A Simple Guide on How to Confirm an Email

They’re part of the modern digital landscape, but the implementation behind the modern confirmation email remains a mystery to many.

On the surface, these campaigns seem like little more than formalities. For some businesses, confirmation messages have functional purposes. That handy appointment confirmation email your doctor sends you is an example of such content. Similarly, your boss might send you a meeting confirmation email. When traveling, you might even get a reservation confirmation email!

There are also interaction-based email confirmations sent to consumers at specific points within your sales funnel. These emails don’t usually have an appointment date or event details. Instead, they confirm contact details or order status.

What Is a Confirmation Email?

As a business owner, confirmation emails may be a confusing topic.

Many businesses get caught up in the behind-the-scenes specifics. Eventually, they’ll disregard the utility of a confirmation email, deeming it too bothersome to implement.

I’m here to help you overcome that hurdle!

And I’ll start with the basics.

Email confirmations are any message informing a user of the results of their interaction with a business. It’s an exceedingly broad definition, covering multiple subsets of email marketing campaigns. So, I’ll break it down even more.

There are three types of confirmation emails, each with its own purpose:

• Booking confirmation emails are scheduling aids. While they often overlap with post-purchase campaigns, they have slightly more depth and interactivity. These emails will often include useful links for clients seeking clarification or further assistance.
• Post-purchase emails reaffirm a user’s financial investment. Digital receipts and shipment updates are often sorted into this category.
• Verification emails confirm a user’s contact details. They’re most often seen in systems with double opt-in implemented.

The Booking Confirmation Email

So, start at the top!

A booking confirmation email is a commonly used tactic to help businesses stay organized. On the surface, they look like simple follow-ups. However, these practical email campaigns also contain relevant information for clients and consumers.

I won’t say it’s impossible for a standard B2C commerce brand to need booking confirmations. However, most booking emails are sent by B2B and B2C service providers. Dentists, doctors, hoteliers, and lawyers frequently use this subset of confirmation emails.

Examples of Appointment Confirmation Emails

This is the most expansive category of confirmation emails. It would be impossible to list every possible example, so I’ll keep things short!

Below, you’ll find a very brief list of booking-style confirmation emails.

• Appointment confirmations (frequently used by service providers, such as tax professionals)
• Interview confirmation messages (handy additions to any recruiter’s arsenal)
• Meeting confirmation emails (commonly used in business settings)
• Reservation confirmation emails (a staple in the travel industry)

The Anatomy of an Appointment Confirmation Email

I’m sure you’ve noticed a trend.

From an automation perspective, appointment confirmations require a bit of behind-the-scenes magic.

These emails must have a clear CTA button for users to solidify their commitment, and that link must be specific to their appointment. You must also include clear instructions for users to follow. Failing to implement these measures (or improper implementation) will have a negative impact on a business and its customer relationships.

Structurally, they must include all relevant information. The specifics vary, but your standardized appointment confirmation email template will include:

• A detailed schedule with the appointment time and date
• A link to request additional information or voice concerns
• A link to verify the appointment or booking
• Notification of any additional necessary details
• Proper names and relevant contact details
• The event name (e.g., business contact, hotel, or venue)

The Post-Purchase Confirmation Email

While this category may overlap with appointment confirmation emails, it often stands on its own.

Post-purchase confirmation campaigns are most commonly used within consumer and retail settings. Think of these emails as a digital receipt. They confirm a user’s purchase and reassure consumers.

This is the least expansive of confirmation email categories, so I won’t need a dedicated examples section! Most of these messages are one of two things:

• Order Confirmation Email: This is your standardized digital receipt. It should include the order number and tracking number.
• Post-Purchase Follow-Up: These emails may double as drip campaigns. They may reiterate any previous information and build upon it, adding exciting details about the soon-to-be-delivered order.

The Anatomy of an Order Confirmation Email

I’ve already established that any message confirming an order should include relevant tracking information. For many businesses, this is the full extent of the campaign. After all, how much more information does a customer need!?

However, I encourage every business to take a long look at their confirmation email open rates!

These campaigns are always high performers. So, why not use that success? Add additional information to the email copy and encourage upselling! Provide details about your business mission to win some trust and credibility.

Think beyond the basic function of an email and write an order confirmation email that new subscribers will love!

The Verification Link Confirmation Email

Finally, I want to address the elephant in the room.

You’ve all been thinking about it!

Email verification campaigns are part of modern double opt-in systems. They’re the first safeguard against unnecessary expenditure and poor deliverability.

The Function of a Verification Link

Let me explain.

You pay to send emails. Every message costs something, even if it’s a fraction of a cent. It won’t matter if you have a handful of email addresses, but the cost rises as your subscriber list grows. So, too, does your liability.

As you amass subscribers, you’ll find yourself drowning in account details. The two-step opt-in process that powers modern verification emails is one of many tools to help you manage that data. Yes, it limits the reach of your list. However, it limits it to truly interested customers! It also protects your business from unwanted spam traps that lower your reputation and harm your marketing efforts.

The Anatomy of a Subscription Confirmation Email

A subscription confirmation email only needs one thing. That verification link is your customer’s key to an ongoing business relationship. Don’t settle on a lackluster CTA button! Take time and develop a genuinely engaging call to action.

That doesn’t need to be the end, though. You can always add more content to your subscription confirmation email template.

Many businesses use these emails as promotional real estate, including elements such as:

• Business goals and stories
• Digital event invitations
• Exclusive discount codes

You can also extend your subscription confirmation campaigns into full-blown flows. This means you’ll have a series of welcome emails to help new subscribers acclimate to your brand’s goals and products.

Improve Your Email Marketing

Regardless of how your business operates, you’ll need a partner. You need someone to know when to send emails and how to find the right recipients. More importantly, you need someone with the know-how to write a confirmation email that seals the deal for the next purchase.

You need The Email Marketers!

My team of hand-picked pros knows the ins and outs of this industry. We understand the complexities and challenges of email copy, and we’ll write a confirmation email for you. You won’t have to worry about anything. We’ll handle it all.

We’ll even handle all those other pesky email marketing campaigns, too. Schedule a free consultation to see how we can amplify the marketing for your company! And — while you wait for that date you made with my company — feel free to learn more about email marketing by browsing the rest of my blog.