The YouTube Growth Strategy Mr. Beast, Cocomelon, & Like Nastya Use to Dominate the Internet (Creator Remixes 2024)

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YouTube growth strategies continue to be a hot topic among marketers. In fact, most marketers plan to increase their YouTube budgets this year and say the platform has the highest growth potential in 2024.

Anytime you’re talking about YouTube growth (and I talk about growth a lot as the founder of Thompson Media Group), Jimmy Donaldson’s Mr. Beast channel is high on the list.

→ Free Templates: How to Use YouTube for Business [Download Now]

It’s easy to understand why. Today, the Mr. Beast YouTube channel has 240 million subscribers, the second most of any channel on the platform. There are many reasons why this channel is so popular, but the strategy I recommend most to my clients centers on expanding their view of who their ideal customer is.

YouTube’s Power Players Use This Growth Strategy

What’s the million-dollar strategy for growing your audience and your customer base? The answer is surprisingly straightforward: inclusion marketing. Yep, that’s it. I’ve built an entire consulting business around helping brands grow with inclusion in marketing and belonging, and I can spot a great strategy from a mile away.

For example, Mr. Beast employs inclusion marketing by offering his content in multiple languages. Reed Duchscher, his talent manager, explains that this is one of the primary forces driving his rapid growth.

screenshot of a linkedin post annoucing that Mr. Beast hit 200 million youtube subscribers

The strategy here is simple: get your content and products in front of more people who have the problem your brand solves. More qualified eyeballs mean more people consuming your content and buying your products.

Globalization as a growth lever is nothing new. That’s why you’ll see McDonald’s, Netflix, and Nike developing localized content around the globe.

Remember, a different language doesn’t mean we don’t have the same problem — or can’t benefit from the same solution.

As an inclusive marketing strategist and consultant, I tell my clients it’s never been easier or more cost-effective to grow your brand by including a broader diversity of consumers. I spend a ton of time talking about practical ways to use inclusive marketing as a growth lever on my podcast, Inclusion & Marketing.

This episode goes deep on how to grow your brand through globalization, including localizing your content.

And it’s not just Mr. Beast who’s embracing this strategy.

Cocomelon, Kids Diana Show, and Like Nastya have all snagged coveted spots in the top 10 most subscribed YouTube channels. How? Each of them makes their content available in multiple languages — and has earned millions of fans as a result.

Think this is just for kid cartoons and hype engines? Think again. Even business-focused brands such as GaryVee, VidIQ, and IKEA are embracing inclusion marketing.

How You Can Reach a Global Audience

These creators aren’t creating dozens of assets at a time. They’re creating one video and localizing it into other languages using dubbing and voiceover.

Once the dubbed content is made, there are two approaches creators use to get localized content to their audiences.

1. Language-Specific Channels

Cocomelon, Kids Diana Show, and Like Nastya all have multiple YouTube channels, each dedicated to specific languages.

Kids Diana Show has 119 million subscribers on the English language version of the channel. She’s added more than 72 million additional subscribers, with language channels hosting the same, but localized, content.

Like Nastya has 113 million subscribers on her English language channel. Her brand has more than 82 million additional subscribers on other language channels.

Business channels have seen success here as well. VidIQ has 1.78 million subscribers on their English language channel. And they’ve added an additional 351,000 subscribers on the Spanish language channel alone.

2. One Channel, Multiple Languages

The outlier here is Mr. Beast, who previously hosted several different channels dedicated to various languages. In 2022, that changed.

Around this time, YouTube began working with top creators like Mr. Beast to test out multi-language audio. This new feature allows creators to manage one channel by uploading different audio, thumbnails, and descriptions to their accounts.

When a user comes across the video, it’s automatically shown to them in their local language. This allows creators to deliver a seamless customer experience for their audience while also being more efficient content managers.

YouTube noted that creators who tested this multi-language audio feature saw 15% of their watch time come from views in the video’s non-primary language.

While this feature isn’t yet available to all accounts, YouTube plans a phased rollout of the functionality to more creators.

How To Use Localization In Your Brand

Of course, it’s important to consider the customer experience you’re delivering to your audience.

Over the years, I’ve interviewed dozens of consumers with identities from underrepresented and underserved communities. A common frustration they share is feeling like brands fall short by delivering substandard experiences to them.

One Spanish-speaking consumer told me that when brands don’t make their content available in Spanish, he feels like they send the message that “people who speak Spanish aren’t important.”

When it comes to engaging new consumer groups, I always coach my clients to be intentional about delivering experiences that make consumers feel seen, cared for, and like they are important rather than an afterthought. As a result of taking this approach, more of the people you want to serve will feel like they belong with you.

The end goal of this strategy is to create video content that’s accessible to people who speak other languages. But there are lots of ways to get there.

Here’s a quick video where I walk through a few of those options and provide examples and considerations for each one. I even drop some reactions and feedback from a Spanish-speaking consumer.

1. Use human-dubbed content.

Many of today’s top YouTube channels, including Mr. Beast, use a company called Unilingo to dub videos using professional translators and voiceover talent.

If you’ve ever watched a movie with audio in another language, you’ll notice that great care is taken to ensure the voiceover looks and sounds like the original. Tone match and synchronicity deliver a better experience to the end user.

Think of this as a moment to delight your audience by working with a human voice-over artist skilled in matching the original speaker's energy, emotion, and intonation.

2. Use AI-dubbed content.

Ok, ok. I know I just told you to use human-dubbed content. But I realize that sometimes it’s just not possible.

If you haven’t noticed, the market is flooded with AI tools right now. That means you’ve got options for dubbing using artificial intelligence. Simply upload your video, select a voiceover you like, and in just a few minutes, you have a dubbed video.

If you use this option, it’s important to have the translated version verified by certified translators before publishing.

Although AI-powered translations are often good, there are nuances associated with localizing content. You’ll also want to maintain your brand voice and tone — something that can be difficult to capture with a language learning model.

The AI will translate your content verbatim when what you’re really after is transcreation. In a transcreation, you choose the words and phrases that capture the full intention and essence of what you’re saying.

In the podcast episode below, I go deep into translation, transcreation, and the proactive choices you must make when localizing content. For instance, should your brand be using gender neutral language (gendered language is very common in languages like Spanish and French), and if so, how should you approach nuances here? These decisions will have a big impact on how people perceive your brand.

3. Add multi-language subtitles to your video.

Subtitles are another way to make your YouTube videos more accessible. You can upload multiple subtitle files in other languages directly in your YouTube content studio.

youtube video subtitles landing page

YouTube also gives you the option to upload localized thumbnails, titles, and video descriptions to deliver a consistent experience in the end user’s local language.

When a user arrives on your video, they’ll hear your original audio while reading the subtitles in their preferred language.

image of the youtube translation popup window

The same rules apply when ensuring you have a high-quality subtitle translation that human translators either transcreated or verified.

Break Through the Noise with Inclusive Video Content

Think beyond your existing audience to grow your YouTube channel and your business.

Start where you can, and make improvements over time as you learn more about what your new global audience needs most from you.

Once you get into the groove of expanding content reach using inclusion, you’ll develop new relationships with new audiences that will allow them to reach new levels of success. And, at the end of the day, that’s your goal, right?

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Crafted With Code: Performance Showcase

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This year’s Crafted With Code showcase has already highlighted five projects recognized by the Webby Awards and WP Engine, each featuring beautifully designed, highly accessible digital experiences.  Now, Crafted With Code is shining a light on some of the most performant projects submitted to the Webbys this year. The Webby Awards exist to honor excellence

The post Crafted With Code: Performance Showcase appeared first on WP Engine.

16 Great Examples of Welcome Emails for New Customers [Templates]

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Welcome emails can arguably be one of the most powerful tools for setting an incredible first impression for pre-email customers. Nevertheless, the process of creating a persuasive welcome email is not always smooth.

Good welcome email examples can serve as the inspiration to make an amazing first impression.

→ Download Now: 8 Free Customer Onboarding Templates [Free Kit]

Having so long been in the role of a copywriter, I always find myself in search of good email examples. In this blog, I‘ve pulled together the most inspiring welcome emails that I’ve come across that will help you create your own.

Table of Contents

Pro tip: Use HubSpot's free email marketing software to easily create a high-quality welcome email sequence like the ones featured below.

HubSpot email template

Each example below showcases different tactics and strategies for engaging new email subscribers. Let's dive in.

The Components of an Impressive Welcome Email

I believe that one factor that really impacts the customer onboarding proces s is the welcome email.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all format, there are several key components that can help your email stand out from the crowd and connect with your intended audience. These include:

1. Compelling Subject Lines

Making sure recipients actually open your emails is the first step in making a good impression.

Subject lines are critical, so opt for short and straight-to-the-point subjects that state clearly what you’re sending, who it’s from, and why it matters to potential customers.

Pro tip: Keep email subject lines short enough to get your point across and grab the recipient's attention. A good rule of thumb is to keep it to 30-70 characters in length.

2. Content Recommendations

While the main purpose of welcome emails is to introduce your brand, it’s also critical to add value by providing the next steps for interested customers.

