Mastering the 9 pillars of email marketing is crucial to running successful campaigns that drive engagement, conversions, and lasting customer relationships.
Glossary of Email Marketing Term
Term | Definition |
---|---|
ESP | Email Service Provider (like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign) |
Flows | Automated email sequences triggered by behavior (e.g., sign-up, purchase) |
AOV | Average Order Value |
CLV | Customer Lifetime Value |
Zero-Party Data | Data customers willingly provide (preferences, product likes, etc.) |
Deliverability | Your ability to land in the inbox instead of spam |
Segmentation | Dividing your list into targeted groups based on behavior or attributes |
Dedicated Sending Domain | A custom email domain for sending emails (e.g., mail.yourbrand.com) |
SPF/DKIM/DMARC | Authentication records that improve email trustworthiness |
Open Rate / CTR / CVR | Metrics tracking email performance (opens, clicks, conversions) |
Table of contents
1. Set Up Your Sending Infrastructure
Goal: Maximize deliverability and control over sender reputation.

- New Brands: Use your ESP’s shared domain until list volume reaches ~25K+.
- Established Brands: Set up a dedicated sending domain to protect inbox placement long term.
Authentication Essentials:
- ✅ SPF
- ✅ DKIM
- ✅ DMARC
Pro Tip: Use Postmaster Tools (Google) to monitor domain reputation as you grow.
Table: Shared vs. Dedicated Domain Comparison
Feature | Shared | Dedicated |
---|---|---|
Setup Time | Instant | Manual (1-2 days) |
Control | Limited | Full |
Reputation Risk | Shared with others | You own it |
Recommended For | Startups | Scaling DTC or SaaS brands |
2. Maintain a Single, Unified List
Avoid splitting your audience across multiple lists. One list = clean data, smarter automation.
Why it matters:
- ✅ Avoids duplicate profiles
- ✅ Enables better engagement tracking
- ✅ Simplifies segmentation + attribution
How to Segment Instead: Use tags or custom properties like:
$source = Facebook Lead Ad
$source = Checkout opt-in
$quiz_result = Oily Skin
3. Conduct a Deep Data Dive
Before you hit “send,” get clarity on your customer behaviors and opportunities.
Analyze:
Metric | Why It Matters |
---|---|
Bounce Rate & Time on Site | Identify where users drop off |
Top-Converting Sources | Inform opt-in tactics and ad spend |
CLV & AOV | Dictate email monetization strategy |
Time Between Orders | Perfect for flow timing (replenishment, winback) |
Best-Selling SKUs | Power personalized cross-sells and upsells |
Pro Tip: Layer analytics from Klaviyo, Google Analytics, and Triple Whale for full-funnel visibility.
4. Build a Zero-Party Data Strategy
Zero-party data is the new oil.
This is the data your customer voluntarily gives you—and it’s pure gold for personalization.
Where to Collect It:
- ✅ Quiz funnels (“Find your perfect skincare match”)
- ✅ Signup forms (“What are you shopping for today?”)
- ✅ Preference center (email frequency, product interests)
- ✅ Post-purchase surveys
How It Pays Off:
- Better segmentation
- More relevant content
- Higher click-through rates
Table: First-Party vs. Zero-Party Data
Data Type | Collected Through | Use Cases |
---|---|---|
First-Party | Behavior (clicks, purchases) | Retargeting, flows |
Zero-Party | Forms, quizzes, surveys | Personalization, segmentation |
5. Build Your Preference Center
Give users control over what they receive—and when.
Must-Have Features:
- Email frequency settings
- Product category interests
- SMS or email preference
- Birthday or event reminders
Conversion Tip: Use the preference center link in your email footer to reduce unsubscribes.
Visual Suggestion: Screenshot of an optimized preference center layout with personalization logic.
6. Create a Flows-First Strategy
Automation = scalability. Let flows do the heavy lifting for engagement and revenue.
Core Flows to Build:
Flow | Purpose |
---|---|
Welcome Flow | Introduce your brand, deliver value, drive first purchase |
Abandoned Cart | Recover lost revenue from high-intent users |
Browse Abandonment | Re-engage viewers before they bounce |
Post-Purchase | Upsell, gather reviews, educate on product use |
Replenishment/Subscription | Automate repurchase triggers |
Winback | Reactivate lapsed buyers with strong value props |
Stat to Remember: Email flows typically drive 40–60% of CRM revenue in high-performing brands.
