DSM email gallery from real brands
1. Next week: Attend the Envision Iowa annual event
Objective
This email aims to drive registrations for the Envision Iowa annual in-person event by highlighting exclusive research, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities for Iowa business and community leaders. It positions the event as essential for strategic decision-making and economic insight.
Why this works
The email smartly anchors urgency and exclusivity by emphasizing that attendees will be the first to see new economic research, making the event feel like a must-attend insider opportunity rather than just another conference.
How to implement
By featuring headshots and titles of keynote speakers and panelists, the email builds credibility and personal connection, helping recipients visualize the caliber of conversation and leadership they’ll engage with in person.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer near the CTA to visually reinforce urgency, especially since the event is only one week away, this would increase conversion by leveraging time-sensitive psychology. • Include a short video teaser or quote snippet from a past attendee or speaker to humanize the event and provide social proof, which is currently missing despite the strong speaker lineup.
2. Due Today: Submit your events for the Book of Lists calendar
Objective
This email aims to drive immediate event submissions from businesses by emphasizing the urgency of the Sept. 15 deadline for inclusion in the 2024 Book of Lists calendar, while positioning the submission as a strategic marketing opportunity to gain community visibility.
Why this works
The email smartly frames event submission not as a formality but as a strategic ‘Save the Date’ move, giving businesses psychological ownership over their calendar placement even before final details are locked in.
How to implement
By bundling the deadline urgency with the bonus of 2024 Book of Lists inclusion, the campaign transforms a simple submission into a dual-value opportunity that appeals to both short-term and long-term marketing planning.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer or bold visual indicator near the CTA to reinforce the ‘Due Today’ urgency, since the current layout relies solely on text and may not trigger immediate action from distracted readers. • Include a short testimonial or example of a past business that benefited from calendar inclusion, even one sentence would strengthen social proof and clarify the tangible value beyond just ‘community awareness.’
3. ia: The best of Iowa arts and culture
Objective
This email aims to celebrate and promote Iowa’s arts, culture, and community initiatives by highlighting local events, institutions, and sponsor-supported causes, encouraging readers to engage with regional experiences and support community-driven programs.
Why this works
The email masterfully blends cultural storytelling with community advocacy, using compelling narratives around local institutions like the University of Dubuque’s pipe organ to emotionally anchor readers in Iowa’s unique artistic identity while subtly driving engagement through event links.
How to implement
By featuring sponsor-led social impact stories, like Iowa Pork Producers combating hunger, the campaign transforms corporate partnerships into authentic community celebrations, making brand alignment feel purposeful rather than promotional and increasing reader trust in both the magazine and its sponsors.
Pro Tip
Add a visible countdown or calendar icon next to each event date (e.g., ‘April 6’ for the organ recital) to create urgency and help readers instantly visualize time-sensitive opportunities without scrolling for details. • Reposition the ‘READ THE 2025 ISSUE’ CTA to appear after the first two major stories, not at the bottom, to capture attention early while readers are still engaged, increasing conversion likelihood before they scroll past to ads or footer links.
4. Don't miss the final dsm unveiling of the year with Ballet Des Moines!
Objective
The email aims to drive attendance to Ballet Des Moines’ unveiling party for the November/December 2023 issue of dsm magazine by highlighting the exclusive first look, food, drinks, and new downtown venue, encouraging immediate registration through a clear, time-sensitive CTA.
Why this works
The email smartly pairs a high-energy visual of the event space with a play button overlay, creating instant curiosity and implying dynamic content without requiring the recipient to click away, a subtle but powerful engagement hook.
How to implement
By anchoring the invitation to a specific, time-bound event, 'final unveiling of the year', the campaign leverages scarcity and exclusivity to motivate immediate action, making the RSVP feel like a must-attend cultural moment rather than just another newsletter event.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer or date badge near the RSVP button to visually reinforce urgency and the limited-time nature of the event, increasing conversion by tapping into psychological scarcity triggers. • Include a short testimonial or quote from a past attendee or Ballet Des Moines representative to build social proof and emotional connection, helping hesitant readers visualize the experience and feel more confident about attending.
5. Only three days remain to share your opinion on Iowa's economy
Objective
This email aims to urgently encourage recipients to complete the Envision Iowa Statewide Leaders Economic Outlook Survey by emphasizing the three-day deadline and positioning their input as critical to shaping future economic policy and growth in Iowa.
Why this works
The email masterfully creates urgency by leading with a bold, time-sensitive headline, 'ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT', which immediately signals importance and motivates quick action without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details.
How to implement
It positions the survey not as a chore but as a meaningful civic contribution, framing participation as a way to directly influence economic policy and long-term growth, which appeals to the recipient’s sense of agency and community impact.
Pro Tip
Add a visual countdown timer or progress bar near the CTA to reinforce urgency and make the 'three days left' message more visceral and harder to ignore, increasing conversion through psychological scarcity triggers. • Include a short, impactful testimonial or quote from a past participant or policymaker who used the survey data, placed just above the CTA, to build social proof and reduce perceived risk of participation.