Pro tip: I think a good place to start would be by offering links to your website‘s great content, which will give your customers more context if they’re curious about what you do and how you do it.

3. Custom Offers

Personalization can help your welcome emails stand out from the pack. Customized introductory offers on products are something consumers often want.

If you base these offers on the information they’ve provided or data available to the public through social platforms, welcome emails can help drive ongoing interest.

4. Clear Opt-Out Options

It’s also important to offer a clear way out if users aren’t interested. Make sure all your welcome emails contain “unsubscribe” options that allow customers to select how much (or how little) contact they want from you going forward.

In my opinion, if there’s one thing that sours a budding business relationship, it’s the incessant emails that aren’t easy to stop. So, always give customers a way to opt out.

Examples of Standout Welcome Emails

So, what does a great welcome email look like?

I’ve collected some standout welcome message series examples that include confirmation messages, thank you emails, and offer templates to help you with your customer onboarding process from start to finish — and make a great impression along the way.

1. Food52

Type of Welcome: Confirmation

Welcome email from Food52

Sometimes, the tiniest of elements in a welcome email can speak volumes about a brand. When it comes to Food52's welcome email, the preview text at the top of the email, “We brought snacks,” definitely accomplishes this.

Also known as a pre-header or snippet text, the preview text is the copy that gets pulled in from the body of an email and displayed next to (or beneath) the subject line in someone‘s inbox.

So when you see Food52’s welcome email in your inbox, you get a taste of their brand's personality before you even open it.

Welcome email preview from Food52

I also liked how Food52‘s welcome email does a good job of building trust by putting a face (make those two faces) to their name. As soon as you open the email, you see a photograph and message from the company’s founders.

What I like: I particularly like the introduction of the email copy, which reads, “Hello there! We're very excited that you're here,” as this sets a welcoming and friendly tone from the onset, making the reader know that they are appreciated and they belong.

2. Monday.com

Type of Welcome: Video

Monday.com welcome email

From the subject line down to the conversational tone in the email body, the welcome email above keeps it friendly and simple, so the focus stays on the introductory video inside.

Monday.com is a task management tool for teams and businesses. The welcome email you receive when you sign up makes you feel like a CEO because Roy Man is speaking directly to you.

What I like: I love how the email even personalizes the opening greeting by using the recipient's first name, which is well known for increasing email click-through rates (especially if the name is in the subject line).

In my experience, the more you can make your email sound like a one-on-one conversation between you and your subscriber, the better.

If you have just so many details that you need to inform your new customer about, follow Monday.com's lead and embed a video rather than spelling them all out in the email itself.

3. Kate Spade

Type of Welcome: Thank You

Kate Spade welcome email

Let‘s face it: The internet-using public is constantly bombarded with prompts to sign up for and subscribe to all sorts of email communications.

So, as a brand, when someone takes the time to sift through all the chaos to intentionally sign up for your email communications, it’s a big deal.

To acknowledge how grateful they are to the folks who actually take their time to subscribe, Kate Spade uses a simple but effective tactic with their welcome emails. They say “Thank You” in big, bold lettering.

What I like: To be honest, I am a big fan of what this email looks like. The envelope graphic — which virtually simulates the joy of receiving a physical thank you note — is a nifty and visually appealing way to draw attention to the email.

4. Lyft

Type of Welcome: New Customers

Lyft welcome email

I think if there‘s an ideal "attitude" that welcome emails should give off, Lyft has it.

The company’s simple but vibrant welcome email focuses entirely on the look and feel of the app, delivering a design that's as warm and smooth as the lifts that Lyft wants to give you.

At the same time, the email‘s branded pink call-to-action (CTA) draws your eyes toward the center of the page to "Take a Ride," inviting language that doesn’t make you feel pressured as a new user.

What I like: I particularly like the email's simplistic look, white space, and a CTA to perform the desired task. This makes it easier for the customers to concentrate on the primary message and take the intended action.

5. Munk Pank

Type of Welcome: About Us

Munk Pack welcome email

The Munk Pank's welcome email is the story of why the company was founded. This is a healthy snack store founded by a husband and wife.

In their welcome email, they mention that they started the company because they never seemed to find nutritious snacks to keep them energized and on the go.

In my opinion, this is an excellent version of a welcome email. The brand lets its customers know they can relate to the problems they‘re facing and that they’ve been there. This helps in building trust and relatability.

It also gives customers a peek into what they should expect from their products.

The email ends by sharing the company’s mission to help them live a healthy lifestyle.

I also like how this welcome email lets subscribers know that they're joining a tribe that is concerned about their healthy eating and lifestyle, a mission that goes beyond snacks.

What I like: A personal message from the founder gives the product a face and acknowledges the brand’s dedication to making people’s lives healthier.

6. Who Gives a Crap

Type of Welcome: Product Story

Who Gives a Crap welcome email

Who Gives a Crap is an organization that sells organic toilet paper, and they're passionate about it. I found their welcome email to be equally fun and informative.

They state all the reasons why you should opt for organic and eco-friendly products. Then, they sweeten the pot (pun intended) by noting that they donate 50% of their profits to global sanitation projects.

The email reminds the buyer that they still get the toilet paper at the same price they do in the supermarket. It also has a compelling CTA in its welcome email: 10% off its products for people who subscribe to its email list.

The company added its “Shop Now” button for convenience, so if readers are convinced to buy, they can do so in one click.

What I like: I like that the email is entirely in a playful tone while the message is extremely clear about the company's nature-friendly principle and donation policy.

This creates a message that is both fun and informative, and it becomes something that someone will remember for a long time if it is their first experience with the business.

7. SAXX Underwear

Type of Welcome: Free Gift or Offer

Saxx Underwear welcome email

SAXX Underwear specializes in men's underwear, and its welcome email is very catchy and creative.

The subject line, “Welcome to you and your balls,” is just a taste of how the company uses a humorous and relatable tone to connect with its audience.

Their welcome email is visual, too. It demonstrates their comfort guarantee with images of models wearing their boxers. The welcome email also gives a 10% off code for first-time buyers and directs them to their store.

To me, what really stands out in the SAXX Underwear welcome email is the tone of the copy and the careful yet bold and catchy choice of words.

What I like: I'm impressed by the sincerity of the brand in the first email when it presents the refund policy.

Knowing that they can return the product very easily if they are not fully satisfied with the brand’s items makes the customers who are choosing a product for the first time feel more confident, and as a result, they might try the products.

8. InVision

Type of Welcome: Product Demo

InVision welcome email

When you sign up for InVision's free prototyping app, the welcome email makes your next step very clear.

To guide people on how to use InVision’s app, the company’s welcome email doesn't simply list out what you need to do to get started. Instead, it shows you what you need to do with a series of quick videos.

Given the visual, interactive nature of the product, this makes a lot of sense.

What I like: I find this welcome email particularly helpful. In fact, it offers a step-by-step guide to further interactions. This highlights the user-friendliness that the company provides, along with the smooth onboarding process.

9. Drift

Type of Welcome: Confirmation

Drift welcome email

There is no fancy design work, videos, or photos. The welcome email Drift sends after signing up for its newsletter is a lesson in minimalism.

I love how the email opens with a bit of candid commentary on the email itself.

“Most people have really long welcome email sequences after you get on their email list,” Dave from Drift writes, before continuing: “Good news: we aren't most people.”

What follows is simply a bulleted list of the company's most popular blog posts. And the only mention of the product comes in a brief postscript at the very end.

Based on my experience, if you‘re trying to craft a welcome email that’s non-interruptive and laser-focused on adding value instead of fluff, this is a great example to follow.

What I like: The conversational tone of the email creates a personal feel that clearly distinguishes it from the common marketing communication, which is usually impersonal and generic.

10. Inbound

Type of Welcome: Event Signup

INBOUND welcome email

Inbound attracts business professionals from all over the world. I believe that is the reason why its event confirmation email is simple and easy to follow, with useful links for event information, help, and accessibility.

Keep scrolling, and you’ll see even more useful additions, like:

  • Links to add the event to your calendar.
  • Social media sharing buttons.
  • Directions through Google Maps.

What I like: I like how this all-in-one approach of the welcome email ensures that even if people who wish to attend only see one email, it will include everything they need.

11. Creative Capital

Type of Welcome: New Donor

Creative Capital welcome email

Nonprofit marketing can be a challenge, but this email sheds light on endless possibilities. In this welcome email, donors to Creative Capital get a healthy dose of inspiration.

The email begins with a striking GIF that combines the work of supported artists with bright thank-you messages. It continues with a poetic message about the types of artists the org supports.

This is a chance to inspire every donor. It reminds them who their donation is supporting and why that action has massive value.

What I like: I really like how the animated GIF at the email's beginning does all that to catch the attention and set the tone for the rest of the message.

12. Baltic Born

Type of Welcome: Customer Loyalty

Baltic Born welcome email

Frequent shoppers can end up in more loyalty programs than they can count, so it’s important for these welcome emails to stand out and show off a big offer.

From the start, this email focuses on concrete rewards. Then, it gives a clear explanation of Baltic Born’s reward system. It continues with a button that compels the recipient to get more points.

