2026-02-28 · 10 min read

Smalls campaign ideas that work

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Smalls sends 40 campaigns a year, here’s what works. You’ll see real Smalls emails they actually sent, with screenshots and analysis of how each message uses hooks, product benefits, and retention angles. Use the patterns to map your own flows from first click to repeat purchase.

1. We're literally the cat's meow.

1. We're literally the cat's meow.
1. We're literally the cat's meow.
Subject: We're literally the cat's meow.
Objective

This email aims to convert hesitant cat owners into trial customers by showcasing real, emotional testimonials that prove even picky or health-challenged cats love Smalls. It leverages social proof and a time-sensitive discount to reduce perceived risk and drive immediate action.

Why this works

The email brilliantly uses real cat names and owner initials to humanize testimonials, making the social proof feel personal and trustworthy rather than generic or staged, which builds emotional credibility with skeptical pet parents.

How to implement

Each testimonial is paired with a specific, measurable outcome, weight loss, better breath, reduced pooping frequency, that speaks directly to common cat owner anxieties, transforming vague praise into persuasive, problem-solving evidence.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown timer or urgency indicator near the final CTA to increase perceived scarcity, since the current offer lacks time-sensitive framing that could motivate faster decisions from hesitant buyers. • Include a brief line under each testimonial indicating how long the cat has been on Smalls (e.g., 'After 6 weeks on Smalls...'), which would strengthen credibility by showing sustained results rather than just initial enthusiasm.

Colors:
#FFFFFF
#F5F1EC
#C1D8A3

2. Last chance - save 50% to try Smalls

2. Last chance - save 50% to try Smalls
2. Last chance - save 50% to try Smalls
Subject: Last chance - save 50% to try Smalls
Objective

The email aims to convert hesitant or new customers by offering a time-sensitive 50% discount to encourage trial of Smalls’ cat food, specifically highlighting the affordability of starting with the Juju product under $20.

Why this works

The email leverages urgency and emotional appeal by pairing a bold 50% discount with playful cat illustrations, making the offer feel both exciting and trustworthy for pet owners hesitant to try a new brand.

How to implement

By anchoring the discount to a specific product (Juju) and pricing it under $20, the campaign reduces perceived risk and gives customers a clear, low-barrier entry point to experience the brand’s quality.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown timer or 'Last Chance' badge near the CTA to reinforce urgency, since the subject line implies scarcity but the body lacks visual reinforcement of time pressure. • Include a short testimonial or star rating from a real customer who tried Juju under the discount, to build social proof and reduce skepticism for first-time buyers.

Colors:
#C5DCA8
#000000
#FFFFFF

3. Apparently, we’ve been lying to you.

3. Apparently, we’ve been lying to you.
3. Apparently, we’ve been lying to you.
Subject: Apparently, we’ve been lying to you.
Objective

To convert skeptical cat owners by addressing controversy head-on and offering a compelling, risk-free trial with a 50% discount and free treats to prove the product’s effectiveness through real customer results.

Why this works

The email opens with a bold, provocative hook that immediately disarms skepticism by admitting controversy, a clever psychological tactic that invites curiosity rather than defensiveness from skeptical pet owners.

How to implement

By citing specific, emotionally resonant metrics, like 92% of picky cats finishing their meals, the brand transforms abstract claims into tangible, trustworthy proof points that appeal directly to pet parents’ desire for visible, measurable results.

Pro Tip

Add a visual testimonial or customer photo with a quote near the stats to humanize the data and increase emotional trust, currently, the numbers feel detached without a face or story behind them. • Place the CTA button immediately after the stats instead of burying it in a sentence, a standalone, visually distinct button would increase conversion by reducing friction and guiding the eye to the next step.

Colors:
#ffffff
#000000
#0000ff

4. Does your cat need a fresh start?

4. Does your cat need a fresh start?
4. Does your cat need a fresh start?
Subject: Does your cat need a fresh start?
Objective

This email aims to convert curious cat owners into trial customers by highlighting the nutritional superiority of Smalls’ gently cooked, moisture-rich meals and incentivizing them with a 20% discount on a sampler pack.

