8 Using Humor in Email Marketing: How One Campaign Captured Attention
Ever wondered how a dash of humor can transform your email marketing? In this article, industry leaders like the Owner and CEO share their expert opinions. The insights begin with engaging subscribers through humor and wrap up with promoting webinars using a playful tone, featuring a total of eight expert insights. Dive in to discover tips from those who have mastered the art of adding personality to email campaigns.
- Use Humor to Engage Subscribers
- Inject Personality into Campaigns
- Use Playful Re-Engagement Campaigns
- Add Humor with Attention-Grabbing GIFs
- Introduce Updates with Playful Characters
- Launch Products with Witty Lines
- Promote Webinars with Playful Tone
- Announce Products with Humorous Graphics
Use Humor to Engage Subscribers
In one of our email campaigns, we used humor to engage subscribers by creating a playful, relatable theme around "common DIY disasters." The email opened with the subject line: "DIY Gone Wrong? We've All Been There!" Inside, we shared funny, light-hearted examples of typical home-improvement mishaps and offered our services as a "stress-free solution." The tone was conversational, with phrases like, "If your last DIY project didn't quite go as planned, we're here to help (no judgment!)."
The response was fantastic—open rates were about 20% higher than our average, and we saw a noticeable spike in click-throughs and replies from subscribers sharing their own DIY stories. This approach not only entertained our audience but also fostered a stronger connection by showing a more human, relatable side of our brand. It was a great reminder that a bit of humor can make marketing messages more memorable and can help build rapport with customers.
Inject Personality into Campaigns
Who says email marketing has to be all serious business? We love injecting a little personality and humor into our campaigns to make them more engaging and memorable.
One example that comes to mind is a campaign we ran for a client in the pet industry. We crafted a series of emails from the perspective of the family dog, sharing his "thoughts" on the company's products and services. It was filled with witty observations, playful puns, and a healthy dose of canine charm.
The response was fantastic! Subscribers loved the light-hearted approach, and we saw a significant increase in open rates and click-through rates. People even started replying to the emails, sharing their own pet stories and anecdotes. It was like we had sparked a conversation, creating a sense of community and connection through humor.
It just goes to show that a little personality can go a long way in email marketing. Don't be afraid to let your brand's unique voice shine through, even if it means getting a little silly sometimes. After all, laughter is the best marketing tool, wouldn't you agree?
Use Playful Re-Engagement Campaigns
We once used humor in a re-engagement campaign with the subject line, "We miss you more than coffee misses Mondays!" The email featured playful GIFs and light-hearted copy inviting inactive users to rediscover the tool with a special offer. The response was fantastic, with a 40% open rate and a significant increase in re-activations. Adding humor and personality not only caught attention but also made the brand feel relatable, strengthening our connection with the audience.
Add Humor with Attention-Grabbing GIFs
I've had awesome success using GIFs above the fold in my email campaigns, especially when I throw in some humor. It's such a great way to grab attention right away! In A/B tests, those funny GIF-and-header combos boosted click-through rates by 15-20%—and I didn't even touch the rest of the content or CTAs. I think it works because it builds a sense of trust and relatability, making people more likely to stick around and see what you have to say.
Introduce Updates with Playful Characters
One of our best campaigns used humor to launch a feature update. Instead of listing changes, we introduced the update as a 'new teammate'—a slightly clueless intern character who kept interrupting to 'help.' This playful approach got our highest open rate of the quarter, and customers even replied to say it made them laugh, which doesn't usually happen with product emails.
Looking forward, personalized content is huge. For example, imagine emails that adapt in real-time to user interests—like showcasing features a user hasn't tried yet. This mix of smart personalization and a friendly tone helps brands feel more relatable and keeps engagement high.
Launch Products with Witty Lines
In one email campaign, we used a playful, humorous tone to introduce a new product, incorporating witty lines like, "We promise this product won't ghost you!" The email was lighthearted but informative, with a fun subject line that piqued curiosity. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with a higher-than-usual open rate and a notable increase in conversions. Customers appreciated the humor, and many replied with their own funny anecdotes, creating a more personal connection with the brand. This experience reinforced the power of authenticity and personality in email marketing.
Promote Webinars with Playful Tone
One time, I used a playful tone and memes in an email campaign to promote an SEO webinar. The subject line was: "SEO doesn't have to be scary—unless you ignore it." Inside the email, we used a series of light-hearted jokes about common SEO mistakes paired with actionable tips. The tone was conversational, and it reflected our agency's approachable personality.
The response was incredible. Open rates were 25% higher than average, and the click-through rate almost doubled. Several attendees later mentioned the email as the reason they signed up, proving that humor can create a strong emotional connection when used appropriately.
Announce Products with Humorous Graphics
Incorporating humor into email marketing can significantly enhance engagement and create a memorable experience for subscribers. One example from my experience involved crafting an email campaign to announce a new product launch. The subject line read, "Our New Product is So Good, Even Your Cat Will Be Jealous!" This playful approach immediately captured the audience's attention and set a light-hearted tone.
Inside the email, I included a humorous graphic of a cat looking enviously at the product, along with a witty copy that highlighted its features in a fun way. The response was overwhelmingly positive; open rates increased by 25%, and click-through rates doubled compared to previous campaigns. Recipients appreciated the humor, which made them more likely to share the email with friends and engage with our brand on social media. This experience reinforced the value of using personality and humor to connect with an audience, making marketing communications more relatable and enjoyable.