And, the monochromatic design is attractive but not distracting or overwhelming, making it easy to read on mobile devices.

What I like: The effective part of the email is that it tells everything about the loyalty program in a straightforward way and gives easy guidelines on how to get the points.

This makes it easy for me to engage with the brand and feel rewarded for my loyalty.

13. PepTalkHer

Type of Welcome: Confirmation

PepTalkHer

While many subscribers click submit to solve a problem, positivity is key in a welcome email. This org supports women on their path to wage equality.

It could be tempting for this email to start with emotionally charged language or statistics that show how big a problem the gender pay gap is.

Instead, PepTalkHer shows its understanding of its target audience. This email centers on the support, value, and overall awesomeness of this community.

It also adds useful links to social media and website channels. This helps jump-start each signup’s journey.

What I like: I think it’s amazing that this email’s priority is placed on the benefits it brings to the reader. This creates a sense of belonging and encourages long-term engagement.

14. Third Love

Type of Welcome: Discount Code

Third Love

As generative AI runs to the forefront of email marketing strategy, personalization is more important than ever before.

This email grabs subscribers with a personalized offer. The customer experience begins with a well-designed online quiz.

Then, the results of that quiz are woven into a useful and personal email that includes size and product recommendations, along with a discount offer.

What I like: I love the email's writing style, which provides a personal touch and a signoff that sounds both supportive and genuine.

15. Swipe Files

Type of Welcome: New Customers

Swipe Files

There’s nothing quite like a personal welcome email to make an impression on new subscribers. I believe that good writing is good thinking, and this welcome email is a great example of that idea.

This message reads authentic, kind, and curious. It uses direct language, easy-to-read paragraphs, and simple CTAs. This shows every subscriber what they’re getting into with their subscription and leaves them excited for more.

What I like: This email is more of a personal letter from the founder and less of a welcome email. That's what makes it stand out and appealing to the reader.

16. Oui the People

Type of Welcome: Discount Code

Oui the People welcome email

I think powerful graphics are a great way to make a strong first impression.

After signing up for skincare brand Oui the People’s mailing list, the welcome email that hits your inbox makes a gorgeous visual statement that shows the brand’s vision and personality. Then, it uses bold type to make a compelling offer.

The copy that follows not only matches but amplifies the vibe of the opening image.

“Together, we’re going against the grain of traditional beauty to create (damned good) products that feel like they were designed just for you and all of your glorious complexity. Life-changing, not you-changing.”

The one-two punch of graphics, CTA, and copy makes this welcome email difficult not to engage with.

What I like: I love how the powerful and poetic copy perfectly complements the email‘s visuals, reinforcing the brand’s unique vision and values.

Welcome Email Templates

Need help getting your welcome email efforts off the ground? I’ve got you covered with free welcome message templates that streamline the connection process.

Each template shows a different way you can welcome your customers. These examples make it simple to send a welcome email to meet your customers’ needs at their current spot in the customer journey.

1. About Us

An About Us welcome email introduces new subscribers to your company with a firsthand story. It gives you a chance to share who you are, what you do, and what you stand for.

This helps you develop a relationship with your subscribers, which can help them feel more invested in your brand.

I strongly believe that this is also a chance to set the right expectations about the content or benefits you offer to your subscribers.

Click to Save Template

Hey [First name],

Welcome to [Brand name]. We're thrilled to have you join us on our mission to [insert company mission or vision].

We started [Brand name] to solve [insert the problem your product or service solves] because [creation story for your founder(s)]. We want to inspire people to [insert big-picture product impact].

We are constantly refining our product to live up to our vision.

We believe that [our product] will make a difference for you too, and we can't wait to hear your story. Please feel free to reply to this email and tell us about you and what you hope to achieve.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to hearing your story.

Looking forward to hearing more,

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

2. Product Story

Product story emails showcase your product or service and give you a chance to educate and inspire with your welcome. A product story welcome email doesn't just have to be about how you created your product. It can tell stories about:

  • The problem your product or service solves.
  • Product benefits.
  • The materials you use to make your product.
  • Key product features.

This welcome email can help you expand brand awareness as well as improve customer engagement and conversions.

3. Video

Video welcomes are a quick and powerful way to connect with new customers, subscribers, or employees. You can feature the people, culture, or messaging that represent your brand in your video. Videos are also a great way to share:

  • Product features and benefits.
  • Tutorials.
  • Promotions.

Video welcome emails can help your business stand out from companies sending text-only email communication. They're also a quick way to grab attention as you begin your relationship with a new contact.

Welcome to [Brand name], [first name of your subscriber].

We're excited to share this video message [insert link to the video]. It will tell you a little bit about [content of your video].

Watching this quick video is just the first step toward reaching your goal of [desired outcomes for contact]. Our team is always here to offer you the guidance and resources you need.

Thank you for being a part of the [Brand name] community.

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

4. Free Gift or Offer

Free gifts and welcome offers give new subscribers and customers a tempting reason to engage with your brand. I think they can be very useful for creating urgency.

These welcome emails are also a great way to highlight personalized offers for the latest addition to your email list.

A free offer or exclusive gift can improve customer retention and loyalty, as well as build anticipation for future offers.

Hey [First name] —

Welcome to [Brand name]!

As the latest (and greatest) addition to our community, we‘d like to give you a free [insert gift item]. It’s our way of saying thank you for choosing us for your [product type] needs.

To claim your [offer], just add the promo code FREEGIFT at checkout, and your gift will be on the way to you soon.

If you have any questions or feedback until then, please get in touch at [contact information]. We're always here to help.

All best,

[Signature or Brand name]

Click to Save Template

5. Event Signup

An event signup welcome email is key to the event registration process. This one piece of communication:

  • Confirms successful event registration.
  • Offers important event logistics.
  • Highlights speakers and other event details.
  • Prepares attendees for the event.

This type of welcome email is also a first step to connecting with a customer. It builds trust and shows how they can benefit from further engagement.

Hi [Attendee name],

Thank you for registering for [Event name]. We can't wait for you to join us during this important event.

This email includes your registration confirmation, event location, date, and more.

  • [Registration Confirmation Details]
  • [Attendee name]
  • [Attendee email]
  • [Registration type (such as VIP, General Admission, etc.)]
  • [Number of tickets]
  • [Confirmation code]
  • [Event name]
  • [Event location]
  • [Date and time]

This session will include [featured panels, speakers, sessions]. We‘ve also organized [meeting rooms, mixers] for networking opportunities and connecting with your peers.

You’ll also have the chance to see [special events, attendee-only exclusives].

Note: You‘ll need your confirmation code or badge to enter the event, and we’ve attached a PDF with other helpful tips.

If you have any questions about your registration, contact [Event organizer] or respond to this email.

Thank you again for registering for [Event name]. We can't wait to see you there!

Best regards,

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

6. Confirmation

Confirmation emails can sometimes feel cold or impersonal, so this is another email where it‘s vital to add some welcome. A confirmation email assures your subscriber or buyer that they’ve successfully completed the signup.

It's also a chance to share useful information to make them feel more comfortable about what comes next.

For example, you might want to add order details, shipping, or the day of the week your newsletter comes out.

Based on my understanding of customer experience, personalizing this welcome email can go a long way to building trust with your subscribers.

Hi [First name],

Thank you for your [subscription] to [Newsletter or Brand name]!

There‘s just one more step to complete the process and join [Brand name’s] community of [term that describes your customers, such as business owners, rock stars, nature lovers]. Click the link below to confirm your subscription.

With that one click, you‘ll be the first to know the latest updates, products, and resources from us. You’ll also have access to quality content and support.

Thank you again for subscribing. We can't wait to share and learn with you.

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

7. Free Trial

Your welcome email for a free trial is important because it sets the tone for your relationship with each customer. I feel this is a chance for you to say thank you, offer extra help, and set expectations for your product.

This first email is also a chance to show users how to make the most of your product and point out features and benefits they might miss on their own.

This welcome email has a specific goal — to turn that free trial into a paying customer. With that in mind, it's important to strike a balance. This email should point out tips, features, and details but not overwhelm with too much information.

Hi [First name]!

Thank you for signing up for your free trial of [product or Company name]. We can't wait for you to try out our [product].

With your free trial, you'll have access to [popular features] so you can test what works for you. To make the most of your free trial, [outline the first step], then [list two or three potential use cases].

If you're looking for support or instructions, check out [links to support, help, and social media resources]. You can also take a quick look at the product video below for a quick walk-through.

We'll be in touch with next steps for your trial soon. Until then, thank you again for choosing [product or brand name]!

Hoping this is helpful,

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

8. Thank You

Thank you welcome emails lead with gratitude to your subscribers and customers. Whether they're signing up for your newsletter, RSVPing for an event, or making a purchase, this welcome email leads with the positive.

Hi [First name],

Thank you for choosing [Brand name]. We're so happy you decided to [join, subscribe, complete a purchase].

Giving you a great experience is our top priority — and on that note, we want to make sure you know that our [Customer loyalty team, customer support team, social media community] is here with news, offers, and more just for you.

Again, thank you for choosing [Brand name]. We look forward to offering you quality products and winning service for many years to come.

