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The creator economy in 2025: 8 experts on how to survive and thrive

The creator economy in 2025: 8 experts on how to survive and thrive

The creator economy is a growing sector where individuals use digital platforms to create and share content, build communities, and, ultimately, make money. In 2024, the creator economy is valued at a whopping $250 BILLION and is expected to nearly double by 2027. 

This booming sector offers unprecedented opportunities for creators who know how to navigate this dynamic and evolving market.

But how do you know you’re doing it right? Things change fast, and staying informed of the industry’s latest best practices can be a full-time job. 

To help you navigate your way to the top of the creator economy, we reached out to eight experts. Each one of them knows the ins and outs of the creator economy, so we asked what they think the best moves are for content creators in the next 6 – 12 months. Specifically, we asked them four major questions:

1. How concerned are you about the economy in the next 6 – 12 months, especially for creators?
2. Could you rate that concern on a scale of one to ten, with one being the lowest?
3. What are you doing to adjust your business to adapt to this new environment?
4. What do you recommend other creators do right now to survive and even thrive through the next year or so?

How worried are they?

Surprisingly, the experts we talked to aren’t losing any sleep over fears of the creator economy tanking any time soon. 

  • Five of our eight experts weren’t concerned at all (1-2 rating)
  • Three of our experts feel things could go either way (5-6 rating)

The average score of everyone’s rating for how concerned they are? Just 2.9 out of 10. Just check out this word cloud of their answers:

Word cloud on how to thrive in creator economy

What stands out? Creators, sure. Content, yep. What else?

Community. Help. Support. Audience. People. 

Across the board, every one of our experts gave pretty much the same advice: build a community.

Find a group of people who genuinely appreciate and value your work. Get to know that community really, really well. 

Solve their problems.

Connect to them.Then – and only then – offer them paid solutions and support for those problems.

Why “focus on building a community” is great advice 

People who are well-connected, visible, and contribute to communities tend to have more opportunities. The people they are connected to “know, like, and trust” them, so they’re aligned with that golden rule of sales and marketing. They get more work, even in downturns. And they’re well-enough connected to know when and how to pivot if that becomes necessary.

Those are the key takeaways from the answers we got: Most of these creators/advisors aren’t very worried about how creators will fare in 2022, and they recommend every creator focus on building a specific audience/community.

But a lot of other issues came up. For that, it’s best to let these eight experts speak for themselves.

1. Juan Galán Politi

Juan Galán Politi

Social Media Expert / Coach

ShootWithJuan.com
Instagram: shootwithjuan

How concerned are you about the economy in the next 6-12 months, especially for creators? Could you rate that concern for me on a scale of one to ten, with one being the lowest?

I don’t think there is anything to be concerned about. The creator economy is a thriving economy. More and more people are finding they can turn their passion or hobby into a full-time career and build successful online businesses with little or even 0 investment. People are consuming more content than ever, whether it is through social media, blogs, etc. Content creators that are smart about it can easily start monetizing their online audiences and their content. I’d rate my concern for this question as 1.

What are you doing to adjust your business to adapt to this new environment?

It’s been a crazy year for business growth and it’s grown to levels I would have never imagined. What did I do? I built an online community around a specific topic, addressed my community problems with my content, and offered solutions. I’m more adjusting myself to this rapid business growth, rather than adjusting my business to a new environment. Very excited to continue seeing it grow.

What do you recommend other creators do right now to survive and even thrive through the next year or so?

Honestly, the best thing any creator looking to succeed can do is to build a strong online community. Choose one platform (ideally one in social media) and start creating consistent content and building relationships. Once you have a decent community (not saying you need thousands and thousands of people) but a decent, engaged community, they can start thinking about how to offer “paid solutions” to the main problems anyone in their community has.

2. Shawn Fink

Shawn Fink

Business Coach and Spiritual Consultant for soul-led creators and entrepreneurs
ShawnFink.com
linkedin.com/in/shawnfink/

How concerned are you about the economy in the next 6-12 months, especially for creators? Could you rate that concern for me on a scale of one to ten, with one being lowest?

I am holding steady around a 6 right now. In many of my circles, the pinch is definitely already under way and it’s hard to say which way it will go at this point. I would like to have trust that we’ll be able to steer clear of it but it’s definitely a worry.

What are you doing to adjust your business to adapt to this new environment?

I have been reducing my expenses for a few months now and trying to run a lean business machine. I am also planning to talk to my bank about a line of credit to use if things take a downturn. I am also adding in a few other revenue streams that might be more recession proof. 

