How To Customize Mailchimp Email Templates To Boost Your Holiday Sales

Festive lights and pumpkin spice are back. And that means it’s time to kick your holiday marketing into overdrive. 

The holiday season isn’t just busy—it’s the most crucial time of year for boosting revenue. With shoppers at their most motivated and willing to spend, your business needs to be ready to make the most of it. 

According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 19% of annual retail sales come from the holiday season. Deloitte predicts retail sales in 2024 will rise 2.3% to 3.3%. Ecommerce is expected to grow even more, increasing 7% to 9%.

As the holiday shopping frenzy approaches, your email marketing strategy should be locked and loaded. 

One of the best ways to drive sales and engage your audience is through customized, eye-catching email campaigns. If you're using Mailchimp, now’s the time to create compelling seasonal emails offering exclusive deals and discounts. 

Below, you’ll find practical tips and strategies to help you craft email templates for Mailchimp that boost sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) and beyond.

3 Must-Know Strategies for Crafting Custom Mailchimp Email Templates for Holiday Campaigns

Email marketing is a key player for holiday campaigns, with 95% of marketers saying it delivers great ROI. Personalization also matters—73% of customers feel more valued when they get tailored emails.

However, crafting individual messages can be challenging during the hectic holiday season. That’s where Mailchimp comes into play. It makes it simple to automate your emails while still keeping them personal.

With Mailchimp's automation and AI tools, you can send the right messages to the right customers without the added stress. 

Here are three essential strategies for customizing your Mailchimp email templates to boost sales this holiday season.

1. Reward Your Best Customers with Exclusive Offers

The festive shopping season is upon us, and shoppers are ready to buy! As your customers eagerly seek out the best deals during Black Friday and Cyber Week, it’s a prime opportunity for you to connect with them. 

Offering exclusive discounts is a powerful way to attract first-time buyers and deepen relationships with loyal customers. By rewarding them with early access to special deals, you show appreciation and encourage repeat purchases that enhance their lifetime value.

Pro Tip: To make your Mailchimp email templates truly stand out, consider showcasing your top-selling products. Highlighting popular items based on your store’s sales history helps customers make quick decisions.  

To kick off your Black Friday email campaign, ensure your eCommerce store is linked to Mailchimp and has updated product listings for personalized recommendations. Have a 20% off promo code ready to encourage purchases.

To set up your campaign, create an email in Mailchimp and add product recommendation blocks. Schedule the send date for Wednesday or Thursday, giving your VIP customers a head start before the sale opens to everyone else. 

Here’s a fun email template to get you started on driving loyalty this Black Friday and Cyber Week:

Subject: Thank You! Enjoy Exclusive Early Access to Our Holiday Deals!

Hey [Customer’s Name],

We can’t thank you enough for being such a valued part of our community! As a token of our appreciation, we’re excited to give you exclusive early access to our Black Friday and Cyber Week deals! 

Enjoy [%] off your favorite products as our way of saying thank you.

Here are some of our top sellers that we think you’ll love:

• [Product 1 Name]: Perfect for [insert benefit].

• [Product 2 Name]: A holiday must-have while it lasts!

• [Product 3 Name]: Always a crowd-pleaser!

Don’t miss out—click below to take advantage of these special deals before anyone else!

[Shop Now Button]

Thank you for being such an amazing customer. Happy shopping!

Warm wishes,

[Your Business Name]

2. Increase Order Value with Black Friday Gift Cards

Discounts are great for boosting sales, but if not done strategically, they can hurt your profits and limit your marketing budget post-BFCW. To keep your e-commerce store healthy, consider alternative incentives for purchases that also drive revenue.

One effective strategy is offering gift cards in exchange for a minimum purchase. By setting a specific cart value, customers receive a gift card, encouraging them to spend more now and return to shop later. This not only increases average order value but also enhances customer loyalty, as they’re motivated to use the gift card on future purchases.

Include your best-selling products in your email to maximize engagement and reduce decision fatigue. Also, don’t shy away from reinforcing the benefits of the gift card incentive to ensure your message resonates with all readers, as not everyone processes information the same way.

Pro Tip: Avoid terms like "free" and "sale" in your subject lines to prevent your emails from being filtered into spam.

Here’s a sample email template to drive sales and loyalty with your gift card offer this Black Friday and Cyber Week:

Hi [Customer’s Name],

The countdown to our Black Friday sale is over, and it’s time for some amazing deals! Enjoy a fantastic 20% off everything in the store.