All best,

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

9. Welcome Email Template for New Customers

Your new customer welcome email often marks the beginning of the customer relationship. This email usually contains a lot of information. It might include order confirmation, product information, helpful tips, or a review request.

At the same time, I believe it needs to set a tone that emphasizes the character and value of your brand and products. So, it needs to be welcoming, engaging, and encouraging.

Hi [Customer],

This is really exciting: Welcome (officially) to [your product or service here]. We’re so lucky to have you.

[I/we] are here to help make sure you get the results you expect from [your product or service], so don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. [I’d/we’d] love to hear from you.

To help you get started, [I/we] recommend checking out these resources:

  • [Resource 1]
  • [Resource 2]
  • [Resource 3]

If you need support, you can reply to this email or give us a call at [555-555-5555]. [I/we] can talk you through the details and information you need to get started.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

[Your company/name]

Click to Save Template

10. Discount Code

In my experience, discount codes always make great welcome emails. This is because they lead with something your subscriber wants.

It encourages a purchase, but this email is also a chance to show appreciation, develop brand awareness, or boost new products.

To make the most of these emails, I always try to add limited-time or occasion-specific offers. This adds urgency and gives you a chance to quickly boost your customer relationship.

[First name],

You don‘t have to wait to experience [popular products]. As a welcome to our community, we’re offering you a special discount.

To use your discount, just enter the code WELCOME10 when you check out. You can use this code to purchase [specific products or special promotion].

One more thing: Be sure to take advantage of this offer before [expiration date].

If you need any help or guidance using your discount code, just get in touch with [support team information.]

Thank you!

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

11. Customer Loyalty

Some customers will get more than one welcome email from you, so it's important to make your welcome email specific.

One example is your customer loyalty program. When someone signs up to be an affiliate or joins an incentive program for your brand, they need a different kind of welcome.

As you draft this email, focus on personalized connection. Whether you're offering thanks for their support, sharing sneak peeks, or giving exclusive offers, each customer needs to feel special.

Use surveys, interactive features, and integrations to collect feedback from current customers. Then, once your subscribers become loyal customers, you can use these tools to make your loyalty welcome email super personal.

Hey [First name],

Welcome to [Brand loyalty program]! You‘ve joined an exclusive group of customers who make our brand and products better, and we are so excited you’re here.

Customer loyalty at [Brand name] means [outline top loyalty program benefits]. It's a personal thank you for choosing our products.

Your membership also includes these perks:

[Benefit 1]

[Benefit 2]

[Benefit 3]

To make the most of your benefits, [share first steps to activate membership].

We also want to hear from you! Contact us with any questions or feedback — our team is always here to help.

Your first purchase, [name of first product purchase], set you on the path to becoming one of our most loyal customers. We can‘t wait to see what you’ll do as part of our [Loyalty program] community.

Kind regards,

[Signature]

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12. New Donor

Each new donor has a major impact on your business's future. So, the way that you welcome each donor is a key part of their experience.

This welcome email is a chance to offer thanks, review your company's mission and vision, or ask for continued or deeper engagement. The donor welcome email is also a time to:

  • Share inspirational stories.
  • Highlight the problems your organization is working to solve.
  • Offer recent data on the status of your work.

Dear [Donor name],

I'm writing to personally welcome you to [Nonprofit Organization name]. Thank you again for your generous donation.

Your contribution is making an immediate impact on our work to [revisit your mission and/or vision].

With your support, our team will continue to [outline important services and impact]. With continued work together, we can make a lasting difference.

We will stay in touch with updates and events at [Nonprofit Organization name]. We'll also share critical updates on how your contribution is improving [share recent data and statistics toward critical goals].

Thank you again for your donation and for choosing to be a part of [Nonprofit Organization name]’s vision.

Best regards,

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

Now that you’ve seen some great examples of welcome emails and templates, let’s dig into the process of writing a great email and catching customer attention.

[Paragraph Snippet]

1. Write a catchy subject line.

Research shows that while more than 90% of welcome emails are opened, just 23% of them are actually read. That means if your welcome email doesn't catch the eye of your new customers, they may not know you sent it at all.

The best tool you can leverage to increase email open rates is the subject line. A catchy and actionable subject line can draw customers in and make them curious about your content.

Here are a few strategies that I follow while writing a subject line:

  • Always include what your email is promoting and how it will benefit your customers.
  • Keep it concise. This is because the reader can only see a sentence or two in the preview.
  • Give enough information to pique the reader's interest, but not all so that they need to open your email for the full details.

2. Restate your value proposition.

Although this may seem like an unnecessary step to take, it can actually offer some significant benefits.

The most obvious benefit is that it gives the customer some reassurance that they made the right decision signing up. I believe it's never a bad thing to remind customers why they created an account with you.

This clarifies exactly what they can expect to achieve with your product or service.

This also gives you the opportunity to clearly explain any ancillary services or features that you offer that could create more stickiness with your business.

This is especially true if you have a complex solution with unique features that customers might not know about.

3. Show the next onboarding steps.

Now that you've reminded them why they signed up, get them fully set up with your product or service. Usually, there are steps that users must take after signing up to get the most out of the platform. Examples include:

  • Completing their profile information.
  • Setting preferences.
  • Uploading necessary information (such as contacts into a CRM, profile picture for a social media profile, etc.).
  • Upgrading their account or completing an order.

4. Generate the “A-ha” moment.

This is one of the most important steps to take in a welcome email, and there's a substantial and data-driven reason behind that.

Former Facebook head of growth, Chamath Palihapitiya, discovered that if you can get a user to acquire seven friends within 10 days, they are much more likely to see Facebook's “core value” and become a returning active user.

This is known as an “a-ha moment,” in which the customer understands how they benefit from using your product or service.

The goal is to get the user to this aha moment as quickly as possible so your product sticks and the customer achieves success as soon as possible.

This will produce a better overall customer experience and ultimately help your business grow.

To get this done, first identify your business's “core value” and the obstacles or prerequisites customers must complete to receive this value. Then, you can use your welcome email to guide new customers through these tasks.

5. Add helpful resources.

As mentioned in the previous step, you want the user to see the value immediately. But, customer success doesn't stop there. Depending on the nature and complexity of your product, customers may need more help.

For example, customers might need guidance on troubleshooting, using advanced features, or getting the most value out of your core features.

It‘s likely that you’ve already created help content addressing common questions from customers. Whether it's tutorial videos, an FAQ page, or helpful blog posts containing best practices, this help content is essential to customer success.

Why not include it in your welcome email? This gives them the tools they need upfront without forcing them to search for the information after a problem arises.

6. Provide customer service contact information.

The final step to setting your customers up for success is making sure that they know how to contact you.

You can spend all the time in the world creating excellent help content, but you can't foresee every possible problem that will arise for your customers.

Even if you could, customers are only human, and not all of them will be willing to pore through your help resources to find the answer to their questions. So it's best to be forthright with customers on how they can get in touch with you for help.

In my experience, adding this contact information to your welcome email is a great way to lay the foundation of trust needed for building a relationship. It drives customer loyalty and reassures readers that you’re available if they need you.

The best place to add your contact information is in your email signature. This way, you won’t distract recipients from reading the body of the email, but your contact details will still be easy to find. Avoid sending customers on a treasure hunt just to find a way to ask you a simple question. This will lead to frustration and send them into the arms of your competitors.

Including your profile picture in your signature is another best practice. This reassures the reader that there’s actually a human behind the email, which makes you that much more approachable in case they ever need to contact you.

You can set up a signature containing these elements easily with a tool like HubSpot’s email signature generator. Just select a template, type in your details, add your picture, and you’re done. 

7. Conclude with a call-to-action.

You should wrap up your welcome email with a call-to-action that entices customers to begin the onboarding process.

After you‘ve demonstrated your company’s values and explained how you're going to help them achieve their goals, customers will be eager to get started.

So, make things easier for them by providing a button at the end of the email that triggers the first step in the onboarding process.

Here's one example of what this could look like:

Welome to Food52

Pro tip: To scale the process, you can use the steps above to create an AI prompt that will generate a first-draft welcome email in seconds.

Just plug your value props, next steps, and CTA into a tool like HubSpot’s Campaign Assistant to get started. You can even use the same prompts to create matching ad copy or landing page content.

Get Started with HubSpot's Campaign Assistant

How to Write an Employee Onboarding Welcome Email

Welcome emails aren't just for customers. The onboarding process has a huge impact on how the new employees feel about your company, so it's important to give it the time and energy it deserves.

One of the important parts of this process is the onboarding welcome email. It has to match the company’s tone and outline all the expectations you have for the new employee.

If this is your first time writing an onboarding email, you’ll find the following steps helpful.

Here are the steps that I follow when writing an onboarding email.

1. Decide on the content of your onboarding email.

Before you start, it's important that you are aware of the content of an onboarding welcome email.

The contents are going to vary based on the conditions. For example, an email onboarding remote employees is completely different from an onboarding email for an employee who will work onsite.