The biggest thing I did when the pandemic seemed to slow things down was take on a more consistent client that I know will be good for a while. I call it my side hustle but it’s a higher paying and more consistent remote client for me to work for around the edges of my coaching business. 

What do you recommend other creators do right now to survive and even thrive through the next year or so?

First, you always have to do what you need to do to feel safe and secure. So if that means look for a part-time job, so be it. Family comes first in my world. As does the mortgage. The great thing about being a creator is that it can always happen in the margins of our lives — get up early, stay up later. Being a creator doesn’t stop in a recession. But paying your bills should always be a primary focus. There’s no shame if you have to work at Starbucks to make ends meet. Your financial wellbeing is such a huge piece of your overall well being. So tend to it like it’s a priority not an afterthought. 

Second, start creating safety nets — like a line of credit from your bank or through another lender — and perhaps a bit of a cash infusion right now before the bottom drops out. If it doesn’t, you’ll be in good shape. If it does, it will buy you a few months. 

Diversify. What else can you do in the meantime to ensure you have some income coming in? Can you target a different but stable industry right now to get you shored up for upcoming months? 

Finally, ask for help. You’d be so surprised who is willing to help you when times are hard. We forget that resilience evaporates in solitude. We need to help each other. We’re meant to help each other. So reach out and share your story and what you need. 

3. Paula Rizzo

How concerned are you about the economy for the next 6-12 months, especially for creators? Could you rate that concern for me on a scale of one to ten, with one being lowest?

It’s always important to keep your eye open for what’s happening in the world and how it might affect your business. I’m about a 5 on a scale of one to 10. It’s definitely concerning and something to keep an eye on but I won’t be doing anything drastic. 

What are you doing to adjust your business, your marketing, or your content to adapt to this new environment?

I was a network television news producer during the 2008 recession. We found creative and authentic ways to tell stories that would really resonate with our audience. I’m always thinking of the audience first. What are they going through and how can my expertise best serve them? 

What do you recommend other creators do right now to adapt and maybe even thrive through the next year or so?

Slow and steady wins the race. Stay true to that. Stick with the good stuff that you know works and don’t try to reinvent the wheel now.

4. Andrea Fox (Dre Fox)

Andrea Fox

Social Media Expert, Public Speaker, Course Creator
TimeOfDre.com
Instagram.com/timeofdre

How concerned are you about the economy in the next 6-12 months, especially for creators? Could you rate that concern for me on a scale of one to ten, with one being lowest?

As a creator since 2018, I’ve seen many changes over the past 4 years – some exciting, some troubling. But right now? Creators now have a unique opportunity to feast or famine inside of this ever-changing industry. Between new platforms, the recession and the move to video content, it’s time to realize actions that worked in 2020 aren’t going to work in the future and pivots need to be made. 

For those that step up to the plate to learn new skill sets, to tap into the true “business” of content creation I think there is more than enough space for people to get ahead in this industry. I am 5/10 nervous for creators.

What are you doing to adjust your business to adapt to this new environment?

Personally I’m refining my skills and becoming much more proficient in editing, video content and creating my own trends for others to follow. But behind the scenes I am networking like my business depends on it, because it does. This looks like taking a proactive role in the opportunities I’m given and the rooms my name will be brought up in. All it takes is you to ask to be part of a collaboration, to get a shout out or to partner with a brand to change the entire future of your creator business.

What do you recommend other creators do right now to survive and even thrive through the next year or so?

Externally, it’s time to become innovative and take bigger risks with your content and the online space that you’re taking up. Make noise, make waves and stop clinging to the past. Those that will win aren’t worrying about “what used to work,” they’re onto the next thing. Let that be you! Improve your skills especially if it’s holding you back from video – Youtube, masterclasses and more can help you get the basics down so you can add more services to  your roster. 

Move into burgeoning markets like UGC content creation – this is my client’s main focus because it’s not saturated right now and allows you to get paid without the rat race of likes and comments. 

Internally, if you want social to be your job, treat it like a business with the same dedication, business acumen and seriousness that you’d expect. Shake hands, get networking and ask for the things that you want – you never know when someone might just say yes.

5. Pranav Mutatkar

Pranav Mutatkar

Helping creators build growth machines

PranavMutatkar.com
twitter.com/PranavMutatkar

How concerned are you about the economy in the next 6-12 months, especially for creators? Could you rate that concern for me on a scale of one to ten, with one being lowest?

My concern depends on the creator. Since”creator” is a broad word. If you are a creator who has lasered in and is solving real problems for your perfect customers. You’ll be okay. I’d rate that as a 2. 

But the average creator was already living an unsustainable life before the downturn. Many creators are slaves to content creation, are facing burnout, and are barely making ends meet. For these creators, I’d rate it at an 8. 

