The Kate Show – Episode 275

Most Effective Email Marketing Topics – And When to Send Them
Host: Kate (Socialite Agency)
Date: February 3, 2025

Brief Overview

In this episode, Kate dives deep into the world of email marketing for professionals in the home industry (interior designers, stagers, organizers, window treatment specialists). She covers updated statistics, debunks myths around effectiveness, and delivers highly actionable advice about what topics to send and the best timing for email newsletters. The episode is rich with insights, client success stories, and practical recommendations—all designed to help home industry entrepreneurs level up their email marketing strategy in 2025.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is Email Marketing Still Worth It? (00:00–06:36)

• The big question: Is email outdated? Is it still a good investment for home industry businesses?
• Kate’s view: Email is more relevant and effective than ever, especially for business owners seeking real ROI compared to the “distraction” and “division” of social media.

Key Stats Shared (04:19–06:36):

• Email users projected to hit 4.6 billion in 2025, global email marketing revenue expected to reach $17.9 billion by 2027.
• 4 out of 5 marketers would rather give up social media than email (04:48).
• Millennials and Gen Xers (core client base): 98–99% use and check email daily.
• Home industry open rates jumped to 39%; average engagement is increasing.
• Social media is “being used by younger demographics... very divisive and brainwashing, to be quite honest. And email has just been this quiet player in the background.” – Kate (05:35)

2. Email Performance & Best Practices (06:36–13:07)

ROI Facts: (06:36–10:00)

• Average ROI: $40 return per $1 spent (“4200% return”).
• Customers are 3x more likely to buy from email than social media.
• Especially relevant for luxury or high-end, in-person services.
• 59% say email impacts purchases; half of consumers buy from marketing emails at least monthly.

Best Practices: (10:00–13:07)

• Single-focused newsletters work best; avoid “charcuterie board” mishmash emails.
• One clear topic, one call to action, strong visuals—that’s the winning formula.
• Images in emails can increase open rates by 10%, but keep them small for deliverability.
• Welcome emails have up to 80% open rate for Kate’s clients (much higher than the 50% industry average).
• Frequency: 1–2 emails per month yields best open rates. “That's where it's at.” – Kate (13:07)
• DO NOT send “fluff.”
• Best send days: Tuesday, Thursday, (possibly Wednesday). Never weekends; Fridays are risky. (13:07)
• Remember: Just because you don’t check email in the morning doesn’t mean your clients don’t—avoid narcissism in marketing decisions.

3. Real-World Client Success Stories (16:54–19:16)

[16:54] Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Adrienne Morgan, Interior Designer: “After sending my first newsletter, I landed two large projects right away…” (17:33)
• Natalie Rich: “...in just two months... secured two new six-figure projects with clients I had worked with in the past.” Confirms the importance of nurturing “low-hanging fruit” via email—past clients and leads are a goldmine.
• Diane (Dream Interiors NY): Consistent newsletters to an old client led to an unexpected seven-figure renovation and full furnishing project. “She was very excited about that and I was too when she shared that on one of our monthly Mastermind calls. You should have seen the jaws drop.” – Kate (18:54)
• Main message: Stay in touch with your list; you’re leaving substantial revenue on the table if you aren't nurturing existing and potential clients.

4. High-Performing Email Topics for Home Pros (19:16–28:36)

Kate breaks down essential newsletter content categories, plus granular, industry-specific topic ideas.

Foundation Topics (19:16–20:41)

• Welcome Email: Sets expectations and humanizes your business.
  • “...here’s what you can expect. We’re going to show up in your inbox every few weeks with inspiring photos of our projects, stories behind them, and our insight...” – Kate (19:52)
• How We Work: Explain your process or “How We Work” section in detail.
• Project Reveal: Showcase completed projects (even older ones).
• FAQ: Answer questions your audience commonly has—builds trust.
• In-Depth Service: Spell out a particular service and its benefits (e.g., how organizers work, prepping for a remodel).
• Industry Misconceptions: Address common misunderstandings (e.g., “Why open concept isn’t always best”).
• Personal Story: Relatable, builds connection.
• Holiday/Family Updates: E.g., digital Christmas card—“...just saying, ‘Hey, Merry Christmas from my family to yours.’ That gets a wonderful response...” (22:49)

Granular, Rotating Content Ideas (23:13–28:36)

Kate provides real examples from her agency’s content vault, emphasizing the value of niche-specific ideas:

• Carriage house design-build tips
• The drawbacks of semi-custom window coverings
• Dress your windows before the holidays
• High Point Market highlights
• Color stories: effects of light on color
• Black Friday promos (timely, seasonal)
• Renderings 101: benefits to clients
• Staging tips for Airbnb and small homes
• Ceiling treatment designs, staging “faux pas”
• Child-safe window treatments
• What to know before you hire an interior designer
• Custom slipcovers, creative workspaces for kids
• Vertical organizing, kid-centric design, luxury bath ideas, organizing myths
• Projects that span from design to build—“soup to nuts”
• The vault is “ever changing because there’s so much to say” – Kate

Key Point: “If you’re ever at a loss of, like, I don’t know what to say in my email marketing... That’s why I exist. This is my life’s mission... to make this easier for you guys.” – Kate (28:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You can’t sell a custom in-person service on social media... It’s not actually quite possible.” – Kate (09:12)
• “Social media is very divisive and brainwashing, to be quite honest. And email has just been this quiet player in the background...” – Kate (05:35)
• “When people come to me and they’re like, ‘Email marketing hasn’t worked for me,’ ... every single time ... The newsletters have too many distracting calls to action, and none of them drive the reader toward what the business actually wants.” – Kate (07:23)
• “...stay in touch with those people once or twice a month, you are losing out on six and seven figure projects.” – Kate (18:15)
• “Make sure you take time to define exactly what it is that you do and how you do it... get away from industry speak.” – Kate (22:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:34 – Introduction & framing the question: is email marketing still viable?
• 04:19–06:36 – 2025 stats and why email marketing is on the rise
• 06:36–10:00 – ROI comparisons and importance for luxury home service providers
• 10:00–13:07 – Newsletter structure and best practices: frequency, visuals, timing
• 16:54–19:16 – Three impactful client case studies (including two six-figure and one seven-figure project)
• 19:16–22:49 – “Foundation” newsletter topic ideas for home industry pros
• 23:13–28:36 – Sample granular content topics and the ongoing need for newsletter content

Final Takeaways

• Email marketing is more robust, lucrative, and relevant than ever—especially for home pros.
• Successful newsletters are focused, regular, well-timed, and visually appealing.
• Your audience wants to hear from you—don’t shortchange yourself by avoiding your email list.
• The best newsletter topics are clear, purposeful, and span from welcome notes to deep industry expertise and heartfelt personal updates.
• Consistency and simplicity are key: “Keep your marketing simple, your message clear.” – Kate

For additional resources, show notes, or newsletter content support, visit katethesocialite.com.