For an onsite employee, the onboarding email should include:

  • Welcome events.
  • First-day schedule.
  • Arrival instructions.
  • How to access their workstation.
  • Break room details (where to warm lunch, get coffee, etc.).
  • Dress code.
  • What they're required to bring (passport, ID, social security card, or any other paperwork).
  • Parking information.
  • Contact information.

For a remote employee, the content may include:

  • First-day schedule.
  • Contact information.
  • Signup details for collaboration tools.
  • Welcome video conference meeting (time to be held).

Again, you can change the content based on your company's needs.

2. Decide on the tone you want to use in your email.

The next thing you need to decide on is the tone you want to use in your onboarding email. Do you consider your company friendly, casual, or super formal?

Whatever your answer is, it should be reflected in the tone of the onboarding email. This gives the employee an idea of the kind of workplace environment they should expect.

It also sets the tone your new employee is expected to use when representing your brand.

3. Draft your onboarding email.

The next step is to draft your onboarding email. While the tone of your email might change to fit your needs, here is an example of a template you can use.

Dear [Employee's name],

We are very excited to welcome you to [company name]. Please remember to carry your ID to get easy access to our premises. We expect you to be in the office by [time], and our dress code is [formal/super casual].

At [company name], we pride ourselves on creating the best environment for our employees. As you‘ll see, our team has already prepared your workstation for you and set up your software to make your first day easy. You’ll also be given access to your designated parking spot, a customized company bag, t-shirt, and mug, among other goodies.

Our team has also planned all the details for your first week to ensure you settle easily. You‘ll receive a document with your schedule and agendas for your first week from HR when you arrive. Human Resources will also help you fill out the required paperwork and answer all your questions. After the meeting with HR, you’ll be assigned a mentor who will show you the ropes of our company and how we get things done.

Our team is excited to meet you during the [planned event].

If you need any clarity before you arrive, please contact me by phone [phone number] or email. I'll be more than happy to help.

Welcome to the [company name], [employee name]. We are looking forward to working with you and watching you grow and soar to greater heights!

Warm Regards,

[Signature]

Click to Save Template

4. Edit your email.

After writing your email, make sure you edit it to include all the necessary details.

I always make sure to check for any grammatical errors with tools like Grammarly and HubSpot's AI Email Writer if a copy needs a refresh. You can also have a colleague double-check the email.

Remember to attach any necessary documents, links, or images as supplemental information.

5. Send or schedule the email.

Lastly, send the email or schedule it so it’s received in a timely manner. For example, you want to avoid sending an onboarding welcome email on Sunday evening, which may give the wrong impression.

This will allow the new employee to be psychologically prepared and find the necessary documents.

Make a Great First Impression

Bottom line? Whether it's in person, over the phone, or by email, first impressions matter.

Your welcome email is often the first chance a prospective customer or contact has to see what your brand is all about, and if you don’t stick the landing, they’ll likely go somewhere else.

Luckily, writing a great welcome email can be simple. You need to focus on what matters, such as compelling subject lines, great content, personalized offers, and always, always a way to opt-out.

Your first impression can help lay the groundwork for long-term relationships. And, the welcome email examples I have shared in this blog will help you in this process and inspire you to create your own standout welcome emails.

Influencer Marketing Strategy: How to Build a Plan Creators & Customers Will Love [+ Templates]

Featured Imgs 23

Everyone can have influence, but not everyone can be an influencer. And I say this as someone who has participated in several influencer campaigns but would never claim the label.

Download Now: Ultimate Guide to Influencer Marketing

This title “influencer” rightfully belongs to an elite group of people who can reliably elicit interest or action in others. And if you’re a marketer, this power of influencer marketing strategies is not one you can ignore.

According to Influencer Marketing Hub, the influencer marketing industry is set to grow to approximately $24 Billion by the end of 2024. Yup, that’s “billion” with a B, and it’s with good reason.

Influencers are proven to foster engagement, drive traffic and clicks, and generate conversions and sales. But before your brand can reap any of these benefits, it needs a well-thought-out influencer marketing strategy. I’ve got you covered there.

Table of Contents

According to Aspire, 63% of marketers say influencer-generated content performs better than other brand content.

Consumers trust influencers more, finding them authentic and relatable. In fact, Sprout Social has found that 49% of all consumers make daily, weekly, or monthly purchases because of influencer posts, and 30% say they trust influencers more today than they did just six months ago.

This might be why 85% of marketers believe influencer marketing is an effective strategy, and 60% who already invest in it intend to increase their investment.

Even companies that hired smaller influencers got impressive results. Aspire found that “Nano-influencers” (people with fewer than 1,000 followers) consistently achieve the highest engagement across all platforms, at an average engagement rate of 4.39%.

So, the possibilities are vast. Speaking of possibilities, influencer marketing strategies can contain a variety of different types of campaigns.

Types of Influencer Marketing Campaigns

Over the years, I’ve done a number of gifted campaigns for brands. Many also offered an affiliate or discount code like this one for Ladykind CBD.

93% of creators are willing to do campaigns like these so long as they’re fans of the brand and can stand by the product’s quality. But this may not be the best option if you’re trying to partner with someone unaware of your brand.

Thankfully, influencer marketing campaigns come in all different shapes and sizes.

Some popular types include:

  • Affiliate or Discount Codes: Influencers are given a unique discount code to share in their content to drive sales for your brand and earn them commission. This is best for driving sales.
  • Contests and Giveaways: Influencer gives away one of your products on their platform. This is especially great for growing both of your followings.
  • Sponsored Posts: Influencer posts about your product for a fee. This is great for reaching an influencer’s audience and building awareness.
  • Gifting: Influencer posts about your product in exchange for a free product. This is also great for building awareness.
  • Takeovers: Influencer posts from your brand’s social media. They can post in-feed posts, go LIVE, or do a series of posts on a specific topic. This is best for building awareness and engagement.
  • Collaboration: Working with an influencer to deliver your target audience a new product, service, or content. Collaboration is a good option for generating sales and awareness. (More on these in the next section.)

All of these are effective and beneficial in their own right. However, what you choose depends on what makes sense for your audience, budget, and the influencer you’re working with.

Influencer Marketing vs Influencer Collaboration

Before we keep going, I think it’s important to clarify one thing: Influencer marketing and influencer collaboration are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.

An influencer collaboration is actually a tactic that falls under the greater umbrella of influencer marketing. It has its own little quirks — like influencers themselves.

A collaboration occurs when a business works with an influencer to develop something new for a shared audience, such as a new product or piece of content. The collaboration incorporates elements of both brands and appeals to both audiences.

A great example from a few years back is the e.l.f. Cosmetics collaboration with Nabela Noor, #elfxonabela.

Noor is an influencer who became popular for her makeup tutorials and messages of self-love. Collaborating with the cosmetics brand popular with younger buyers to create a collection of beauty products and brushes inspired by her values was a natural fit.

Note: A product collaboration like this obviously requires a larger investment than other influencer marketing tactics, but it can be beneficial if you have a bigger budget or resources.

If you’re a small business or your means are more modest, content collaborations like this recipe from Chef Gordon Ramsay and Bite Originals may be more your speed.

Either way, collaborations are one of the most exciting and effective approaches to influencer marketing. Why? They offer something new for audiences to sit up and pay attention to.

Types of Influencers

In addition to different types of influencer campaigns, it’s important to understand the different kinds of influencers.

There are influencers with different subject matter focuses, such as food, fitness, finance, and fashion (yes, I did love that alliteration). But these don’t require an explanation.

The influencer types we’re discussing here involve audience size and reach. With that in mind, there are four main types of influencers: mega, macro, micro, and nano.

  • Mega-Influencers: 1M+ followers (i.e., Gary Vaynerchuk or Amanda Seales). Yes, technically, celebrities can also be considered mega-influencers. But since their audiences and impact extend far beyond social media, we’re going to keep them in their own category in this article.
  • Macro-Influencers: 100,000 - 1 million followers (i.e., Neil Patel or Julissa Prado)
  • Micro-Influencers: 10,000 - 100,000 followers (i.e., Goldie Chan or Milang Garcon)
  • Nano-Influencers: Fewer than 10,000 followers (i.e., Noelle Graham or me, I suppose — Hi!)

The size of an influencer’s audience gives you a better idea of your initial reach by working with them.

Of course, hashtags and other things can always get in front of more people. But knowing how many people they already have following them (as well as their level of engagement) will help you set goals, performance expectations, and compensation.

Now that you know the basics of influencer marketing, how do you develop your strategy?

How to Create an Influencer Marketing Strategy

Let’s dig into eight steps to help you create and implement an influencer marketing strategy.

Graphic displaying a checklist for creating infuencer marketing strategies

1. Identify and define your audience.

Before launching any campaign, you need to know who you are trying to reach — in other words, who your audience is. Once you understand that, it’ll be much easier to find an influencer to match your needs.

A noteworthy example of this can be seen in the dating app Tinder. Most of the app’s users are 18-25 years old, so the team hired influencers in this age bracket to promote its app.

Tayler Holder, a singer-songwriter, was one of the influencers who participated in the campaign. One of his posts was just a photo of him wearing a Tinder-branded shirt and a short caption, “Swipe right and come find us on @tinder,” but it has nearly 500k likes.