This may not be a horrible thing for most of these creators. It’ll help them understand who they should serve and how they can serve them with their personal gifts. 

What are you doing to adjust your business to adapt to this new environment?

Identifying what my rare and valuable skill is. Finding customers who love what I do. Talking to real customers to figure out how to grow my business instead of making an “educated” guess.  

Prioritizing ruthlessly by choosing only a couple things to pursue. Deciding to eliminate everything that isn’t good for my business, healthy for me, or play. Creating anti-fragile support systems so I can survive even if things don’t work out. 

Surrounding myself with smart mentors who can point me in the right direction. Make sure my network knows my calling card. Trying to help and be useful to whoever comes my way irrespective of if I’ll get something in return. 

What do you recommend other creators do right now to survive and even thrive through the next year or so?

Talk to the people who love your content. Talk to people who you solve real problems for. Who does (or would be willing to) pay a bunch of money for your work?

Understand these people at a deep level. Figure out where they hang out, what messaging appeals to them, and what real problems you solve for them.

Then use what you learned. Go to the places they hang out and become useful. Help your dream customers solve their most difficult problems. Solve problems for others that are difficult for them and easy for you.

And most important of all… still do what’s best for your mental & physical health. Stay connected with friends. Go for walks in the park. If you put too much pressure on yourself, it’ll be harder to succeed and it’ll be less fun. 

When you get lost, ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Keep asking why until you get to the real deep reason. 

Focus on that deep why. Not on the vanity metrics. Don’t worry, you’ll make it through.

6. Paul Thomson

Paul Thomson

Business Coach for Course Creators
ThePaulThomson.com
www.instagram.com/thepaulthomson/

How concerned are you about the economy in the next 6-12 months, especially for creators? Could you rate that concern for me on a scale of one to ten, with one being lowest?

I’m not at all concerned about the economy over the next 6-12 months as it relates to creators. I’m pretty confident in rating my concern a 2/10. I believe the economy for creators has never been stronger. Just look at the number of people leaving traditional 9-5s either by choice or by force, it’s a really telling sign that the market for creators is thriving.

What are you doing to adjust your business to adapt to this new environment?
We’ve worked hard over the years to build robust systems to support our clients. I hear from creators all the time how overwhelming it can feel especially if you’re being told how unstable and volatile your market is. In turbulent times, creators need someone to lean on, so being able to have the right support, community, and mentorship is critical to stability and growth.

What do you recommend other creators do right now to survive and even thrive through the next year or so?

In my experience, the creators who are thriving are the ones focusing on a specific audience – they’re not trying to go broad with their content, products or services. Find the people that you enjoy connecting with, who you can impact the most, in the shortest amount of time. They will become your super fans if you stay consistent with your content.

7. Faiz Imran   

Faiz Imran

Founder and CEO of Backspace
BackspaceThat.com
linkedin.com/in/faizimran/

On a scale 1 – 10 , a 1. I think the current state of the economy presents a massive opportunity for creators and freelancers that are able to provide value online to their audiences and customers. 

We are removing the barrier for creators to set up online communities so they are able to take control of their income and audience, we’re doing this by allowing creators to manage the whole community building, monetizing, and the process for running that community all within the backspace platform for free.

We recommend all creators keep their focus on creating amazing content that adds value to their audiences. During hard times people often come to their communities for support, so be sure to start building out and engaging more with your communities. 

Overall I really think many creators are going to be able to build extremely tight-knit communities of people experiencing the same things.

Having a sense of community is going to be crucial,  creators that are able to curate these groups and communities will have lifelong support from their audiences.

8.  Gary Henderson

Gary Henderson

Creator of $GARY and Co-Founder of SocialConnector
DigitalMarketing.org
Twitter: @GaryLHenderson

As far as the economy goes I’m not concerned at all as a creator. I’d give it a 1 or a 2. For me, people always want to grow and make money. I help creators make money and as long as we have people in the world that want to make money I’ll survive.  

I’m all in on web3. I help creators from all over the globe and decided to lean into the crypto space heavily. I’ve created my own currency, $GARY coin, and helped 30+ other creators do the same. This has allowed me to build a strong community of loyal supporters that continually show up. I have a group of 70+ creators that meet daily at 5:00 AM EST in discord to mastermind and collaborate.  

Decentralize and build your community. The world is changing fast and focusing on your personal brand and growing your community of super fans is the best advice I can give anyone.  When I did that last year. It changed my life!  

So, where is the creator economy going next?

The future of the creator economy is bright. In fact, economists are projecting that this market could be worth half a trillion dollars in just the next 3 years. 

