Connections that spark growth: Birthday emails

We all love birthdays, right? And nothing shouts "You're Special!" louder than a personalised birthday email. In this article, we're discussing awe-inspiring birthday email campaigns that will make your subscribers feel like they're genuinely cared about.

Let’s jump right in.

Why are birthday emails so important?

Birthdays are special and everyone loves to be pampered on their big day. Sending personalised birthday emails is not only a sweet gesture but it also helps build stronger connections with your subscribers.

• Personal connection: Receiving a birthday email shows that you genuinely care about your subscribers as individuals, not just as faceless customers. It fosters a personal connection that strengthens brand loyalty.
• Increased engagement: Birthday emails have significantly higher open and click-through rates compared to regular promotional emails. Subscribers are more likely to interact with a message that feels exclusively designed for them.
• Enhanced brand perception: A thoughtful birthday email speaks volumes about your brand's attention to detail and customer-centric approach, elevating your reputation in the eyes of your audience. It brings a sense of joy to your customers and adds a delightful element that captures people's attention, leading them to talk about you.

Stats that speak for themselves

Don't just take our word for it. Let the stats paint a picture of the impact of birthday emails:

• Birthday emails generate 342% higher revenue per email compared to standard promotional emails. (Experian)
• Over 75% of consumers feel more positively about a brand after receiving a personalised birthday email. (Bond Brand Loyalty)
• Brands that incorporate personalisation in their email campaigns witness an average increase of 20% in sales. (Monetate)

Now that’s something, right?

Let’s cut the cake…

We’re sure you’re eager to know how to go about creating the best birthday email campaigns to sweep your subscribers off their feet. We’ll take you through this step by step.

1. Capture birthday information

Before you start sending those awesome birthday emails, you need to know your subscribers' birth dates. No worries, it's easier than blowing out candles! You have two ways to do this:

At sign-up: Simply include a field in your email sign-up form where subscribers can enter their birth date. Be honest and let them know why you're asking for this information. After all, you want to surprise them with some fabulous perks on their big day! A message like "Tell us your birthday. We have a surprise for you!" could work for you.

Welcome series email: If you want to keep your sign-up form short and sweet, you don’t need to ask for the birth date upfront. You could decide to send a friendly email as part of your welcome series, encouraging users to update their user profiles. Slip in a polite request for their birth date, just like this:

Image Source: Wallis

2. Use segmentation magic

Segmentation involves the art of categorising and classifying your audience or subscribers according to specific predefined attributes. This can be as straightforward as grouping them by their location or age, or it could involve more sophisticated criteria.

Picture segmentation as a smart and savvy way to connect with your audience or subscribers. It's like customising your approach to match the unique interests and needs of different groups within your list.

Now, you might be wondering how to perform this on Mail Blaze. To unlock the secrets of effective audience segmentation on Mail Blaze, delve into our easy-to-follow step-by-step guide.

3. Get creative with your design

Your birthday emails should be fun, engaging and personalised. Visuals speak louder than words, so make sure your birthday email is a treat for the eyes. Use eye-catching graphics, vibrant colours and perhaps even an animated GIF or two. Keep the design consistent with your brand's identity, but don't shy away from embracing the festive spirit.

You can start by playing around with our very own birthday email template, Cake Style, to break out the confetti and get the celebration started.

4. Let the hooray be heard in your subject line

Your subject line should be like the icing on the cake - sweet, intriguing and irresistible. Play around with birthday puns and catchy phrases. The goal is to make your email stand out in a crowded inbox and pique their curiosity to open it.

Check out the examples in the image below.

Image Source: Vertical Response

5. Craft a heartfelt birthday message

Adding a touch of warmth and sincerity to your email can make all the difference. Pen a heartfelt birthday message that resonates with your brand's voice. Make your subscribers feel like they're celebrating their special day with a close friend rather than just another company.

The example below will get your eyes all teary and all.

Image Source: Alpha Chiropractic

6. Put a smile on their face with a discount

Turn the birthday email into a celebration of your customers, sprinkled with exclusive treats like discounts, coupons, rewards, or gifts. By doing so, you'll not only make their day even more memorable but also strengthen their bond with your brand.

Best practices to keep in mind

• Timing is everything: Schedule your birthday emails to land in your subscribers' inboxes at the stroke of midnight on their special day. Nothing says "we care" more than being the first one to wish them a happy birthday.
• Tempting incentives: Everyone loves gifts, right? Include a special birthday offer, such as a discount, free shipping or an exclusive gift, to make your subscribers feel like VIPs.
• Mobile optimisation: Your subscribers are always on the go, so make sure your birthday emails are mobile-friendly. A seamless mobile experience will leave a lasting impression.

Automated birthday emails with Mail Blaze

Setting up automated birthday emails might sound like a daunting task but fear not! Mail Blaze makes it incredibly simple and efficient. With our intuitive interface, you can create personalised predefined workflow templates to automate your birthday emails for your subscribers on their big day.

Take a moment to read this step-by-step guide on how to automate your birthday emails.

Hip, Hip! Hooray!

Remember, a successful birthday email campaign is not just about promoting your brand; it's about making your subscribers feel special and appreciated. By personalising, offering exclusive deals and expressing genuine care, you'll create a lasting impression that goes beyond a single birthday celebration.

So, go ahead and make your subscribers' birthdays unforgettable with a well-crafted, automated birthday email campaign. Trust us when we say that the results will be worth the effort. Happy emailing, fellow marketers!