So, take note of your buyer persona, specifically their demographics, psychographics, buyer lifecycle stage, or preferred channel.

2. Define your goals.

Next, ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve with that audience.

Are you trying to increase brand awareness or drive engagement? Do you want to spruce up your lead generation method? Do you want to build on the loyalty and goodwill of your existing audience?

Define your goal and work backward to determine the steps needed to achieve it. This will also help you determine your success metrics.

For example, in 2021, Dunkin Donuts wanted to increase app downloads and popularity with younger consumers, so it hired Charli D'amelio. D’amelio is a popular Gen Z influencer who is frequently seen drinking Dunkin’s iced coffee in her videos.

@dunkin That's right. It's THE CHARLI. WITH SWEET COLD FOAM! 🔥🔥 @charlidamelio #CharliDunkinRemix ♬ original sound - Dunkin'

They even launched a drink named after her that her 143 million TikTok followers were eager to try. The app's download increased by 57% when Dunkin Donuts released the drink and inspired thousands of posts on social media.

Screenshot showing the results for #charlidunkinremix on TikTok

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3. Define your budget.

Like your goals and audience, defining your budget helps narrow down who you can actually partner with in your influencer marketing strategy.

For example, if you’re on a limited budget, you may use an independent influencer instead of an agency. Or you may lean toward a nano or micro-influencer as they are typically more affordable.

Budget will also help you determine how you compensate your influencers, as some personalities are okay with partnering in exchange for free products or services.

Influencer Marketing Hub offers a detailed breakdown of what goes into the cost of hiring an influencer.

Graphic showing the average cost per post for different tiers of influencers.

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4. Decide on the platform(s) you want to use.

One good thing that happened during the pandemic is that the usage of all social media platforms rose. That means there’s certainly no shortage of platforms for you to consider for influencer marketing.

Take this time to choose what platform you want to focus on based on your target market and goals.

It’s best to look at your existing audience’s behavior and data, but if you’re just getting started this chart from WordStream can give you more direction.

Graphic showing the major differences for marketers between the most popular social media platforms.

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5. Choose your campaign type(s).

The type of influencer campaign you run depends on your goals and the target audience’s preferences.

If you’re trying to grow your subscriber numbers on YouTube, you’ll likely want to create something video-based with someone popular on the platform. Or, if you want to boost sales, you may want to opt for a discount code.

For example, Audible partnered with best-selling author Tim Ferriss to offer listeners to his podcast a discount on his books and other Audible content.

Screenshot of the Tim Ferriss collaboration page on Audible’s website.

Image Source

This partnership delivered a relevant offer to the target audience, benefiting Audible, Tim Ferriss, and his podcast listeners simultaneously.

Some statistics to keep in mind from Aspire:

  • 40% of marketers are already saying short-form video has the highest return on investment.
  • Instagram's most popular influencer campaign format is Stories, with over nine million partnership posts reported
  • YouTube influencer content gets the highest engagement, with an average engagement rate of 49.5%.

6. Identify your influencer(s).

Sarah Corley, a good friend and Senior Marketing Campaign Strategist at Sprout Social, regularly collaborates with influencers to create content for the social tech company.

She explains, “The key to successful influencer marketing strategies is finding and identifying people who naturally align with your brand’s values. When an influencer already lives in harmony with your brand and its mission, you can create a more authentic partnership with trust at the center.”

For instance, if you’re promoting wellness supplements, you have a better chance of achieving your goals with influencers in health and fitness than those mainly interested in new fashion trends.

“[Alignment] also allows the influencer to do what they do best — stay authentic to their voice and content style, which is important to the success of the content,” Corley continued.

Using an influencer marketing platform is an easy way to find influencers in your niche, but you can also do your research on social media. For example, searching #fitness on IG will get you over 1 million posts from different fitness influencers.

Screenshot showing the post results for #fitness on Instagram.

Image Source

Sometimes, it can also be smart not to work with someone in your niche but rather someone popular with your target audience.

Take this recent partnership from Zillow and Jools Lebron (aka @joolieanniemarie).

Coming off Lebron’s “Very Demure” viral TikTok video, Zillow collaborated with the creator to visit homes and identify those she would consider cutesy and demure.

While she is not an expert in real estate, Lebron is extremely popular with younger generations right now. So, she was a smart choice for generating engagement for the real estate company.

To choose your influencers, Ksenia Newton & Emily Smith at Brandwatch suggest keeping these questions in mind:

  • Does the influencer post content relevant to your industry or brand?
  • Does the influencer have a credible engagement ratio?
  • Has this influencer worked with similar brands in the past?
  • Does the influencer’s style and personality fit your brand guidelines?

Note: Once you narrow down the influencers you’d like to work with, you’ll have to create your proposal.

7. Develop a plan for your launch and promotion.

Once your content and campaign are set, how do you plan to get the word out about it?

While you’re working with an influencer to market your product, it’s also a partnership. As Corley continued, “Look for ways to support the influencer, their goals, and their community — a true partnership is a two-way street.”

Link to it on your social channels. Mention it in your email newsletter. Draft a blog article or press release. Do your due diligence in engaging and promoting the campaign on your end, then document the potential tactics in your strategy.

8. Track your success.

Once your campaigns are out in the wild, you’ll want to track their performance. This will help you know if and when you reach your goals and gather data to refind future campaigns.

Depending on your goals, this may mean tracking website traffic, the number of new followers, conversions, or other metrics.

Platforms like the Meltwater Influencer Marketing Suite help you measure your influencer campaign success, but you can also track your data using a simple spreadsheet.

We have some free templates to get you started.

Graphic displaying a checklist for creating an influencer proposal for your influencer marketing strategies.

1. State your goals.

What do you want to achieve with this influencer marketing campaign? It could be better brand awareness, increased subscription rates, high traffic, or high engagement. Whatever your goal is, it should be stated clearly in your presentation.

Pro Tip: A great influencer is busy. To avoid overcomplicating and lengthening the proposal, provide only the necessary data in your proposal. (i.e. where your numbers stand now and what you hope to see them to.)

This information is important when scoping projects and negotiating prices.

2. State the responsibilities of the influencers.

How should the influencers participate in the marketing campaign? State all of the influencer’s responsibilities.

Responsibilities can include creating content, developing hashtags, editing images, or sharing content on their page. If you have specific quantities in mind, you can also include those here.

3. Describe your audience.

You’re likely pitching a particular influencer because they already appeal to your existing audience. However, it’s still smart to include an overview of your target in your proposal to clarify expectations.

This also lets you get more granular about any specific traits or interests of the market that could make your influencer content stand out.

4. Show visual examples.

Influencer marketing is mainly about visuals. So, before you reach out to an influencer, research and take screenshots of the campaigns you like. These resources will give your influencer an idea of what kind of content you’re looking for.

Skeepers, an influencer platform I belong to, sets a great example:

Screenshot showing how the brand RoC Skincare shares content examples in its influencer proposals on Skeepers

Screenshot showing a content example shared by RoC Skincare on the Skeepers influencer marketing app.

In all of the proposals on Skeepers, brands must include details on what they’d like to see and hear in the finished content as well as links to examples of content they like.

5. Don’t be overly specific.

Although you want to ensure your collaborators understand your expectations, you don’t want to micromanage them. Instead, deliver that creative brief we discussed earlier.

At the end of the day, no one knows the influencer’s audience and how to reach them better than the influencer themselves.

Leave room for them to take creative liberties and create a campaign that will best accomplish your goals.

The Influencer Contract Checklist

After you’ve made your proposal to an influencer, you need a contract to formalize the partnership.

Graphic displaying a checklist for creating an influencer contract for your influencer marketing strategies.

An influencer contract is a document that contains the details of the agreement between the influencer and a business. It typically includes the terms of content creation, legal protection for both parties and compensation received, among other details.

It‘s important to have a contract to hold the influencers you’re working with accountable and safeguard your investment. But what should it include?

1. The Parties Involved

First, your contract should include both parties' official full names. That means the names appearing in the contract are legal and acceptable in a court of law, not simply a social media handle.

I mean, we all may know our favorite influencers by “Mr. Beast” or “Lady Gaga,” but your contract better read James Donaldson or Stefani Germanotta if you want it to hold any weight.

Use simple language to describe everything in this section to avoid any kind of misinterpretation in the future.

2. The Expiration Date

How long will you be working with the influencer for this particular campaign? However short or long it may be, stating the dates is essential.

This section should clarify whether it‘s a one-time campaign and, if not, the terms of renewing the contract. For example, you can set your influencer’s contract to one year, with the option of renewing it based on the parties' agreement.

3. The Terms of Compensation

What will you offer the influencer in exchange for their services? It could be money or a free product or service.

Regardless of what you'll offer, your contract should state it clearly. The structure of this payment will also vary from one agreement to another.

For example, your terms could state that the influencer should issue an invoice after the agreed-upon content is posted, and you'll pay them X dollars 30 days after sending their invoice.

Or if it's a one-time campaign, you could agree on paying half the money before the campaign and the rest after the influencer hits their key performance indicator (KPI).

