Humorous Electronic mail Examples that Show Humor is a Successful Mark…

June 18, 2025

Right here’s a foolish advertising and marketing joke for you:

(Go forward, Slack it to your occasions supervisor. We’ll wait.)

Humorous emails could be dangerous as a result of humor doesn’t all the time translate the best way the author intends. In case you ship that joke out to your electronic mail record, and also you promote clothes, health teaching, pet merchandise, or any variety of services that aren’t advertising and marketing, you’ll get plenty of confused reactions. However to a bunch of entrepreneurs? Guffaws.

So, can we use humor strategically in electronic mail advertising and marketing? Or is it only a waste of time?

Nationwide Audio system Affiliation Corridor of Fame member Karyn Buxman doesn’t suppose so. She has charted a profession as a self-proclaimed “neurohumorist.”

Would you like your prospects to belief you? Humor might assist. Buxman research humor intensively. She’s discovered that humor builds belief, partly as a result of it will increase constructive mind exercise. As Buxman put it in one in every of her stay displays, there are two sorts of individuals on the planet:

Humor helps your advertising and marketing stand out. It will get extra consideration. It helps create a deeper and extra loyal connection along with your viewers. And in addition, work is tough sufficient — why not make it enjoyable? Right here’s how you should use humor in your emails the suitable means with some knee-slapping humorous electronic mail examples:

7 humorous electronic mail advertising and marketing examples you may strive in your subsequent marketing campaign

Once you’re aiming for the humorous bone, timing issues, viewers issues, and naturally, having a humorousness issues, too. Let’s take a look at some particular methods you may inject humor into your electronic mail advertising and marketing. 

1. Humorous electronic mail topic traces

The topic line is the place you seize consideration, so it’s arguably one of the best place to make use of humor. Actually Good Emails undoubtedly did that with a topic line that pushed the envelope and made us all do a double-take.

It’s onerous to not chuckle at a well-placed pun like this one. Now, the content material of the e-mail lined transport and order affirmation messages. So, it wasn’t only for the shock issue. However it actually does stand out from others within the inbox.

Massachusetts-based oyster farm and restaurant Island Creek Oysters typically cracks jokes and puns of their weekly publication. This topic line, timed with an upcoming Nor’easter, performs on the storm necessities that promote out every time a storm is within the forecast:

Humor in topic traces is also a device to spice up your electronic mail open charges. Save the punchline for the within of your message to entice your subscribers to open.

Even when it’s a groaner of a dad joke like that, you spark a way of curiosity within the subscriber. They should see the punchline for themself. Simply be sure to win them over after you get the open.

2. Artistic CTA buttons

Do away with “Submit.” Abandon “Be taught extra.” Ditch “Purchase now.” 

Artistic electronic mail call-to-action (CTA) buttons are an incredible place to place some character into your advertising and marketing. Plus, it’s extra enjoyable to click on on a button that has a humorous message — so long as the subscriber nonetheless understands the place the button will take them. CTA buttons don’t have to be “ha ha” humorous for them to face out. 

Phrasee will get somewhat edgy with language and makes use of a popular culture reference in its CTA button, which inspires subscribers to guide a demo: “Ebook me, Danno.”

When Electronic mail on Acid promoted Pathwire’s Nightmare at Electronic mail Camp occasion, we used somewhat humorous storytelling within the copy and closed it out with a humorous CTA that harkens again to a preferred film line — “we see useless emails.”

And sassy sauce model Fly by Jing all the time makes use of artistic CTAs for his or her promotional emails. This one has two to advertise a brand new dumpling line. As a substitute of a traditional “store now,” they preserve the in-your-face design and branding with loud CTAs that say, “Feed me dumps” and “Dumpling lover for all times.” 

3. Love them or hate them — puns work

You possibly can attempt to discuss your self out of all of it you need, however in the long run, it’s inescapable: A very good pun is humorous. All of us groan at them, however deep down, we secretly like them. 

This electronic mail from Paperless Put up invitations subscribers to “cease and odor the rosé” as an alternative of “roses” for this seasonal electronic mail:

JetBlue just lately added a brand new path to Amsterdam. Fairly than a daily announcement electronic mail, they used the topic line, “Look the place we’re Gogh-ing subsequent,” filling the e-mail with Amsterdam-related wordplay like “Scorching ‘dam,” and “abroad the day.” 

Creating puns that match along with your services, that your subscribers will immediately perceive, is a surefire solution to lighten somebody’s day and deepen your viewers connection. It may be as easy or as foolish as you’d like. 

4. Inside jokes

Like good product-related puns, you may also use inside jokes that solely your viewers will get to additional strengthen the belief inside your neighborhood. For B2B electronic mail advertising and marketing, {industry} humor matches into this class. So would train jokes for a health electronic mail record, or online game jokes on a gamer record. 

Turning viral memes into an industry- or company-specific joke is a good way to insert somewhat relatable, {industry} humor into electronic mail advertising and marketing. For instance, you would throw a meme like this into an electronic mail focusing on dental practices:

It doesn’t must revolve round your {industry} to be humorous. This electronic mail takes the usual “Incessantly requested questions” electronic mail and flips it on its head, saying, “That is for you, Ellen from Brisbane.”

