10 Types of Visuals That Actually Make Your Emails Work in 2025

Email marketing still delivers one of the highest ROIs in digital marketing, no arguments there. But if you’re only sending walls of text, you’re leaving results on the table. A well-crafted email with no visuals is like a sandwich without the filling. Technically complete, but no one’s excited to bite into it.

Here’s the reality: most emails don’t get read. They get skimmed, ignored, or deleted. But when the right visuals are used, the entire experience changes. Suddenly, people pause. They absorb. They remember. They act.

This guide walks you through 10 kinds of visuals that don’t just make your emails look better — they make them work better. The kind that leads to more opens, more clicks, and more conversions without feeling like you’re trying too hard.

Because in 2025, visuals aren’t decoration. They’re strategy.

Why Visuals Matter More Than Ever

Think about the last email you clicked on. Chances are it had something that stood out — an image, a diagram, a clean layout that felt easy to engage with. Emails that lack visuals feel dated and heavy. Most people close them before the second paragraph.

The modern audience expects more. Not more words — more clarity, more energy, and more relevance. Good visuals create that. They carry the message faster than any sentence can, and they do it in a way that’s easier to remember.

But here’s the catch: not all visuals are worth using. The right visual is visible, clear, and aligned with the point you’re trying to make. If it doesn’t add meaning or drive the message forward, it doesn’t belong.

In the next section, you’ll get the 10 visual types that will elevate your email marketing without looking forced or fake. Ready? Let’s go.

1. Images That Actually Make People Stop Scrolling

There’s a big difference between emails people open and emails people actually read. Want yours to land in the second category? Start using images that stop the scroll.

Text-only emails feel like homework. Nobody signs up for that. But drop in a great image — the kind that feels intentional, personal, maybe even a little unexpected — and suddenly your message has gravity. It pulls people in.

The best part? You don’t need a Hollywood budget to make this work. With most modern email platforms offering HTML editing and design tools, you can easily insert high-res images, stylize your layouts, and keep things feeling fresh.

And no, we’re not talking stock photos of handshakes and sunsets. Think personality. Think relevance. One blogger once shared a photo of her sock drawer in a niche site newsletter. It made zero sense… until it did. The image told a story. It showed she was human. That sock drawer got more attention than her headline — and it kept readers hooked all the way through.

When done right, images aren’t just decoration. They’re magnets. Whether you snap a quick pic yourself or use AI tools like Midjourney or Jasper Art, the goal is always the same: make your message visual enough to matter.

2. Infographics That Do the Talking (and Sell Without Selling)

Sometimes words aren’t enough — or worse, they’re too much. That’s where infographics come in swinging.

Smart brands aren’t flooding inboxes with essays anymore. They’re delivering bite-sized brilliance with visuals that explain, persuade, and build trust — all in one glance. Infographics cut through complexity and give your audience the TL;DR without sacrificing value.

SaaS companies figured this out early. One brand promoting its shiny new chatbot for Instagram didn’t just say what it could do — it showed it. Workflow diagrams, feature callouts, usage stats — it was all packaged into one crisp graphic that made everything click instantly. No fluff. No confusion. Just clarity.

And here’s the thing — you don’t need a design team to pull this off. If you’ve got survey results, case study stats, or even just a clever idea, you can spin up a clean, branded infographic using one of a thousand free templates online. Customize, export, drop it in your email, done.

The result? Your campaign looks sharp, your point lands fast, and your credibility climbs without you having to oversell anything.

3. Video Content That Gets People to Watch, Click, and Share

In the world of email marketing, video isn’t just a nice add-on — it’s the heavyweight champ of engagement.

People are wired to watch. That’s why YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram are swimming in billions of views every single month. So when your email lands in someone’s inbox with a video that looks genuinely interesting? You’ve got their attention on lock.

Whether it’s a quick demo showing off a feature, a behind-the-scenes look at your product, or a simple explainer to solve a real-world problem, videos get the job done faster and stick longer in your audience’s brain. And when they enjoy what they see, they don’t just click — they share. That’s how you turn one email into ten.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a film crew to make this work. Most email platforms today support embedding videos, whether they’re hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia. YouTube tends to perform best — people already know how to navigate it, and the platform gives you the bonus of driving extra traffic back to your channel.

In short, video makes your email marketing feel less like marketing and more like a conversation your audience actually wants to have.

4. Use Illustrations to Make Complex Ideas Feel Simple

Not every concept needs a chart, a talking head, or a flashy image. Sometimes, the clearest way to explain something is with a clever illustration.

When done right, illustrations aren’t just decorative. They tell a story. They break down a big idea into something visual and digestible — which is exactly what most people need when reading emails in the middle of their busy day.

Think of it as a shortcut to understanding. While some people love reading every word, many just want the TL;DR. A well-placed illustration acts like a visual guide, nudging the reader in the right direction without overwhelming them.

You don’t need to overthink it. A hand-drawn sketch, a stylized diagram, even a digital collage — if it helps land your point faster, it belongs in your next email campaign.

Email marketing in 2025 is about showing, not just telling. And illustrations? They do both — cleanly, creatively, and with just enough charm to make your message memorable.

5. Add GIFs That Actually Move the Needle

Want to make your emails feel alive? Add a GIF.

In a sea of static inboxes, movement stands out. GIFs grab attention instantly, pulling the eye toward whatever you want your audience to notice first — whether it’s a call-to-action, a new product, or a gentle nudge to explore a link.

