Introduction: Why Strategy Matters More Than Ever in Email Marketing
Let’s be clear—email isn’t dead. In fact, it’s outperforming most channels when executed with precision.
Yet the gap between sending emails and driving real results has never been wider. And that’s where most marketers get stuck. They rely on intuition, outdated advice, or fragmented tools—and wonder why engagement flatlines.
This guide breaks down 7 advanced email marketing strategies that are working right now. We’re talking about scalable tactics backed by data, used by top-performing brands, and ready to implement—whether you’re running a B2B SaaS engine or a high-volume eCommerce funnel.
Each strategy includes how-to guidance, real-world examples, and optimization advice—no fluff, no theory.
Let’s start with what powers everything: personalization at scale.
1. Personalization Beyond First Name: Dynamic Content That Converts
We all know that “Hey [First Name]” isn’t enough anymore.
In modern email marketing strategies, personalization means creating a unique experience for each subscriber based on behavior, preferences, and data points—not just demographics.
How to Do It:
Use past purchase or browsing behavior to recommend relevant products or services
Segment by content consumed (e.g., guide downloads, webinar registrations)
Tailor content based on lifecycle stage—new leads vs. loyal customers
Adjust tone and CTA based on job title or industry for B2B campaigns
Example in Action:
Amazon doesn’t just personalize by name—they show you the last product you viewed, alternative colors, and what others like you bought. That’s predictive personalization.
You can implement this without Amazon’s tech budget using tools like Brevo or Klaviyo, which support dynamic content blocks and conditional logic.
Pro Insight:
Marketers using advanced personalization see 122% more ROI from email campaigns (Instapage, 2023). But only 39% of marketers are using it fully. That’s your edge.
2. Segmentation That Actually Moves the Needle
It’s not enough to have a “list.” You need multiple lists—each tailored to a distinct behavior, need, or intent. And no, this isn’t just about demographics.
Truly effective email marketing strategies hinge on behavioral segmentation: breaking your audience into high-intent segments based on how they interact with your brand.
Start With These Segments:
Engaged vs. Unengaged Users: Send re-engagement campaigns to inactive users before cutting them loose.
Product Category Browsers: Target subscribers based on the product categories they explore most often.
Email Click Behavior: Segment users who click educational content differently than those clicking promotions.
Lead Source: Subscribers from a pricing page opt-in behave differently than those from a blog post.
Example in Action:
A SaaS company identified two core email audiences: “Feature Researchers” (who clicked into tutorials and guides) and “Decision-Makers” (who clicked pricing, webinars, and case studies). They created two automated journeys. The result? A 28% lift in demo requests—without increasing send volume.
Quick Win:
Use a lead magnet that automatically tags users based on interest. A downloadable guide about “Scaling Remote Teams” tells you exactly what pain point that lead is trying to solve.
Ready to simplify segmentation, automation, and testing in one place?
With Brevo, you can launch targeted email campaigns, personalize your messaging, and A/B test every detail—without needing a developer.
👉 Start your free Brevo trial today →
3. Mobile Optimization Is Not Optional (It’s the Standard)
60%+ of emails are opened on mobile. If your design doesn’t adapt, you’ve already lost the click.
Modern email marketing strategies prioritize mobile responsiveness not just as a design checkbox—but as a performance lever. Clunky layouts, text overload, and fatiguing formats crush CTR.
Mobile-First Best Practices:
Single-column layout with large, tappable CTAs
Preheader text that complements the subject line (often missed!)
Short paragraphs, generous padding, and bold headers
Images compressed for fast load times without sacrificing quality
Dark mode compatibility for modern email clients
Example in Action:
An eCommerce brand redesigned their weekly product newsletter to a vertical layout with larger images, fewer CTAs, and minimal text. Their mobile CTR jumped from 3.8% to 7.2% in two weeks. Same content—just mobile-optimized.
Strategy Add-On:
Test your emails across Gmail, Apple Mail, and Android clients using tools like Email on Acid or Litmus. What looks fine in your dashboard might be broken in your subscriber’s inbox.
4. Automation That Aligns With the Customer Journey
If you’re still sending every email manually, you’re leaving conversions on the table. The best email marketing strategies scale by mapping automated sequences to user intent and timing—not just events.
This isn’t about “set it and forget it.” It’s about setting up intent-triggered, value-driven sequences that meet subscribers at the right time.
Must-Have Automated Workflows:
Welcome Series: Convert new subscribers into engaged leads with 2–3 value-rich emails (not just a promo code).
Abandoned Cart Emails: Recapture lost revenue with time-delayed, trust-building sequences—include product reviews or guarantees.
Post-Purchase Follow-ups: Increase retention by sending usage tips, upsells, or review requests after delivery.
Re-engagement Campaigns: Automatically trigger when subscribers haven’t opened your last 4–5 emails.
Example in Action:
An online course creator added a behavior-based automation that triggered a bonus discount for leads who watched 80% of a free workshop. Completion-to-purchase rate increased 36% overnight.
