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Creating Whimsy in Your B2B Emails in 2025
B2B emails often get a bad rap—and to be fair, it’s not hard to see why. Most of them are about as exciting as reading the terms and conditions for your software update. They’re efficient, sure, but efficiency alone won’t make anyone pause in a crowded inbox. In fact, the average corporate worker in the U.S. receives 121 emails daily, so standing out requires more than just a well-timed send.
This is where whimsy comes in. Whimsy isn’t about being frivolous or throwing professionalism out the window. Instead, it’s about creating an experience—something that surprises, delights, or simply makes the reader smile. And the beauty of whimsy? It works just as well for B2B as it does for B2C.
I remember receiving an email from a SaaS company that had a “404” theme. It playfully acknowledged that the email might not have been the one I was expecting, but it immediately drew me in with humor and curiosity. That email wasn’t just another pitch in my inbox—it was a moment of connection.
In this blog, we’ll explore how you can inject whimsy into your email marketing strategy, even in the often-buttoned-up world of B2B. Whether you’re designing onboarding emails or sending out product updates, adding a little bit of magic can transform your campaigns into memorable customer experiences.
What is a Whimsical Email?
Whimsical emails don’t just communicate—they entertain, surprise, and spark joy. They transform what could be a transactional moment into an opportunity to build a deeper connection with your audience. Whimsy can take many forms: a clever subject line, a playful illustration, or even an unexpected twist in the way you present your content.
Let’s be clear—whimsy isn’t about abandoning professionalism. It’s about humanizing your brand and creating a sense of delight that leaves a lasting impression. Think of it as the difference between being the monotone professor at the front of a lecture hall and the one who uses humor, stories, and visual aids to keep students on the edge of their seats.
A great example of a whimsical email I’ve seen recently came from a SaaS company that included a “loading bar” animation at the top of their email, mimicking the UI of their app. The email content itself wasn’t groundbreaking—it was a simple product update—but the playful design made it feel less like a chore to read and more like an interactive experience.
So, what defines a whimsical email? It often includes:
- Playful elements: A touch of humor, clever copy, or interactive features.
- Unexpected design: Bold visuals, animations, or custom illustrations that add personality.
- Personal touches: Messages that feel like they were written by a person, not an algorithm.
Whimsy doesn’t have to be over-the-top. Even small details—like a unique sign-off or a well-placed emoji—can add a layer of charm. The key is to ensure your whimsy aligns with your brand’s voice and audience expectations. A playful tone that works for a startup might not land as well for a law firm, but every brand has room for creativity.
Why Do You Need Whimsy in Your Emails?
In a world where the average person receives 121 emails a day, standing out in the inbox is no small feat. Most emails—even well-written ones—fade into the background because they fail to do one simple thing: evoke emotion. This is where whimsy comes in.
Whimsical emails help break through the noise by creating memorable moments. They tap into emotions like joy, curiosity, and delight, transforming an ordinary interaction into something worth sharing. When done well, whimsy doesn’t just make your emails stand out—it makes your brand unforgettable.
Here’s why adding a dash of whimsy is a smart move for your email marketing strategy:
- It fosters deeper engagement. Whimsical elements pique curiosity and encourage people to spend more time with your email, increasing the likelihood they’ll take action.
- It humanizes your brand. In a world of automated everything, whimsy reminds your audience that there are real people behind the scenes.
- It builds loyalty. When people associate your brand with positive emotions, they’re more likely to stick around. Whimsy can create the kind of moments customers look forward to.
- It improves recall. A clever visual or unexpected joke makes your email more memorable, keeping your brand top-of-mind even after the email is closed.
Of course, whimsy works best when it’s intentional and serves a purpose. If it feels forced or out of place, it risks becoming a distraction. But when used thoughtfully, it’s a powerful way to surprise and delight your audience—and maybe even make them smile.
Key Ingredients for a Whimsical Email
Creating whimsy in your emails isn’t about throwing in a random joke or quirky graphic and calling it a day. It’s about weaving delight into the fabric of your message while keeping your brand voice and goals intact. Here are the key ingredients to crafting whimsical emails that resonate:
1. A Playful Tone of Voice
Your tone sets the stage for how your email will be received. A touch of humor, a clever pun, or even a conversational phrase can turn a dry message into something memorable. For example, instead of “Welcome to our platform,” try “Welcome to your new favorite productivity sidekick.” It’s light, inviting, and instantly more engaging.
2. Unexpected Surprises
Whimsy thrives on the unexpected. Add a surprise element that makes the recipient pause and smile. Maybe it’s a playful animation, a hidden Easter egg (like a clickable button that says, “Absolutely Do Not Click This”), or a witty postscript that makes them chuckle. Surprises don’t just delight—they build curiosity and engagement.
