How to Win With High‑Performing Email Campaigns in 2025
Key Takeaways:
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One goal per email keeps campaigns focused and clear.
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Subject lines need urgency and transparency to get opens.
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Mobile-first design is mandatory!
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Compliance matters: no hype, no youth appeal, and always factual.
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Segment by interest and product to increase clicks and orders.
Winning Strategies for High-Performing Email Campaigns- CBD Edition
When you’re working with a regulated product like CBD, you don’t get to play it fast and loose. You need precision. You need structure. And if you want results, you better have a plan.
We work with brands that understand this. Social CBD is one of them. And in the examples below, you’ll see two campaigns that prove you don’t need gimmicks to perform, you just need to be clear, be bold, and know your audience.
One email marketing campaign followed the playbook to a T and delivered exactly what it was built to. The other was a bit of a departure: our team introduced custom graphics and took a swing at changing up the visual feel. The risk worked. That’s what this blog is about: real performance, backed by data, with strategy behind every piece of it.
What Top Email Marketing Looks Like in 2025
No matter how smart your automations are or how segmented your list gets, the rules for high-performing email stay consistent.
What’s working now:
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Stick to one goal per email. Whether it’s a flash sale or a restock alert, single-focus emails perform best.
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Subject lines need urgency and clarity. Short lines that say what’s inside, paired with a strong preview, get the open.
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Design is mobile-first or bust. Most users scroll with their thumbs. Templates need to load fast, read easily, and show the CTA without scrolling.
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Don’t bury the action. CTA buttons should stand out and appear more than once. We like one up top, one near the middle, and one after the product feed.
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Segment smarter. The narrower the list, the clearer the message. Write like you’re talking to one person, not a crowd.
Structure is the difference between emails that land and emails that sit unopened!
Marketing CBD in the USA
CBD marketing is heavily restricted under U.S. law. You can’t make medical claims, imply treatment, or use language that overpromises results. All email campaigns must follow CAN-SPAM requirements, and for CBD specifically, federal and state-level rules vary widely. We’re not a legal authority, and brands should always consult the latest regulations. At the end of this blog, you’ll find a link to a helpful guide that breaks it down by state.
Case Study A: “Extra For A Reason VIP Flash Sale”
This campaign focused on speed and clarity. Built around a limited-time offer, the goal was to get the message out fast and make it easy to act.
Breaking It Down
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Subject line + preview
Subject: “50% Off? That’s the Extra You Deserve.” Short, urgent, asks a question.
Preview: “Bigger benefits, bigger savings, only for 48 hours.” Sets clear expectations. -
Header & banner
Includes a bold banner: “Extra For a Reason 50% OFF Our Most Powerful Formulas – 48 HOURS ONLY.”
Simple header with brand logo and countdown urgency, follows master template approach. -
Two CTAs above the fold
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“SHOP EXTRA” on banner
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First CTA early in copy
Both use strong, contrasting buttons, easy to tap and click -
Copy strategy
Straightforward and benefit-focused: “Sometimes, you need a little extra support…”
No exaggeration, no glamor, just product advantage.
Code positioned early: “USE CODE EXTRA.”
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Product feed + second CTA
Featured multiple extra-strength products with single clear button: “SAVE ON EXTRA STRENGTH.”
Builds visual structure and encourages action without overload. -
Compliance & design
Accessible layout, alt text, clear unsubscribe footer, right consent links.
No youth appeal, no exaggerated claims; fully within cannabis rules for factual messaging.
Why it worked:
Everything was built for speed. Clear offer. Fast access. No distractions. The email did its job by putting the sale front and center, making it easy to act, and keeping the message clean from subject line to footer.
Case Study B: “$20 Off Gummies” (Arctic Leaf design shift)
This send took a more visual route. With refreshed creative and a lighter tone, we leaned into the playful nature of the product without crossing compliance lines.
Breaking It Down
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Creative refresh
Arctic Leaf pushed visuals further. Playful, bold gummy graphics and peach emoji in subject (“🍑 Sweet CBD Savings!”).
The preview spelt out the deal: “Save $20 on ALL CBD gummies for 48 hours only.” -
Segmented CTAs & product copy
Each product line (Mood, Sleep, Recovery, Daily) has its own section, call-out line, and individual CTA (“SHOP NOW” below each).
This granular approach supports click-through by narrowing choice per recipient interest. -
Copy tone
Bright: “This Deal is Juicy.”
Benefit-driven yet factual: mood, sleep, recovery, wellness.
No glamor, no overpromise, kept within safe boundaries, even with a playful tone.
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Visual-role in compliance
Graphics skirt youth-appeal by focusing on botanical imagery and function.
No cartoons or lifestyle shots, no endorsements. Message remains informational: price, availability.
Why it worked: fresh assets stood out in inboxes, but structure, compliance, and CTA strategy stayed strong.
Performance Snapshot: Account Average
Across all campaigns for this brand, we maintain:
Open rate: 52.7%
Click rate: 1.34%
Conversion rate: 0.22%
These numbers reflect a clear approach. Every email is built with a specific goal, structured design, compliant messaging, and direct calls to action. The focus stays on alignment, clarity, and delivering exactly what the audience needs every time.
Takeaways for your next CBD campaign
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Templates matter: keep header, preheader, CTA hierarchy consistent.
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Subject + preview pairing: bold claim + context = open triggers.
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High-impact CTAs: two above fold is standard; more segmentation may benefit specific product rows.
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Visual test, compliance first: test bold graphics but validate they don’t appeal to youth or glamorize cannabis.
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Segmented feeds: product-by-product layout aids click-through and relevancy.
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Always include consent and compliance links.
The Final Word
Running high-performing campaigns in a sensitive category like CBD means sticking to the rules without losing your edge. The goal isn’t noise. It’s clarity. Strategy. Control. The work starts before the send: know your audience, plan your layout, write with purpose, and design within strict limits.
Both of these campaigns delivered results by doing exactly that. No hype. No shortcuts. Just sharp execution with every piece serving a purpose.
At Arctic Leaf, we offer email marketing campaign services that perform, stay compliant, and reflect the brand behind them. Whether you’re planning a flash sale or testing a fresh look, we help you stay bold and on target, start to finish.
Want your next campaign to hit harder? Let’s talk.
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Email Campaign FAQ
What is an average open rate for email campaigns?
Recent data shows a typical open rate around 15-25%, with an average sitting at 21.33%. Note that often open rates differ between industries.
What is a good click rate for email marketing?
A solid click-through rate sits between 2% and 5%. Like with open rate, to be certain you should research your industry specifics.
Is email marketing still effective?
Yes. Email remains one of the highest-ROI channels, especially when deliverability, personalization, and compliance are managed correctly!
How important is design in email performance?
Design is everything. Strong email performance starts with visuals that load fast, guide the eye, and make action easy. From layout to buttons, every detail should serve a purpose!
What regulations do CBD email campaigns need to follow?
In the U.S., CBD email marketing must avoid medical claims, youth appeal, and anything that looks like a guarantee. Stick to product facts, stay FDA-compliant, and follow CAN-SPAM rules. Maintain clear consent, opt-out links, and honest sender info. Keep it clean, accurate, and compliant.
Looking for more info? Review this handy state-by-state guide.
