Weekend Read: 5 Real Email Campaigns That Crushed It
If you’re looking for a little email marketing inspiration this weekend, you’re in for a treat.
The best way to get better at email marketing? Study what works. Not theory, but real-world email campaigns that delivered impressive results.
In this weekend read, we’ll break down 5 successful email campaigns, why they worked, and what you can steal for your strategy.
Grab your coffee, let’s dive in.
1. Spotify – “Your Year Wrapped”
Campaign Type: Personalized Recap
Goal: Re-engage users and increase app usage
Why It Crushed:
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Ultra-personalized content (“You listened to 47,899 minutes of music this year”)
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Clean, mobile-optimized design
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Built-in social sharing encouraged virality
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Triggered nostalgia and fun competition among friends
What You Can Steal:
✅ Use personalized data to create emotional connections
✅ Add “brag-worthy” stats users will want to share
✅ Make sharing part of the experience
2. Glossier – “You Look Good”
Campaign Type: Abandoned Cart Email
Goal: Recover lost sales
Why It Crushed:
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Ultra-simple subject line: “You look good.”
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Minimalist design focused on one product
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Friendly, human tone (“We saved your picks for you 👀”)
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Seamless CTA to complete purchase
What You Can Steal:
✅ Use soft, human copy instead of aggressive sales tactics
✅ Make your cart reminder feel like a gentle nudge, not a push
✅ Limit distractions — one CTA, one product focus
3. Airbnb – “Live There” Series
Campaign Type: Educational/Brand Storytelling
Goal: Increase booking intent and brand loyalty
Why It Crushed:
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Focused on lifestyle, not just travel deals
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Stunning photography and local tips
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Helped users imagine “living like a local” in their destination
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Didn’t sell — it inspired
What You Can Steal:
✅ Don’t just sell — tell a story
✅ Use imagery that triggers emotion or aspiration
✅ Build value before pushing a CTA
4. Drunk Elephant – Product Launch Announcement
Campaign Type: Product Drop
Goal: Drive immediate awareness and sales
Why It Crushed:
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Hype-driven subject line: “The wait is over”
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Big, bold visuals of the product
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Clear benefits outlined in 3 bullet points
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“Shop Now” button above the fold
What You Can Steal:
✅ Build anticipation before a launch
✅ Keep it visual and easy to scan
✅ Deliver key value props right away
5. Charity: Water – “See Your Impact”
Campaign Type: Post-donation update
Goal: Increase donor loyalty and retention
Why It Crushed:
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Hyper-personalized impact reports (e.g., “Your donation helped bring clean water to 48 people in Ethiopia.”)
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Included photos and a map of the location
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Reinforced the emotional ROI of giving
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Felt more like a thank-you than a receipt
What You Can Steal:
✅ Close the loop — show your audience the outcome
✅ Don’t just report; celebrate
✅ Use location-based personalization for deeper meaning
Key Takeaways
All five of these campaigns had different goals, styles, and audiences, but they all succeeded because they focused on:
✅ Personalization
✅ Clear, single goals
✅ Emotional or visual storytelling
✅ Clean design and strong CTAs
✅ A deep understanding of what their audience wanted
Your Turn: Ready to Build Your Winning Campaign?
Ask yourself:
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What emotion do I want my reader to feel?
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Am I solving a real problem or delivering value?
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Is my CTA obvious and friction-free?
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Could someone share this email and be proud of it?