This growth is being fueled by new technologies that are making it easier to create content. New platforms like TikTok alongside established platforms like YouTube and Facebook, are also driving increased digital media consumption.

For creators, that means that the path forward involves leveraging these platforms and tools to continuously engage with their communities. Creators who build and nurture strong connections with their communities will be best positioned to succeed. Stay engaged, be proactive, and keep creating!

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Web push notifications: The key to boosting engagement

Web push notifications: The key to boosting engagement

There are over 1 billion websites on the world wide web. 

Did your jaw just hit the floor?

That’s a staggering amount of competition for web traffic. 

Driving web traffic is hard enough. But when you consider returning website visitors converted more than 73% more than first time visitors, it can feel even more overwhelming. 

How on earth can you convince people to visit your website twice? 

The secret is with web push notifications.

Want to make web push notifications a part of your marketing strategy? Read on to learn how to create push notifications that make it easy to drive traffic back to your website and make more sales.

Moreover, combining email marketing with web push notifications creates a powerful, multi-channel campaign that boosts engagement and revenue. 

What are web push notifications?

Imagine having a tool that sends friendly nudges directly to your visitors’ desktops or laptops. These are web push notifications—short, clickable messages that pop up when your visitors have their browser open, even if they’re not currently on your website.

Once someone opts in, they don’t need to be on your site to get these notifications. You’ve probably seen these notifications yourself; they’re those small notices asking if you want to stay updated with new content or offers from a site you visited.

They typically show up in the corner of the screen and act as alerts for exclusive deals, offers, promotions, or freebies. The goal is simple: to bring your audience back to your website or landing page and encourage them to take action.

Here’s an example of an opt-in message:

Web push notification opt-in example from "The Recipe Critic"

Once they opt-in, they’ll begin receiving web push notifications. Here’s what they’ll look like when someone is online.

GIF showing a web push notification appearing on a computer screen from the upper right corner

Benefits of web push notifications

1. Easy to opt-in

Opting in is super simple—just the click of a button. When visitors click “allow,” they’ll start getting your notifications right away. 

2. Instant communication

We all know promoting content can be tough with so many platforms and competitors out there. Web push notifications cut through the noise, instantly showing up directly on your subscribers’ browsers. 

3. Owned communication channel

Unlike social media, where algorithms decide who sees your posts, you own your web push notifications audience. You reach 100% of your opted-in subscribers directly. It’s your audience, your rules.

4. Drive traffic without advertising costs

Want to drive traffic back to your site without spending money on ads? Web push notifications are the answer. You can let your subscribers know about limited-time sales or exclusive offers for much less than paid ads.

5. Build deeper connections

Web push notifications empower you to treat your subscribers like VIPs by sending them exclusive content and updates. Building these deeper connections can turn casual website visitors into loyal brand advocates. 

6. Grow your email list

You can use your existing email subscribers to grow your web push notification list and vice versa. By driving traffic to your sign-up pages, you can increase both your email and notification subscribers, creating a multi-channel communication network.

7. Complement your email marketing

Web push notifications are a great complement to any email marketing campaign. They don’t replace emails but, instead, complement them. With this multi-channel approach, you get more touchpoints to connect with your audience, making your strategy even stronger.

8. Save time

Creating web push notifications is quick and easy. These tight little messages take less time to make than other marketing techniques, which allows you to effectively communicate more quickly.

9. Communicate limited-time offers instantly

Keep your subscribers in the loop about limited-time offers as soon as they launch. This instant communication ensures they don’t miss out on great opportunities, keeping them engaged and, moreover, happy and appreciative of the deal you gave them.

Real-world examples of web push notifications

Motivate customers with daily tips

Donna Partow, a content creator and motivational speaker, uses web push notifications to deliver daily reminders and content for her challenges. 

“I’m really excited about using web push notifications for limited-time challenges. Each day, I send a reminder with a link to keep them moving forward on their goal. My audience appreciates receiving these notifications because they are beneficial.”

– Donna Partow

Web push notification example from Donna Partow

Notify followers instantly when you create new content

Jennifer Reinhard, a cloth diaper educator, uses web push notifications to share new and evergreen content with her audience. This method ensures her educational material reaches readers exactly when they need it.

“Web push notifications are another method to reach my readers. They may not read the email or see Facebook posts, but they will see the web push notification because it pops up on their desktop when they’re online — exactly when they need it.”

– Jennifer Reinhard

Web push notification example from allaboutclothdiapers.com

Drive traffic to specific articles

Jamila Bannister, a personal branding strategist, uses web push notifications to drive traffic to her online magazine and specific articles. This helps maintain a steady flow of readers to her content.