Typically, the suitable design can take conventional copy and make it extra playful. Like many welcome emails, this one from British Tennis begins with, “You’re in!” What makes it humorous is that it’s accompanied by a picture of a tennis shot that’s landed simply contained in the traces — one thing that can make tennis lovers (their audience) smile.

5. Humorous electronic mail designs

Typically, all it’s essential make somebody snicker is a good picture, graphic, or meme. Right here’s a humorous electronic mail instance from Olive Backyard. The ridiculous quantity of scrolling required to get to the e-mail’s supply is intelligent and possibly gave a couple of hungry subscribers amusing.

Right here’s one other one from Operate of Magnificence that makes use of a humorous cat image. So long as it relates in any solution to your electronic mail’s content material, you may’t actually go improper with a foolish animal-related picture. 

When and the best way to ship humorous emails

Once more, in comedy, timing is the whole lot. The identical goes with electronic mail advertising and marketing. Relying in your model’s character, you may add humor into loads of forms of emails. Listed below are eight conditions the place humor could make an incredible impression:

1. Set the tone with humorous welcome emails

In case you have a unusual or foolish model, somewhat humor in your welcome electronic mail will help set the tone in your subscriber relationship. This can be a good spot to be extra informal and alluring in your copywriting and design. In spite of everything, that is the very first electronic mail a subscriber will obtain from you, so it’s a clean slate. 

Right here’s an instance of a humorous welcome electronic mail from Magic Spoon. Individuals shopping for cereal on-line aren’t anticipating 400 phrases from a welcome electronic mail. Magic Spoon retains it temporary, throws in pun that additionally reminds them of a core product profit, and makes use of different enjoyable and upbeat language.

This electronic mail from Chipotle, that got here with the topic line “The perfect tasting electronic mail you’ll obtain,” is one other instance of a lighthearted however clear welcome electronic mail. Like most welcome emails, they embrace a thanks and a promise of what sorts of emails the subscriber is more likely to obtain. This one was for a Chipotle rewards program.

Underwear model Mack Weldon makes use of an incredible mixture of humor and sincerity. They begin with a sarcastic, “You don’t should learn this,” which naturally makes you need to preserve studying, and finishes with a honest thanks for subscribing and supporting their enterprise.

Check out Mailjet’s easy-to-use Electronic mail Editor should you’re searching for extra welcome electronic mail inspiration.

2. Soften the blow for apology and oops emails

In case you’ve despatched out an electronic mail with a typo, incorrect hyperlink, or different oops, it’s an excellent time to poke enjoyable at your model and make it the butt of the joke. (After all, these not often occur to Electronic mail on Acid customers 😉)

That is the place you may pull out self-deprecating humor that makes you appear extra relatable and reliable as a result of it exhibits you’re prepared to snicker at your self. Fairly than faux a mistake didn’t occur, usually, it’s greatest to ship a correction — particularly should you’re fixing an incorrect hyperlink or one other minor situation. Simply make certain you don’t downplay errors that frustrate prospects.

When MeUndies’ web site went down after a line of Star Wars briefs went viral, they took the chance to make enjoyable of themselves and crack a couple of Star Wars jokes.

Once you make a mistake in an electronic mail, it’s not the top of the world, even when it feels prefer it. In truth, apology emails are inclined to get extra engagement than common emails (chalk that one as much as schadenfreude.) This apology electronic mail from tour firm Devour Paris makes a lighthearted joke about their mistake and reiterates the proper dates shortly and clearly.

3. Stand out with deserted cart emails

Bear in mind, electronic mail advertising and marketing wants to face out. Deserted cart emails want to do that greater than nearly something as a result of a accomplished sale continues to be inside your grasp. That is your final likelihood to persuade a buyer to make a purchase order. Humor could be the factor that suggestions somebody from saying, “Nah, I don’t want it,” to “You already know what, I do need this.”

So, discover a solution to make this electronic mail somewhat extra artistic. Right here’s one from Food52 that makes use of a preferred joke format on social media and humanizes the net cart. 

And one other one which makes mild of the subscriber procrastinating on making a purchase order. 

Casper, the mattress firm, brings in a related joke for this deserted cart electronic mail.

4. Make them smile for birthday and anniversary emails

Recognizing somebody’s birthday, for sure forms of companies, exhibits you take note of your subscribers and need them to maintain coming again. Buyer anniversary emails do the identical and are an incredible likelihood to indicate your appreciation and perhaps even give out loyalty rewards. These emails can all the time be enhanced with a splash of humor.

Wemo’s easy however lighthearted play on phrases retains the nice vibes flowing. It’s not over-the-top hilarious, however the mixture of thoughtfulness and positivity serves as a solution to strengthen buyer relationships with out feeling salesy. 

Outside Voices presents a present not only for birthdays however for half-birthdays with a reduction delivered in a foolish and candy means. Nobody expects a half-birthday present, which makes this an incredible alternative for that coveted “shock and delight” second.

5. Heat them up for product and suggestions emails

You need prospects to be in a extremely good temper earlier than you ask them to go away a overview on a latest buy, proper? What higher means than making them snicker?