What to Use:
Platforms like Brevo and ActiveCampaign let you build conditional workflows based on engagement, CRM activity, or on-site behavior—without needing a developer.
5. A/B Testing With Purpose (Not Just Guesswork)
A/B testing isn’t a checkbox—it’s how elite marketers learn fast and scale what works. But most teams test the wrong variables or stop testing too soon.
Great email marketing strategies treat A/B testing as a controlled experiment, not just an experiment for vanity metrics.
What You Should Actually Be Testing:
Subject Lines: Curiosity-based vs. benefit-driven
Email Format: Text-only vs. image-heavy vs. hybrid
CTA Placement: Top, middle, bottom—or multiple?
Send Time: Early morning vs. late afternoon (especially if you’re B2B)
Personalization Variables: Is using first name helping or hurting?
Framework for Smart Testing:
Hypothesis: What change do you believe will impact results?
Control vs. Variant: Only change ONE element per test.
Sample Size: Don’t call a test at 100 opens. Wait for statistical confidence.
Document Learnings: Keep a shared testing log to inform future campaigns.
Example in Action:
A financial newsletter tested subject lines:
A) “How to Reduce Business Taxes This Year”
B) “Don’t Let These Tax Mistakes Kill Your Q4”
Version B had a 41% higher open rate. That language style was then rolled out across the entire series.
6. Subject Lines That Stop the Scroll
You only get one shot at the open. And 47% of recipients decide whether to open based on the subject line alone (OptinMonster, 2023). So why do so many email marketing strategies treat it like an afterthought?
This is your headline. Your first impression. The click-inviter.
Formulas That Consistently Work:
Question + Curiosity: “Are you making this email mistake?”
Contrarian Insight: “Why unsubscribes aren’t a bad thing”
Benefit + Specificity: “Boost cart recovery in 24 hours with this email”
Urgency (without spam): “Last chance to grab your 2024 strategy guide”
Example in Action:
A tech startup increased open rates by 22% by switching from product-focused subject lines (“New Feature Update”) to user-focused ones (“Here’s how to save 3 hours every week”).
Expert Insight:
Avoid trigger words that trip spam filters—like “FREE” in all caps or “Act Now!!!” Instead, test personalization, curiosity, or story-driven intros.
7. Timing and Frequency: Less Is More (If It’s Right)
No one wants to be bombarded, but “not enough emails” can hurt you just as much. Strategic email marketing strategies get timing and cadence right—not based on gut, but on data and testing.
How to Nail the Send Schedule:
Audience Behavior: Use heatmaps or email analytics to see when your subscribers are active.
Time Zone Optimization: Don’t send at 9 a.m. EST if 40% of your audience is in Europe.
Frequency Rules:
B2B: 1–2 emails/week, ideally tied to content or offers
B2C/eCommerce: 2–4/week max, segmented by interest
Trigger vs. Broadcast: Let user behavior drive sends more than calendar dates
Example in Action:
A travel brand tested three weekly send times. Friday morning (when users were most likely to daydream) outperformed Tuesday afternoon by 38% in CTR and 2x in booking clicks.
Want to automate these strategies with ease? Brevo can help.
From smart segmentation to automated workflows and mobile-friendly design tools, Brevo makes executing advanced email marketing strategies intuitive—even for growing teams.
Q&A: Email Marketing Strategies, Expertly Answered
1. How do I know which email marketing strategies are right for my business?
Start with your goals. If you’re focused on lead nurturing, automation and segmentation are key. For eCommerce, personalization and abandoned cart flows deliver immediate ROI. Match strategy to stage, and test often.
2. Should I be using the same strategy for B2B and B2C?
No. B2B subscribers typically expect more educational, value-driven content with longer sales cycles. B2C campaigns can be shorter, visual, and more frequent. Tailor your tone, timing, and format accordingly.
3. How often should I change my strategy?
You shouldn’t be constantly changing—but you should be constantly testing. Review performance monthly, and make data-informed adjustments every quarter.
4. What’s the #1 mistake most brands make with email marketing?
They treat it as a broadcast channel, not a dialogue. Great email marketing strategies are personalized, behavior-driven, and focused on solving real problems—not just pushing promotions.
5. What tools help implement these strategies faster?
Platforms like Brevo help you automate workflows, personalize content, segment intelligently, and A/B test—all from one dashboard. It’s one of the most beginner-friendly platforms with pro-level features.
Conclusion: Strategy Is What Separates the Noise from Results
Email isn’t about blasting. It’s about building.
The difference between an average campaign and one that converts? Strategy.
These 7 email marketing strategies are built to perform in 2024’s hyper-crowded inbox environment—whether you’re scaling a DTC brand or managing complex B2B funnels.
Start simple. Personalize smarter. Automate where it counts. And test relentlessly.
The results won’t just show up in your dashboards—they’ll show up in your revenue.
Want to put these strategies into action without tech headaches?
Get started with Brevo and build smarter, more effective campaigns with automation, personalization, and real-time optimization tools.
Looking for more expert-level guidance on email marketing?
Explore the Growalrus blog for deep dives into segmentation, storytelling, list-building, and everything in between.