“I use web push notifications to drive traffic back to my online magazine and specific articles. This keeps my audience engaged with my most up-to-date content.”

– Jamila Bannister

An example of a web push notification from Jamila Bannister

Increase sales with limited-time offers

John Grubb, owner of Keystone Computer Concepts, uses web push notifications to send time-sensitive security alerts and special offers. This strategy helps him maintain customer engagement without overwhelming them with emails.

“Web push notifications are really important because I can send out time-sensitive offers without additional emails. This keeps my customers informed and engaged.”

– John Grubb

Web push notification promoting a cyber Monday deal

Components of a web push notification

Anatomy of a Web Push Notification

Including a brand logo or image on a web push notification provides instant recognition from a user. It’s a highly visual way for a subscriber to recognize that the message is coming from your brand and can drive them to read the notification and take action. 

B: Title

The title of the web push notification is also called the header text. This is the piece of text that will catch the attention of a subscriber and encourage them to read on.

C: Message

This vital section is where you can elaborate on your message. This is your opportunity to concisely explain the value a subscriber receives from clicking on your push notification and visiting your site. Answer questions like: what will your subscribers receive by visiting your site? How long will the offer last? 

Keep in mind, however, that web push notifications are meant to be short and sweet. Avoid jargon and use simple and direct language.

D: Domain

This is the URL that the user subscribed to. Including the source link in your message can’t be changed. It not only serves to remind the subscriber of your website, but aids in recognition and awareness of your online presence. 

Best practices for web push notifications

Follow the best practices below to create web push notifications your audience will no doubt appreciate.

1 – Copy is king

The content of your web push notifications should be compelling and concise. Every word counts when you’re dealing with restrictive character limits, so make sure your message is clear and impactful.

2 – One topic per push

It’s best to stick to just one message per notification. Clear and focused messages end up with higher click-through rates, so don’t dilute your messages by pushing two things at once.

3 – Create urgency

Being specific about time sensitivity and urgency is a great way to drive action. Instead of saying “Flash Sale Today,” try “Only a few hours left to save 25%.” This very specific urgency encourages clicks right now.

Web push notification invitation to a live event

4 – Include social proof

You should include testimonials, reviews, and social proof to gain the trust of your audience. Pointing things out like “500 people have already registered today” or “This post has over 10,000 shares” reassures subscribers of your legitimacy and encourages them to act.

5 – Value first

Always provide value before asking for anything in return. Wouldn’t you want that when you’re buying from a brand? By offering value first, your audience is more likely to engage with and trust you.

6 – Use power words

Power words like “now,” “you,” “new,” and “free” can evoke emotion and drive action. These types of words make your notifications more compelling, urgent, and clickable. We put together 8 power words for you to use in your emails, but they also have an impact on any marketing copy you write.

7 – Create a sense of FOMO

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is a powerful motivator. Use it to create urgency and drive clicks. Limited-time offers or exclusive deals make subscribers more likely to act quickly.

8 – Exclusivity

Make your subscribers feel special with exclusive deals and promotions. Try highlighting the benefits of being part of a members-only program to boost their sense of belonging and value.

Web push notification promoting an exclusive and limited time offer

9 – Keep it short & sweet

Web push notifications have strict character limits. Aim for around 120 characters for the message, 50 for the title, 15 for the call to action, and one image. Communicate your message effectively within these constraints.

10 – Use emotion

Incorporate emotion into your notifications through humor, empathy, and references to trends or pop culture. Ensure your references are understandable and align with your brand voice. Genuine emotion resonates best when it serves your audience.

Web push notification promoting a new recipe

Get web push notifications

If you’re finding it challenging to reach more people and keep them engaged, web push notifications might be the solution you’ve been looking for. This powerful tool allows you to send direct messages straight to your visitors’ browsers, helping you expand your online reach and connect with your audience in real-time. 

With just a simple click, your visitors can opt-in to receive notifications, ensuring they stay updated with your latest content, offers, and announcements.

And the best part? AWeber’s web push notifications are included at no additional cost with AWeber Free, AWeber Lite, and Plus plans. This means you can start with this powerful tool without any extra cost, making it easier than ever to boost your marketing strategy and achieve your business goals.Start using web push notifications today and experience the difference they can make.

Sign up for AWeber and explore how web push notifications can transform your approach to connecting with your audience.

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Re-engagement email examples: How to win back subscribers

Re-engagement email examples: How to win back subscribers

Have you noticed a significant number of your email list subscribers are no longer interacting with your content or following your calls to action? Then it may be time to start a re-engagement email campaign!

