Email Marketing Secrets from World Wildlife Fund!

Awhile ago, I received an email from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) asking me to help choose a cover for the nonprofit's 2027 calendar. As a lifelong supporter of wildlife conservation and also a donor to this particular nonprofit, I looked at the choices and made my selection. Then, I forgot about the email.

What a surprise to receive an email several weeks later with this message:

Hi Debbie,

Over 30,000 WWF supporters - including YOU - recently voted for their favorite wildlife photo for WWF's 2027 calendar. We've counted all the votes...thank you for voting and for everything you do for nature.

Then, an image of a large question mark appeared with a message: CLICK TO SEE THE WINNING PHOTO.

Once I clicked on the link, here was the message:

AND THE WINNER IS...

With over 15,000 votes, the winner is the photo of the sea otter mother and pup! Thanks to all of the supporters who recently voted for their favorite wildlife photo for WWF's 2027 calendar. As a special thank you for going the extra mile, you can choose to receive WWF's 2026 calendar AND our 2027 calendar when it's ready later this year.

(And of course, there was a donation request included.)

Will you help protect vulnerable wildlife and their habitats with your generous donation today?

Since everyone's email box and texts are overwhelmed with "noise" and useless content, it's incredibly challenging to stand out AND BE READ. So, when an organization, especially a nonprofit, stands out by engaging its fans/followers/stakeholders, it's a noteworthy accomplishment. Big applause to WWF for this campaign!

What can your brand learn and apply from this brand's effective email marketing campaign?

SHARE THIS: Email is possibly the greatest owned media channel for brands. ~@JoePulizzi #EmailMarketingTips #BrandExperience #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: Telespiegel (email envelope), WWF (logo), and Suzi Eszterhas/Minden Pictures (otters).