3. Visual Elements that Spark Joy
Design plays a massive role in whimsy. Incorporate bold colors, whimsical illustrations, or quirky GIFs that align with your brand. For example, if you’re announcing a webinar, consider using an animated countdown clock with playful text like, “Time flies when you’re signing up for something awesome!”
4. Personalization That Feels Fun
Personalization doesn’t have to be boring. Instead of a standard “Hi [First Name],” try something unexpected like “Hey [First Name], guess what we found for you?” Or, if you don’t have their name, turn it into a playful moment: “Hey there, Mysterious Stranger (we’d love to learn your name).”
5. A Dash of Storytelling
Whimsical emails often tell a story—even in just a sentence or two. For example, instead of announcing a feature update with “New features are live,” you could say, “Our engineers stayed up way past their bedtime to bring you this shiny new feature—check it out!”
6. A CTA with Personality
Your call-to-action doesn’t have to be “Click Here” or “Learn More.” Make it fun! If you’re a project management tool, try CTAs like “Start Organizing the Chaos” or “Begin Your Productivity Journey.” These small tweaks can make a big difference in creating a memorable experience.
7. Relatable Human Touches
Whimsy often works because it taps into universal experiences. A SaaS company might reference the agony of a Monday morning or the joy of closing all your browser tabs at the end of the day. These little nods to everyday life make your emails feel more personal.
8. Respect for Simplicity
Finally, remember that whimsy doesn’t mean clutter. It’s about finding joy in simplicity. A single clever line of text or a well-placed GIF can often be more effective than an over-the-top design.
Pro Tip: Whimsy is a balancing act. It should enhance your message, not distract from it. Always test your whimsical elements to ensure they’re landing well with your audience.
Now that we know what makes a whimsical email tick, let’s look at some inspirational examples in action. Stay tuned for the next section!
Inspirational Examples of Whimsy in Emails
Let’s dive into some standout examples of whimsy done right, where creativity and brand personality take center stage. While these examples aren’t necessarily B2B, the ideas and approaches are versatile enough to inspire and elevate any B2B email strategy. After all, great email design and storytelling transcend industries.
Athletic Brewing – “Behind the Brew”
Athletic Brewing doesn’t just sell non-alcoholic brews—they tell stories. In their “Behind the Brew” email, they take customers behind the scenes with their brewing team. The whimsical yet authentic tone of the email gives it a human touch, fostering a sense of connection and community. Highlighting their team in action while maintaining a clean, inviting design adds both whimsy and trust.
Magic Spoon – “What Flavor Should You Spoon Up?”
Magic Spoon knows how to make emails fun! This interactive quiz-style email asks questions like, “What did it rhyme with?” as part of a playful journey to help readers find their perfect cereal flavor. The whimsical copy, bright visuals, and playful layout make this email not just informative but thoroughly engaging.
Sony Electronics – “Which One Are You?”
Sony turns personalization into an adventure with this email. By asking readers to choose a persona like “Adventurer” or “Entertainer,” they create a whimsical way of presenting tailored product recommendations. The vibrant imagery and conversational tone make it feel less like a sales pitch and more like a fun personality test.
Flaus – “Sam Answers Your FAQs”
Flaus takes a unique spin on the typical FAQ email by injecting humor and personality into every response. Featuring their founder alongside vibrant visuals and a conversational tone, they’ve turned a potentially dry email into an engaging experience. It’s informative, relatable, and irresistibly fun to read.
ClickUp uses bold, dark visuals to showcase their new features while balancing whimsy with utility. The conversational tone, coupled with animated GIFs and engaging CTAs, injects excitement into what could’ve been a routine product update.
Qualified – “Animated Event Wrap Up”
Qualified blends functionality with a vibrant, modern design to make a technical subject feel engaging and approachable. The glowing gradients and futuristic visuals add a playful edge, while the structured layout keeps everything easy to follow. It’s a perfect example of how B2B emails can deliver serious content without losing their sense of personality and fun.
These examples show that whimsical emails don’t need to sacrifice clarity or functionality. Instead, they highlight how creativity can elevate a brand’s message while keeping subscribers engaged and delighted.
Final Thoughts
Adding whimsy to your emails is about creating joy in unexpected places. It’s about showing your audience that even in the smallest moments—like reading an email—you can surprise and delight them. With a little creativity and the right strategy, your emails can stand out in an inbox filled with noise.
So, what will you try first? A clever subject line? A quirky CTA? Maybe a playful visual element? Whatever you choose, have fun with it—and watch your audience do the same. Let’s make 2025 the year of whimsical emails!
Much love,
Andy
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @emaillove
