Glossary (Start Here for Quick Navigation)
Term | Definition |
---|---|
ESP | Email Service Provider (e.g., Klaviyo, Mailchimp, etc.) |
List Hygiene | The process of cleaning your email list by removing unengaged or invalid contacts |
Sunset Flow | An automation that re-engages or removes inactive subscribers |
Deliverability | A measure of how successfully your email lands in a subscriber’s inbox |
Responsive Design | Design that adapts to any screen size (especially mobile) |
A/B Testing | Testing two variations of an email (or automation) to improve performance |
Engagement Metrics | Metrics like open rate, CTR (click-through rate), and conversion rate |
Zero-party Data | Info customers willingly provide (e.g., preferences, quiz answers) |
Table of contents
The Spring Clean Checklist: 7 Steps for Email Marketing Renewal
1. Declutter Your Email List
A bloated, disengaged list isn’t just wasting your budget—it’s killing your deliverability.
Action Plan:

- 🧹 Run a sunset flow: Re-engage lapsed subscribers with a strong offer or reminder of your value.
- 🗂 Segment before you delete: Separate your list by activity—opens, clicks, conversions—before cutting ties.
- 🧪 Re-permission campaigns: Ask low-engagers if they still want to hear from you.
Pro Tip: Inactive doesn’t always mean uninterested. Sometimes your offer just needs better timing or messaging.
Table: Sunset Flow Sample
Trigger | Message | Action |
---|---|---|
90 days no opens | “Still want to hear from us?” | Link to update preferences |
120 days no clicks | Reminder with offer | 15% discount |
150 days no action | Final notice | Removal if no engagement |
2. Refresh Your Content (Because People Notice)
Repetition without relevance is the fast track to unsubscribes.
Audit Your Last 90 Days:
- What email type gets the most clicks? (Product drops? Education? Social proof?)
- Which templates or formats underperformed?
- Where can you infuse seasonality or timeliness?
Content Refresh Ideas:
- 🌱 Spring themes: “Refresh your routine” or “Seasonal must-haves”
- 🎯 Quiz-style campaigns: “What type of [product] fits your vibe?”
- 🎁 Giveaway emails: Encourage replies and drive UGC
- 📹 Behind-the-scenes videos: Show what makes your brand human
3. Get Mobile-Ready (This is Non-Negotiable)
Stat to Know: Over 60% of email opens happen on mobile. If your design isn’t mobile-first, you’re leaving revenue on the table.
Checklist for Mobile Optimization:
✅ 600px width max
✅ 16px minimum font size
✅ Buttons > links (tappable CTAs)
✅ Use Litmus or Email on Acid to preview across devices
Image Suggestion: Side-by-side screenshot of a poorly vs. well-optimized mobile email
4. Revamp Your Email Design
Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about usability.
How to Optimize:
- CTA Above the Fold: Don’t make users scroll
- Bite-Sized Copy: People skim—write like it
- Hierarchy of Info: Use headings, bolds, and icons
- Mirror the Landing Page: Keep design and CTA consistent from email → site
Table: Design Dos and Don’ts
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
1 clear CTA | 3+ different CTAs |
Use ALT tags for images | Use images as the only content |
White space and structure | Wall-of-text blocks |
Dark mode-friendly design | Poor contrast text on backgrounds |
5. Revitalize Your Automations (a.k.a. Your Revenue Engine)
Think of flows like your most loyal sales team. They work 24/7—but only if you maintain them.
Audit These Flows:
- Welcome Flow: Is the value clear? Personal? Still delivering on your promise?
- Abandoned Cart Flow: Are the timing and incentive tested?
- Post-Purchase Flow: Are you upselling? Requesting reviews?
- Browse Abandonment: Is it personalized to what they viewed?
Pro Tips:
- Test SMS follow-ups in your cart flows
- Add dynamic product blocks
- Personalize based on quiz data or purchase history
Suggested Image: Flowchart visual showing a complete email flow
6. Re-Segment for Higher Relevance
Generic emails = generic results. Segmentation keeps your campaigns sharp, relevant, and timely.
Fresh Segmentation Ideas:
- First vs. Repeat Buyer
- Geo-based (Spring is different in Miami vs. Minneapolis)
- AOV or CLTV-based tiers
- SKU Purchased (recommend complementary products)
Tool Tip: Use Klaviyo’s predictive analytics to layer in expected date of next purchase for smart retargeting.
7. Review KPIs & Set Fresh Benchmarks
Clean up your reporting the same way you cleaned your segments.
Core Metrics to Monitor:
Metric | Benchmarks (Good) |
---|---|
Open Rate | 35–50% |
Click Rate | 3–8% |
Conversion Rate | 1–5% |
Revenue Per Recipient (RPR) | $0.10–$0.50+ |
Bounce Rate | Under 1% |
Questions to Ask:
- Where are drop-offs happening in your flows?
- Are you measuring the right thing (engagement vs. revenue)?
- Is your ESP set up to track multi-touch attribution?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How often should I clean my email list?
A: Every 3–6 months, depending on your send volume. More frequent if you send daily/weekly campaigns.
Q2: What’s the best time to refresh automations?
A: Use seasonal moments (spring, Q3, BFCM prep) as key checkpoints. Re-audit during product launches or rebrands too.
Q3: Should I delete inactive subscribers right away?
A: Not immediately—run a re-engagement campaign first. If no interaction after, consider removing them to protect deliverability.
Q4: How do I make sure my spring email designs work in dark mode?
A: Use transparent PNGs, dark-friendly color palettes, and test in major email clients like Gmail/Outlook in dark mode.
Q5: Should I segment by email activity or purchase behavior?
A: Both! Use layered segmentation (activity + purchase + preferences) for ultra-relevant messaging.
Q6: Is it worth adding SMS to my spring automations?
A: Absolutely. SMS is perfect for abandoned carts, back-in-stock alerts, and last-day sale reminders—especially when paired with email.
Final Thoughts: Start Fresh, Finish Strong
Email marketing shouldn’t be set-and-forget. It’s a living system—seasonal shifts are your perfect chance to audit, clean, and optimize for performance. A clean list, refreshed content, mobile-first design, and updated flows aren’t just good hygiene—they’re what drive revenue.
Need Help?
At Blossom Ecom, we specialize in crafting revenue-first email ecosystems built for Shopify and Klaviyo. Whether you need a quick cleanup or a full system overhaul, we’ve got the templates, segmentation strategies, and automation playbooks to make your spring refresh stick.
Let’s chat. Book your free Klaviyo audit or campaign strategy call now.
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