4. Each Parties’ Responsibilities

There are several important parts to an influencer marketing campaign, including:

  • Campaign Development
  • Content Creation
  • Content Approval
  • Content Publication
  • Content Promotion

Your contract needs to document who is responsible for what to avoid confusion.

5. The Type of Content/Campaign

What kind of content are you expecting from the influencer? Is it a guest post, a vlog, or a Reel? State the expectations clearly.

If you expect multiple content formats, mention exactly how they should be delivered. For example, you could state you need four Reels and four social media posts twice a week.

6. The Content/Campaign Requirements

Depending on the type of campaign, content creation could be entirely your influencer’s responsibility, or you may collaborate. Either way, you want to be aligned and make the process easy for the influencer you’re partnering with.

The best way to ensure this is to create a detailed creative brief and share a media kit.

Once again, Skeepers always makes sure to detail the “dos and don’ts” of the content a brand requests. These color-coded checklists have been extremely helpful before submitting a post:

Screenshot showing how brands share content guidelines with influencers in the Skeepers app.

7. The Approval Process

Influencer marketing involves a lot of collaboration, but you also need to ensure everything created accomplishes what you need. Make sure to document this in your contract.

While the influencer may have the most creative control, in some instances, your marketing team may have some suggestions or edits to the content before posting.

Ensure you mention how many revision rounds the influencer should expect to make and if revisions guarantee extra pay.

8. The Content Copyright

If you want the right to edit or modify the influencer‘s content, it’s important to include content copyright in the contract. Your copyright terms should also allow you to use their images or logos when posting related content.

On the other hand, the influencer might want access to the content they edit. If this is the case, be sure to mention when they can access the content, how long they're allowed to access the content, and whether they retain the copyright forever.

9. The Publication Agreement

A publication agreement details when the influencer will publish the content. Do you publish once, twice a week, or several times a day?

Ensure you capture all these details on your contract and include any penalties the influencer will face if they don't comply.

Other additions the influencer must make to the content when uploading it, such as promo codes, hashtags, or tracking links, should be included.

10. A Restrictive Covenant or Non-Compete

A restrictive covenant is an agreement on the length of time an influencer isn't allowed to work with a competitor after the campaign.

So first, define your competitors and include them in the contract. Additionally, ask the influencer to confirm that they have no written contracts with your competitors.

11. A Sunset Clause

A sunset clause dictates the length of time your sponsored content should appear on the influencer's pages. Without a definite period, many influencers can delete the sponsored content once they’ve been paid or after a short period.

Be clear on how long the content should stay on the influencer's page before they can delete it.

12. A Cancellation Clause

What happens if the influencer feels you're no longer a good fit for their audience? Or they break the agreement, and you can no longer continue working with them?

Prepare for these scenarios by having a cancellation clause in place. It should cover any penalties or repayment.

13. Image Authenticity

Image manipulation isn't a new concept — especially with the rise of AI. Ensure you have a clause that protects you from image manipulation.

While you want your products to appear appealing, you also want to ensure customers don't feel cheated when they receive your product.

Plus, image manipulation may also trigger platforms to flag your ad for false advertising or even remove your content.

14. A Morality Clause

You can't control what an influencer does, but you can protect yourself with a morality clause.

Remember, how they conduct themselves during the campaign can damage your brand's reputation by association.

Therefore, some guidelines can protect you, like discontinuing the contract when they conduct themselves in any way that puts your brand at risk.

The bottomline when it comes to a contract? Corley detailed, “When you’re working with influencers, transparency is important. Start by laying out the details that you have and be open to negotiation. Always remember that surprises cause delays!”

Putting Your Influencer Marketing Strategy Into Action

Influencer marketing strategies, like most great marketing strategies, take a bit of trial and error to get right, but once you do, the benefits can be immense.

At the end of the day, people buy from businesses they trust to deliver on their promises. And with an influencer your audience knows and loves on your side, half this trust is already built.

Use the checklists and tips outlined in this article and start reaping the traffic, leads, sales, and overall success that can come with influencer marketing.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

The Losing Test That Led to 4% More Leads (We Took the L so You Don’t Have To)

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Today, I’ve got a special treat for you, something most companies won’t share: a peek at one of our losses.

A “best practice” that failed so hard we had to pause part of the test early. And, if I can wax clickbait-y for a moment, it’s a tactic you may be using in your calls-to-action as we speak.

So come for the trainwreck, but stick around for the lesson, because what we learned led to 4% more leads from our CTAs.

Free Download: A/B Testing Guide and Kit

And I’m going to show you how to recreate it. (The improvement, that is. Not the trainwreck.)

The Best Practice That Wasn’t

I turn to AJ Beltis, principal marketing manager of conversion strategy, when I need absolute authority on two things: 1) pop-culture movie references, and 2) content conversion.

So when I read an internal brief where a supposed best practice caused a 14% loss in conversion rate, I ran to him like Luke flying back to Obi-Wan.

Screenshot of ABC test on CTA language

It all started with a test of the wording on our CTA buttons. Long-time readers may remember that our anchor texts were once a grab-bag of different styles.

“It was up to the bloggers’ discretion because each of those CTAs was individually placed,” AJ explains. “So sometimes it was ‘Get the template,’ sometimes it was ‘Download now.’”

And because we test everything, when we set out to make our CTAs more consistent, we started by testing different language options. The test variants were:

  • The Control: “Get the [Product Type]”
    Cut and dry. Straight to the point. A great example of our old anchor text strategy. 
    Example: “Get the Template”
  • The Best Practice: “Get the Free [Product Type]”

Same as above, only now we add “free” as an enticement. A pretty non-controversial tactic you’ll see in every CTA guide.
Example: “Get the Free Template”

  • The Wildcard: “Get the Free [Specific Product]”

Here we add a description of the offer to the button itself. At the time, this felt redundant because there was already a description above the button, but hey, let’s try it.
Example: “Get the Free Social Media Calendar Template”

Author CTA variant examples

We were so confident in the results that we put our money where our mouse was and slapped the test on 25 of our highest lead-driving blogs.

“We felt pretty comfortable with the risk because we weren’t removing anything or changing anything drastic,” AJ says. “So it was a reasonably safe way to test something.”

John Hammond felt the same way in Jurassic Park.

What Went Wrong (and What Went Right)

Within two weeks, Variant B cratered our conversion rate by 14%, until we finally paused that branch to mitigate losses to our heavy-hitting lead generators.

So, why didn’t the best practice work?

“One theory is that whenever you see something labeled as ‘free’ on the internet, it might have a spammy connotation.”

In other words, like Pavlov’s dogs, we’ve all been trained to see “Free Download” and immediately scroll past what is surely a scam and/or an ED cure.

Ah, but what about Variant C? The one we dismissed as redundant?

That one actually boosted our conversion rate by 4% overall, and by 7% among new visitors.

So, why did this variant work where the other failed?

AJ believes it’s all about using visual cues to highlight keywords the reader is looking for.

“When people are reading a blog post, they’re often just kind of skimming as quickly as possible to get an answer,” he says with a shrug and a sideways smile. “I’ve been a blogger and it sucks to say, but no one is typically reading all 1,200 words that you put your time and effort into.”

(But not you, dear reader. Not you … Right?)

Say a visitor is skimming to learn about social media content calendars. Suddenly they see a big orange button that offers a social media content calendar template.

“This is the specific thing that I want and it’s free? I’ll get it.”

Quote from AJ Beltis about keywords in anchor text

The Takeaways About CTAs

To see the biggest takeaway, scroll back up and check out the CTA button right beneath the title of this very blog. You’ll see that we no longer include descriptive text above the button, and instead use the description on the button itself.

Some of AJ’s other insights:

1. Test Every-freaking-thing. (Or “Don’t take best practices at face value.”)

Trusting best practice alone would have damaged our conversion rate, and we might have never known why.

Similarly, if we hadn’t tested what we assumed was the redundant option, we would never have found a win.

“If we had just tested ‘free’ versus the control, the test wouldn’t have worked,” AJ points out. “But because we tested ‘free’ versus the control versus ‘free [specific thing]’, that extra layer worked.”

2. Use Keywords in Your Anchor Text

“If you can use those buzzwords they’re looking for, that’s going to be more successful. Using the words ‘content calendar template’ or ‘planning template’ when they’re reading a blog about social media content calendars … they’re already thinking about that word, so psychologically, it might hook them a little faster.”

Placing keywords in your anchor text is also a win for accessibility, as it helps folks who use screen readers to know what they’re clicking on.

3. DO Test on Your Biggest Lead Drivers

After getting beat worse than Rocky by Apollo, you might think we switched to testing on less important pages, but that’s not the case.

As Rocky says: “It ain‘t about how hard you’re hit, it's about how you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

As AJ says: “When we look at testing our top pages, that’s also where the biggest opportunity for growth is. If we were to be a little safer by testing pages that don’t convert as well, we might not have been able to detect the magnitude of how successful or unsuccessful a tactic might be.”

Quote from AJ Beltis on top pages being the biggest opportunities for growth

4. Trust your audience above authority.

And that includes me, AJ, and Obi-Wan.

