Email Swipes

Nikki*Elbaz
Email Swipes

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.

  1. REPLAY: How Ness Labs grew to 100,000 email subscribers in 5 years, all founded on one simple relationship perspective (with Anne-Laure Le Cunff) | The Content Contract

    3D AGO

    REPLAY: How Ness Labs grew to 100,000 email subscribers in 5 years, all founded on one simple relationship perspective (with Anne-Laure Le Cunff) | The Content Contract

    Shownotes: ♻️ This is a replay episode originally aired on Feb 05, 2025. I’m resurfacing it because – as much as we love fresh content – replaying smart ideas deepens the insights. And a second listen usually surfaces something you missed the first time ‘round. So, earbuds in — pen out. Let’s make this listen actionable. ♻️ When you’re sitting down to write the most important newsletter of your life, where do you even start? If you’re Anne-Laure Le Cunff, you go back to your foundational perspective – then mix your tried and true template with a meta reveal to share the story, capture its weight, and inspire action. About our guest Anne-Laure Le Cunff is an award-winning neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. She founded Ness Labs, an online learning platform offering evidence-based resources for professional and personal growth, which weekly newsletter has more than 100,000 readers. She is also a researcher at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience of King’s College London, where she studies the neurodevelopment and evolutionary neuroscience of curiosity. Previously, she was an executive at Google, where she led digital health projects. Her upcoming book, Tiny Experiments, will be published in March 2025. Ideas you don’t want to miss (08:52) How Anne-Laure approached the creation of the “the most important newsletter I have ever sent” (09:58) Her super simple content strategy and how it’s led to list growth (14:24) The foundational analogy Anne-Laure uses that earns her audience’s trust and loyalty (11:55) How Anne-Laure gives neuroscience emails a personal touch (16:14) Why sending this book reveal newsletter felt nostalgic (22:35) The creative solution that “allowed” Anne-Laure to market her book while still providing her trademark neuroscience content (27:25) The 3 phrases of the Ness Labs’ list growth that attracted 100K subscribers in just 5 years Links from this episode Take a look at the email we’re talking about today Become the scientist of your own life when you subscribe to Anne-Laure’s emails. Anne-Laure’s book, Tiny Experiments, will help you rethink your approach to goals, creativity, and life itself. Preorder now (until March 2025) to access exclusive bonuses. Plan more effective campaigns with my Promo and Launches Playbook or with my Campaign Ideation Masterclass Free consult when you sign up to Kit (formerly ConvertKit) using this affiliate link. Terms and conditions here. Get inspired like Anne-Laure does with James Clear’s 3-2-1 Newsletter Connect with Anne-Laure Le Cunff on LinkedIn and Instagram Follow Nikki on LinkedIn Get Nikki's email musings at ⁠nikkielbaz.com/subscribe ⁠ Let me know what you thought about the episode by emailing podcast@nikkielbaz.com Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Or find on your favorite podcast player

    34 min
  2. 5D AGO

    REPLAY: How to take your emails omnichannel | Takeaways from Love and Links

    ♻️ This is a replay episode originally aired on Feb 21, 2024. I’m resurfacing it because – as much as we love fresh content – replaying smart ideas deepens the insights. And a second listen usually surfaces something you missed the first time ‘round. So, earbuds in — pen out. Let’s make this listen actionable. ♻️ About this episode Let's dive into the strategies and methods used in the Valentine’s Day love letter email Devin wrote for the Bit.ly customers, featured in Episode 3. Takeaways (1:37) Takeaway #1: Take stock of your customer lifecycle after big changes. (3:47) Takeaway #2: Don’t be scared to sell. The products you’re pitching provide value, as long as you’re not being too pushy. (4:46) Takeaway #3: Stop evaluating emails by length. Instead, focus on the outcome of the length. (6:16) Takeaway #4: Borrow from other media (8:06) Takeaway #5: Think outside the inbox, especially if you’ve got a team to help amplify (9:24) Takeaway #6: Try a sentiment rating system Links from this episode: Take another look at the email we featured in Episode 3 Plan more effective campaigns with my Email Playbooks or with my SaaS Success Pack. Free consult when you sign up for Kit (formerly ConvertKit) using this affiliate link. Terms and conditions here. Get Nikki's email musings at ⁠nikkielbaz.com/subscribe ⁠ Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Or find on your favorite podcast player

    12 min
  3. JUL 2

    REPLAY: How Bit.ly’s Valentine’s Day email stole the internet’s heart (with Devin O'Toole of Bit.ly) | Love and Links

    Show notes ♻️ This is a replay episode originally aired on Feb 14, 2024. I’m resurfacing it because – as much as we love fresh content – replaying smart ideas deepens the insights. And a second listen usually surfaces something you missed the first time ‘round. So, earbuds in — pen out. Let’s make this listen actionable. ♻️ 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 Plan more effective campaigns with my Email Playbooks or with my SaaS Success Pack. Free consult when you sign up for Kit (formerly ConvertKit) using this affiliate link. Terms and conditions here. Follow Nikki on LinkedIn Get Nikki's email musings at ⁠nikkielbaz.com/subscribe. ⁠ Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Or find on your favorite podcast player

