas 

Consistency is key in communication, and monthly newsletters are the embodiment of that principle. Serving as a regular touchpoint, they offer a curated snapshot of the past month's highlights, ensuring your audience stays informed and engaged. Whether you're recapping events, sharing insights, or previewing what's on the horizon, monthly newsletters are a reliable way to maintain a steady connection with your subscribers. Let's delve into some ideas that'll make your monthly updates eagerly anticipated.

21. Monthly recaps

Think of monthly recaps as your brand's highlight reel, capturing all the noteworthy moments, wins, and stories from the past 30 days. It's like giving your subscribers a VIP pass, ensuring they're always in the loop and never miss a beat. Picture this: a vibrant timeline dotted with key events, achievements, and news, making your subscribers feel like they've been right there with you every step of the way. 

22. Featured blog posts

Highlight the top-performing or most insightful blog posts from the past month. It drives traffic to your website and offers added value to your readers.

23. Customer of the month

Celebrate a loyal customer by sharing their story or experience with your brand. It fosters community and showcases real-world brand interactions.

24. Monthly poll results

If you run regular polls or surveys, share the results. It's a way to show subscribers that their opinions matter and provide insights into popular opinions or trends.

25. Upcoming promotions

Give your subscribers a heads-up about any special deals, discounts, or promotions coming up in the next month. It builds anticipation and can drive sales.

26. Spotlight on success stories

Dive into the transformative journeys of your customers or clients. Each month, highlight a success story that showcases the real-world impact of your product or service. Share challenges faced, solutions provided, and the outcomes achieved.

27. Monthly challenges

Engage your subscribers with a fun challenge or goal for the upcoming month. It can be related to your product, industry trends, or just for fun.

28. Voices from the community

Dive into the conversations happening around your brand. Each month, curate a mix of shout-outs, stories, and feedback from your community, whether it's on social media, forums, or direct messages. It's a way to show you're listening and value every voice.

29. Sneak peeks

Offer a glimpse into any upcoming product launches, events, or initiatives. It builds excitement and keeps your audience in the loop.

30. A personal note

Add a personal touch by including a note from the CEO or a team leader. It humanizes the brand and fosters a deeper connection with the audience.

Seasonal newsletter ideas 

As the seasons change, so do the interests and needs of your audience. Seasonal newsletters tap into the current mood, offering content that's timely, relevant, and resonates with the spirit of the season. Whether it's the festive cheer of the holidays, the rejuvenation of spring, or the warmth of summer, these newsletters capture the essence of the moment. Let's dive into some ideas that'll make your seasonal newsletters a breath of fresh air in any inbox.

31. Holiday gift guides

During the festive season, everyone's on the lookout for the perfect gift. Curate a list of top products or services that make for great presents, tailored to your audience's preferences.

32. Seasonal recipes

Share recipes that highlight the flavors of the season. Whether it's a summer smoothie or a winter stew, it's a tasty way to engage your subscribers.

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33. Seasonal DIY projects

Engage the crafty side of your subscribers with DIY projects that align with the current season. It's a fun and interactive way to celebrate the time of year.

34. Seasonal discounts and promotions

Offer special deals or promotions that celebrate the season. It's a timely incentive that can drive sales and engagement.

35. Event recaps

If your brand hosts or attends seasonal events, share a recap with highlights, photos, and key takeaways.

36. Seasonal trends

Highlight trends or popular items for the upcoming season. It keeps your subscribers in the know and positions your brand as a trendsetter.

37. Fundraising initiatives

During seasons of giving, showcase any charitable initiatives or partnerships your brand is involved in. It resonates with the spirit of the season and highlights your brand's values.

38. Seasonal challenges

Engage your subscribers with challenges that align with the season, whether it's a winter fitness challenge or a spring cleaning spree.

39. Decor and styling tips

Share tips on how to style clothes, homes, offices, or events in line with the season's theme. It's a creative way to immerse in the seasonal vibe.

40. A personal seasonal note

Add a personal touch with a note reflecting on the season, sharing personal stories, or looking forward to upcoming events.

Themed newsletter ideas 

Themes can be the creative spark that ignites interest in your newsletters. They offer a cohesive narrative, making your content more engaging and memorable. Whether it's celebrating a global event, tapping into pop culture, or exploring a specific topic in-depth, themed newsletters stand out in an inbox and offer a fresh perspective. Let's explore some ideas that'll give your newsletters that thematic flair.

41. Cultural celebrations

Celebrate global events or cultural festivals, showcasing diversity and inclusivity. It's a way to educate and engage subscribers about different traditions and customs.

42. Pop culture moments

Tap into trending pop culture moments, whether it's a hit TV show, a viral meme, or a blockbuster movie. It makes your content timely and relatable.

43. Historical throwbacks

Take a trip down memory lane by highlighting significant historical events or milestones related to your industry or brand.

44. Eco-friendly focus

Dedicate a newsletter to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. It's a way to showcase your brand's commitment to the environment and offer green tips.