Always trust your audience’s reaction over what you find in any guide.

“Respond to your audience,” AJ says. “Some audiences might find a test that we ran to not be a good match. Whereas, we might look for inspiration from other companies, run it on the HubSpot blog audience, and find that their test doesn’t work for us.”

5. Test your offers, too.

Amid all this talk about CTAs, AJ drives one final point home: Your CTA is only as good as what it’s offering.

So test what you’re offering, too.

“We use templates because templates work for us. We don’t do webinars because webinars don’t work for us. Some companies, all they do is webinars, because that’s what works for their content sphere.”

How to Test Your CTA Button Text and Offers

Unlike in Rebecca’s test of paid ad landing pages, for this one you do want to test one element at a time. So be sure to test your anchor text and content offers separately.

You’ll also want to use a tool that evenly splits your traffic across the variants—something like Convert, VWO, or, hey, Content Hub!

  1.  Navigate to the test page.
  2.  Click on the file menu and then chooseNew,” then “Run A/B Test.”
  3.  Enter a name for each variation.

This should be something descriptive that will be easy to remember. If you look at the first screenshot, you’ll see we simply used “Original Page,” “Variant B - Free,” and “Variant C - Free + Description.”

  1.  Click “Create variation.”
  2.  Edit the anchor text or the destination of the link (but not both!)

For this time of optimization, you’ll get better results by testing one change at a time. (Though you can certainly test multiple variations on that one change.)

To recreate AJ’s test, try out a description of the offer within the anchor text. Heck, you may even want to try using “free.”

  1.  Click “Publish” in the upper right corner, then “Publish now.”

No matter what you decide to test, be sure to keep an eye on the results over time. Be ready to pull that emergency brake so you can avoid your own trainwreck.

Inclusion as a Customer Acquisition Strategy (+ Examples)

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Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.

I’m the founder of an inclusive marketing strategy consultancy. As I’ve worked with clients of various sizes across industries over the years, I’ve observed that many marketers and business leaders still don’t fully understand the business benefit of inclusive marketing.

Free Kit: How to Build a Brand [Download Now]

Smart brands engage in inclusive marketing because they know it helps them make a bigger impact on a broader audience while increasing sales.

While most marketers wouldn’t intentionally exclude consumers, not excluding is not the same as actively including. True inclusion, and the ability to consistently acquire new customers from underrepresented and underserved communities requires intention.

Why Smart Brands Invite Consumers With Varying Identities to be Their Customers

To illustrate, imagine you want to be friends with a new group of people, so you decide to throw a party. A good host wouldn’t just put a sign out that says “Hey, everybody come to my party.” A savvy host would actively spread the word so the new group knows they are invited.

Smart hosts who want to welcome a specific group of people ensure they get a direct invitation to the party.

And then, effective hosts ensure all the details and experience of the party are well planned out, to ensure that when the group you wanted to attend arrives at your party, they have such a wonderful time they don’t want to leave and are excited about attending the next one.

This free How to Build a Brand kit from HubSpot will help you with resources you need to create a brand that makes more of the people you serve feel like they belong with you, and crave attending more of your “brand parties.”

There are many ways brands can go about acquiring new customers. However, when it comes to consumers from underrepresented and underserved communities, I often need to remind my clients that it isn’t enough just to communicate “you are welcome here.”

Brands must intentionally invite people from these communities to be their customers because they have long been ignored and underserved by brands.

Consumers from marginalized communities are often skeptical of brands’ intentions, particularly those who suddenly start to engage after ignoring them for so long.

These consumers don’t know if a brand’s efforts are genuine, opportunistic, or short-lived, so they often keep their distance until they know that a brand is committed to serving and supporting their community

As such, as brands are working to acquire consumers from underrepresented and underserved communities, it is necessary to invite them in a manner that makes them feel seen, supported, and like they belong with you.

Here are some examples of how brands have leaned into inclusive marketing as a customer acquisition strategy for specific identities they want to serve.

Examples of Brands Leaning Into Inclusive Marketing as a Customer Acquisition Strategy

1. Walmart Supports Neurodivergent Consumers

In 2023, after listening to feedback from both customers and team members, Walmart decided to implement sensory-friendly hours each day from 8-10 AM in all their stores across the United States and Puerto Rico.

During this time frame, stores dim the lights, lower the music, and program static images on television screens, to offer a less stimulating environment.

Data shows that sensory processing disorder (SPD) impacts between 5-16% of school-aged children in the U.S. and about 20% of the world’s population. SPD is commonly seen in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Because Walmart has taken the time to “see” consumers who have a need for a lower-stimulating shopping environment, the brand removed barriers that prevented consumers and caregivers of people with SPD from shopping in its stores and invited them in.

Inclusive Customer Acquisition Strategy Example: Walmart

Image Source

In this episode of the Inclusion & Marketing podcast, I sat down with three experts who are all neurodivergent. They shared their experiences and practical advice for brands who want to ensure neurodivergent consumers and caregivers feel like they belong with your brand.

2. Lululemon Expands to Serve Consumers Who Wear Larger Sizes

Back in September 2020, athleisure retailer Lululemon made a decision to invite people who wear larger sizes to be customers. The retailer did this by expanding their range of sizes offered to go beyond size 14, up to size 20.

In the two full years following the decision to be more size-inclusive, the brand posted the largest growth increases it had seen in eight years, at 42% and 30% respectively.

The average clothing size for a woman in the U.S. and Europe is 16. As such, by offering more sizes, Lulemon was able to acquire a new group of customers, who previously weren’t able to fit their clothes.

Inclusive Customer Acquisition Strategy Example: Lululemon

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3. Fenty Beauty Extends Makeup Brush to Women of All Complexions

One of my favorite examples of a brand that has acquired a broad diversity of consumers with inclusion is Fenty Beauty.

Rihanna’s brand launched in 2017 with 40 shades of foundation to be inclusive of people of all complexions who want to wear makeup. The unprecedented launch broke many sales records in its early days, with many shades for both darker and lighter complexions selling out.

After seeing the response to consumers who wore “less common” shades of foundation being invited to be customers of Fenty Beauty, other make-up brands adjusted their approach and started offering 40 shades of makeup as well.

Being inclusive became the standard for any brand that wanted to acquire new customers on a consistent basis.

Inclusive Customer Acquisition Strategy Example: Fenty Beauty

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4. VidIQ Reaches Out to Spanish-Speaking Consumers

Software company VidIQ decided to invite Spanish-speaking YouTubers to become their customers by making educational videos in Spanish for the community.

The U.S. has the second largest population of Spanish speakers in the world (behind Mexico), and it is the second most spoken native language in the world (behind Mandarin).

Creators who prefer to learn and use tools in Spanish can do so as VidIQ makes an intentional effort to make its existing tools available in Spanish.

This image shows a Spanish language video on the brand’s Spanish language channel, highlighting how consumers can access the VidIQ Academy with Spanish subtitles, as well as how to adjust the software’s settings to work in Spanish.

Inclusive Customer Acquisition Strategy Example: VidIQ

5. KitKit Shows Muslim Consumers They See Them

The KitKat Canada team invited the Muslim community to be their customers. The brand introduced the KitKat Iftar bar — thirty KitKats people can use to break their fast each day while observing Ramadan.

By designing the bar specifically for Ramadan, the brand made it clear that it sees the Muslim community in a way that many other brands do not. As such, the brand can acquire new customers during Ramadan that can later convert to loyal customers all year long.

6. Mattel Adapts Games to be Colorblind Accessible

Toymaker Mattel leaned into inviting people who are colorblind and or visually impaired to be their customer.

The toymaker declared that by year-end 2024, 80% of the games in its extensive catalog, including Uno, Tumblin’ Monkeys, and Blokus will be colorblind accessible. The brand stated that percentage will move to 90% by year-end 2025.

Mattel recognized that being blind or colorblind doesn’t diminish a person’s desire to enjoy playing games with family and friends. As a result, the brand collaborated with experts in color deficiency and co-created with people who experience color blindness to create solutions that work for a broader group of consumers.

Inclusive Customer Acquisition Strategy Example: Mattel

This episode of the Inclusion & Marketing podcast summarizes lessons learned from an interview with Google’s Chief Brand Accessibility Officer, on how the brand approaches accessibility.

7. MasterCard Solves a Real Problem for Transgender Cardholders

MasterCard invited transgender people to be their customers by solving a real need they had when it came time to buy something. If a transgender or non-binary consumer looks different from what the name on their card says, it often puts them in an uncomfortable position when making a purchase.

Solving real problems for people from underrepresented and underserved communities makes it easier for them to choose you.

In this episode of the Inclusion & Marketing podcast, I sat down with an LGBTQ+ expert who shared lots of wonderful insights on how to build an LGBTQ+ inclusive brand.

It’s Time to Invite More People to be Your Customer

Acquiring customers from underrepresented and underserved communities requires intentionality with your products, marketing, policies, and communications.

Make it clear to the people you want to serve that you see them, support them, and have designed an environment that makes them feel like they belong with you.

Once you do, not only will you acquire more people from those communities, but you’ll earn their loyalty as well.