    25 min
  4. JUN 30

    REPLAY: Brand forward emails vs. performance marketing | Takeaways from Absurdist Adieu

    Let’s dive into the strategies and methods used in the Drizly goodbye emails, featured in Episode 18. Ideas you don’t want to miss (06:11) Takeaway #1: Build your brand’s human side with safety nets (06:16) Takeaway #1.1: Test your sender names (07:43) Takeaway #2: Keep the customer front and center when using humor (10:24) Takeaway #3: Weave branding into your email strategy (11:32) Takeaway #4: Find mini-niches to spotlight and engage with Links from this episode Take a look at the emails we featured in Ep. 18 Plan more effective campaigns with my Promo and Launches Playbook or with my Campaign Ideation Masterclass Thinking of starting a podcast? I highly recommend Chana Greenstein’s podcast bootcamp (nope, not an affiliate!) Missed the Rev episode with Nick Guadio, Reputation REVamped? Listen here Sign up for excellent ecomm insights from Eli Weiss on his weekly All Things CX & Retention (I don’t use the term excellent for many newsletters – this one’s uniquely insightful) Missed the Bitly episode with Devin O’Toole, Love and Links? Listen here Have fun with Jared’s website here Plan more effective campaigns with my Email Playbooks or with my SaaS Success Pack. Free consult when you sign up for Kit (formerly 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 podcast@nikkielbaz.com Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Or find on your favorite podcast player

    13 min
  5. JUN 25

    REPLAY: How Drizly said goodbye in style – despite the brief requiring an absurd amount of emails (with Jared Jones) | Absurdist Adieu

    Show notes ♻️ This is a replay episode originally aired on June 19, 2024. I’m resurfacing it because – as much as we love fresh content – replaying smart ideas deepens the insights. And a second listen usually surfaces something you missed the first time ‘round. So, earbuds in — pen out. Let’s make this listen actionable. ♻️ How do you bid farewell to your subscribers after building a fan base who consistently posts your emails to social? Oh, and you’re not tasked with sending one or two goodbyes – your brief includes 19 (!) reminders. If you’re Jared Jones, formerly of Drizly, you lean into the humor of the situation and craft a sendoff that perfectly matches the absurdist voice your brand is loved for. About our guest Jared Jones is a writer, musician, and one-time podcast guest living in Boston, Massachusetts. He's currently trying to sell his first screenplay so if you happen to know any famous movie producers, well, that'd be pretty neat. Ideas you don’t want to miss (05:25) How Jared used his comedy background to develop the Drizly voice – and his “test the fences” barometer (11:43) How the team planned the 19-email-20-push (!) Drizly goodbye – and how the idea was borne from the absurd amount of emails they had to send (12:49) How the “last Western” movie influenced the idea and imagery of the campaign (16:55) Jared’s brainstorming strategy – and elusive methods for defining a creative process (21:25) The results of the goodbye emails (and other fun subscriber reactions over the years) (28:30) How Jared is transitioning to a new role at a 100-year old brand that has tighter fences (30:13) Jared’s favorite brands to swipe emails from (32:14) A neat trick Jared uses to build loyalty with his readers Links from this episode Take a look at the emails we’re talking about today Plan more effective campaigns with my Promo and Launches Playbook or with my Campaign Ideation Masterclass Check out the product description pages (PDps) on Firebox’s site Follow Jared’s journey as he shapes the evolving Stanley Black and Decker Craftsman voice See how Liquid Death’s voice touches everything they do Replace your Drizly fix with another “absurdist” brand, Goodr Check out how Chubbies speaks straight to their audience Plan more effective campaigns with my Email Playbooks or with my SaaS Success Pack. Free consult when you sign up for Kit (formerly 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 podcast@nikkielbaz.com Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode* Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Or find on your favorite podcast player

    35 min
  6. JUN 18

    REPLAY: How Rev used email to regain favor after getting trashed by the New York Times (with Nick Gaudio) | Reputation “Rev”amped

    Show notes ♻️ This is a replay episode originally aired on Mar 14, 2024. I’m resurfacing it because – as much as we love fresh content – replaying smart ideas deepens the insights. And a second listen usually surfaces something you missed the first time ‘round. So, earbuds in — pen out. Let’s make this listen actionable. ♻️ 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 Plan more effective campaigns with my Email Playbooks or with my SaaS Success Pack. Free consult when you sign up for Kit (formerly ConvertKit) using this affiliate link. Terms and conditions here. Follow Nikki on LinkedIn Get Nikki's email musings at ⁠nikkielbaz.com/subscribe ⁠ Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Or find on your favorite podcast player

    26 min
  7. JUN 16

    REPLAY: Why future pacing is the #1 email copy hack | Takeaways from Inbox Pause

    ♻️ This is a replay episode originally aired on May 8, 2024. I’m resurfacing it because – as much as we love fresh content – replaying smart ideas deepens the insights. And a second listen usually surfaces something you missed the first time ‘round. So, earbuds in — pen out. Let’s make this listen actionable. ♻️ 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.) Plan more effective campaigns with my Email Playbooks or with my SaaS Success Pack. Free consult when you sign up for Kit (formerly 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 podcast@nikkielbaz.com Subscribe to Email Swipes and never miss another episode Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Or find on your favorite podcast player Read less

    18 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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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