Dopamine Drip Campaigns

Howdy readers 🥰

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

🚀 Dopamine-Driven Email Hacks: Turn Subscribers into Players & 3X Engagement

📲 Mastering Instagram in 2025: Image Sizes & Story Ranking

📌 Ad of the Day

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🚀 Dopamine-Driven Email Hacks: Turn Subscribers into Players & 3X Engagement

Most email campaigns fail because they ignore how modern brains crave dopamine—like in mobile games. Apps like TikTok and Candy Crush hook users with streaks, surprise rewards, and social competition, while emails stay static. 

The result? 84% of campaigns lose engagement after Day 3 as per Omnisend. To fix this, you must gamify your email flows and turn subscribers into active participants.

1️⃣ Streak Emails: Activate the “Sunk Cost” Effect

People hate breaking progress streaks. Use a 7-day email sequence where each opened email unlocks rewards (e.g., Day 3: secret product access; Day 7: lifetime free shipping). Klaviyo’s goal-based automation helps track participation. Enhance engagement with UGC—like “Day X” selfies from customers.

Example: Beardbrand’s 5-day streak campaign boosted open rates by 62% by Day 5 and increased repeat purchases by 28% as per Klaviyo.

2️⃣ UGC “Boss Battles”: Leverage Social Proof

Make customers part of a collective mission. Example: “Help us hit 1,000 reviews! Post a video with #EpicWin to unlock 20% off for everyone.” Keep users updated on progress (“738/1,000! Keep going!”). Reward top contributors with mystery gifts.

Example: Gymshark’s #Gymshark66 UGC challenge led to 100,000+ submissions and a 30% sales boost (Gymshark).

Hack: Need top-tier UGC creators fast? Insense helps brands find vetted influencers in 48 hours across 20+ countries.

3️⃣ Slot Machine Subject Lines: Trigger Curiosity Loops

Unpredictable rewards spike dopamine 3x more than predictable ones. Try subject lines like “🎰 Spin to Win: Open in 4 Hours for a Surprise” or “3 Customers Won Free Products Today—Will You?”. AI tools like Phrasee can A/B test variants for max impact.

Example: ASOS increased open rates by 42% and clicks by 17% using curiosity-driven subject lines.

4️⃣ The Progress Bar Effect: Completion Bias in Action

Progress bars boost engagement by 22%. Use tactics like “70% to Free Shipping—Add $15 to Unlock” or “4/5 Stamps Collected—Reply for a Bonus” to make emails feel like a game.

Example: Sephora’s Beauty Insider program increased retention by 20% with progress bars.

Final Takeaway:

Your CRM isn’t just a mailing list—it’s a game engine. Start small: add a streak email to your welcome series, track engagement, and then expand into boss battles and progress bars. The future of email isn’t about selling—it’s about creating addictive experiences.

Want the exact email templates? Reply with “Dopamine Hacks” and we’ll send them for free!

📲 Mastering Instagram in 2025: Image Sizes & Story Ranking
Insights from Social Media Today

Optimizing your content for Instagram in 2025 means aligning with the latest image dimensions and understanding how Stories are ranked. Instagram has updated its specs for carousel posts, Reels, and Stories while also revealing key factors that influence Story reach.

The Breakdown:

• Image Dimensions: Carousel posts should be 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px), Reels and Stories are best at 9:16 (1080 x 1920 px), but key content should be centered to avoid UI cropping.
  
• Story Ranking is Engagement-Driven: Instagram prioritizes tap-through rate, likes, and replies when determining how often a Story appears to users. Encouraging direct engagement, such as reactions or message replies, can keep your content in rotation.
  
• Stories Are for Your Most Loyal Audience: Unlike Feed posts designed for discovery, Stories focus on engaging your existing audience with real-time, behind-the-scenes content. Frequent interactions with your Stories increase the chances of your next Story appearing first in their feed.

Instagram’s updates reinforce that success in 2025 is about both format and engagement. Ensuring your visuals meet platform specs while actively driving interactions can significantly improve your content’s reach and performance.

🎥 Ad of the Day

What Works:

The headline "2025 IS THE YEAR I SAID GOODBYE TO UNCOMFORTABLE SWIMWEAR" taps into a universal pain point—uncomfortable swimwear, giving them a solution.

The size-inclusive range (XXS-4XL) paired with the "woman-owned" label positions the brand as socially conscious and inclusive, aligning perfectly with modern consumer values.

The use of icons to emphasize unique features—"dig-free," "elastic-free," "size inclusive," and "woman-owned"—makes the ad highly scannable.

What Could Be Better:

While the ad is clear, it could lean further into storytelling by showcasing a "before and after" narrative of someone struggling with uncomfortable swimwear, which would drive relatability and further engagement.

Broader Insights:

The clean layout with clearly segmented information ensures the ad communicates its key points efficiently, catering to both fast-scrolling users and detail-oriented buyers.

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