6 themes to fuel October newsletter ideas
If September was a time to start refining and ramping up newsletters, October has plenty of ecommerce events to continue the momentum.
Choose from a handful of festivities and observances to build rapport with and engage subscribers. Our six October newsletter ideas will rev up your Shopify store’s email marketing program and get it primed for the holiday shopping sprint ahead.
#1 Squeeze in Halloween newsletters
Halloween has been on the radar since our August newsletter ideas blog post, but there’s an entire month left to embrace it.
Speak to the folks immersed in a costume-finding mission, tired of their decor, or planning a bash. Or, take creative liberties and channel the spooky season vibes like many of the email examples below.
Be a solution provider, like IKG
You should always strive to present your products as your customers’ remedy. We like how IKG Hair rises to the challenge of recreating iconic hairstyles.
Elements that contribute to conversions:
- Multiple calls to action (CTAs) — one that directs subscribers to a browsable collection and others directed to specific styling products
- Tying products to real examples for inspiration
Have fun with a product release, like Top of the Mornin Coffee
We appreciate a well-executed campaign that marries multiple emails with a consistent message and visual theme.
Better yet? A product launch campaign that harnesses the spirit of the season. Top of the Mornin Coffee nails it.
Why this campaign will have long-term benefits:
- Email #1 doesn’t just build hype; early access signup creates a new segment for future targeting
- Email #2 cuts to the chase and announces the limited-edition brew
- Email #3 sets the stage for future product releases by emphasizing the need to act quickly on limited editions
Defy the norm, like Sunday Citizen
There’s something incomparable about off-the-beaten-path emails that make you do a double-take.
Sunday Citizen surprises and delights with its “Halloween night-in” suggestions. The unexpected approach makes it one of our favorite October newsletter ideas.
Here’s proof that you can weave a Halloween narrative and relate, no matter your products.
Offer something of value, like VoChill
We couldn’t resist featuring one final Halloween email to illustrate out-of-the-box thinking. Check out the spin from VoChill, a company that makes wine chillers.
When you stray from sales-focused messaging to feature educational or valuable content, you captivate interest and earn points for serving as a helpful resource.
October Halloween email subject lines
👻 Boo-Yah! Get ___% off
Open for scary good deals
🎃 Halloween flash sale: 24 hours only!
Spooktacular ____ just for you
This Halloween deal vanishes at midnight
We got you, boo!
Something spooky is coming 😱
#2 Steer early holiday shoppers with a gift guide
Waiting until Black Friday to tout your Shopify store as a destination is too late. According to a Gartner study, 32% of consumers plan to begin holiday shopping between July and October.
Plant the seed in October with a gift guide, like the example from Splendid.
Splendid organizes its suggestions by theme to help shoppers find options faster:
- Gifts under $99
- Best-selling products
- Product categories (cashmere and sleepwear)
This approach embodies the true essence of a gift guide: a carefully curated collection of recommendations rather than a random assortment of products.
Gift guide email subject lines
Gifting season starts now
🎁 Our ultimate holiday gift guide
Gifting, simplified
Open for holiday gift ideas 💡
💫 Make wish lists come true
Find inspo with our gift guide
#3 Tout a sale alongside Amazon Prime’s event
A list of October newsletter ideas wouldn’t be complete without Amazon’s October Prime Day sale. Prime Big Deal Days 2024 takes place on Oct. 8 and 9.
As we advocated in our July newsletter ideas post, advertise if you’re participating in the official event.
Consider launching a promotional campaign on your site, too. If you do, communicate any pricing promotions that are valid strictly on your storefront. For example, the brand Angry Orange tucks it into the end of the email.
What makes this email click-worthy:
- The headline is enticing — we couldn’t resist reading the copy that followed
- Product recommendations are brought to life with playful descriptions and solution-focused CTAs
Prime Big Deal Days email subject lines
Up to __% off on Amazon!
Our best Amazon deals 🎉
It’s Prime Time to ____
Prime savings are here
Hot deals 🔥 for Prime Day
Prime Day, fall edition
#4 Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The American Cancer Society cites that breast cancer is the second-most common cancer in American women and accounts for about 30% of new female cancer diagnoses every year.
Those stats help explain why October’s traditional orange and black palette now includes pink. Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become a fall staple.
While there’s room for brand promotion, let the cause take center stage and motivate your efforts and message. Here are a few ideas:
- Partner with a breast cancer non-profit or research entity and donate a percentage of October sales to it
- Sell a limited-edition breast cancer awareness product, with partial proceeds designated for an organization
- Advocate yearly screenings and educate about early detection
- Share stories of breast cancer survivors who have a relationship with your brand
The October newsletter idea from Owl’s Brew is a fantastic example of cause marketing.
Why this is impactful:
- Products make a cameo, but the star is the Keep a Breast Foundation
- The brand commits to making monetary donations tied to social media activity, not sales
Owl Brew’s approach creates goodwill. It’s purely altruistic versus opportunistic and, therefore, a fantastic way to build trust.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month email subject lines
Join the fight, wear pink! 🎀
🩷 Pink October is here
Shop for a cause 🛍️
Will you help us find a cure for breast cancer?
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
#5 Help with the transition to sweater weather
Seasonal transitions are always grounds for Shopify brands to connect with and assist customers.
Now is the time to spotlight your cool-to-cold essentials — especially if you’re a fashion brand — and anything your customers need or want for the chillier months ahead. Think coats, hats, boots, and all things layering.
In the example below, LAKE focuses on one product category.
What makes this convert:
- The eye-catching GIF provides a peek at the inventory and includes a CTA for quick access to the entire collection
- Product recommendations get a boost from a short description, a pair of product photos, and a direct link to the specific product page
“Sweater Weather” email subject lines
Layers for the season 🍂
Cozy looks for cooler weather
Hello, Sweater Weather
Cold-weather comforts ☕
Beat the chill with ___% off
🍂❄️ Fall styles for winter weather 🍂❄️
#6 Celebrate Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah marks the Jewish New Year, running from sundown Oct. 2 through nightfall Oct. 4. It’s a time for prayer, reflection, and festive meals.
It’s also an opportunity for brands to be part of special memories while forging a deeper connection. Brands in the food, kitchen and decor space are ideal for this type of October newsletter idea.
A common approach is to provide product recommendations for a beautiful tablescape. Hudson Grace follows the playbook in the email example below.
If you use this religious observance as a springboard, just be mindful to pay proper respects.
Rosh Hashanah email subject lines
Dining table essentials for the Jewish New Year
The Rosh Hashanah Edit 🍎🍯
Celebrate a Sweet New Year with ___% off
Our favorite recipe for Rosh Hashanah
5 tips for setting the perfect Rosh Hashanah table
Enhance your October newsletters with Seguno
From Halloween newsletters to recognizing Rosh Hashanah celebrations, October offers multiple chances to interact with subscribers.
Seguno has professionally designed, customizable templates to quicken the creative process:
Decide which October newsletter ideas will resonate with your audience and get cracking.
create, manage, and track your email marketing—without leaving Shopify.
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