45. Tech and innovations

Highlight the latest tech trends, innovations, or gadgets related to your industry. It positions your brand as forward-thinking and in-the-know.

46. Book or movie recommendations

Share curated lists of books or movies related to your industry, season, or any theme. It offers added value and positions your brand as a curator of good content.

47. Art and creativity

Celebrate the world of art, design, and creativity. Showcase artists, design trends, or creative projects that inspire.

48. Travel and exploration

Take your subscribers on a virtual journey, exploring destinations, cultures, or travel tips. It's a way to inspire wanderlust and share unique experiences.

49. Health and wellness

Focus on well-being, sharing health tips, recipes, or fitness challenges. It's a way to promote a balanced lifestyle and offer valuable advice.

50. Hobby and passion projects

Highlight hobbies or passion projects, encouraging subscribers to explore new interests or dive deeper into existing ones.

Educational newsletter ideas 

Knowledge is power, and educational newsletters are the torchbearers of that power. They serve as a platform to enlighten, inform, and provide value to your subscribers. Whether you're breaking down complex topics, sharing industry insights, or offering tutorials, these newsletters position your brand as a trusted educator. Let's explore some ideas that'll make your newsletters a treasure trove of knowledge.

51. Industry deep dives

Offer in-depth analysis or insights into specific industry topics, trends, or challenges. It establishes your brand as an authority and provides valuable content to your subscribers.

52. How-to guides and tutorials

Break down processes or tasks with step-by-step guides. It's a practical way to offer hands-on knowledge and assist subscribers in mastering new skills.

53. FAQ sessions

Address common questions or misconceptions related to your industry or product. It's a way to clarify doubts and offer direct value.

54. Webinar recaps

If you host webinars or online sessions, share key takeaways, highlights, or recordings. It extends the reach of your content and offers a recap for attendees.

55. Research and studies

Share the latest research, studies, or surveys related to your industry. It keeps your subscribers updated and offers data-driven insights.

56. Guest expert columns

Invite industry experts or thought leaders to contribute to your newsletter. It offers fresh perspectives and boosts the credibility of your content.

57. Book summaries or reviews

Offer summaries or reviews of influential books related to your industry. It's a way to promote continuous learning and offer reading recommendations.

58. Interactive quizzes

Test your subscribers' knowledge with interactive quizzes related to your industry or recent content. It's engaging and offers a fun learning experience.

59. Resource roundups

Curate a list of valuable resources, tools, or articles that can benefit your subscribers. It's a way to offer added value and save them research time.

60. Learning challenges

Encourage continuous learning by introducing monthly or weekly learning challenges. It can be related to a skill, topic, or habit.

Bring your newsletter ideas to life with Beefree

We've journeyed through a galaxy of ideas for a newsletter, from the fun-filled to the educational, and from the seasonal to the thematic. But, as we all know, even the most captivating content needs a stellar design to truly shine. That's where Beefree steps in. With Beefree’s intuitive email editor, you can effortlessly pair your top-notch content with equally impressive designs, ensuring your newsletters aren't just read, but remembered.

Whether you're crafting a monthly recap or diving deep into industry insights, Beefree ensures your vision translates perfectly into the inbox. With customizable templates, user-friendly tools, and a plethora of design options, you're equipped to create newsletters that resonate, engage, and inspire.

Ready to elevate your newsletter topic game? Dive into Beefree for a world of design possibilities. Get started with a free account and let's make your next newsletter one readers will love! 

If you’re in search of a new ESP, Gmail might not be your first thought. The platform is meant primarily for individual email accounts, not marketing purposes. But since it’s completely free, Gmail is hugely helpful for small businesses that are ready to expand their email marketing.

As of 2023, Gmail has added numerous features that make it more suitable for email marketing, like multi-send mode as well as pre-set layouts, so it’s more capable of email marketing than ever before. Check out these tips for free email marketing with Gmail as your email service provider.

#1. Choose Gmail marketing tools

There are many free Gmail marketing tools that can help you run email marketing campaigns out of Gmail. We recommend tools such as Gumbamail, a free Chrome extension, to help transform Gmail into an email marketing tool that lets you schedule and send mailing campaigns to your subscribers without leaving Gmail.

Another helpful tool for your Gmail email marketing is Google Sheets. Like Gmail, Google Sheets is free. It’s essentially Google’s version of Microsoft Excel, and it’s a fantastic tool for creating and managing your mailing lists so you can do a mail merge when you’re ready to send a newsletter (more on that momentarily).

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When you install Gumbamail and Beefree's templates for Gmail, you’ll be able to create beautifully designed mass email campaigns inside your Gmail account. (We’ll walk you through how towards the end of the article.)

#2. Creating your email list

There are many ways you can create an email list for Gmail campaigns. We recommend using either Google Contacts or Google Sheets.

Google Contacts is easy to access while you’re in Gmail. In Google Contacts, select the addresses you want to include and then add them to a new or existing label. When you’re through, send a Gmail message to each person with that label.

