Email Swipes
Nikki*Elbaz
How do you sell a $20,000 product to a busy school principal who’s never heard of your brand? How do you win back public favor when the NY Times slams your company? How do you build community when your huge Earth Day initiative is shut down by a global pandemic?
You send an email of course.
These are real challenges that real brands faced – and solved – with email.
Listen in on email experiments that worked – and didn’t – to inform and inspire your own email strategies.
Every other week, an email expert will share an email story – and the following week, I’ll walk you through the concrete takeaways you can apply to your work.
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Top 10 Email Swipes Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Email Swipes episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Email Swipes for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Email Swipes episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Love and Links: How Bit.ly’s Valentine’s Day email stole the internet’s heart (ft. Devin O'Toole of Bit.ly)
Email Swipes
02/14/24 • 23 min
What happens when you’re about to hit deadline but legal still hasn’t given you approval? You come up with a new idea – that takes the internet by a storm. Because when you’re not trying to win the conversion battle in one day, you have the freedom to try out of the box ideas like a Valentine’s Day love letter to your customers.
Ideas you don't want to miss:
(4:00) How lack of legal approval actually inspired a better email
(9:05) The elements that gave this email an authentic feeling of caring
(10:50) Why it’s okay that this email’s impressions aren’t measurable
(13:43) How Devin swipes from social media strategy (maybe he should start a podcast called Social Swipes 😜)
(14:50) The viral response the email generated – and how the team snowballed its visibility
(18:04) The only thing Devin would change about the email
(21:42) Why Devin does NOT take inspiration from the emails in his inbox
About our guest, Devin
Bitly's Devin O'Toole is an accidental email marketer and former creative with over a decade of marketing experience across SaaS and retail.
Links from this episode
Take a look at the email we’re talking about today
Follow Devin on LinkedIn
Get all the link tools you need from Bit.ly
Grow your business when you join the Creative CEO Academy (I'll earn a commission.)
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe.
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
💬 Free consult when you sign up to ConvertKit
Sign up to ConvertKit using this affiliate link and you'll earn a free 30-minute consult that we can use to set up your list strategy, live edit your welcome sequence, or whatever else you want to use our time for.
Terms and conditions here.
When your audience only needs your software inconsistently, how do you distinguish between disappointment or product misalignment – and natural lifecycle usage? If you’re Rand Fishkin, you send an all-rounder email that collects product feedback, updates churned customers, and improves the world’s home Italian cuisine – all at the same time.
About our guest
Rand Fishkin is cofounder and CEO of SparkToro, makers of fine audience research software, and indie game developer Snackbar Studio. He’s dedicated his professional life to helping people do better marketing through his writing, videos, speaking, and his book, Lost and Founder. When Rand’s not working, he’s usually cooking a fancy meal for the love of his life, author Geraldine DeRuiter.
Ideas you don’t want to miss
(08:42) How SparkToro tag teams their email communications – and how each sender flavors their emails with unique perspectives
(11:50) The unique lifecycle of the SparkToro customer – and the even more unique response and encouragement of the SparkToro team and communications
(19:11) How feeding bias into the email copy actually improves responses and gives the team better feedback
(19:57) How they keep this email updated, without maxing out the team
(21:31:) Why you shouldn’t use cream in your pasta – and what you should do instead
(22:33) The simple filter that helps the team deprioritize the requests that won’t serve their core customers
(27:01) The changes Rand wants to make to this email (and every other email he sends)
Links from this episode
Take a look at the emails we’re talking about today
Discover the websites, blogs, podcasts, social accounts, and publications that reach your audience with SparkToro
Plan more effective campaigns with my Promo and Launches Playbook or with my Campaign Ideation Masterclass
Free consult when you sign up to ConvertKit using this affiliate link. Terms and conditions here.
Connect with Rand on LinkedIn
Follow Nikki on LinkedIn
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Let me know what you thought about the episode by emailing [email protected]
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
Getting Emotional: Takeaways from Choral Closing
Email Swipes
07/24/24 • 10 min
Let’s dive into the strategies and methods used in the Copyhackers cart close email, featured in Episode 22.
Ideas you don’t want to miss
(04:39) Takeaway 1: Use your resources the way that works best for you, not how everyone says you should
(07:42) Takeaway #2: Would you say this in real life? Maybe that’s okay, maybe it’s not, but you need to dig into the why
(08:22) Takeaway #3: It’s your job to take the reins on emotion
(09:55) Takeaway #4: Every touchpoint is a branding opportunity. Which means every email is a branding opportunity.
Links from this episode
Take a look at the email we featured in Ep. 22
Plan more effective emails with my Ecomm Playbooks or SaaS Success Pack
Get better results from your relationships by reading Never Split the Difference
Listen to more genius insights from Sophia in Ep. 11
Follow Nikki on LinkedIn
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Let me know what you thought about the episode by emailing [email protected]
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
02/07/24 • 13 min
Let's dive into the strategies and methods used in the dazzlingly simple email Jo wrote for a pricey EdTech brand we featured in Episode 1. Plus, don't miss the surprise sequel to this email story!
