356 - 5 Costly Holiday Email Mistakes That Hurt Your BFCM Sales

Episode #356 - 5 Costly Holiday Email Mistakes That Hurt Your BFCM Sales You know what’s more painful than hearing “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” for the 100th time in November? Hitting send on a holiday email that costs you sales. Every year, I see brands make the same email mistakes that drain real revenue during BFCM. The good news? They’re totally avoidable once you know what to watch for. In this episode, I’m breaking down the five biggest holiday email mistakes I see brands make year after year — and how to fix them before it’s too late. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or DIY-ing your BFCM strategy for the first time, this episode will help you avoid inbox fatigue, improve deliverability, and make sure your campaigns convert when it matters most. This episode is part of my ongoing BFCM Prep Series — where we’re making sure your holiday marketing is strategic, intentional, and built to perform. 👉 Grab my official 2025 BFCM Briefing, a 15+ page strategic guide serious brands are already using to stay ahead of the chaos: https://joyjoya.com/bfcm 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ The #1 mistake that instantly weakens your Q4 results ✨ Why sending too many emails too suddenly can tank engagement ✨ How to keep your emails landing in inboxes (not spam) ✨ Why “spray-and-pray” campaigns waste your best opportunities ✨ How stronger CTAs can double — even triple — your click-through rate 🪙 In the Gold Mine segment, I’m sharing a personal reflection on my complicated relationship with numbers — how they’ve made me feel brilliant one day and defeated the next. I’ll talk about analytics paralysis, the emotional rollercoaster of metrics, and how reframing numbers as stories instead of verdicts has changed the way I approach marketing, leadership, and growth. 👉 Ready to send emails that actually perform this holiday season? This episode will help you ditch the guesswork, avoid preventable mistakes, and send campaigns that convert with confidence. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/5-holiday-email-mistakes-that-quietly-eat-your-sales

Episode #355 - 10 Creative Holiday Offers That Don't Hurt Your Ecommerce Product Margins When you think “holiday offer,” you probably think discount. 20% off, 30% off… like Oprah’s handing out promo codes: you get a discount, you get a discount, everybody gets a discount! But deep discounts aren’t the only way to win during BFCM. In fact, for some brands, they do more harm than good — eroding margins, cheapening perception, and training your customers to only shop sales. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 creative, margin-friendly holiday offers that drive sales without cutting into your bottom line — plus tips to make them shine in both email and SMS. This is part of my BFCM Prep Series, where we’re making sure your marketing is strategic, intentional, and designed to convert — not just add to the inbox chaos. 👉 Grab my official 2025 BFCM Briefing — a 15+ page strategic guide serious brands are already using to stay ahead this season: https://joyjoya.com/bfcm 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ 10 creative holiday offer ideas that add value, not markdowns ✨ How to position free gifts, bundles, and perks to boost AOV ✨ Why charitable tie-ins and exclusivity build loyalty faster than discounts ✨ How to execute these ideas seamlessly across email and SMS ✨ Ways to keep your margins healthy and your customers happy 🪙 In the Gold Mine segment, I’m talking about the concept of “unknown unknowns” — the things you don’t even know that you don’t know. I’ll share how a recent surprise in Klaviyo shook my confidence, what it taught me about humility, and why acknowledging our blind spots actually makes us stronger leaders. 👉 Ready to rethink your BFCM offer strategy? This episode will help you design promotions that feel generous, smart, and sustainable — so you can rise above the noise and finish the year stronger than ever. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/10-holiday-offers-to-get-more-sales-without-discounts

A shopper finds the perfect gift, adds it to their cart… and then their phone buzzes, the doorbell rings, dinner’s ready. The moment’s gone. By the time they come back, someone else has won the sale. That’s how fragile holiday shopping is - but with the right automations, you can save the sale and build momentum. In this episode, we’re giving your holiday flows a makeover - so they’re tuned for gifting season, closing the loop on lost sales, and creating repeat customers who keep coming back even after the holiday rush. This is part of my BFCM Prep Series, where we’re making sure your marketing is strategic, intentional, and designed to convert — not just add to the inbox chaos. 👉 Grab my official 2025 BFCM Briefing — a 15+ page strategic guide serious brands are already using to stay ahead this season: https://joyjoya.com/bfcm 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ How to turn your welcome flow into a gifting concierge that converts new subscribers faster ✨ The key differences between cart and checkout abandonment (and why your strategy should change for each) ✨ How to make browse abandonment feel helpful, not pushy — especially for indecisive gift shoppers ✨ Why the post-purchase flow is your biggest untapped revenue driver during BFCM ✨ How to use low stock, back-in-stock, wishlist, and SMS flows to turn urgency into effortless sales 🪙 In the Gold Mine segment, I’m opening up about the challenge of saying what you really mean — why honesty in communication can feel awkward but ultimately strengthens your leadership and relationships. 👉 Ready to give your flows a holiday glow-up? This episode will help you design automations that nurture trust, close the loop, and keep your brand top-of-mind all season long. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/holiday-email-flows-that-sell-during-black-friday-cyber-monday