This can be a super effective email marketing strategy for winning back inactive subscribers. 

After all, one study indicates that the average email list decay rate, which is the percentage of subscribers who become inactive, is between 22% and 30% per year.

This means that, unless you’re cleaning your email list regularly, you’re likely sending a lot of messages into the void, never to be seen again.

However, with re-engagement emails, you can start winning back some of those inactive subscribers. To be successful, though, you’ll need to keep some best practices in mind.

So, in this article, we’ll explore how to write win-back emails. We’ll also provide examples of some effective re-engagement email campaign strategies, from one-off surveys and free resources to entire email sequences.

What is a re-engagement email?

A re-engagement email, also called a “win-back email”, is a message you send to subscribers who have become inactive. 

These emails aim to rekindle the interest of people who have not made a purchase or interacted with your brand for a while.

Re-engagement email campaigns are a great strategy for sparking the interest of inactive subscribers before removing them from your mailing list. After all, emailing unresponsive subscribers with messages isn’t helping them or your business.

Before saying goodbye, however, a win-back email offers one final opportunity to reconnect and rebuild your customer relationship.

Ultimately, your goal is to re-establish a connection with those who seem to have lost interest in your products, services, or content.

Here is an example re-engagement email from the newsletter pros at Marketing Brew. While the three-week inactivity timeline is pretty tight by most industry standards, they do a great job of ensuring their list is truly engaged with their content.

This way, they keep their email list clean, and ensure most of their messages aren’t getting lost in recipients’ spam folders.

Morning Brew send re-engagement emails after just a few weeks of inactivity

How effective are re-engagement emails?

While re-engagement email campaigns are a great way to win back subscribers, you can’t expect every inactive subscriber to become active again.

Most email win-back campaigns have a success rate of 14% up to 29% in the best-case scenario. 

Several email marketing studies have found that sending a series of emails may be more effective than sending just a single email. A re-engagement sequence of three emails appears to be the sweet spot. 

One recent study found that several different tactics will work, but no one tactic significantly outperformed the others.

Later on, we’ll discuss how each of the methods below work, as well as provide a few additional examples. We’ll also tell you how to set up an effective re-engagement email sequence.

Remember though, the method that works best for your business depends on the needs and interests of your unique audience.

How create a re-engagement email

The goal of your re-engagement email campaign is to get people interested in your emails again. 

So, every element of your email – the subject line, the content, and the call-to-action – needs to support that goal.

Re-Engagement email subject lines

For re-engagement email subject lines, the best ones specifically reference your goal: to win back your subscribers!

Here is an example of an email from Tomasz Borys at Kissmetrics:

Reengagement email subject line example

You can also take a more personal approach, like this email from Threadless:

Reengagement email subject line example

Both subject lines work well. However, they each grab the reader’s attention in different ways.

A simple “We miss you!” lets the subscriber know that you appreciate their readership. It also feels more conversational. 

On the flip side, “Do you still want updates from us?” is direct and inquisitive. It tells the subscriber that you care about their time and want to make sure they get something out of the relationship.

For more inspiration, consider reviewing your past emails to see what’s working for your specific audience. Look for common themes like subject line length and tone to see what tends to work best for your target audience.

You can also try using personalization, like including your subscribers’ first names in the subject line. It’s no secret that personalization helps you connect with your subscribers and stand out a little more in the inbox. 

For example, the email from Threadless could have gone one step further by saying, “We miss you, Sam!”

Since these details depend on what your audience responds to, try testing different variations and find that sweet spot.

Re-engagement email content

Most re-engagement emails’ content is short – generally just two or three paragraphs. All you need to do is to make the purpose of your email clear: “Do you still want to get emails from us?”

Then, you might consider explaining the value your emails provide. 

Remember, these are people who signed up to receive messages from you but at some point stopped reading. 

They wanted to hear from you before, so how can you get them re-interested in what you have to say? 

Ask yourself a few questions:

  • What did my subscribers sign up to receive originally?
  • Am I continuing to send them content based on their original expectations?
  • Did I change anything in my email strategy that might have caused them to stop engaging with my content?
  • What can I offer to pique their interest again?

Once you have those answers in mind, it’s time to start writing your email.

Here’s an example of a re-engagement email we sent to our inactive blog newsletter subscribers:

Re-engagement email example from AWeber

The format is simple, and it makes a good template for any re-engagement email:

  • You haven’t opened any emails from us in a while
  • We want to make sure you’re still interested
  • Click this button to stay on the list
  • Here’s what you can expect if you remain on the list

That’s all you have to say in a re-engagement email–just one sentence and a few bullet points. After all, the shorter your email is, the more likely people are to read it and click the button.

