Creating a monthly content calendar for your emails can streamline your marketing efforts and ensure you’re consistently engaging your audience. 

In this post, we’ll show you how to set up a content calendar for your email campaigns, complete with a sample calendar for July. Plus, we’ll reference our detailed YouTube video to give you additional insights and tips.

Why You Need a Monthly Content Calendar for Your Emails

A monthly content calendar helps you:

1. Stay Organized: Keep track of what content is going out and when.
2. Maintain Consistency: Ensure regular communication with your audience.
3. Plan Ahead: Align your email content with holidays, events, and promotions.
4. Improve Engagement: Send relevant and timely content to your subscribers.

Steps to Create a Monthly Content Calendar

1. Define Your Goals

Start by identifying the primary goals for your email campaigns. Are you aiming to increase sales, drive website traffic, or boost engagement? Knowing your goals will help shape the content and frequency of your emails. For instance, if your goal is to increase sales, your content might focus on promotional offers and product highlights. Conversely, if engagement is your priority, you might prioritize content that encourages interaction, such as surveys or interactive elements. Clearly defined goals will ensure your efforts are focused and effective.

2. Identify Key Dates and Themes

Look at the calendar for the upcoming month and note any important dates, holidays, or events that you can tie into your email content. For example, in July, you can leverage Independence Day on July 4th to create patriotic-themed emails. Summer themes are also popular, offering a chance to incorporate seasonal products or tips into your content. Mid-year promotions can be timed perfectly in July to capitalize on the back-to-school rush or summer sales. By planning around these dates, your emails will feel timely and relevant.

3. Plan Your Content Types

Decide on the types of content you’ll send. Mix it up with newsletters, promotional emails, educational content, and product updates. 

Newsletters

• Newsletters are great for regular updates and keeping your audience informed about your brand’s latest news. They offer a platform to share company milestones, upcoming events, and significant achievements. Regular newsletters build a sense of community and loyalty among your subscribers, making them feel more connected to your brand. Additionally, they can include curated content like blog highlights or industry news, providing further value. By maintaining a consistent newsletter schedule, you ensure your audience stays engaged and well-informed.

Promotional Emails

• Promotional emails can drive sales by offering special deals and discounts. They are an effective way to boost short-term revenue by creating a sense of urgency with limited-time offers. These emails can highlight exclusive promotions, seasonal sales, or clearance events, encouraging immediate purchases. Including personalized offers based on past purchase behavior can further enhance their effectiveness. By strategically timing promotional emails, you can maximize their impact and keep your audience excited about your products or services.

Educational Content

• Educational content adds value by providing tips, tutorials, or industry insights, helping to establish your brand as a thought leader. This type of content can cover a wide range of topics relevant to your audience’s interests and needs. For example, a software company might share how-to guides on using their products or insights on industry trends. By offering valuable information, you not only help your audience solve problems but also build trust and credibility. Educational emails can also include webinars, case studies, or whitepapers, offering deeper learning opportunities.

Product Updates

• Product updates keep your audience in the loop about new releases or improvements. These emails inform subscribers about the latest features, enhancements, or new products available. Regular product updates ensure that your customers are aware of the benefits and improvements in your offerings, which can lead to increased satisfaction and loyalty. Highlighting how these updates solve specific pain points or enhance user experience can drive engagement and interest. Keeping your audience informed about product evolution fosters a stronger connection and encourages ongoing use or repurchase.

4. Schedule Your Emails

Determine how often you want to email your subscribers. A good starting point might be weekly newsletters, bi-weekly promotional emails, and monthly educational content. This schedule ensures that your audience receives a consistent flow of information without feeling overwhelmed. Weekly newsletters keep your brand top-of-mind, while bi-weekly promotions offer regular incentives to purchase. Monthly educational content provides deeper value and learning opportunities. Adjust the frequency based on your audience’s preferences and engagement levels to find the sweet spot that works best for your brand.

Example Content Calendar for July

Here are some examples of what your July email content calendar might look like:

July 1st – Canada Day

On July 1st, Canadians from coast to coast celebrate Canada Day. This day commemorates the historic moment in 1867 when the Constitution Act united three provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada—into one nation, creating the Canada we know today. It’s a day filled with patriotism, festivities, and a deep appreciation for the country’s rich heritage.

• Newsletter Idea: Show your Canadian subscribers some love! If you have a good number of Canadians on your email list, use dynamic content to send them a personalized offer exclusively for them 🍁

Retail company, Jack & Jones, celebrate Canadians across the globe by offering an exclusive Canada Day deal on all clothing items.

Image credit: Jack & Jones

July 4th – Independence Day

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a cherished federal holiday in the United States that marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with a vibrant array of festivities. The skies light up with spectacular fireworks displays, filling neighborhoods with bursts of color and sound. Friends and families gather for backyard BBQs, grilling up classic favorites like hot dogs and hamburgers. Beyond the BBQs and fireworks, the day is also filled with a variety of fun summer activities. From parades featuring patriotic floats and marching bands to community fairs offering games and rides, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this festive holiday.

• Newsletter Idea: Give your subscribers everything they need for an unforgettable Fourth of July weekend. From local events, must-have supplies, mouth-watering themed recipes, and more. Provide your subscribers with all the essentials covered for a perfect celebration and even throw in a promotion for extra fireworks!

Pool furniture company, Ledge, offers a look into what pool accessories are a must not only for the summer but also for your long weekend celebrating Independence Day! 

Image credit: Milled

July 25th – Christmas in July

Christmas in July is a festive celebration that brings the joy and spirit of Christmas to the summer months. Originating as a fun way to break up the year and enjoy some holiday cheer outside of the traditional winter season, it’s celebrated in various ways across the globe.

• Newsletter Idea: Bring festive cheer to the summer heat by offering exclusive mid-year discounts, highlighting unique summer-themed holiday recipes, and suggesting fun activities that blend the best of both seasons.

Craftsy, an online resource for all creative makers, offers a huge sale on their yearly subscription to get you in the holiday spirit! 

Image credit: Aftership

July 29th-31st – End of Summer

The end of summer marks the transition from the warm, leisurely days of the summer season to the cooler, more structured days of autumn. It signifies the winding down of summer vacations, outdoor festivals, and beach outings. Students prepare to return to school, and families often take one last trip or hold a final barbecue to savor the remaining days of warmth and freedom. 

• Newsletter Idea: End of Summer newsletters could feature last-minute getaway ideas, special discounts on summer essentials, and tips for smoothly transitioning your wardrobe and home decor to fall.

Peace Coffee keeps the summer vibes going in their email by adding in a unique Spotify playlist with songs to help subscribers chill and relax while drinking their coffee and continuing to enjoy the summer sunshine!

Image Credit: Peace Coffee

Tips for Effective Email Campaigns

• Personalize Your Emails: Use your subscribers’ names and segment your list to send targeted content.
• Use Engaging Subject Lines: Make them catchy and relevant to increase open rates.
• Include Clear CTAs: Tell your readers exactly what you want them to do next.
• Analyze and Adjust: Track your email performance and tweak your strategy based on what works best.

Watch Our YouTube Video for More Insight!

For a step-by-step walkthrough on creating a monthly content calendar, check out our YouTube video. It’s packed with additional tips and examples to help you get started.

Wrapping Up

Creating a monthly content calendar for your emails can significantly enhance your email marketing strategy. By planning ahead and staying organized, you’ll ensure that your content is timely, relevant, and engaging for your audience. Don’t forget to watch our YouTube video for a deeper dive into the process!