Alternatively, you can use Google Sheets to create a Gmail mail merge or use a free email marketing tool like Yet Another Mail Merge, which pulls addresses from a Google Sheet and then tracks your email campaigns.

How do you know which option is best for you?

It depends on your workflow and where your email contacts are coming in. When recipients are stored in Google Contacts, it makes sending easier: if each contact is labeled with the appropriate mailing list, you just type in the label name in the “To” field, and Gmail will send it to everyone with that label.The downside to Google Contacts is that you would generally need to add each contact manually.

If you have an existing list that is in Excel or another spreadsheet program, or if you’ve exported a list from another email marketing platform for example, it’s easier to convert that list to a Google Sheets document than to add each contact to Google Contacts individually.

In other words, if you already have a large, established mailing list, a mail merge from Google Sheets is best. If you’re just starting your mailing list and are building it a little at a time, Google Contacts is the better choice.If you want to send your email campaign with Google, ensure that your list has less than 500 users on it.

Gmail has a built-in send limit that caps you at 500 emails in a 24-hour period (this applies whether you’re sending to 500 recipients in one email or 500 separate emails in one day).

Based on these email-sending limits, Gmail is best for companies that have a small email list. Gmail’s free email-sending capabilities are an excellent choice for small businesses that are just getting started.

#3. Comply with local and international email regulations

To protect consumers against spam and data theft, there are certain requirements email marketers must follow. These can vary depending on where your recipients are.For example, the US has the CAN-SPAM Act, while Canada has the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation or CASL.

The European Union has the GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, which includes several guidelines that email marketers need to follow. For example, before sending someone a promotional email, you need to obtain their consent. Each of these laws is unique, but they contact requirements like:

• Receiving consent before sending emails to a new contact
• Telling recipients where you’re located
• Avoiding misleading headers and subject lines
• Provide an opt-out link for recipients who want to stop receiving your emails.

While some ESPs have built-in features to help you comply with these regulations, Gmail doesn’t. That means with a Gmail mass email. You’ll need to double-check that everyone on your email list has opted in and hasn’t unsubscribed, that you have included an opt-out link, and so on. This will take some time and work, but it’s an essential task to complete.

#4. Use a business domain name

If you send a mass email from your personal email address — one that ends with @gmail.com — there’s a greater chance that the message will be flagged as spam and never reach its recipient. Platforms like Gmail are truly meant for personal use, not marketing. So make sure your sender address incorporates a domain name.

This looks more official and boosts the chances that the message will land in your recipient’s inbox. Why is this the case?

When a recipient’s email program is trying to decide whether an email is spam, one of its tools is to check the domain name of the email address. If there have been numerous spam emails sent from a particular domain name, the email program will block other emails with that domain name as spam too. When you send from your own custom domain, you know for a fact that no one else with that domain is sending out spam.

#5. Consider segmentation and A/B testing

In email marketing, segmentation refers to separating your mailing list into different groups based on established characteristics or purposes. For example, you might segment your list into different age groups, locations, genders, and so on. This can allow you to send more relevant emails because you can tailor emails to a particular group.

Another email marketing practice you can use by breaking up contacts into groups is A/B testing. In A/B testing, you have multiple versions of an email, and you send them to randomly selected contacts so you can compare which version received more opens, more clicks, or more conversions.

Both segmentation and A/B testing are highly beneficial for email marketing, and you can do them in Gmail, but keep in mind that it isn’t as easy as it is with dedicated email marketing platforms. If you’re using Google Contacts, you can segment by giving appropriate labels to each contact. Or, if you’re using Google Sheets for a mail merge, you can have different sheets for different segments

#6. Track campaign performance

Perhaps the largest limitation or challenge to using Gmail for email marketing is the lack of out-of-the-box data tracking.

Traditional email service providers for email marketing will automatically track data like open rates, click rates, and so on. Gmail does not, although there are ways to gather data.

One option is to use read receipts. If you have a paid Google Workspace account, you can turn on read receipts so you’ll know how many recipients open your emails. Recipients can open the email and decline to send you a read receipt, though, so this data is only partially reliable.

You can also use Google Analytics to set up some data tracking features. For example, you can use Google Analytics to generate tracking links that don’t just take readers to the page they’re clicking on but also collect the click data.

#7. Use Beefree's gmail templates

Gmail has another big downfall as an ESP: its design capabilities are minimal. While Gmail does now have some layout templates, they are highly limited. Add-ons or extensions are the key ways to create beautiful HTML emails with Gmail. Luckily, with Beefree's templates for Gmail you can send professionally designed emails directly to your Gmail account, and it’s completely free.

To set up the add-on with your Gmail account, install Beefree Templates for Gmail in Google Workspace Marketplace.

After the installation process is complete, you’ll see the Beefree icon in the right-hand sidebar of your inbox. You can then open any email in your inbox and then click the Beefree icon to select a template.

Once you’ve added your images and text, send the message to your email list.

If you have a Beefree account, you can also connect integrate it with Gmail.