Getting inactive subscribers up to speed might also help get them re-interested in your content. So, consider adding a short bulleted list of your recent “greatest hits,” such as:

  • Products
  • Content
  • Promotions

Re-engagement email incentives

Speaking of promotions, offering an incentive, like a white paper or coupon code, might also help you re-engage subscribers. 

If you hooked them onto your list with a piece of content in the past, consider how you might be able to repeat that success during your re-engagement email campaign.

Check out this example from Paperworks, a stationary and premium paper provider:

re-engagement email with a discount offer

Offering a special discount is a great way to get subscribers interested in your emails again. 

Not only are you giving your subscribers something in exchange for their time and attention, but you might even get another sale out of it as well.

Re-engagement email feedback

To help you learn more about why subscribers grew disinterested in your content, asking them for specific feedback could help fill in the gaps. For example:

  • Was there something you could have done better for these subscribers? 
  • What made them stop engaging in the first place?

Asking these questions directly can help you figure out exactly where you can improve your email marketing strategy.

Additionally, if you make a subscriber feel like their opinion is truly valued, they may want to stick around. Plus, this will give you valuable insight into their needs that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.

As you get feedback and notice common themes, you can implement their suggestions in the future.

Re-engagement email call to action

The whole point of your email is to prompt subscribers to take an action, so make sure your emails have a call to action that is bold and clear.

Generally, you’ll want to limit yourself to one call to action in order to increase your click-through rate. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

Ultimately, your CTA should make it easy for recipients to:

  • Stay on or opt out of your list
  • Learn more about a product or service
  • Download an incentive

For example, check out this email and CTA from Grammarly:

re-engagement email example from Grammarly

While having one call to action is the classic approach, some re-engagement emails examples also include an unsubscribe link. 

For instance, take a look at this email from a PEW, a non-profit organization:

win-back email example from Pew

Finally, some re-engagement emails even let subscribers choose to get emails less often, like the example below.

re-engagement email example from Marie Forleo

7 Re-engagement email examples

Now that you’ve got a good idea of what goes into an effective win-back email, let’s look at some re-engagement email examples.

The following ideas are great ways to get customers interested in your brand again.

1. Surveys

If your subscribers aren’t responding to what you’ve been sending, try asking them what they would like to get from you. After all, this can help you better understand your audience’s interests and preferences. 

For example, you might send a re-engagement email with the subject line “We miss you! Tell us how we can improve.” Then, for your call to action, include a link to a brief survey. Consider asking questions about:

  • Their favorite types of content
  • Products they’re interested in
  • How often they’d like to hear from you

Ultimately, this feedback can help guide your future email marketing campaigns, as well as show subscribers you value their opinions.

Survey email from PNC Bank

2. Coupons and discounts

If you’re in ecommerce, the classic way to win back inactive customers is to send them a juicy discount coupon. 

Consider making this a dollar off discount rather than a percent off discount. One study of win-back campaigns found that dollar off discounts activated more subscribers.

For instance, you could send an email with the subject line “We miss you! Here’s $10 off your next purchase.” 

Then, in the content of your email, be sure to include your discount code and a call to action directing subscribers to your store.

You might also think about highlighting new or popular products to entice them even more.

Subject line from Uber Eats

Email from Uber Eats with promotional 40% off

3. New products and services announcements

Announcements are ideal emails to send out if you haven’t mailed to your list in a few months. They’re a great opportunity to let recipients know about new products or services you’re offering.

For example, consider sending a re-engagement email with the subject line “Check out our new arrivals!” 

Then, in your email content, be sure to showcase your latest and greatest products with high-quality images, and include a CTA to your online store.

By showing off your most recent arrivals, you can recapture the interest of customers who’ve grown tired of your old line of products.

Email subject line from Guitar Studio

Email example promoting new products from Guitar Center

4. Free resources

Free resources are also excellent to send if you haven’t emailed your list in awhile. 

A high-value digital resource, like an ebook or a course, can be a great way to demonstrate that it’s worth their time to be on your list. 

For instance, consider using the re-engagement email subject line “Exclusive free ebook just for you!” and provide a link to the download.

You should also be sure to highlight the value recipients will gain from the resource, reinforcing the value they’ll get if they remain active subscribers.

Reengagement email subject line example from Zapier

Reengagement email with win back using free resources

5. Customer testimonials

You can use customer testimonials with other types of content mentioned above. For instance, share a few testimonials about a new service you have.

Think about using a subject line like “See what others are saying about our new service!” and include direct quotes from customers.