7. Segment Strategically
Stop sending every campaign to “Everyone.” Start with smart segments.
Segmentation Framework:
Type | Segment Examples |
---|---|
Behavioral | Added to cart but didn’t buy, Viewed 3+ SKUs |
Lifecycle | New subscriber, High-CLV repeat buyer, Churn risk |
Engagement | Opened last 3 emails, Clicked but didn’t convert |
Source | Facebook popup, Quiz funnel, Welcome offer |
Personalization Wins:
- Send location-based content
- Offer VIP-only early access
- Feature products based on past purchases
8. Optimize for Inbox Deliverability
If your emails don’t reach the inbox, nothing else matters.
Checklist for Better Inbox Placement:
- ✅ Use proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
- ✅ Warm up new domains slowly
- ✅ Clean inactive subscribers (90+ days)
- ✅ Avoid spammy language (“BUY NOW!!!”)
- ✅ Monitor Gmail/Outlook performance with tools like GlockApps or Mailreach
Table: Deliverability Red Flags
Metric | Danger Zone |
---|---|
Bounce Rate | >2% |
Spam Complaint Rate | >0.1% |
Inbox Placement | <90% |
Unsubscribe Rate | >1% per campaign |
9. Test and Iterate Continuously
Testing is where average marketers stop—and top performers thrive.
Where to Focus:
Area | What to Test |
---|---|
Subject Lines | Emoji vs. no emoji, curiosity vs. clarity |
CTA Buttons | “Shop Now” vs. “Unlock My Offer” |
Offer Type | % off vs. $ off vs. Free Shipping |
Flow Timing | 1-day delay vs. 3-day delay |
Campaign Cadence | Weekly vs. bi-weekly |
Pro Tip: Use holdout groups for testing frequency and impact on unsubscribe rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How often should I email my list?
Start with 1–2x/week. Use segmentation and testing to scale safely.
Q2: Do I need a dedicated domain?
If you send 50,000+ emails/month, yes. It protects your sender reputation.
Q3: What’s the ideal welcome flow length?
3–5 emails. Include brand story, value, reviews, and product highlights.
Q4: Can I collect SMS numbers in pop-ups too?
Yes, just ensure opt-in compliance (TCPA/GDPR). Bonus: Offer dual opt-in rewards.
Q5: What if my open rates are dropping?
Focus on deliverability (domain warmup, cleaning list) and subject line testing.
Q6: What ESP should I use?
For DTC/eComm: Klaviyo. For service or coaching: ConvertKit or ActiveCampaign.
Final Takeaway
Great email marketing isn’t about hacks. It’s about systematic strategy:
- Infrastructure to land in the inbox
- Segmentation to reach the right people
- Automation to drive scalable revenue
- Data to optimize over time
Done right, email becomes your highest ROI channel—not just for revenue, but for building brand loyalty and lifetime value.
Need a Hand?
At Blossom Ecom, we help 6–9 figure brands build bulletproof email + SMS systems using Klaviyo, zero-party data, and advanced segmentation.
✅ Full Flow Buildouts
✅ Campaign Strategy
✅ Deliverability Audits
✅ Revenue Attribution Dashboards
→ Book a free strategy call or get your free Klaviyo audit today.
Related Articles
- The Ultimate Crash Course Email Marketing for E-commerce Store
- E-commerce Email Marketing: Dos, Don’ts, and Essential Tips for CBD Brands
- Best Practices for Optimizing Email Flows with Klaviyo
- B2B Email Marketing: Building Relationships and Converting Leads
- The Next Frontier of E-Commerce: What’s Coming and How to Prepare
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Need help implementing this?
Let us take the hassle of managing your email marketing channel off your hands. Book a strategy call with our team today and see how we can scale your revenue, customer retention, and lifetime value with tailored strategies. Click here to get started.
Curious about how your Klaviyo is performing?
We’ll audit your account for free. Discover hidden opportunities to boost your revenue, and find out what you’re doing right and what could be done better. Click here to claim your free Klaviyo audit.
Want to see how we’ve helped brands just like yours scale?
Check out our case studies and see the impact for yourself. Click here to explore.
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