Takeaways
(1:35) Takeaway #1: Email isn’t dead, but it is getting stale. Instead of chasing new, shiny platforms, how can you do email “fresh”?
(3:08) Takeaway #2: Don’t scoff – save! Use “bad” emails to inspire good ones.
(3:48) Takeaway #3: Just do behavioral emails. The work is worth it.
(4:22) Tip: Gmail will thread – and bump up – a second email that has the same subject line as the previous email.
(6:02) Takeaway #4: Evaluate your strategy against the big picture. Make sure any cleverness/fun/creativity isn’t getting in the way.
(7:11) Takeaway #5: Don’t forget the Rule of One. Write to one person. Picture that one persona, and write to them.
(8:10) Takeaway #6: Don’t underestimate intangible urgency. Structure drivers and motivators as urgency plays. Plus: Know Thy Customer
(9:32) Takeaway #7: Tease cautiously. Use them for exciting launches or drops, use them if you’re a cult brand, and make sure you include a CTA.
(10:49) Bonus: 1:1 abandoned cart emails work really well for pricier products
Links from this episode:
Take another look at the email we featured in Episode 1
Take a look at the surprise sequel abandoned cart email
Grow your business when you join the Creative CEO Academy (I'll earn a commission.)
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe.
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode:
Or find on your favorite podcast player
When you sell out of thousands of pounds of licorice mere months after launch, how do you learn why? And how to do it again? Especially if – like most brands – you’re hesitant to bother your customers? Listen in on how Licorice.com’s customer survey email gave them – not just decision data – but warm and fuzzy validation that has them hitting send on feedback requests without any hesitation.
Timestamps:
(1:31) How a domain name (and COVID-19) moved Jonathan from corporate to ecomm
(3:40) The crazy inspiring feedback this email generated – and how it led to a relationship with one of the world’s wealthiest
(5:19) How the team knows when to survey their customers
(6:40) The survey questions they asked – and the one that got the best responses
(8:02) The A/B test results from their “best practice” sender name
(11:55) The brand Jonathan swipes from for design and structure inspiration
(12:08) The brand that convinces Jonathan that he’s getting real, personal 1:1 emails – despite him knowing he’s in a funnel
About our guest
Jonathan is the co-founder of GOAT Foods, parent company to seven gourmet snack companies.
Links from this episode:
Take a look at the email we’re talking about today
Follow Jonathan on LinkedIn
Munch on some goodies from the GOAT foods family: licorice.com or pretzels.com or chocolate.com or caramels.com or cashews.com
Get design inspiration from hexclad.com
Dare to remember that the flockfoods.com email’s are automated
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
Doughnut Diversification: How we varied Harvie’s promotional offers, thanks to a cult favorite doughnut shop
Email Swipes
07/31/24 • 6 min
When you’ve slashed your membership price for four big, back-to-back sales, how do you go back to simpler offers – especially when you know your best customers aren’t even coming for the discounts? Listen in on how we took advantage of a favorite local pop up to build a non-discount-but-still-exciting promo for Harvie.
Ideas you don’t want to miss
(01:21) How Harvie founder’s unique background gave rise to Harvie
(03:29) The 3 reasons we needed to rethink Harvie’s promotional offers – and the 1 thing that made it tricky
(04:58) The lightbulb moment – and why it worked
(05:29) Why this email is so short – and what the follow up looked like
(06:31) The other times we tried free gift offers for Harvie
Links from this episode
Take a look at the emails we’re talking about today
Live in Pennsylvania? Get fresh, local groceries to your door with Harvie
Plan more effective campaigns with my Promo and Launches Playbook or with my Campaign Ideation Masterclass
Free consult when you sign up to ConvertKit using this affiliate link. Terms and conditions here.
Follow Nikki on LinkedIn
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Let me know what you thought about the episode by emailing [email protected]
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
Getting to Yes: Takeaways from Inbox Pause
Email Swipes
05/08/24 • 8 min
Let’s dive into the strategies and methods used in the Tailwind onboarding email, featured in Episode 7.
Timestamps
(3:23) Takeaway 1: Convert users by helping them to get to the aha moment
(5:13) Takeaway 2: Use fun to increase engagement, but temper it with relevance
(6:34) Takeaway 3: Use future pacing to help readers get over barriers and into their dreams
(7:19) Takeaway 4: Challenge your defaults to keep yourself fresh
(7:57) Takeaway 5: Get readers hooked with a micro-commitment
(8:45) Listen in on Dawn’s experience collaborating on this project – and her insightful thoughts on the email and flow
Links from this episode
Take a look at the email we’re talking about today
Plan more effective onboarding sequences with my SaaS Onboarding Success Pack
Be more persuasive with the 7 persuasion principles presented in Influence by Robert Cialdini (Pre-fluence is his latest, but I haven't read it, so I can't recommend it.)
