How to use Emojis in Your Email Campaign

We’ve all wanted to do it. Here are some great tips!

Philip Manzano
Aug 8, 2017 · 4 min read

When you open up your phone or look through your emails — chances are, you’ll see some emojis. The fact is that more and more brands are using emojis to engage with their audiences — and it’s working. What was once seen as something unprofessional is now part of our day-to-day conversation.

So, where do we begin to start using Emojis in our email campaigns? How do we use them effectively? Here are some great tips to get you started!

😀 😃 😄 😁 😆 😅 😂 🤣 😊 😇 🙂 🙃 😉 😌 😍 😘 😗 😙 😚 😋 😜 😝 😛 🤑 🤗 🤓 😎 🤡 🤠 😏 😒 😞 😔 😟 😕 🙁 ☹️ 😣 😖 😫 😩 😤 😠 😡 😶 😐 😑 😯 😦 😧 😮 😲 😵 😳 😱 😨 😰 😢 😥 🤤 😭 😓 😪 😴 🙄 🤔 🤥 😬 🤐 🤢 🤧 😷 🤒 🤕 😈 👿 👹 👺 💩 👻 💀 ☠️ 👽 👾 🤖 🎃 😺 😸 😹 😻 😼 😽 🙀 😿 😾 👐 🙌 👏 🙏 🤝 👍 👎 👊 ✊ 🤛 🤜 🤞 ✌️ 🤘 👌 👈 👉 👆 👇 ☝️ ✋ 🤚 🖐 🖖 👋 🤙 💪 ✍️ 🤳 💅 🖖 💄 🐶 🐱 🐭 🐹 🐰 🦊 🐻 🐼 🐨 🐯 🦁 🐮 🐷 🐽 🐸 🐵 🙊 🙉 🙊 🐒 🐔 🐧 🐦 🐤 🐣 🐥 🦆 🦅 🦉 🦇 🐺 🐗 🐴 🦄 🐝 🐛 🦋 🐌 🐚 🐞 🐜 🕷 🕸 🐢 🐍 🦎 🦂 🦀 🦑 🐙 🦐 🐠 🐟 🐡 🐬 🦈 🐳 🐋 🐊 🐆 🐅 🐃 🐂 🐄 🦌 🐪 🐫 🐘 🦏 🦍 🐎 🐖 🐐 🐏 🐑 🐕 🐩 🐈 🐓 🦃 🕊 🐇 🐁 🐀

Figure out what works for YOUR audience

No one knows what will be appropriate for your audience better than you — the arbiter of the brand. Take a look at some of the messages that worked in the past. Take a look at your key demographics — these should give you some clues about what emojis could work.

Did your past successful messages consist of safe and “straight to the point” content? Then maybe a simple 😃 could be used to convey a tone, and still be pretty effective!

Did you have a younger audience with a bit more of an edgy message? Then why not liven your subject line up with a 💃 or 🎉 ? These catch the eye and can get people to open up your message. But this only works if your audience is receptive to it.

Don’t go overboard

When you find something that works, it’s easy to go into overdrive.

One of our biggest tips is to fight this urge when it comes to emojis! Less is definitely more effective here. Because there are so many options, you can literally say everything with emojis. But it can quickly get confusing.

Your purpose with emojis is to add personality, and draw attention to your main point. It is meant to compliment, not to overpower. The last thing you want is for people to be confused about your subject line. Don’t give people reasons not to open your email.

Yes: Welcome to our newsletter! 👋

No: 👋📧😊

Be clear, and have fun! 🤘

Emojis are an extension of YOUR voice

Emojis will help make your voice a bit more personal. Instead of a plain message being sent to a large group of people, it feels a bit more like a close friend sending a text. The important thing to do here is to figure out how to use the emojis, and make them fit your brand voice.

John Morgan, CEO of Stillwater Dwellings, says that companies should ask these questions before using emojis to inject personality:

  • “What emojis are relevant to our brand?
  • “Do we fully understand the meaning of the emojis we plan on using?
  • “How often should we use emojis?
  • “How does our target audience interact online?
  • “Will using emojis improve the message we are attempting to convey?”

Understand time and place

Emojis are not for every message.

Just like with text messages, sending an emoji at the wrong time can ruin your entire message and tone. It can even offend people.

Take time as an organization to determine what types of messages and announcements can use emojis, and which ones should not. For example — if you are talking about something that is carefree and fun like a picnic or a fundraiser, then emoji away: 👊🎊🎈. If you’re talking about something more serious like the protection of data, rule changes or legislation, then it may be best to stay away from emojis.

Every audience is different — which means that what is appropriate for one audience, may not be for another audience. Take some time to evaluate these questions with your team and make a decision that works for you!

Best of luck with your Emoji journey! 🍀

If you want to make your mission, possible — then try using these tips in an email campaign! Check out Keela for more.

Mission: Possible

A one-stop shop for all things nonprofit and tech — all helping you do good work.

Philip Manzano

Written by

Head of Marketing & Communications for Keela

Mission: Possible

A one-stop shop for all things nonprofit and tech — all helping you do good work.

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