This strategy can be especially effective in combination with some of the others listed above. 

For example, including testimonials with a new service announcement or special discount can build trust and credibility while encouraging inactive subscribers to re-engage.

Reengagement subject line example from Phi Kappa Phi

Reengagement email example from Phi Kappa Phi

6. Limited time offers

Another great way to win back subscribers is by inducing a sense of urgency in your emails. 

For instance, you might offer a limited-time discount or promotion to encourage recipients to take action quickly.

Consider using a subject line like “Limited time offer! $10 off just for you,” and include a countdown timer or specific end-date.

By inducing a sense of urgency, you can get customers to take action quickly.

Reengagement subject line example from Babbel

Reengagement email from Babbel

7. Resubscription Offers

 Re-subscription offers can be a great incentive to get subscribers interested in your product or service again.

For instance, you might use the re-engagement email subject line, “We want you back! Enjoy 30 days of free premium access.” 

Then, include a CTA to your sign-up page where customers can try out your platform again for a limited time for free.

If your product or service is delivering the value the customer desires, there’s a good chance they’ll stick around after the free trial is over.

Reengagement email subject line from LinkedInReengagement email subject line from LinkedInReengagement email subject line from LinkedInReengagement email subject line from LinkedInReengagement email subject line from LinkedInReengagement email subject line from LinkedInReengagement email subject line from LinkedInReengagement email subject line from LinkedIn

Reengagement email example from LinkedIn

Re-engagement email campaign sequences

All email lists are different, so what works best in one situation may not work so well in another. One message might do the trick, but you could be more effective by sending two or three emails to warm people up and get them re-activated.

Since these subscribers are already less engaged, aim to keep your campaign short. Send an email, wait a few days, and see who’s interacted with your content.

If they’ve clicked through to your content or stated they want to remain on your email list, then great! They can stay on your list and continue to get your awesome emails.

Here are two re-engagement email examples that were sent a few days apart.

This is the first one. Notice how short it is?

re-engagement email example from Tara Read - 1

 And here’s the next one, sent two days later:

win-back email example from Tara Read - 2

The sequence of emails above is concise, and also respectful. Ultimately, even if subscribers opt not to re-engage, it’s important to consider what they want.

This way, if they develop interest in your products or services at a later date, you haven’t burned any bridges.

Start winning back subscribers with a re-engagement email campaign

If you take the time to craft a re-engagement email campaign, there’s a good chance you can win back some subscribers.

However, if some recipients haven’t responded, it may be time to say goodbye. And that’s perfectly ok!

You’ve done what you can to win them back, but if they don’t want to receive your emails, it’s better to let them go. Not only will they appreciate a cleaner inbox, but it’ll also help boost your email deliverability. 

Ultimately, this will improve your email marketing in the long run.

Now, we know that sometimes it can be really hard to write your emails. That’s why we created our What to Write in Your Emails guide and course, complete with 45+ email templates. It will save you hours of work every month.

How do you plan on running a re-engagement campaign of your own? Leave a comment below to share your ideas. 

Or, if you already have an AWeber account, watch this video to see exactly how to create and send your own re-engagement emails!

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Re-engagement email FAQs

When should you send a re-engagement email?

Many marketing experts recommend that you wait at least three to six months after a subscriber becomes inactive to send a re-engagement email.

However, the proper amount of time can depend on your specific audience.

For example, if your content is time-sensitive or encourages frequent interaction, one to two months may be a better timeline.

You may even consider starting a win-back email campaign during other times. 

For example, if you’re planning a major list cleanup, updating your product or service offerings, or notice declining engagement rates, you might want to consider sending re-engagement emails.

Ultimately, it’s key to think about the behavior and preferences of your unique subscribers, and align them with your business goals.

How many emails should you send in a re-engagement campaign?

As we mentioned earlier, there’s no perfect number of messages to send in a re-engagement email campaign. 

What works best for your business depends on the preferences of your specific audience.

While sending just one email may be best for some brands, other brands may want to design a sequence of two, three, or even four emails.

So, be sure to test out some different strategies with different segments of your audience. This will help you understand how you can best win back your subscribers.

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These emails aim to rekindle the interest of people who have not made a purchase or interacted with your brand for a while.

Re-engagement email campaigns are a great strategy for sparking the interest of inactive subscribers before removing them from your mailing list. After all, emailing unresponsive subscribers with messages isn’t helping them or your business.

Before saying goodbye, however, a win-back email offers one final opportunity to reconnect and rebuild your customer relationship.

Ultimately, your goal is to re-establish a connection with those who seem to have lost interest in your products, services, or content.”
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