Does Email Marketing Still Work?
Think email marketing is dead? The data tells a different story.
Let me guess: you wake up, open your inbox, delete 50 promo emails, and wonder… what’s the point?
But here’s the truth: email remains one of the most effective digital marketing channels. In fact, at a home services company I worked with, email campaigns generated 20% of total revenue. The best part? Email is cost-effective, repeatable, and gives you customer insights that no other channel does.
Why Email Marketing Still Works
1. Email Drives Engagement in Long Sales Cycles
For industries like wealth management, B2B services, or home improvement, the sales cycle is long. Email helps keep prospects engaged and aware of your services. One of our favorite strategies at Messy Desk is pairing email with sales calls.
Using tools like HubSpot, you can see exactly when someone opens an email. Calling them right after increased call answer rates by 25% at a wealth management startup I worked with. That’s real-time ROI.
2. Subject Lines Prove Email’s Value
You may delete most emails, but I bet you read the subject lines. That’s proof email captures attention, just like billboards. You don’t buy from the billboard, but you remember the brand. The same applies to your inbox.
Strong subject lines mean your emails get noticed, and when the timing or offer is right, people act.
3. Email Marketing Provides Valuable Data
Even if you’re not running discounts or promos, email reveals customer interests. Click-through data tells you what topics resonate most.
Example: at a wealth management firm, the highest-performing email was about physician burnout. That data guided our ad strategy, which made every marketing dollar more efficient.
4. Build Brand Awareness for Free
Especially if you’re an early-stage company, name recognition is critical. Regular email campaigns build familiarity. Even if someone isn’t ready to buy today, seeing your brand regularly keeps you top of mind.
How to Make Email Marketing Work for Your Business
Email marketing success comes down to adding value:
E-commerce brands: highlight promos, discounts, and product drops.
B2B companies: share insights, case studies, and thought leadership.
Service businesses: educate customers, share tips, and stay visible.
When done right, email becomes one of the lowest-cost, highest-ROI marketing strategies available.
Final Thoughts
Yes, email marketing still works in 2025. The data proves it. Even if you delete your own inbox daily, millions of people engage with email campaigns every day.
If you want to build a smarter email marketing strategy, Messy Desk Marketing can help you design data-driven campaigns that grow your business.