What Is Email Marketing? Types & Real Examples Explained

It is one of the most effective forms of digital marketing that businesses use to interact with their customers. ‘If you don’t know what is email marketing, then you’re in the perfect place to know about it. This guide explores what it is, the various types of email marketing, and examples of automated emails that bring in real results.

What Is Email Marketing?

Email marketing is the practice of sending out targeted emails to a group of people with the purpose of marketing a product, service, or brand. In essence, it’s all about building a relationship with your audience by sending them content straight to their inbox that they find valuable.

But then, what is email marketing for, exactly? They aren’t just promotional emails—they are a weapon to help you educate, inform, engage, and persuade prospects to become happy customers.

Why is Email Marketing Important?

• Junk mail isn't delivered: With email, you can drop a personal note directly into the recipient's inbox.

• Cost-effective: Email campaign is way cheaper than traditional marketing.

• Quantifiable Benefits: Monitor open rates, CTR & conversions in a quick and efficient way.

• Automation Friendly: Mailchimp, HubSpot, Klaviyo generate sequences in a very straightforward way.

• Excellent ROI: Email marketing generates an average of $36 for every $1 you spend.

Types of Email Marketing

Knowing the different types of email marketing gives you better insight into your own strategies. Some of the more common are these:

• Welcome Emails

When someone signs up for your newsletter, a welcoming email warms them up. It usually consists of a brand greeting and what the subscriber should expect.

• Newsletter Emails

These are routine type updates to a list where a company might send things like company news, articles, tips or featured resources. It is this form of email marketing that keeps the conversation alive.

• Promotional Emails

Ideal for promoting new offers, discounts and product releases. These are all like super conversion oriented, right?

• Transactional Emails

These can be receipts, shipping notifications and order confirmations. They have a high open rate and gain trust.

• Behavioural Emails

Image: Marketing Campaigns User-initiated based on user actions, like abandoned cart emails or product recommendations based on browsing history.

• Re-engagement Emails

Sent to lapsed users to reactivate them. These might be discounts or personalized content.

• Survey Emails

Facilitate getting feedback and input from your target market to make your products or services better.

Real Email Marketing Examples

Here are few effective email marketing examples from big brands:

1. Spotify: Wrapped Your Way Campaigns

My personal favourite example of email personalisation comes in the form of Spotify’s year-end Wrapped emails. Users receive personalized stats about their listening that make them more involved and shareful.

2. Airbnb: Tips From Previous Trips

Airbnb leverages behavioural data in order to provide relevant stay suggestions, which promotes a sense of relevance.

3. Grammarly: weekly summary by email

Grammarly sends weekly reports on productivity (writing), tips, and usage statistics. It’s a form of teaching email marketing that provides value.

4. Trello: Onboarding Welcome Email Series 

New users are sent an onboarding series of emails to assist them as they begin. These are fabulous examples of marketing that educates users through email.

5. Amazon: Cart Abandonment Email

Amazon’s cart reminders demonstrate how email marketing can be used to nudge a behaviour with a clear conversion impact.

Benefits of Email Marketing

The following examples illustrate the many reasons brands use email marketing:

• Boosted Conversions - Customizable emails result in more sales.

• Customer Loyalty - Stay top of mind with updates.

• Traffic Generation - Emails with links that lead back to your site promote visits to your site.

• Brand Awareness - Consistent communication helps with familiarity and visibility.

• Automation Efficiency - Calibrate once and forget it, freeing up time and resources.

Getting Started With Email Marketing

1. Opt for an Email Marketing Tool

Popular platforms include:

• Mailchimp

• ConvertKit

• Klaviyo

• ActiveCampaign

• Build Your Email List

Make lead magnets such as eBooks, discounts, or free trials to get more sign-ups.

3. Segment Your Audience

Segment your email list by demographics, behaviour, or purchase history.

4. Create Valuable Content

Keep your attention on informative, useful or entertaining content rather than hard sells.

5. Automate Campaigns

Configure workflows such as welcome series, post-purchase follow-ups, and re-engagement campaigns.

6. Measure and Optimize

Monitor open rates, CTRs, bounce rates and conversions. Optimize performance using A/B testing.

Email Marketing Best Practices

• Use Personalization: Incorporate the receiver’s name, likes and history.

• Product clear CTAs: Be sure that your CTA is clear and easy to follow.

• Short and Catchy Subject Lines

• Make It Mobile-Friendly: The majority of your readers read their emails on mobile.

• Courtesy for privacy and preferences: unsubscribe links and EU GDPR approach.

Final Thoughts: What Is Email Marketing? Types & Real Examples Explained

What is email marketing and the importance of it and the types of email marketing, now let me tell you what to do. If you happen to be a small business owner, or even a marketing professional, applying the right strategy and reading through email marketing examples can actually help grow your brand to exponential heights.

Now, no one likes a spammer, and that's not what email marketing is about -- it's about building real connections. Start today and watch the engagement and conversions come in!