Case in point: a recent email I got from Fiverr. They were pushing out updates to their affiliate commission structure, and instead of a long-winded breakdown, they just dropped a GIF that explained the new flow in seconds. No scroll required. No confusion. The visual did all the talking.

That’s the beauty of using GIFs in email marketing — they’re fast, fun, and sneakily effective.

Just keep them lightweight. A GIF that’s under 1MB loads smoothly, plays instantly, and keeps your emails snappy. Tools like Giphy or Ezgif make it ridiculously easy to create or customize your own.

If you’re not using GIFs yet, you’re missing a simple trick that can turn static emails into dynamic experiences.

6. Emojis: The Tiny Symbols That Pack a Big Punch

You might think emojis are just for text messages, but they’re secretly one of the sharpest tools in modern email marketing.

Drop one into a subject line and suddenly your email doesn’t just blend in — it pops. That tiny icon adds flavor, emotion, and urgency without taking up any real space. When used right, emojis drive opens and clicks faster than the most clever copy ever could.

Think of them like seasoning. Not the main ingredient, but a sprinkle of the right one can make the whole thing more appetizing.

Whether it’s a gift emoji for a surprise offer or a flame for a limited-time deal, emojis guide the reader’s emotions. But here’s the catch: they only work when they make sense. Don’t jam one in just to be cute — use them to support your message.

Most email platforms already have emoji tools built in, so there’s no excuse. Add one, test the results, and watch how even the tiniest graphic can shape the way your audience responds.

7. Customer Testimonials: Visual Proof That Converts Skeptics

Let’s be honest — people don’t trust brands by default anymore. They trust people. Real ones. That’s where testimonials come in hot.

A well-placed customer quote in your email does more than add credibility — it silences doubts. It tells your reader, “Hey, this actually works,” without you having to say it yourself.

You’ve probably seen this done well. Adam Enfroy, for example, added a testimonial in one of his course promo emails. It wasn’t a long sales pitch. It was a simple screenshot of a happy buyer explaining how the course paid off. That subtle nudge was enough to tip the fence-sitters into action.

Testimonials are like social proof in a frame. They work especially well during promo periods, course launches, product drops — any time you’re asking your audience to commit.

And collecting them? Easier than most think. Ask your customers for honest feedback — whether it’s in a private group, a DMs exchange, or a quick email thread. Find the good ones, screenshot them, and place them where they matter most: right inside your campaign.

Because in the world of email marketing, nothing builds trust faster than a fellow customer saying, “This was worth it.”

8. Image Maps: Make Every Click Count

Static images are fine. But clickable images? Now you’re cooking with gas.

Image maps let you turn one single image into multiple clickable hotspots. It’s like giving your reader a visual roadmap — where every section leads to something useful. Want them to buy the jacket, the shoes, or the whole outfit? Make it happen in one clean shot.

This isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a slick way to create interactive product catalogs, highlight specific offers, or even showcase store locations — all without overwhelming your reader.

If you’re running a product-heavy campaign, image maps are your new best friend. They keep the email compact, stylish, and intuitive. The reader doesn’t need to scroll through 15 links — they just click what catches their eye.

Done right, this tactic turns your visuals into conversion machines. Clean, clickable, and ridiculously effective.

9. User-Generated Content: Let Your Customers Do the Bragging

Sometimes the best marketing isn’t the stuff you create — it’s what your customers say about you when you’re not in the room.

User-generated content (UGC) is like word of mouth in screenshot form. It shows your product or service out in the real world, solving real problems, being loved by real people. And when you include it in your marketing campaign, it stops being just social proof — it becomes a spotlight.

The thing is, most brands sleep on this. They wait for polished feedback or obsess over crafting perfect copy, while gold is sitting on their Instagram mentions. Someone tags your product in a story? That’s UGC. A customer posts a before-and-after on Facebook? That’s content worth sharing.

Use social listening tools to spot the good stuff, reach out if needed, and plug it right into your next email. It’s organic, it’s honest, and it’s got the one thing money can’t buy — authenticity.

10. Screenshots: Show, Don’t Just Tell

Let’s talk about comparisons. Because your readers are definitely making them.

When someone gets your email, they’re already sizing you up against the competition. That’s why screenshots are one of the most underrated visuals in your marketing arsenal. They don’t hype — they prove.

Maybe you’ve rolled out a killer new feature. Maybe your dashboard is cleaner, your tool faster, or your user interface light-years ahead of what’s out there. Instead of telling your readers how great it is, just show them. A single screenshot with a quick caption can do more than a paragraph of sales copy ever could.

Screenshots also create transparency. You’re not promising the moon — you’re giving people a clear view of what they’ll actually get. And in a world full of exaggerated claims, that honesty stands out.

Whether it’s a sneak peek, a performance graph, or a side-by-side comparison, put it front and center. Your audience doesn’t want more words. They want clarity. Give it to them — visually.

Final Thoughts: Make Visuals Your Secret Weapon in Email Marketing

If you want to win at email marketing in 2025, stop thinking of visuals as decorations. They’re not the garnish — they’re the flavor.

From sharp screenshots and scroll-stopping images to animated GIFs and real customer feedback, visuals turn passive readers into active, engaged humans who click, share, and convert.

The strategy is simple: use the right visual at the right moment, and your emails won’t just be opened — they’ll be remembered. Great marketing is part storytelling, part psychology, and part design. And visuals are what tie it all together.

So go beyond the text. Create experiences. Build trust. And show your audience exactly why you’re the best solution in their inbox.