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Email Roundup: 6 Emails Every Small Business Should Send
You, like most professionals, probably receive a flood of emails to your inbox each day. But of all the companies emailing you, there are most likely a few whose emails you consistently open. Great content attracts us over and over again, and this is true for small business emails as well as messages we receive from massive companies.
Small businesses often focus their efforts on word-of-mouth marketing or social media buzz, but email marketing, when done right, can be extremely effective. In fact, email marketing can often be more effective than social media, especially since 37% of U.S. consumers don’t trust social media companies with their data.
In other words, if you’re a small business owner who’s not yet taken advantage of email marketing, you could be missing out on an opportunity to build trust with your most loyal customers.
If you’re struggling to start your next email marketing campaign, we can help. We’re back with another email roundup, and this time, we’re showing you the best small business emails in our inboxes.
Email roundup: our 6 favorite emails from small businesses
Read on to learn about small business email best practices you can incorporate into your own company or industry:
1. Noe Valley Bakery
Noe Valley Bakery is a sweet patisserie in San Francisco’s charming Noe Valley district. With breads, cakes, tarts, and more, it’s only natural this shop gets a fair amount of foot traffic from its neighbors.
Still, this small business doesn’t simply rely on their location to drive in customers. In fact, Noe Valley Bakery’s weekly emails constantly advertise the wonderful goods the store has to offer.
Notice how the email above is clean and vibrant. You instantly know the specialty item being offered for the week, and the email efficiently creates urgency by setting a deadline and using the phrase, “Last Chance.”
There’s another reason we chose this message as one of the best small business emails we’ve seen: Above, there is a single, clear CTA (aka no choice paradox) and instead of uninteresting copy like, “Buy now,” the CTA ties in the email’s theme: “Let the good times roll!”
2. A Beautiful Mess + Oui Fresh
A Beautiful Mess is the fashion and lifestyle blog co-owned by sisters Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman. In addition to its online presence, ABM also sells physical and digital items through their channels. For instance, you can find many of the physical items on the extension site, Oui Fresh.
While much of the apparel and beauty items are advertised on the blog and via social, marketers at A Beautiful Mess don’t ignore the value of beautiful, quality emails.
The email above earned a place on our small business email roundup because of its clever promotion.
The email advertises a sale without being too sales-y and the copy is short and to the point. Additionally, the text is incorporated in a clever way, so the email isn’t too busy.
Upon opening this email, you instantly know what the offer is and the discount you’ll receive. All you have to do? Click the CTA.
3. Freund Container & Supply
Illinois-based Freund Container & Supply, a brand of Berlin Packaging, is a B2B business that sells wholesale bottles, jars, and other forms of packaging. After Freund was acquired by Berlin, email subscribers continued to receive the branded emails they were accustomed to receiving, rather than getting lumped into a new list.
And because this small business is appealing to other businesses, its emails are made to be thorough and engaging.
The email above begins with a graphic that builds interest and anticipation, as it tells customers that an announcement is coming soon.
Additionally, the email works to engage readers by including a short video, making the email more entertaining. The speaker in the video is Freund’s Vice President, which gives the content a sense of authority and makes the information more interesting for subscribers.
4. Deemer Floral Co.
Deemer Floral Co. is a Kentucky-based florist with a strong local presence. This floral shop doesn’t let popularity slow its marketing campaigns, however. Emails are sent regularly to subscribers to remind them of the beautiful gifts they can send to loved ones.
The email above uses seasonal appeal in its messaging, encouraging subscribers to take advantage of the florals available during the cold winter months. Seasonal emails can be great for opens and clicks (just remember to segment for subscribers in other areas).
Notice the clear CTA and how it’s complemented (but not overshadowed) by other links. In fitting with the email’s theme, there is a “Winter bouquets” option, as well as standard floral arrangements.
5. Sal’s Family Pizza
Sal’s Family Pizza is a local pizzeria located in Nashville, TN. We’re featuring this tasty joint in our best small business emails roundup because of its practical emails. While promotional emails are important, Sal’s clearly sees the value of user experience and simplicity.
Above you can see the efficient and highly useful email from Sal’s Pizza. While the email isn’t flashy or full of beautiful imagery, it’s still very valuable to customers. Sal’s Pizza knows their audience and what their audience wants and expects from the small business: pizza, not busy emails. Sal’s doesn’t overcomplicate things. Instead, they got right down to business, saving everyone some time.
Not only does this email express customer appreciation and provide important restaurant information, but the interactive quality of the email makes life that much easier for customers. They can simply click to repeat an order or they can start a new one.
6. The Bookshop
The Bookshop is another Nashville-based store, and it’s cultivated a strong following from dedicated customers. With several ongoing events, The Bookshop understands the value of including important information in an easy-to-bookmark email.
As you can see in the email above, The Bookshop provides vital details its patrons will need to be a part of the store’s upcoming events. Subscribers can simply click each individual event to learn more.
Additionally, the store provides a tidbit about a relevant social cause: Poverty Awareness Month. Not only does this tell customers where their money goes when they shop at The Bookshop, but socially-conscious brands are more likely to be successful in today’s market.
Wrap up
If you’re a small business owner or marketer, don’t simply rely on your social media or physical location to bring in customers. Email marketing can help your brand stay on the minds of customers throughout the coming months, especially when combined with your other marketing efforts.
While you’re probably dreading the need to add one more thing to your busy schedule, the truth is that email marketing can be a major game changer, without requiring much extra effort on your part. Email marketing is a simple, lucrative way to keep subscribers updated on new products, company updates, and the causes your small business supports. What’s more, your emails can be used to provide value and ease to your customers.
So, if you need inspiration sometimes, bookmark this page and take a look at the best small business emails any time you’re feeling stuck.
