Segment Smarter: More Ways to Personalize Emails & Increase ROI

If you caught Part 1, you already know that smart email segmentation can make all the difference in engagement and conversions.

We’ve covered how to use engagement levels, purchase behavior, and email activity to tailor your messaging—but there’s still more you can do to really make your email marketing work for you.

In Part 2 of this series we’re sharing even more ways to segment your email lists to get the most engagement possible.

(If you haven’t already, go back to snag segmentation strategies 1-3 in Part 1.)

Let’s dive in!

Beyond the Basics: Unique Ways to Segment Your List, continued

4. Segment by Service Level or Investment Tier

Your VIP clients are those who consistently see the value you provide and don’t shy away from paying what you are worth. Reward them for it! Here’s how:

➜ early access to content, events, or anything you are going to share publicly
➜ exclusive discounts
➜ premium content that makes them feel valued

For the budget-conscious, focus on offering practical value, like cost-saving tips, bundles, or special promotions that align with their needs. Tailoring your approach based on how much a customer typically invests ensures you’re meeting each segment where they’re at – whether they’re ready to splurge or looking for a deal.

5. Sorting by Event Attendance (and Engagement)

For attendees, thank them for showing up and offer additional resources or exclusive content bonuses related to the event.

This helps keep the momentum and goodwill from the event going by providing relevant content or a follow-up action to deepen engagement.

For the most engaged attendees, give them a special offer or add-on service that no one else is getting as an extra “I see you” validation for both showing up AND participating.

For those who registered but didn’t show up, send a friendly “we missed you” style email with a link to the event recording or a summary. Encourage them to watch and re-engage by offering an exclusive follow-up offer or incentive to make up for missing out.

How to Make Segmentation Work Without Overcomplicating It

Segmentation can feel overwhelming at first, but there’s no need to go full mad scientist with your email list. Start simple and test a few segments to see which ones will actually move the needle for your business.

Once you’ve chosen your strategy, leverage automation. Most CRMs allow you to easily auto-tag subscribers based on their behavior, saving you time and keeping things efficient.

Remember, personalization is powerful, but there’s a balance.

Avoid over-complicating things by tailoring emails to every little detail you know about your readers. Focus on segmentation that drives your business forward and keeps your messaging clear and relevant. Keep it simple, keep it targeted, and you’ll see better results without the stress.

The Bottom Line is This

When your emails are relevant to your audience, they’re far more likely to engage.

Effective segmentation is key to sending content that speaks directly to their needs and interests, which in turn boosts your chances of success.

Dip your toes in, test what works, and tweak as you go.

The more relevant your emails, the more they’ll get opened, clicked, and—most importantly—convert.