Patagonia does it fairly nicely with nothing however somewhat woman and a funny-looking mustache! Typically, you don’t must overthink including humor. If a picture like this makes you snicker, it would make your subscribers snicker, too.

Playing cards Towards Humanity is a gold customary for hilarious product updates in ecommerce. Usually timed round Black Friday, they incessantly launch merchandise that don’t exist, or ones designed to elicit amusing. This one satirizes Scandinavian minimalism: 

6. Ship a lighthearted publication

When humor is on the core of a model’s voice, humorous electronic mail newsletters are the right time to place it on show. The award-winning and infrequently hilarious publication from Phrasee constantly delivers (they’ve bought jokes). Right here’s a pattern from a 2019 electronic mail that’s chock filled with Seinfeld references and GIFs.

This electronic mail from Chubbies is all one textual content thread between two hypothetical workplace staff about sending this week’s publication. It’s a really relatable and humorous learn for anybody in electronic mail advertising and marketing, however nonetheless will get the purpose throughout about their new corduroy shorts.

Keep in mind that with humor, you don’t need the jokes to be so humorous that subscribers keep in mind the jokes however overlook the corporate or the deal that was provided. This can be a main failure of many Tremendous Bowl commercials. Don’t sacrifice readability for comedy, particularly in a publication selling upcoming reductions, new merchandise, or in any other case serves the underside of the funnel.

7. Use laughter to encourage reactivation and re-engagement emails

Right here once more, getting consideration is vital. That is your try and re-engage subscribers who haven’t opened any emails for an prolonged time period. Be humorous, and also you’re extra more likely to catch them.

Right here’s an incredible reactivation electronic mail despatched out round Halloween, from Blue Apron. The picture is humorous, and the copy adheres to the identical theme and presents a reduction for coming again.

This re-engagement electronic mail from Airbnb, reintroduces the model and pulls you proper in from the topic line:

8. Add humor to promotional emails to shut the sale

For reductions and promotional emails, it’s all the time good to have a “motive” for it. If you should use some humor to clarify that motive, all the higher. Gross sales emails don’t should be boring!

Right here’s an instance of this from Everlane. There’s somewhat little bit of sarcasm on this electronic mail selling a sale on summer season denim shorts.

Topic line: Your butt has summer season plans

Sarcasm could be misinterpret should you don’t do it nicely, particularly in writing. So use it sparingly and take a look at the e-mail on a couple of coworkers to verify it’s coming throughout clearly. Or higher but, use the sarcasm emoji: 🙃 

Once you use one thing like sarcasm, don’t be afraid to name it out or make it extra clear with a rolled eyes emoji, a line about reverse psychology, or perhaps a parenthetical clarifying that you just’re being sarcastic.

This St. Patrick’s Day themed electronic mail from Harry’s embeds a humorous video because the anchor for his or her marketing campaign promoting shaving forward of St. Patrick’s Day festivities. The e-mail leads with what feels like one thing critical about meals waste…till it devolves right into a joke about mustaches:

Not-so-good occasions for humorous electronic mail advertising and marketing

Whereas humor could be a good way to construct a relationship along with your subscriber, stand out within the inbox, and produce somewhat pleasure to folks’s days, there are a couple of situations in your electronic mail campaigns when including humor doesn’t make sense. Typically, it’s best to keep away from utilizing humor in these and related conditions:

• Transactional emails like receipts, transport notices, and password resets
• Customer support emails
• Delivering delicate information like a value enhance, product recall, or somber holidays
• In response to critical firm or world occasions

In these conditions, subscribers simply need emails to be honest, trustworthy, and to the purpose. And if a buyer is pissed off, the very last thing they need is so that you can make mild of it, which humor tends to do. They don’t need to snicker. They need options. 

Equally, it shouldn’t have to be stated, but it surely’s by no means okay to make a joke on the expense of a specific group of individuals. There’s completely no use case the place a joke about race, gender, sexuality, or incapacity shall be humorous — and if something, it would trigger you to lose subscribers and injury your model’s status. In case you’re unsure if a specific joke may be offensive, it’s most likely greatest to go away it out.

That stated, humor is usually a useful gizmo in your model. Executed proper, humor is normally definitely worth the threat, as a result of it will get consideration, builds belief, and deepens connection. Begin small. Check out a couple of jokes and puns and A/B take a look at humorous emails in opposition to humorless variations to learn the way they carry out along with your record. In case you get a raise in engagement, you can begin sprinkling extra humorous emails into your technique.

Electronic mail testing: no laughing matter

Humorous emails are all nicely and good, but when your electronic mail doesn’t get delivered, or has different errors in it that stop engagement or trigger confusion, that’s form of like taking too lengthy to ship the punchline. It’s going to cut back engagement along with your emails.

Sinch Electronic mail on Acid exists that can assist you put your greatest electronic mail ahead — so all of your emails get delivered, and so they all look and work appropriately, on each system, for each subscriber. 

We will’t pre-test your jokes, however we are able to make sure that many different points of your electronic mail advertising and marketing are working as you supposed.