Subject Line: We want YOU to Be the Buyer
Date: Saturday, September 17, 2011****
From: Virgin America
Subject Line: Credit File Reminder
Date: Friday, April 8, 2011
This email is a travel MIRACLE. I must have credits with every major US airline, but for what amount, with which airline and where that information is stored is beyond me.
When an airline make credit information less accessible, as customers, many of us feel like that airline is trying to keep our dollars in their pockets. This doesn't inspire us to fly with that airline. For instance, not long ago, an airline I will not name here told me that the only way they could give me a credit is via a postal mail voucher. (Strike one.) I never received it in the mail. (Strike two.) I called their customer service number to explain that it never came, and they said the only way they could help me is if I sent them a description of my problem via postal mail. WHAT!? (Strike 3.) I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was the year 1800.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Virgin America sent me this helpful reminder today, listing out my credits with their respective expiration dates. I appreciate not only the credit details, but the many contact information options Virgin provides. When I see the actual phone number listed in the email, I feel like Virgin really wants to help me!
Next time I book a trip, will this message inspire me to fly Virgin instead of another airline? You bet.
Now Virgin, just give me a direct flight from Seattle to New York and we're all set!
From: Orbitz
Subject Line: Lisa, need a flight to Stockholm? Fares from $554 round-trip.
Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011
There are so many things that are right about this email that I don't know where to begin! I'm just going to take it from top top bottom.
1. The Subject Line: Yes, I am Lisa. Yes, I am searching for a flight to Stockholm. While personalization can sometimes err on the side of gratuitous, the double data points included here are working for me. This is relevancy.
2. The Preheader: Love that the "add to address book" language links out to a page with different instructions based on email reader.
3. The Body: The treatment of personalized data, down to the city name embedded in the call-to-action button, is impressive. Here we have an excellent melding of HTML-friendly text, dynamic data and cute copy (in the subheadline.)
4. The Submessaging: The graphical submessage division treatments are light enough such that they don't feel boxy, but clear enough to delineate one message from another. The headline treatment variation and sidebar inclusion add to the positive aesthetic experience.
5. The Customer Stories: "Price Assurance" is a difficult concept to communicate in just a few words. While Orbitz does a good job of this with the siderail copy ("Get cash refunds ... automatically / Never overpay on Orbitz"), the addition of reifying stories from actual customers makes an ethereal benefit real.
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From: Amazon.com & Netflix Subject Lines: Various Date: Friday, November 6, 2009 - Friday, March 12, 2010 If you're looking to increase user engagement & loyalty, personalization is sure to help. My advice: 1) Get creative. Think about what your subscriber would like to receive rather than what you want to send them. The more you know about your subscriber and use that information to target relevant messages, the more likely you are to hook that customer for the long haul. 2) Start a dialogue. Surveys are a great and easy way to find out what your subscribers are experiencing. If they report problems, work to correct them. 3) Seize the opportunity to add ratings and reviews to your website. They're sure to drive more traffic to your website. A good way to collect reviews: after a subscriber purchases a product, wait a few weeks (to give them time to test the product) and send them a friendly reminder to rate the product. Many people will be happy to share their good or bad experience. Two companies that I've noticed do an awesome job at personalization are Amazon.com and Netflix. Here are just a few examples of great personalization emails that they send: Amazon.com:
Netflix:
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From: net-a-porter.com
From: The Zoe Report
From: Gilt Groupe
From: Cubs.com Shop
From: UrbanDaddy (and J.Crew)
From: Diapers.com
From: Apple Business University Village
From: Veer
From: Please add our new mailing address to your contact list
From: South Seas Island Resort
Subject Line: Experience South Seas
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Unfortunately, I received this email immediately after booking my South Seas travel (and simultaneously signing up for their email program) for roughly double the featured "spring rate." Ouch! Where's my "thank you"? Where's my "welcome to our email program"? As much as I love an offer, and as much as I love a resort, and as much as I am a total customer service snob, seriously, what's the likelihood that I'm going to book again in the same season? This message just made me feel silly for paying more :).
But alas, which of you will I see at the fabulous South Seas Resort for the Email Insider Summit next week!? And if you haven't yet booked your travel, perhaps you can take advantage of H2WHOA!
From: InStyle.com
From: Tommy Bahama

From: Smith-Harmon
From: Old Navy
From: Apple
From: J.Crew
From: west elm
From: Barneys New York

From: Bergdorf Goodman
From: J.Crew
From: La Quinta Inns & Suites
From: fredflare.com
From: Sephora
From: Lipstick Queen
From: Crate and Barrel
From: Neiman Marcus
From: American Apparel
From: Sephora Beauty Editors
From: UrbanOutfitters.com