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Editor’s Note: This post was updated on September 2024 to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Optimite co-founders Sushant Yadav and Nishant Yadav join us for an insightful conversation on their early beginning and the challenges faced on their journey to to a successful “email production house.” 

Despite only being in business for four years, Optimite has created over 50,000 emails across 3,000 brands. For many clients, Optimite has become “a staple within their company,” allowing them to reduce costs by up to 60% while upholding the utmost quality.  

The Fiverr days 

“We started doing email template creation work during COVID. We created a really small gig on Fiverr, like $10, just to see if there was a demand. 

Even though we were techies and our background was in website design and development, we wanted to focus on a small niche where we could really stand out. Also, in those beginning days, it was important that we could just execute everything ourselves without a team, so we thought - let's do email templates.

We started offering our services at $10, then scaled to $50 a month to $100 per month until we landed at $5,000 a month. 

As we continued to grow, we started to think of scaling our services. We wanted to start custom coding emails in HTML, but with the volume we were seeing – we knew it wasn’t scalable. 

That’s when we started looking for alternatives.” 
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^{Excerpts from our conversation with Sushant Yadav.
Edited for readability and engagement.} 

The road to scale

Sushant Yadav: “We started to look for alternatives but found that there weren’t many. Beefree was one of the options alongside Stripo, but we found that their platform’s learning curve was not that easy. 

Eventually, we narrowed down Beefree as the platform on which we wanted to build our business on. 3-4 years later and here we are.” 

However, the road to Beefree didn’t come without its challenges. 

Nishant Yadav: “I remember the exact time that led us to start searching for a solution. We had spent two days figuring out how to create an email code, and Sushant came in and said, “I found this platform, and you can drag and drop.” 

That felt contradictory. It just didn’t make sense. I thought, surely, this would not work for Outlook. 

But then Sushant showed me the actual template, and once we loaded it on the platform, it worked fine. That was the moment we realized, “Okay, we found a platform, and from there onwards, we scaled it.” 

Sushant Yadav: “Since then, we have grown together with Beefree. I remember that everything was very basic in the initial days and both our company and Beefree have come far since then.

I personally have seen the platform evolve and take care of all the use cases that we require.” 
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_{Excerpts from our conversation with Nishant Yadav and Sushant Yadav.
Edited for readability and engagement.}  

Implementing Beefree

What was the moment you realized “this is the right tool for us?”

“Our template creation process in the beginning was time-consuming. Think about it, building it from scratch and customizing each section is a process.

In the same amount of time it would take us to create one email template, we realized that we could now produce 10 or 12 templates…  

Also, there is a higher chance of errors when manually coding emails. We spent a lot of time testing each template. 

In those initial days, we did thorough testing on emails designed with Beefree on Litmus and across ESPs to check how they were being rendered.

Pretty quickly we figured out that the code and rendering was fine and everything became a lot more seamless and easy to scale.” 
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^{Excerpts from our conversation with Sushant Yadav.
Edited for readability and engagement.}  

Growing pains

Having used our platform for almost four out of the 10 years we’ve been in business, Optimite is recognized as one of Beefree’s early adopters. They know our platform just as much as we do and have experienced Beefree before it was what it is today. 

Sushant Yadav: “In the early days, we thought Beefree’s code could not be run on Outlook. We approached this by manually deleting the MSO classes from the code and delivering it to the client. After 3-4 months of doing this, we started getting complaints that the code was still not rendering well on Outlook and that the client was getting a lot of CSS issues. 

We were under the impression that this was something on the Beefree side, so we used Chamaileon to help solve some of those Outlook issues.

After some time of using Beefree, we realized that the Outlook issue was our mistake—we were deleting an important part of the code! 

Once that was settled, we switched back from Chamaileon to Beefree.” 

Nishant Yadav: “Over the last four years, the platform has helped us evolve and expand what we can offer clients. When we began using the platform, Mobile Design Mode was not as robust as it is now.” 

Sushant Yadav: “Dynamic content was also not available, so we used to extract the code from Beefree and do some manual work to make it dynamic. Now, the platform has that function. 

One thing that has remained the same throughout the years is how easy it is to use. It has been an integral part of our business, and we will cherish it forever because “we were able to build a million-dollar business.”  

^{Excerpts from our conversation with Nishant Yadav and Sushant Yadav.
Edited for readability and engagement.}

Where they are today

“Today, we partner up with other email marketing agencies as an extension to their team. Our goal is to help them scale “email production with ease.”

We work behind the scenes, creating email templates for big agencies that need their emails to work across multiple platforms. Beefree makes this process easy because we can work directly in the builder and export the HTML code rather than using the ESPs' native editor. 

Personally, I’ve created over 3,000 templates in Beefree and if we combine our entire team, we’ve produced around 15,000-20,000 templates.” 

_{Excerpts from our conversation with Sushant Yadav.
Edited for readability and engagement.}

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While Optimite’s systems, processes, and services have changed over the years, we are happy that Beefree is the one constant that has allowed them to scale their operations. To learn more about Beefree’s business impact on Optimize - read their customer success story here.