Episode #353 - How to Make Your BFCM Emails Stand Out in the Inbox Stampede Nobody wakes up on Black Friday excited to read 200 emails — they’re excited to find something they love. But when every subject line is screaming “SALE!” and every graphic is blasting neon urgency, most campaigns blur together. Customers scroll, skim, delete. And yet, some brands do break through. They get the clicks, the sales, the attention — not because they’re louder, but because they’re smarter. In this episode, I’m sharing the strategies that will help your BFCM campaign emails stand out from the noise and feel like a welcome guest in your subscriber’s inbox. This episode is part of my BFCM Prep Series, where we’ll make sure your holiday campaigns are strategic, intentional, and designed to convert — not just contribute to inbox chaos. 👉 Grab my official 2025 BFCM Briefing — a 15+ page guide serious brands are already using to plan their holiday campaigns: https://joyjoya.com/bfcm 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ Why timing is just as important as subject lines — and how to test it now ✨ How to write subject lines that sound like you (and not everyone else) ✨ The simple design tweaks that make your emails instantly scannable ✨ Why curated merchandising beats generic sitewide discounts ✨ How a clear point of view makes your campaign more memorable and compelling And in the Gold Mine segment, I’m getting real about the long game of marketing — why it’s so much harder than sprinting, how it can feel lonely, and how to make sure your business goals stay aligned with your life. 👉 Ready to cut through the inbox noise? This episode will help you craft campaigns that capture attention, convert subscribers, and reflect the real value of your brand. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/how-to-make-your-black-friday-emails-stand-out-in-the-inbox

Episode #352 - 5 Ways to Stop Holiday Marketing Panic Before It Starts Picture this: it’s Thanksgiving night, and instead of relaxing, you’re frantically fixing email templates, resizing graphics, and dealing with a flood of customer questions. That’s what happens when holiday prep falls to the bottom of your to-do list - but it doesn’t have to be that way. This episode kicks off my special BFCM Prep Series, where we’ll make sure your holiday campaigns are planned, polished, and panic-free long before Black Friday hits. Get the 2025 BFCM Briefing here: https://joyjoya.com/pages/bfcm 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ How to decide if BFCM weekend is even the right move for your brand ✨ The key dates and planning steps that will save you from last-minute chaos ✨ Why refreshing your automations now can protect your revenue later ✨ How to prepare creative assets that actually support your strategy ✨ The testing checklist that keeps mistakes from ruining your biggest sales And in the Gold Mine segment, I’m sharing something deeply personal: my fear of being misunderstood - and why it often shows up right before a major breakthrough. 👉 Ready to trade chaos for confidence? This episode will help you plan ahead and step into the season with strategy instead of stress. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/5-tips-to-avoid-black-friday-marketing-chaos-and-enjoy-the-holidays

Here’s a riddle: what’s the most-opened email in your Klaviyo flows? Spoiler alert — it’s not the flashy ones. It’s the humble shipping confirmation. Most brands treat it like a receipt: order number, tracking link, done. But this is actually the peak moment of customer excitement. Ignore it, and you’ve wasted the best chance you’ll ever have to delight and build trust. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ Why shipping confirmations matter more than you think ✨ The clear line between transactional and marketing (and why you can’t blur it) ✨ The checklist of essentials every customer needs in this email ✨ How to infuse your brand voice, resources, and community into the experience ✨ Practical tweaks to make your confirmations trustworthy and memorable And in today’s Gold Mine segment, I’m opening up about something I wrestle with constantly: the pressure of always feeling “behind.” I’ll share why the finish line is a myth — and how choosing priorities over perfection has changed the way I work. 👉 If you’re ready to rethink the email hiding in plain sight, this episode will show you how to turn a functional touchpoint into a powerful brand moment. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/turning-your-shipping-confirmation-emails-into-a-client-retention-tool

