Glossary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
BAME | Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic—commonly used in the UK to reference underrepresented groups. |
Inclusion | The practice of ensuring all individuals, regardless of background, feel valued and integrated. |
Accessibility | Designing tools, spaces, and content that can be accessed and used by everyone, including people with disabilities. |
Representation | Involving individuals from a variety of backgrounds, races, genders, and identities in decision-making and public platforms. |
DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) | A framework for organizations to create fair treatment, equal access, and inclusive environments. |
Allyship | The active practice of advocating for and supporting marginalized groups. |
Table of contents
Introduction
The email marketing industry has evolved in countless ways—from advanced automations to personalized content. Yet, when it comes to diversity and inclusion, we’re still catching up. At Blossom Ecom, we believe diversity isn’t just a side conversation. It’s foundational. It shapes the messages we send, the teams we build, and the customers we serve.
Email marketing reaches everyone, yet the teams crafting these campaigns don’t always reflect the communities they’re trying to engage. That disconnect is a missed opportunity—for empathy, innovation, and impact.
In this guide, we dive into:
- Why DEI matters in email marketing
- What real action looks like
- Lessons from our journey
- And how to create a culture of inclusivity that drives better results for everyone
Why Diversity in Email Marketing Matters
Diversity isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about:

- Innovation: Different perspectives breed fresh ideas and creative problem-solving.
- Relevance: Inclusive content speaks to broader audiences.
- Trust: When people see themselves represented, they’re more likely to engage.
Missed Opportunity:
When marketers assume a one-size-fits-all approach, they alienate groups and perpetuate bias—consciously or unconsciously.
Suggested Table: Common Cultural Oversights in Email Design + Fixes
How Representation Impacts Performance
- Inclusive campaigns drive results: Brands like Fenty Beauty, Nike, and Aerie have proven that representing diverse audiences leads to stronger emotional connection and loyalty.
- Higher engagement: Emails featuring diverse stories or imagery see higher click-through rates and forward shares.
- Lower churn: When subscribers feel respected, they’re more likely to stay on your list and become long-term advocates.
Suggested Graph: CTR % Increase for Inclusive vs Generic Campaigns (case study examples)
What We’ve Done: Taking Action Over Optics
1. Appointing a Chief Governance Officer
We made inclusion part of leadership—not just an afterthought. Our CGO ensures every campaign, hire, and policy is evaluated through a DEI lens.
2. Consulting DEI Experts
Rather than assume, we asked. Early partnerships with inclusion consultants helped shape:
- Internal hiring practices
- Content review protocols
- Accessibility standards for email design
3. Hosting Inbox Expo 2020: A Diversity-First Email Conference
Feature | Impact |
---|---|
BAME-led panels | Gave spotlight to underrepresented professionals |
Inclusive staffing | Engaged disenfranchised youth in paid event roles |
Accessible venue & formats | Prioritized mobility, neurodiversity, and inclusive dialogue |
When COVID-19 pushed us to pivot to digital, we doubled down on highlighting marginalized voices and adapted the format to ensure global accessibility.
The Vision: Beyond One Event
Inbox Expo wasn’t a box we checked. It was a blueprint.
Planned Initiatives (Paused, Not Forgotten):
- Art & Identity Exhibition: Addressing intersectionality across class, gender, race, and ability.
- Community Art Gifts: Each delegate to receive personalized art from local artist Esther Maxwell-Orumbie, spotlighting shared humanity.
- Safe Spaces for Connection: Informal roundtables and community-first events to foster honest, vulnerable conversations.
Suggested Visual: Mock-up of an art piece with description and intent behind it
Challenges & Lessons Learned
We’ll be the first to admit: this work is ongoing.
What We’ve Learned:
- You must invite critique: Growth requires humility.
- Allyship is active: It takes continuous action, not passive support.
- Representation must be authentic: Tokenism is easy to spot and damages trust.
What Brands Can Do Right Now
Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, here’s where you can start:
1. Audit Your Content
- Are your images diverse?
- Are you using inclusive language?
- Do your email flows make assumptions about family, gender, or culture?
2. Elevate Diverse Voices
- Partner with creators from underrepresented backgrounds
- Feature community stories from across the globe
3. Bake Accessibility Into Your Emails
- Use clear contrast ratios
- Add alt text to every image
- Avoid flashing animations
4. Diversify Your Team
- Inclusive marketing starts internally. Different voices = better campaigns.
Why This Matters for the Future
This isn’t charity. It’s strategy.
Inclusion makes brands:
- More competitive
- More relatable
- More future-proof
Forward-thinking email marketers will:
- Champion diversity in every campaign
- Normalize accessibility in every build
- See empathy as ROI, not just virtue
Let’s build that future together.
Suggested Infographic: The Business ROI of Inclusive Email Marketing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does diversity in email marketing actually mean?
It means creating email content, teams, and strategies that reflect a variety of identities, experiences, and perspectives.
2. How does inclusion impact email performance?
Inclusive campaigns often see higher engagement rates, longer list retention, and deeper brand loyalty.
3. What are some common mistakes brands make?
Tokenism, lack of accessibility in design, cultural stereotypes, and assuming default audience profiles.
4. How can small teams start promoting diversity?
Begin with inclusive imagery, language audits, accessibility basics, and amplifying diverse voices.
5. Is accessibility really part of diversity?
Absolutely. True inclusion ensures people with disabilities can fully engage with your content.
6. Where can I learn more or find inclusive email design examples?
Check resources from Litmus, Email Markup Consortium, and follow DEI-focused creators in the email space.
Need help implementing this?
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