Grow your business when you join the Creative CEO Academy (I'll earn a commission.)
Follow Nikki on LinkedIn
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Let me know what you thought about the episode by emailing [email protected]
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
05/14/24 • 6 min
Let’s dive into the strategies and methods used in the POWERUP Toys abandoned cart email, featured in Episode 11.
Ideas you don’t want to miss
(02:08) Takeaway 1: Research gives you relevance.
(03:03) Takeaway 2: Templates have their place, but they’re limited
(03:26) Takeaway 3: Use abandoned carts to motivate, not just remind
(05:29) Takeaway 4: Layer in emotion – it’s how people make decisions!
(05:52) Takeaway 5: Test your buttons – boring often converts better
Links from this episode
Take a look at the email we’re talking about today
Plan more effective abandoned cart sequences with my Abandonment Playbook
Grow your business when you join the Creative CEO Academy
Follow Nikki on LinkedIn
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Let me know what you thought about the episode by emailing [email protected]
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
How do you win back public favor when the NY Times slams your company? They say no press is bad press, and for Nick, the NYT thumbs-down was just the opportunity he'd been waiting for. Here's how his overhaul of the Rev email program rebuilt brand equity, reinvigorated the dispirited team, and grew a cult-like following.
Timestamps:
(3:14) Why the New York Times slammed Rev – and how Nick took the opportunity to turn around the brand voice by the (sled) reigns
(4:32) How they reduced risk pre-send
(6:59) The follow up email that snowballed the campaign viral-ity
(10:31) Why you shouldn’t plan an airtight content calendar
(13:00) How Nick reapplied media principles and community building methodology to bust expectations
(15:28) The benign violation theory that gives these emails their magic
(19:19) The craziest job offer story that sounds too crazy to be true
(22:23) Why Nick's favorite email lists change so frequently
About our guest
Nick Gaudio is a native West Virginian, ENFJ, Ravenclaw, Scorpio, Wood Ox, and Chaotic Good. He's earned an MFA from The University of Michigan, as well as seven awards from the Press Association as a reporter. Nick has served as a writer and/or email expert for many companies, large to small, B2B to B2C, ecom to SaaS: including theCHIVE.com, Saatva, Rev, Infinite Ranges, RunYourPool, and most recently, Rattle. He lives in Austin with his very patient wife and three toddlers.
Links from this episode:
Take a look at the first email we’re talking about today
Take a look at the second email we’re talking about today
Follow Nick on LinkedIn
Grow your business when you join the Creative CEO Academy (I'll earn a commission.)
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode
Or find on your favorite podcast player
💬 Free consult when you sign up to ConvertKit
Sign up to ConvertKit using this affiliate link and you'll earn a free 30-minute consult that we can use to set up your list strategy, live edit your welcome sequence, or whatever else you want to use our time for.
Terms and conditions here.
What happens when you know your customers use your product to tap into their inner child? If you’re Sophia Dagnon, you humanize the product and playfully nudge your abandoned customers, helping them experience the post-purchase joy even before they complete their order.
Timestamps:
(3:07) The first step the GetUplift team takes before they touch any copy
(4:42) How the customer research fed this email idea
(6:34) The standard emotion of abandoned cart – and what Sophia focused on instead
(7:37) The little extras that make this abandoned cart shine
(11:03) An excellent A/B split for all abandoned cart sequences
(12:58) Sophia’s tip for testing unconventional things
(17:47) How this sequence gave a feedback loop to optimize further sequences
(18:09) The one thing Sophia would change to improve this email
About our guest
Sophia helps some of the coolest, high-growth brands around connect with their customers' actual needs and increase conversions as the Head of Research and Copy at GetUplift.
Links from this episode:
Take a look at the email we’re talking about today
Follow Sophia on LinkedIn
Check out her work (or read some cool stuff about CRO & emotional marketing) at getuplift.co Join the newsletter while you’re there, it’s neat
Grow your business when you join the Creative CEO Academy (I'll earn a commission)
When you’re stuck, get big picture positioning reminders from Tovala
Get Nikki's email musings at nikkielbaz.com/subscribe
Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode:
Or find on your favorite podcast player
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FAQ
How many episodes does Email Swipes have?
Email Swipes currently has 34 episodes available.
What topics does Email Swipes cover?
The podcast is about Marketing, How To, Podcasts, Education and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Email Swipes?
The episode title 'New to Email Swipes? Here's what it's all about!' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Email Swipes?
The average episode length on Email Swipes is 15 minutes.
How often are episodes of Email Swipes released?
Episodes of Email Swipes are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Email Swipes?
The first episode of Email Swipes was released on Jan 31, 2024.
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