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According to Gitnux’s MarketData Report 2024, 16% of all US email users use Outlook as their primary email provider, ranking Outlook among the most widely used email platforms in the country. 

With over 400 million users worldwide, the chances that your emails will land in an Outlook inbox are high if you're an email marketer. With this in mind, it’s important to acknowledge Outlook’s capabilities and limitations to build emails that render well for every recipient. 

Understanding Outlook's HTML design limitations

Despite its popularity, Outlook is primarily used for day-to-day communications between colleagues rather than mass marketing campaigns. Because of this, Outlook has a few limitations when it comes to rendering HTML emails, for instance: 
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Some of the most prominent rendering issues with Outlook Web or App include: 

• Gifs rendering with a play icon over the GIF
• Fonts not matching 
• Additional spaces in the layout 
• Icons stacking on top of one another or misaligned
• Mismatching background images 
• Misalignment across email elements 

These limitations mean that regardless of how much time is spent on creating the most engaging and on-brand email, Outlook may deliver a different outcome to recipients, affecting your email’s readability and impact.

While we recommend opting out of using Outlook as a sending platform and using a professional solution such as HubSpot and Mailchimp, we understand this is not always feasible.

Many email marketers who rely on Outlook have found creative approaches to address its rendering limitations, typically opting for either image-based emails or maximizing the impact of text-only emails. When it comes to HTML emails, while challenging, they remain a viable option for those willing to navigate Outlook’s quirks and optimize their designs accordingly.

Best practices for designing Outlook-friendly HTML email templates

You have two options for creating an HTML email template for Outlook. The first involves manually writing the HTML code with CSS and then saving the email as an Outlook template. While this approach doesn't require additional software tools, it can be time-consuming and requires CSS expertise.

Alternatively, you can use an external email design tool such as Beefree to create your HTML email template. This method is more user-friendly and efficient since it eliminates the need for CSS knowledge and manual coding.

Regardless of which option you opt for, here are some best practices to follow:

• Simplicity is key: Design simple, single-column designs. Complex layouts, while engaging, may not render correctly. 
  
  
• Use tables for the layout structure: Experiment with tables to ensure your design elements stay in their intended position, helping to tackle Outlook's misalignment issue. 

• Use inline CSS: If possible, embed inline CSS directly within your HTML elements to control formatting and layout; this will help minimize Outlook’s limited support for external and embedded stylesheets.
  
  
• Use web-safe fonts: Arial, Times New Roman, or Verdana are all safe bests when designing for Outlook.
  
  
• Alt text: Because Outlook blocks images by default, be sure to always include alt text for images to ensure accessibility but also to ensure that the lack of images doesn’t leave out important context from your emails. 

Designing HTML email templates in Outlook with Beefree

When designing HTML email templates that perform well in Outlook, leveraging the right tools can significantly simplify the process and ensure adherence to best practices.
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Beefree stands out as a versatile platform that not only facilitates creative email design but also supports the specific requirements of Outlook rendering, for instance:

• Designing for simplicity: Beefree’s drag-and-drop functionality allows for the easy creation of single-column layouts. Within Beefree, users can easily customize the alignment, spacing, height, and more of emails for mobile and desktop, ensuring a cohesive experience across multiple devices.
  
  
• Web-safe fonts: Within Beefree, you can set web-safe fonts as your default to ensure the consistent rendering of fonts across all email clients, especially Outlook.
  
  
• Alt text: This can be powered manually or via our AI integration. 
  
  
• Responsive design: While Outlook lacks robust support for responsive design, Beefree enables users to create mobile-friendly email templates through fluid layouts and scalable elements. This ensures that your emails adapt to different screen sizes and devices, enhancing user experience regardless of how recipients access their emails through Outlook.

Before finalizing your email designs, it's essential to conduct thorough testing to ensure they render correctly across different versions of Outlook. We recommend using Beefree’s preview feature to see how your emails appear in various screen sizes. We also recommend sending a test email to multiple Outlook recipients to help you identify any rendering discrepancies between Beefree and Outlook.

While we’d like to guarantee that Beefree will render emails 100% as intended,  it's important to remember that Outlook is an email client rather than a sending platform. As a result, it may ignore, remove, or alter HTML elements from our code. This can cause rendering issues that we can't resolve. Keep in mind that the more complex your design is, the more likely you are to experience rendering issues with Outlook.

Familiarize yourself with our Outlook rendering considerations: 

• Outlook App: https://support.beefree.io/hc/en-us/articles/18904867308818-Exporting-to-Outlook-App#h_01HZ0G5V4RXFPAW35S17P6KBBA 
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• Outlook Web: https://support.beefree.io/hc/en-us/articles/11964534263442-Exporting-to-Outlook-com#01H3WEHFRX79TRG6JSVW69HA0Z 

Embedding Outlook HTML email templates

Once your email is designed in Beefree following the best practices addressed above, you can easily export to Outlook Web or Outlook App.

Outlook Web
Connect Beefree to your Outlook Web account before designing or after completion.  Directly from the builder or via the Email Details page, click “Push to your sending system.” Within seconds, the email will be saved as a new template and appear in your Outlook account.