6. Your opinion needed: Help shape the future of Iowa's economy
Objective
This email aims to encourage recipients to participate in the Envision Iowa Statewide Leaders Economic Outlook Survey by emphasizing their influence on shaping economic policy and future growth in Iowa. It positions their input as vital to data-driven decision-making and long-term regional development.
Why this works
The email effectively frames participation as a civic and strategic opportunity, positioning the recipient not as a passive respondent but as a key influencer in shaping Iowa’s economic future through policy-relevant insights.
How to implement
By referencing last year’s survey results and the upcoming October event, the campaign builds credibility and continuity, subtly signaling that this isn’t a one-off request but part of an ongoing, respected economic dialogue with tangible outcomes.
Pro Tip
Add a brief testimonial or quote from a past participant or economic leader to reinforce credibility and social proof, especially since the survey targets influential decision-makers who value peer validation. • Include a visual progress bar or countdown timer near the CTA to heighten urgency and subtly communicate how many responses are still needed, leveraging psychological triggers that increase conversion without adding clutter.
7. Register: What is the future of Iowa’s post-pandemic business climate?
Objective
This email aims to drive registrations for a virtual think tank event focused on Iowa’s post-pandemic business climate, positioning it as a critical forum for leaders to explore opportunities, network, and shape the state’s economic future through expert-led dialogue.
Why this works
The email effectively frames the event as a strategic necessity for business leaders by tying post-pandemic recovery directly to actionable insights from top executives, making attendance feel like a competitive advantage rather than just another webinar.
How to implement
By listing high-profile speakers with clear titles and organizations, the email builds instant credibility and social proof, reassuring recipients that the content will be substantive and worth their time, which is critical for driving registrations in a crowded virtual event space.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer near the CTA to create urgency, since the event date is fixed and proximity can significantly boost registration rates among procrastinators or fence-sitters. • Include a short testimonial or quote from a past attendee or speaker to reinforce credibility and emotional appeal, especially since the audience is business leaders who value peer validation before committing time.
8. Register: What is the future of Iowa’s post-pandemic infrastructure needs
Objective
This email aims to drive registrations for a virtual think tank event focused on Iowa’s post-pandemic infrastructure needs by positioning it as a critical dialogue for business leaders. It seeks to attract decision-makers by highlighting high-profile speakers, timely topics, and networking opportunities that align with economic recovery priorities.
Why this works
The email effectively frames the event as a strategic necessity rather than just another virtual meeting by tying infrastructure directly to business climate and organizational success, making it feel urgent and relevant to its target audience of Iowa leaders.
How to implement
By listing specific, high-impact panelists with clear titles and affiliations, the email builds instant credibility and signals that attendees will hear from decision-makers who are actively shaping Iowa’s economic future, not just commentators or theorists.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer or urgency indicator near the CTA to reinforce the time-sensitive nature of registration, especially since the event date is fixed and the audience is likely busy executives who respond to scarcity cues. • Reposition the 'Support Envision Iowa' and 'Submit Speaker Ideas' buttons below the main registration CTA to avoid diluting the primary goal, registering for the event, with secondary actions that may distract or confuse the user’s next step.
9. dsmWeekly: October 4, 2023
Objective
This email aims to engage local readers by curating and delivering timely, culturally rich content about dining, arts, and community events in the Des Moines area, encouraging ongoing subscription and interaction with the DSM brand.
Why this works
The email masterfully blends editorial storytelling with event promotion, making each section feel like a curated cultural experience rather than a sales pitch, which builds trust and reader loyalty over time.
How to implement
By spotlighting hyperlocal businesses and personalities, like Mulberry Street Tavern’s new chef, the newsletter creates emotional resonance and community pride, turning casual readers into invested locals who want to support their city’s scene.
Pro Tip
Add a clear visual hierarchy to the 'The Week Ahead' section using icons or color-coded categories (e.g., blue for food, red for arts) to help readers quickly scan and prioritize events based on interest. • Include a dynamic countdown or 'limited tickets' indicator next to high-demand events like the Annual Symposium or Opera performance to create urgency and drive immediate action.
10. dsm Season Preview - January 12, 2026
Objective
This email aims to re-engage readers after the holiday season by curating a compelling preview of local arts and entertainment events for January and February 2026, encouraging them to plan outings and attend featured shows, concerts, and exhibitions across Des Moines.
Why this works
The email opens with a relatable, conversational tone that acknowledges post-holiday fatigue and immediately offers a solution, curated local events, making the reader feel understood and gently nudged toward action without pressure.
How to implement
Each event category is introduced with a bold, thematic headline and supported by vivid imagery or artist quotes, creating visual rhythm and emotional hooks that help readers mentally bookmark experiences they’d genuinely want to attend.
Pro Tip
Add a visual countdown timer or 'limited seats' indicator next to the RSVP button to create urgency, since the Jan. 13 event date is imminent and the current CTA lacks temporal pressure to drive immediate action. • Include a collapsible or scrollable 'Top 3 Picks This Week' section near the top to reduce cognitive load, readers overwhelmed by the long list of events may disengage without a curated starting point to anchor their attention.