Why this works

Smalls brilliantly contrasts its gentle steaming process against the harsh 'extrusion' method used in conventional kibble, turning a technical detail into a compelling health argument that speaks directly to concerned pet parents.

How to implement

By anchoring the offer around hydration and real meat moisture, the email taps into a growing pet wellness trend, linking diet to chronic dehydration, making the product feel essential rather than optional for cat health.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown timer or 'limited-time offer' badge near the second CTA to create urgency and reduce decision fatigue, especially since the discount is the primary conversion lever. • Include a micro-testimonial or customer quote near the education section to humanize the claims, e.g., 'My cat’s coat improved in 2 weeks!', to build social proof without disrupting the clean layout.

Colors:
#FFEB3B
#F5F5F5
#8BC34A

5. A Fresh Offer for National Pet Day

5. A Fresh Offer for National Pet Day
5. A Fresh Offer for National Pet Day
Subject: A Fresh Offer for National Pet Day
Objective

This email aims to drive first-time purchases by offering a limited-time 50% discount and free treats for life, specifically timed around National Pet Day to emotionally resonate with cat owners and position Smalls as a premium, health-focused fresh food brand.

Why this works

The email brilliantly ties a promotional offer to a cultural moment, National Pet Day, creating emotional urgency while positioning the brand as a thoughtful partner in pet wellness, not just a transactional vendor.

How to implement

By highlighting 'free treats for life' alongside the 50% discount, the campaign transforms a short-term incentive into a long-term relationship builder, making the offer feel more generous and less like a one-time sale.

Pro Tip

Add a visual element like a cat photo or product image in the hero section to immediately capture attention and reinforce the emotional connection with pet owners, since the current text-only layout feels sparse and less engaging. • Include a countdown timer or expiration date near the CTA to amplify urgency, since 'limited time' is mentioned but not visually reinforced, which could reduce conversion pressure for hesitant shoppers.

Colors:
#FFFFFF
#000000
#0066CC

6. A fresh offer for National Pet Day

6. A fresh offer for National Pet Day
6. A fresh offer for National Pet Day
Subject: A fresh offer for National Pet Day
Objective

This email aims to convert new cat owners into first-time customers by leveraging National Pet Day as an emotional hook and offering a time-sensitive discount paired with free lifetime treats to reduce purchase friction and build long-term loyalty.

Why this works

The email brilliantly ties a cultural moment, National Pet Day, to a product benefit, making the promotion feel timely and emotionally resonant rather than purely transactional, which increases open and conversion rates among pet-loving audiences.

How to implement

By anchoring the offer to 'veterinarian-formulated, picky-cat-approved recipes,' the brand instantly builds credibility and addresses the top two concerns of new cat food buyers: safety and palatability, turning skepticism into trust with minimal copy.

Pro Tip

Add a visual countdown timer near the CTA to reinforce urgency, since 'limited time' is mentioned but not visually emphasized, this would increase FOMO and drive faster conversions without altering the offer. • Include a small testimonial or customer photo with a quote like 'My picky cat devoured this!' under the bullet points to humanize the claims and provide social proof that directly addresses the 'picky cat' objection.

Colors:
#FFFFFF
#000000
#0066CC

7. Catty will love this.

7. Catty will love this.
7. Catty will love this.
Subject: Catty will love this.
Objective

This email aims to gently nudge trial users to complete their purchase by using playful, cat-themed language and a lighthearted tone to reduce friction and re-engage hesitant customers. It also offers a time-sensitive discount to incentivize immediate action.

Why this works

The email brilliantly disarms potential buyer hesitation by personifying the brand as a curious, non-creepy observer, turning a cart abandonment reminder into a charming, cat-themed nudge that feels more like a friendly check-in than a sales pitch.

