6 New Year newsletter examples that start the year right

If there’s a perfect time to set the tone for your Shopify store, it’s when the calendar changes from one year to the next. Enter the New Year newsletter.

Yes, messages during the final week of December and within January newsletters traditionally contain “Happy New Year” wishes and accompanying sales. But this post-holiday timeframe also presents an opportunity to share bestsellers and stellar reviews, ask for feedback, connect your products to your customers' resolutions, and more.

How can you wrap up the holiday season in a way that suits your brand? To create a New Year newsletter that stands out, you first need to leverage a few foundational elements. Let’s examine them before turning to some of our favorite New Year newsletter ideas from real brands.
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What to put in a New Year newsletter

So, you’re ready to build momentum for the year ahead. It’s easy to assemble a trite “Happy New Year” message. But it’s more impactful to think through how you can use a New Year newsletter to strengthen relationships with subscribers and customers. 

Start by defining your goals. Are you trying to clear out excess holiday inventory? Or do you care more about boosting perceptions of your brand?

Identifying your purpose will naturally guide the messaging route you take. Then, it’s a matter of implementing best email marketing and design practices, including: 

• Captivating subject lines to generate good open rates 
• A clean and visually attractive layout, with crisp product photography 
• Branding elements so there’s no mistaking the email is from your Shopify store
• A strong call to action (CTA) that guides recipients to the next step

If you’re going after sales and feel you need a Shopify discount as bait, then add it.  
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Seguno has professionally designed New Year email templates ready for customization in the Template Store if your focus is a sale or special offer. 

6 New Year newsletter ideas to steal 

If your brain has turned to mush amid the holiday season rush, that’s OK! We’ve got content ideas from real brands to inspire your own New Year newsletter spin. 

We love the six email examples below, but they’re not inclusive of all opportunities. Consider these other ideas to kick your email marketing program off to a fresh start for the new year:   

• Sharing personal New Year resolutions or business goals
• Launching a new product or service
• Shining a light on customers and testimonials through user-generated content (UGC)
• Highligting industry trends or making your own predictions
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New Year newsletter example #1: Review the year like Clare

Sharing your brand's highlights from the past year is an easy way to show new subscribers what makes you great — and affirm the choice of your loyal customers to stick with you. Remind readers of moments like major product releases, sustainability practices, awards and endorsements, and rave reviews. 

Clare places relevant CTA buttons in each section of their message, creating multiple engagement points and opportunities to shop. They end the message perfectly, with a heartfelt “thank HUE” note to their customers — a great New Year newsletter idea for inspiration.

Subject line: Our best moments of 2021!‍

New Year newsletter example #2: Give out your own awards like Lively

Creating superlatives for your brand's best sellers puts a fun end-of-year spin on social proof. Awards like "Top Reviewed" and "Most Requested" show off crowd favorites, while "Best Of" awards help you highlight your product's unique value. 

Lively takes it a step further in this New Year newsletter by using tagged Instagram images for each category (crediting the original poster, of course). It’s an extra touch that connects them to their customers even more. You can’t help but shop to see what the buzz is about.

Subject line: The 2021 Bra Awards (+ Your FREE Gift...)‍

New Year newsletter example #3: Ask for feedback like Mejuri

A simple survey can help you plan for the year ahead by finding out what worked (or what didn’t) last year. Keeping your request short and sweet is critical to getting participation. Readers won’t click if they think it will be a major time investment. 

Mejuri makes it elegant, toasting the new year (while showing off their jewelry–clever!) and inviting us to “shape what comes next.” A single CTA makes it easy to click. Or should we say clink?

Subject line: Can’t wait to hear from you

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New Year newsletter example #4: Solve post-holiday problems like Serena & Lily

Thinking like your customer and putting yourself in their shoes is a great way to create relevant, valuable email content. Here’s an example: after a busy holiday season, not everybody is feeling rested, so sharing products that help customers relax and recharge will feel right on time. 

Serena & Lily alternates lifestyle and product imagery, telling you exactly what you need to relax. They mention their sale on organizing essentials first so customers who are ready to tackle a new project don’t have to scroll. Smart!

Subject line: New Years resolution: Unwind.

New Year newsletter example #5: Help customers keep resolutions like Love Wellness

Making resolutions is a part of every new year, but keeping them is another story! Show your customers exactly what they need to meet their goals this year with a message (or series of messages) positioning your product as the solution. 

Love Wellness offers products that aim to solve a variety of natural problems, but tying those products to their customers’ New Year’s resolutions makes them feel even more meaningful. Adding a relevant customer review and a current promotion creates a seriously clickable message.

Subject line: 2022 gut goals

How are you getting reviews from your customers? If you need a little help, check out our seven best practices for requesting reviews.

New Year newsletter example #6: Thank your customers like Lupii

Making your customers feel as important as they are is always a winning strategy. Lupii says it perfectly in their New Year's email: “Growing a business doesn’t happen without amazing support from customers like you.” Adding your photo and signature makes the message feel even more personal. 

Lupiii shares some highlights from the previous year, but the focus of the New Year newsletter is unmistakable. It’s “Thank You.”

Subject line: We just wanted to say…

Summary

No matter the type of New Year newsletter you use turn the page on 2023, keep the focus of your content on your customer. Paying attention to their needs, helping them achieve their goals, and showing them how much you care are not only great email newsletter ideas for the Near Year, but will drive your success in 2024. And that’s something worth toasting.