From Nov 20th to Dec 20th, sending a personal letter-style email from a founder or executive to unengaged contacts can increase open rates by 40%. The key is changing the "from name" to a person, not the brand, and using a subject line that acknowledges their absence. This strategy works for both B2B and B2C brands.

Combine two specific audience identifiers in your subject line, like role and company attribute ("Mid-market CMOs") or interest and a pain point ("Beauty fans with sensitive skin"). This "double personalization" tactic reportedly increases B2B open rates by 24% and B2C by 29% by making the message feel hyper-relevant.

Do not pause marketing for holidays. A slightly lower open rate (e.g., 40% vs. 50%) is still a win, reaching an audience that often has more free time. Maintaining a consistent cadence builds audience habits, and you can always re-engage non-openers later.

Sales director Florin Tertulia uses cheeky, playful subject lines like "Ronald's beef. Isn't with us" to create a "scroll stopper." This tactic is designed to break the pattern of standard corporate emails, sparking curiosity and standing out in a crowded C-level inbox.

Your email signature is valuable, underutilized real estate. Adding a simple holiday-focused message, a thank you, and a link to 'best of the year' content can increase CTRs by over 40% in December as you're reaching highly relevant business contacts.

Animated GIFs in emails see their highest performance during the November-December period. This seasonal lift is attributed to audiences being in a more receptive and festive mood, making it a prime time to test this tactic for increased engagement and to stand out in crowded inboxes.

During periods when audiences feel time-pressed, like late January, using 'TLDR' (Too Long; Didn't Read) at the start of subject lines, landing page headlines, or social posts is highly effective. It acknowledges the reader's time scarcity and promises a quick summary, which can significantly increase engagement and conversions.

From October 1st through year-end, starting email subject lines with "Invitation" or "Invited" can boost open rates by 24% (B2C) to 28% (B2B). This tactic taps into the subconscious holiday season mindset where people are more receptive to being invited, whether to a sale, an event, or a piece of content.

To capitalize on early holiday shoppers, consumer brands should start using the term 'Black Friday' in email subject lines during the last week of October and the first week of November. This tactic can lift open rates by more than 25%, beating competitors who wait until mid-November.