Most brands treat the unsubscribe link like a dirty little secret, buried at the bottom of emails. But what if letting people go could actually strengthen your marketing? In this episode, I’m flipping the script on the unsubscribe button. You’ll learn why giving subscribers more choice and control isn’t a loss at all - it’s the key to healthier deliverability, stronger trust, and a more loyal audience that actually wants to hear from you. 💡 Here’s what you’ll discover: ✨ Why letting go of disengaged subscribers makes your brand stronger ✨ Two stages of re-engagement and sunset flows to keep your list healthy ✨ How to design an unsubscribe process that leaves the door open ✨ The personalization strategies that make people want to stay ✨ Small, practical ways to improve subscriber experience this week Plus, in the Gold Mine segment, I’m opening up about an emotion we don’t always admit to: jealousy. I’ll share how even while cheering others on, you can sometimes feel that sting of comparison - and why those moments can actually point you back toward your own deepest desires. 👉 Don’t miss this one if you want to clean up your list, improve deliverability, and build stronger, more respectful relationships with your subscribers. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/the-power-of-unsubscribe

Some ecommerce brands let the order confirmation email do all the talking—but that window right after purchase (and even in the weeks that follow) is a golden opportunity. Your customer just said yes to you. Now what? In this episode, I’ll share how to go beyond the standard “thank you” and turn a one-time buyer into a lifelong fan. From segmentation to storytelling, we’ll explore how to make the post-purchase experience unforgettable. 💡 Here’s what you’ll discover: ✨ Why the period right after purchase is prime real estate for connection ✨ The biggest mistakes brands make in their post-purchase flows ✨ 6 types of emails that nurture, delight, and build loyalty ✨ How segmentation can personalize the experience for every customer ✨ Ways to elevate even transactional emails with warmth and personality Plus, in the Gold Mine segment, I’m opening up about the personal pivot behind this podcast’s rebrand—from The Joy Joya Podcast to Marketing With Laryssa. I’ll share what it feels like to question your business identity, the fear that comes with making a big change, and the clarity that can come from finally stepping into what feels true. 👉 Don’t miss this one if you want to improve retention, strengthen customer relationships, and stop leaving loyalty (and revenue) on the table. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/is-your-post-purchase-flow-your-biggest-missed-opportunity

Episode #348 - How to Win Back Ghost Subscribers (Before It’s Too Late) Is your email list growing… but your engagement shrinking? If so, you’ve probably got “ghosts” on your list - subscribers who stopped opening, clicking, or even noticing your emails. Holding onto them isn’t harmless. It can hurt deliverability, waste budget, and skew your results. In this episode, I’ll share how to identify disengaged subscribers, why it matters, and what to do about it. You’ll learn a simple framework for re-engagement, how to set up a sunset flow, and when it’s finally time to suppress contacts for good. 💡 Here’s what you’ll discover: ✨ Why ghost subscribers appear (and what you can actually control) ✨ The biggest mistakes brands make when trying to win them back ✨ A re-engagement framework that balances warmth with strategy ✨ How to build a segment to spot disengagement automatically ✨ When to let go—without guilt Plus, in the Gold Mine segment, I’m getting real about the awkward space between knowing something and actually doing it. If you’ve ever had the aha moment but still felt stuck in the same patterns, this one will hit home. 👉 Don’t miss this if you’ve been frustrated by shrinking open rates or just want a healthier, more engaged list. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/re-engage-sunset-or-unsubscribe-how-to-handle-inactive-subscribers

What if your email campaigns are falling flat - not because your copy is bad, but because you’re saying the right thing at the wrong time? There’s a formula to knowing when to sell and when to nurture—and no, it’s not just “follow your gut.” If your emails feel like they’re missing the mark, you might be pushing when you should be building trust… or warming up when your audience is ready to buy. In this episode, I’ll show you how to stop guessing and start sending the right message at the right time—so you can finally get results. You’ll learn how to meet your subscribers where they are in the journey, build deeper connections, and make the ask when it matters most. 💡 You’ll learn: ✨ Why sending the wrong message at the wrong stage kills engagement—and how to fix it ✨ The 3-part Curiosity → Connection → Conversion progression for email marketing ✨ What happens when you nurture too much vs. sell too much—and how to find the balance ✨ How to use list source, behavior, and engagement clues to time your emails strategically ✨ How to apply this framework to product launches so sales feel like a natural next step Plus, in The Gold Mine, I’m talking about the bittersweet side of growth. It’s not always the purely positive experience it’s made out to be. Sometimes, moving forward means letting go of a version of your business—or yourself—that’s been with you for a long time. I’ll share why it’s okay to feel loss alongside excitement, and how that complexity can actually make you a stronger entrepreneur. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of over-nurturing, over-selling, or just sending emails without a clear sense of timing, this episode will give you a practical framework to align your messages with your audience’s readiness—so your marketing works better and feels better. Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/email-marketing-strategy-when-to-sell-vs-nurture-for-real-results