How to implement

By embedding a playful discount offer in a soft green section with sparkle graphics, the campaign visually separates the incentive from the main CTA, making the savings feel like a bonus rather than a desperation tactic, which preserves brand tone while boosting conversion potential.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown timer or urgency indicator near the 'Get $10 Off' section to increase perceived scarcity without compromising the playful tone, for example, 'Offer expires in 48 hours 🐱' to nudge action without pressure. • Reposition the 'Save Now' button directly beneath the discount headline with a contrasting color to create a stronger visual hierarchy, currently, the white button on light green lacks enough contrast to draw immediate attention, risking missed conversions.

Colors:
#FFFFFF
#F4A28C
#C8E6C9

8. The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for

8. The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for
8. The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for
Subject: The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for
Objective

This email aims to convert new customers by offering a compelling 50% discount to lower the barrier to trying Smalls cat food, emphasizing affordability and urgency to drive immediate checkout action.

Why this works

The email brilliantly frames the discount not as a sales tactic but as a generous invitation to try the product, using playful cat illustrations and casual language to build emotional connection and reduce perceived risk.

How to implement

By highlighting that a full starter kit can be purchased for under $20, the campaign transforms a large percentage discount into a tangible, budget-friendly benefit that speaks directly to price-sensitive pet owners.

Pro Tip

Add a small countdown timer or urgency indicator near the CTA to reinforce time sensitivity, since the current design lacks any temporal pressure that could nudge hesitant users to act immediately. • Include a single customer testimonial or satisfaction guarantee beneath the offer to build social proof and alleviate concerns about quality, especially since this is a first-time trial incentive for new customers.

Colors:
#C7D8EB
#000000
#FFFFFF

9. The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for

9. The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for
9. The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for
Subject: The moment (aka discount) you’ve been waiting for
Objective

This email aims to convert curious or hesitant customers into first-time buyers by offering an irresistible 50% discount, positioning Smalls as an accessible, playful, and trustworthy choice for cat food. It lowers the barrier to entry with a specific price point example to make the value feel immediate and real.

Why this works

The email uses playful, cat-themed illustrations integrated directly into the discount text to reinforce brand personality while making the offer feel fun and memorable, not just transactional, a smart way to humanize a promotional message.

How to implement

By anchoring the discount to a tangible outcome, 'get Juju started on Smalls for under $20', the email transforms an abstract percentage into a concrete, emotionally resonant benefit that helps hesitant buyers visualize the value of trying the product.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown timer or urgency indicator near the CTA to nudge procrastinators, since the offer is time-sensitive in spirit (even if not stated), adding scarcity would increase conversion without changing the core message. • Include a micro-testimonial or social proof snippet like 'Over 10,000 cats are already loving Smalls' just above the CTA to reduce perceived risk for first-time buyers who may still be skeptical despite the discount.

Colors:
#C8E6C9
#000000
#FFFFFF

10. Nutrition for Cats 🤝 Convenience for You

10. Nutrition for Cats 🤝 Convenience for You
10. Nutrition for Cats 🤝 Convenience for You
Subject: Nutrition for Cats 🤝 Convenience for You
Objective

This email aims to convert cat owners into subscribers by emphasizing personalized nutrition for cats and effortless convenience for humans through a subscription model. It guides users from curiosity to action with a clear, low-commitment onboarding path.

Why this works

The email brilliantly reframes the value proposition around human convenience rather than just pet nutrition, making the emotional hook instantly relatable to busy cat owners who prioritize ease without compromising care.

How to implement

By breaking down the onboarding into three simple, icon-driven steps, Quick Quiz, Sampler, Customize, the campaign reduces perceived complexity and builds trust through transparency in how personalization actually works.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle visual cue or micro-animation near the 'Get Started' CTA in the green section to draw attention and increase click-through, since it’s buried below explanatory text and lacks visual urgency. • Include a short customer testimonial or satisfaction stat (e.g., '92% of cats love their first sampler') under the 'Why Subscribe?' section to reinforce social proof and reduce decision friction.

Colors:
#E8D3B9
#F5F5F5
#B6D7A8