But here’s the exciting part:

When you spend $100 or more, you’ll snag a $25 gift card to use whenever you like—no strings attached!

From now until midnight ET on November 29th, you’ll get:

• A $25 gift card for orders over $100

• 20% off sitewide, including our most-loved items like [BEST SELLING ITEM]

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few popular picks to help you reach that $100 threshold and claim your gift card:

• [Product 1 Name]

• [Product 2 Name]

• [Product 3 Name]

Don’t miss out—this special offer ends at midnight ET on November 29th!

And remember, your gift card can be used on full-priced items anytime throughout the year.

Happy shopping!

Cheers,

[Your Business Name]

3. Timely Deal Reminder Emails

As Black Friday and Cyber Week wrap up, initial sales might start to slow down. But that doesn’t mean your campaign has to. You can turn that lingering interest into sales with a well-timed reminder email. Mailchimp’s retargeting feature allows you to reach customers who browsed your site or abandoned their carts, encouraging them to complete their purchases.

These reminder emails are a great opportunity to address any concerns that might be holding them back. Maybe it’s the shipping cost or uncertainty about returns. A small incentive, like offering free shipping once they hit a certain order value or highlighting a hassle-free return policy, can make all the difference and nudge them to hit “buy.”

Pro Tip: Emphasize urgency. Let customers know that your sale is ending soon, and they don’t want to miss out on the great deals or free shipping!

Here’s a sample email template for your retargeting campaigns this Black Friday and Cyber Week:

Subject: Last Chance! Cyber Week Deals + Free Shipping End Tonight!

Hi [Customer Name],

It looks like you had your eye on some amazing deals! Why not take another look before they’re gone? Cyber Week is ending tonight, and we’ve got [YOUR BEST OFFER] waiting for you.

Here’s our promise to you: 

• Free shipping on all orders over $50

• Hassle-free returns for peace of mind

• Up to 30% off, including [TOP PRODUCT]

Your cart is ready for checkout. Just click below to finish up before the sale ends at midnight!

[PRODUCT IMAGE 1]

[PRODUCT IMAGE 2]

[PRODUCT IMAGE 3]

[Complete My Order]

Hurry—these deals are almost gone!

Best,

[Your Business Name]

Best Practices for Creating Winning Mailchimp Email Templates for Seasonal Campaigns

To create effective Mailchimp email templates for seasonal campaigns, focus on strategies that engage your audience and boost conversions. 

Here are some tricks and tips to rock them: 

• Focus Your Email on the Core Message

Make your core message the highlight of your email. Whether it's promoting a seasonal sale or reminding customers about abandoned carts, your emails should clearly communicate the offer or value you bring. 

For example, if you sell fashion accessories, remind customers of the latest deals and follow up with an exclusive discount to create urgency. To add the finishing touches, share an email with tips on how to clean your precious jewelry. 

• Leverage Customer Data for Personalization

Use the data you have to personalize emails based on user behavior. From browsing history to previous purchases, data allows you to offer tailored product recommendations and promotions that resonate with individual customers. Collect more information through signup forms to further enhance your targeting if needed.

• Use Segmentation and AI-Powered Tools

Segment your audience to send targeted messages that resonate with each group. Take advantage of Mailchimp’s AI-powered tools to streamline your content creation, from subject lines to body copy, ensuring your emails stay relevant without added effort.

• Build Relationships, Not Just Sales

Not every email has to promote products. Share tips and behind-the-scenes stories, or feature a loyal customer. By offering value beyond discounts, you’ll foster trust and create stronger connections that last well beyond the holiday season.

• Offer Tiered Discounts 

Reward loyal customers with exclusive deals instead of offering the same discounts across the board. Create urgency with limited-time promotions or incentives based on spending thresholds to encourage higher-order values without compromising your margins.

• Automate Your Weekend Campaigns

The holiday rush doesn’t stop, but you can take a break! Set up automated emails to run all weekend long. Whether it’s reminding customers about special offers or teasing your upcoming Cyber Monday deals, automation keeps your sales rolling while you relax.

Wrapping Up 

Creating Mailchimp email templates for holiday campaigns doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re short on time or need help, the tips and templates above are a great place to start. Customize them to suit your offers, and you’ll keep your audience engaged.

You can also use these strategies year-round, not just during holidays. Just update the copy and make sure to create urgency by limiting discounts to a few days.