To learn more about how to complete the integration process, visit: https://support.beefree.io/hc/en-us/articles/11964534263442-Exporting-to-Outlook-com

For a step-by-step process:

Outlook Web and corporate email accounts
If you’re exporting emails designed in Beefree to your Outlook corporate business account, follow the same steps as above.

When integrating Beefree with an Outlook corporate account, you may encounter a message indicating that approval or authorization is required for the connection to succeed. To proceed, you will need to obtain the necessary approvals or modify your Outlook Web business account permissions settings to ensure a successful connection. Outlook App
The Outlook App integration with Beefree allows you to download your email designs as OFT and EMLTPL files that you can then upload into your Outlook App. To download the files, take the following steps:

1. Navigate to the email design you’d like to export.
2. Make and save any changes you’d like prior to exporting your design.
3. Select Push to your sending system.
4. Click the Outlook App connector.
5. You will be prompted to Download the Outlook App.
6. Select Download for Windows if you’d like an OFT file or Download for macOS if you’d like an EMLTPL file.

To learn more about how to complete the integration process and import HTML, watch the following video:

Or visit: https://support.beefree.io/hc/en-us/articles/11964534263442-Exporting-to-Outlook-com

Ready to start designing Outlook-friendly emails?

Whether you're navigating Outlook's rendering quirks or aiming to enhance engagement through responsive designs, Beefree is an intuitive solution that ensures your messages resonate effectively across Outlook versions and devices. 

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Start designing now - it’s free!

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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.

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.

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. 

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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}

#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}

#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.

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.

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}

Honorable email design trend mentions: 

Typography: Weird fonts

Typography: 3D Text

Shapes: Waves

Imagery: Hand models

Interactivity: Choose your own adventure

Movement: 360 rotate

Messaging: Sustainability

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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Maximizing your agency’s ROI with Madison Taylor Marketing 

Founded over 15 years ago, Madison Taylor Marketing has become a well-known agency in Denver, Colorado, for its success in bringing unprecedented results to clients. The agency's smart strategies have helped clients ensure alignment, reduce costs, optimize their resources, and, more notably, maximize ROI by almost 300% across all marketing efforts. 

In a live session with Chris Copen, Chief Operating Officer, Cassie Renier, Creative Specialist, and Andrea Davis, Creative Manager, they shared their insight into how agencies can maximize their ROI with email marketing. 

What is ROI? 

“ROI, or Return on Investment, is one of our most important performance indicators as an agency. 

ROI is not just a metric, but it measures the profitability of our business and our investments and helps us understand the value that we're generating from our efforts and resources. 

By tracking ROI, we are trying to ensure that our strategies are effective, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.

For agencies, achieving a high ROI is really important because it reflects our ability to deliver value to our clients and continually optimize operations. Ultimately, this empowers us to drive growth for ourselves.

For our clients, our ability to achieve high ROI demonstrates our ability to use budgets wisely to deliver maximum value and achieve their business goals efficiently.”

_{Excerpt from Chris Copen at our live session with Madison Taylor Marketing.
Optimized for readability and engagement} 

With a return of $36 per $1 spent, why do agencies struggle to increase email marketing ROI? 

“We have found that that email is a powerful tool for achieving ROI for our clients. It's been around for a long time, and it's a tried and true tactic. While people have changed their media consumption habits, email continues to produce results for us. Email marketing connects our clients directly with their audience segments, allows us to deliver personalized content, and drives conversions.

Despite its potential, though, we have definitely experienced struggles over the years.

For both ourselves and our clients, we’ve found that the main challenge with email marketing is how much time and effort it takes.

Creating visually appealing and effective email campaigns requires significant time and effort.

We have found ourselves really bogged down in the minute of design details and trying to craft the “perfect” layout and visual elements. While important, this detracts from strategic activities that might yield higher returns.”

We've also experienced the challenge of hard coding emails and getting those emails to work across platforms. This process is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. Little mistakes in the code can lead to rendering issues across different email clients, which has obvious consequences for a campaign’s effectiveness and ROI.

In addition to that, there's the issue of too much back-and-forth. When we collaborate on email campaigns, this often involves multiple rounds of feedback and revision. 

All of that just adds to the cumbersome and lengthy process and leads to diminishing returns - addressing all of those is critical in unlocking the full potential of email marketing for ROI. 

_{Excerpt from Chris Copen at our live session with Madison Taylor Marketing.
Optimized for readability and engagement} 

How can agencies optimize their email marketing ROI

“By optimizing our email creation process, leveraging automated tools, reducing manual coding, and streamlining our feedback mechanisms, we were really able to improve our ROI. Cassie has been one of our leaders in helping us find the right tools and helping us increase our productivity and efficiency.”

^{- Chris Copen}

1. Find the email marketing tools 

"Finding the right tool enables and empowers us to execute our vision and our client's vision without hindering their goals.

As a designer, when I'm looking for the right tool for email marketing, there are a few things to look for.

