{"id":22595,"date":"2020-10-08T18:21:35","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T12:51:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/email.uplers.com\/blog\/?p=22595"},"modified":"2021-10-30T02:11:35","modified_gmt":"2021-10-29T20:41:35","slug":"gamification-in-holiday-email-marketing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/email.uplers.com\/blog\/gamification-in-holiday-email-marketing\/","title":{"rendered":"How You Can Use Gamification to Make Your Holiday Emails Stand Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are reading this post, you are probably a more or less advanced email marketer. You are keeping up with the times, you check the actual trends, that\u2019s why you have found the current article. Sounds pretty logical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So we guess you are already more or less familiar with gamification. At least, you have heard about this technique. While there are many interactive ways to engage your subscribers during the holiday season<\/a>, gamification is one of the top trends in the world of holiday email marketing this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s refresh some essential things about gamification prior to proceeding with tips and recommendations on holiday email gamification<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gamification in a nutshell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basically, the very term speaks clearly for itself. Gamification is an implementation of game elements in non-game spheres of real and virtual existence. In our case, incorporating various interactive blocks with gaming interactive content in commercial newsletters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"holiday<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An interesting fact:<\/strong> Gamification is the case where we can say \u201ceverything new is well-forgotten old\u201d. Years ago, Nintendo implemented something like proto gamification in their eCommerce campaigns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why gamification? First of all, gamification has a definitely positive impact on your level of engagement. We all know that games are not just for kids. Millions of all ages old people are gamers today, That\u2019s why attractive, well-arranged games are always performing to engage clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gamification also allows us to interact with our clients better, to know more about people we are working with, …and even to grow brand virality. When content is catchy and relevant, with some special feature – emails are often shared by recipients. \u201cHey, dude, look at this company – this mini-puzzle in their email is really amusing!\u201d, people write when forwarding outstanding emails to friends. This is when clients are acting as volunteer agents of your brand, by the way. And it means we succeeded in forming clients\u2019 loyalty. Win!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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According to studies and A\/B testing data provided by Promodo<\/a>, gamification is able to boost ROI by up to 300%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sounds intriguing. On the other hand, we should be aware of some essential things to win at gamification in emails. So, let\u2019s explore them:.

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Apply gamification wisely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gamification is building the reputation and unique voice of your brand. These mini-games say that your company is not utterly serious and dull, you appreciate fun and entertainment, and you are in trend. Naturally, it means that arranging and implementation depend on your unique style\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, the common rule: don\u2019t use gamification too often! Firstly, it may become boring. Secondly, overusing entertainment features may cause the opposite effect. Don\u2019t be obtrusive and too clownish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"gamification<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There should be real reasons to start the gamified campaign. For example, annual date of the company. Read the article on how the well-known HTML template editor Stripo team arranged the quiz series<\/a> to test the practical implementation of AMP-based gaming blocks and to explore the potential of this advanced gamification technique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another good reason to try gamification is the holiday time – Christmas and New Year, Valentine\u2019s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, etc. They all are about sales, promo campaigns, discounts\u2026 Let\u2019s start with the key rule about holiday email gamification:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-holidays and holidays are not the same<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that sending gamified newsletters during the holidays or even days before is no good idea. Especially when it comes to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is time for multitude of sales, not games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only solution that fits the time is roulette. These games don\u2019t require time, they are completed literally in seconds and bring results immediately. Longer games and complex challenges are rather inappropriate in these cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Or another kind of quick game just like the Cyber Monday Pacman game below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That\u2019s why it\u2019s much better to craft and send games prior to holiday itself. And of course, we need to have a clear map of the campaign and to imagine our goals in the form of a clear masterplan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draw the gamification strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An email campaign of any type shouldn\u2019t be spontaneous and uncertain. Prior to crafting and sending, we have to ask ourselves some questions. Then, give answers and form the clear strategy with goals and solutions included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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