How AI is Transforming Email Marketing

E-mail marketing is frequently old, cold, and over-sold. But can AI make e-mail far more effective in creating customer connection? Yes! Here’s a short excerpt from my new Forbes article on how: E-mail newsletters are a mainstay of customer relationship management, but that doesn’t mean that they’ve been ideal. However, change is on the horizon. As Lindsay Massey, VP of Marketing at Victoria’s Secret & Co., explained in an interview, “We wanted to move beyond a manual, one-size-fits-all content strategy and provide a 1:1 personalized experience at scale.” Victoria’s Secret used AI to do the job. In its case, the firm partnered with a company called Movable Ink to provide the technology. Movable Ink’s CEO, Vivek Sharma, explained the goal in an interview. “Think about what is the story I’m telling every single customer, so that it’s correlated with what imagery, with what creative. Think about the best time to deliver it so that they’re most likely to respond. What’s the right frequency of communication? What sales channel preference do they have? What tone should be used within the set brand voice, like whether there should be a sense of urgency or joy?” This is a radically different approach than what’s predominated over the past decades. But AI is making it possible. Sharma explained that the company combines four types of AI to do it. First there is a vision model that uses deep learning to understand potential imagery and copy to use. Then generative AI writes copy based on customer preferences and past behavior. Third, a separate insights model gains that understanding, based on how creative is performing such as through driving people to new categories or higher levels of spend. Finally, the fourth element is a prediction model that deploys classic machine learning to hone the offerings. That classic approach is more observable and explainable than a neural network, which is important when significant money and customer relationships are at stake. Massey claims the company has gone from “one version of an e-mail campaign on a given day to thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of versions, with less setup time.” Another company trying this approach is L.L.Bean. Its Senior Manager of Digital CRM Programs, Devon Phelan, recounts, “This past Monday, we sent one campaign that had nearly 1.1 million unique content variations. That would have been inconceivable before.” E-mail marketing may not be the first thing that consumers think of when they picture AI, but it may become a facet of AI that touches them on a very routine basis. Both Victoria’s Secret and L.L.Bean say that there’s no going back. Excerpted from my new Forbes piece “How AI Is Revolutionizing E-Mail Marketing”

While everyone's talking about AI writing better copy, I'm seeing it offer much bigger wins for marketers in a different flavor.  Instead of just copy (and more specifically the volume overload it will create), it’s how AI can combine competitive intelligence, predictive analytics, and dynamic content optimization to actually make a dent in the results marketers see from their campaign vs just another piece of content. Here are the changes that I think we will see build out even further: Intelligence Replaces Intuition -Real-time competitive monitoring becomes the foundation of successful campaigns -Machine learning algorithms analyze thousands of industry based sequences to identify patterns -Advanced scoring systems predict prospect engagement before sending emails -Content optimization shifts towards data-driven Personalization Gets Predictive -AI will drive deeper personalization based on 1P data -Competitive intent signals determine message and timing per person -AI maps complete buyer journeys across multiple channels -Messages adapt automatically based on prospect behavior and 1P signals -Content optimizes itself based on real-time engagement data Timing Becomes Scientific -AI recognizes patterns to determine optimal send times -Competitive signal monitoring alerts you when prospects are actively researching -Engagement windows are calculated based on actual buyer behavior -Sequence timing adapts automatically based on prospect engagement patterns Content Evolution Accelerates -Market feedback loops provide instant insight into message effectiveness -Copy and creative optimization based on competitive performance -AI testing goes beyond basic A/B to understand complex pattern relationships -Gap analysis identifies untapped messaging opportunities in real-time -Value propositions adjust automatically to stay ahead of market shifts Measurement Gets Granular -Every sequence is measured against competitive benchmarks -Performance analysis happens in real-time rather than monthly reports -Conversion modeling predicts campaign outcomes before they happen The gap between good and great email content will widen dramatically in 2025. We’re seeing the outperformers investing in intelligence right now.

Personalization Isn’t the Answer—It’s the Starting Point For years, we’ve been told that personalization is the secret sauce to successful email marketing. But here’s the hard truth: Personalization alone doesn’t cut it anymore. If you’re still treating it as the endgame, you’re missing the mark. In my recent conversation with Sofiia Shvets, we explored how AI is not just enhancing personalization but completely revolutionizing how we engage with customers. Here’s what we’re doing to push beyond the basics: 1️⃣ Automated Segmentation: AI goes beyond personalization by dynamically creating and updating audience segments, ensuring we’re always targeting the most relevant customers with exactly what they need. 2️⃣ Hyper-Personalized Text: AI helps us craft messages that don’t just insert a name—they speak directly to each customer’s unique journey, making every interaction feel personal and timely. 3️⃣ Intelligent Graphics & Product Recommendations: AI doesn’t just generate visuals; it strategically selects the products that should be featured, driving higher engagement and conversions. 4️⃣ Advanced Cross-Selling & Promotions: By leveraging AI, we’re not just suggesting products—we’re predicting and delivering the offers that are most likely to resonate with each customer. AI is moving us beyond the old playbook, allowing us to create dynamic, deeply personalized experiences at scale. But this is just the beginning. Here are a few cutting-edge ways AI can take your email marketing to the next level: → Real-time Behavior Analysis: Adapt email content on the fly based on customer interactions. → Predictive Analytics: Anticipate customer needs and preferences, driving proactive engagement. → A/B Testing at Scale: Use AI to optimize content and visuals across massive audiences efficiently. → Content Optimization: Continuously refine and enhance email content to maximize impact. → Advanced UTM Targeting: Tailor email experiences based on traffic sources for greater relevance. We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with AI and email. Fun times ahead!