Ease of use is the first thing. Whatever tool you use should be user-friendly, intuitive, and allow me to create and customize designs quickly and effectively. 

Another need is a high degree of flexibility. I need to be able to create unique and visually appealing emails that align with the specific branding of all of our clients. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice elements of a client's brand to fit within the constraints of a design platform. 

The collaborative nature of a tool is also crucial. The right tool should facilitate seamless communication and collaboration, not only with our clients but also internally, throughout the revision process. That includes features like real-time editing, feedback, integrations, approval workflows, and so on. This helps us ensure we are always on the same page internally and with our clients.

Lastly, the right tool should integrate smoothly with other platforms and tools, such as CRM systems, analytic tools, and marketing automation platforms. This helps ensure that we have a cohesive, streamlined process from design to delivery and analysis and are not bouncing between a bunch of different platforms. 

Our previous process before finding Beefree was inefficient and unsustainable. It was clear that our approach was hindering our ability to meet client expectations and deliver high-quality, unique campaigns. 

Recognizing this was the first step toward improving our process. We needed a tool that would propel our agency to go above and beyond what our clients had asked for."

_{- Cassie Renier}

_{Excerpt from our live session with Madison Taylor Marketing.
Optimized for readability and engagement} 

2. Optimize your design and collaboration processes 

“When it comes to making something like email marketing work, alignment between vision and capability is so important.

When we're working as a team of marketers and designers, we need to effectively collaborate on an idea from start to finish.

Often, agencies run into issues executing on a vision because of limitations in capabilities, whether human, tools, or resources.

What we've found that works really well is to first clarify the client's situation and goals to ensure we're moving in the right direction. Involving design teams early in the process is crucial to understanding the full context and aligning on the vision.

Then, we need to be able to move from strategy to deliverables in the most cost-efficient manner. This means reducing the time spent on ideation, creation, and revisions. This is another reason why finding the right tools is important.

Beefree, specifically, allowed us to streamline our processes and enabled us to produce high-quality designs rapidly, ensuring timely and relevant communication with our client’s audiences. With Beefree’s collaboration features, all team members communicate in one place, reducing the time spent on back-and-forth and ensuring everyone is on the same page. Also, with real-time collaboration clients could see changes as they happened, reducing the need for multiple rounds of revisions.

By simply optimizing our email and collaboration processes we were able to reduce the time spent on designing while still producing high-quality assets. This allowed us to respond more quickly to market demands and time-sensitive opportunities, improving our ROI.

‍_{Excerpt from Andrea Davis at our live session with Madison Taylor Marketing. 
Optimized for readability and engagement} 

How should agencies measure their ROI

“In terms of measuring external ROI, setting clear, measurable goals for each campaign is important. 

Whether it's increasing engagement, generating leads, or driving sales, having specific objectives helps define what success looks like and provides a benchmark for measurement.

Track all related costs accurately. This includes not only direct expenses like ad spend but also indirect costs such as team hours and the cost of tools we use to streamline email creation and deployment. Knowing your total investment is crucial for an accurate ROI assessment.

Analyze your key performance metrics. These metrics might include open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and overall engagement. Analyzing this data will provide insights into how well campaigns are performing and how the use of efficient tools contributes to these results.

Consider both short-term and long-term impacts. Immediate results, such as sales from a campaign, are important, but so are long-term benefits like customer retention and brand awareness. Understanding the broader impact helps paint a complete picture of ROI.

Regularly review and adjust strategies and processes based on our findings. ROI measurement should be an ongoing process, helping refine tactics and improve future campaigns, but also providing internal operations insights. This iterative approach ensures continuous improvement and better outcomes over time.

Evaluating distinctly the ROI of internal investments. This includes the tools and technologies we use to enhance our productivity and efficiency. Analyze the effectiveness of these tools in helping you streamline your processes.” 

‍_{Additional insights shared by Chris Copen, Chief Operating Officer at Madison Taylor Marketing.} 

How Madison Taylor Marketing cut down email development time by 66% with Beefree

CEO and Founder Aimee Meester shares how her team uses Beefree to create engaging and personalized content faster than ever before. Learn more about the business impact of Beefree on Madison Taylor Marketing.

Effective email marketing in healthcare can have immense ROI. After all, it is a cost-effective and direct line of communication with your patients that, when done right, can drive engagement, encourage repeat visits, and help build ongoing trust and credibility. However, healthcare providers are faced with unique challenges when it comes to using email marketing. 

On the one hand, the goal is to engage patients and provide value to help build long-term relationships. On the other hand, the goal is to promote your services and, ideally, boost revenue via this marketing strategy. This balance can be tricky to achieve due to the sensitive nature of the healthcare industry; however, it is not impossible.

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We’ve compiled 5 examples of healthcare emails done right. These top brands have excelled in the art of healthcare emails by blending valuable, informative content that addresses patient’s concerns with promotional content that presents itself as an empathetic helping hand.  

Healthcare newsletter examples

Sending monthly or weekly newsletters is an excellent way to strengthen relationships with patients or customers. These regular communications serve as a direct line to your audience, allowing you to engage and educate them on relevant health topics consistently. 

Each newsletter provides an opportunity to share reliable and practical health tips and update patients about clinic changes, new services, or special offerings. 

Everlywell 

Everlywell offers folks with at-home “health and wellness solutions.” In a recent newsletter they focus their message on addressing stress, a common concern among their audience. The email begins by empathizing with the reader, reassuring them that stress is a widespread issue, therefore establishing an immediate connection with their readers. 

By offering a free solution—specifically, a list of vitamins and supplements known to alleviate stress—Everlywell demonstrates its commitment to customer well-being. Simultaneously, by subtly promoting its own supplements within the email's content, it reinforces the message that Everlywell not only understands the reader's concerns but also provides practical solutions. 

Seasonal health campaigns 

Another great way to connect with patients beyond the clinic is to send seasonal health campaigns. These campaigns are highly effective because they relate to current health concerns and conditions prevalent during specific times of the year.

Seasonal health campaigns allow healthcare providers to proactively address issues that are top-of-mind for patients during different seasons. 

Natalist

Natalist offers “fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum essentials.” To ring in the new year, their email “TTC in the new year?” leans into the possibility that with a new year, folks begin to consider trying to conceive, thoughtfully tapping taps into the natural inclination people have to reflect on life changes and set new goals as the calendar turns.

This thoughtful and well-timed campaign exemplifies how healthcare providers can connect with their audience by aligning their messaging with their customers' lives' natural rhythms and aspirations.

Promotional healthcare emails 

Promotional healthcare emails can significantly increase patient engagement. Offers tailored to patient needs can inform and encourage them to consider services they may not have known about. However, healthcare promotion emails come with their own set of challenges, HIPAA being the biggest hurdle.

ivee

Ivee offers “individualized medical care” services directly from home, including urgent care, diagnostic testing, IV therapy, and more. In a promotional email about their Membership and Programs, ivee takes the route of promotion through education.

Promoting medical treatments and procedures can be complex and often leaves patients with numerous questions and uncertainties.

ivee’s promotional email addresses this challenge by ensuring the content is clear, concise, and informative. Instead of overwhelming patients with technical jargon or complicated medical terms, Ivee breaks down the information into 3 digestible segments that guide the reader through their offerings:

1. What the patient will receive
2. How the program works
3. What the next steps are 

ivee’s educational approach in its promotional email informs and empowers patients, building trust and confidence in their services. 

By addressing potential questions upfront, ivee reduces any concern that the patient may have regarding this service. This method of promotion through education is particularly effective in healthcare, where informed patients are more likely to engage with and benefit from the services offered.

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Patient testimonials and success stories 

Using patient testimonials and stories in healthcare emails helps build trust and credibility. When potential patients read or hear about others who have successfully navigated similar health challenges, it reassures them of the effectiveness and reliability of the services offered. These narratives humanize the healthcare experience, which can sometimes feel cold and direct, by showcasing real people and their journeys. 

Much like any healthcare email, this one is particularly affected by the US HIPAA regulations. These emails require explicit consent and the careful handling of personal information. 

Additionally, it is crucial that these testimonials and stories remain authentic. Fabricated or exaggerated stories can damage credibility, and it's important to avoid over-promising outcomes. 

GoodRx

GoodRx provides telemedicine to track prescription drug pricing in the United States and offers drug coupons and medication discounts. In an email promoting their telehealth services, they use a patient testimonial to communicate the ease of their service.

GoodRx balances this strategy with maintaining client privacy by using anonymized testimonials and obtaining explicit consent from the patient. Anonymized testimonials protect the identity of the patients by removing any personal identifiers, ensuring that their privacy is not compromised while still providing authentic feedback about the service.

Transactional healthcare email examples

Transactional emails play an important role in healthcare, allowing providers to share essential information that brings ease to the patient’s experience. More specifically, transactional emails improve operational efficiency. Some examples of transactional emails in healthcare include

• Appointment confirmations and reminders
• Prescription and medication updates
• Follow-up care instructions
• Billing and payment notification
• Patient portal access 

Hims

Hims is an “online telehealth platform that provides virtual healthcare and support for men's health.” In the order confirmation email below, Hims offers the patient important order information such as order ID, date paid, total charge, and payment method. 

This transparency ensures patients have all the necessary details about their purchase, enhancing their trust in the platform. Additionally, Hims goes beyond just transactional information to offer patients peace of mind by reminding them of all the other free services they receive through their platform.

By highlighting these benefits, Hims reinforces the value of its service and strengthens its relationship with its patients. This approach confirms the purchase and reassures patients that they feel supported in various aspects of their health journey.

Start designing healthcare emails with Beefree 

Navigating healthcare regulations can be challenging, but your email design doesn't have to be. With Beefree's intuitive design tools and templates, you can simplify your communication efforts to adhere to industry standards and focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional care and valuable information to your patients

Sign up today -- it's free!

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