Monthly Email Planner: October Edition [2024]

As September ends, October rolls in with a whole bunch of opportunities—perfect for getting ahead before the end-of-year rush.

While Halloween is the main highlight of the month, focusing only on spooky festivities means you could be missing out. October is packed with other holidays and special days that can help you connect with your audience in new and exciting ways.

That’s where our October email planner comes in. In this edition, we’ll guide you through making the most of this profitable month, with tips for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Columbus Day, World Mental Health Day, and of course, Halloween.

To set you up for success, we’ll also give you tips on crafting the perfect Halloween campaign, along with some pre-made templates to save time.

October Email Planner Overview: What to Send

To make the most of October, we’ve carefully selected some key holidays and international/national days you should focus on.

Here’s a brief overview:

1. Oktoberfest: Late September to early October (date varies)
2. Autumn sales: Throughout October
3. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Throughout October
4. Halloween campaigns: Throughout October
5. World Teachers’ Day: October 5
6. World Mental Health Day: October 10
7. Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
8. Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Second Monday in October
9. World Food Day: October 16

With your email marketing calendar in hand, let’s see how to plan your campaigns in more detail.

1. Oktoberfest Celebrations

Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, kicks off in late September and continues into early October.

This festive occasion will let you engage your audience with themed promotions, whether you’re in the food, beverage, or event planning industry.

Email campaign: Build excitement with a series of emails highlighting Oktoberfest-themed offers, such as discounts on beer, traditional German food, or party supplies. If your business aligns with cultural events, consider creating content celebrating the festival’s traditions.

When to send: You may have already started sending campaigns in late September when Oktoberfest begins. Now, you can continue through early October to keep the momentum going.

Subject lines: Use festive language and emojis to capture the Oktoberfest spirit.

• A tradition that never gets old! 🥨 (Red Bull Shop)
• Wurst Year Ever… (Chubbies)
• Raise a Glass to Oktoberfest! 🍺 Exclusive Deals Inside!

Email copy: Emphasize the fun and festivity of the occasion. Also, highlight special deals and encourage your audience to get into the Oktoberfest spirit with your products.

Visuals: Use traditional colors like blue, green, and white, images of beer mugs, pretzels, and other iconic festival symbols.

CTAs: “Shop Oktoberfest Deals,” “Celebrate Now,” “Raise a Glass”

Example: Happy Socks

Here’s how Happy Socks paired Oktoberfest with their product to create a very playful result.

Subject line: The wurst news ever

Further reading: For more inspiration, check out our September email planner where we introduced early Oktoberfest campaign ideas.

2. Autumn Sales

Unlike September’s transitional campaigns, your October email planner should focus on essentials for fall and preparation for the upcoming winter.

This is your time to showcase new collections and products that help your customers embrace the seasonal change.

Email campaign: Highlight fall essentials like warm clothing, home decor, seasonal foods, and anything that evokes the feeling of autumn. Run promos on items that are particularly useful as the weather cools. You can also introduce winter products, such as outerwear, heating solutions, or skincare for colder weather.

When to send: Throughout the month; focus more on mid to late October as customers start thinking about winter.

Subject lines: Use warm and cozy language and visuals to capture fall. Incorporate emojis and phrases that show the change of season and preparation for winter.

• Is Your Skin Ready for Fall? 🍂 (CBD For Life)
• Rake in the Savings 🍁 35% OFF (ModCloth)
• Psst! October’s biggest new books out now 📚 (Penguin Books)

Email copy: Focus on the benefits of your products and how they can help customers make the most of the fall season.

Visuals: Use rich autumnal colors like deep oranges, browns, and gold. Add visuals of pumpkins, falling leaves, cozy home settings, and any imagery that evokes the feeling of autumn.

CTAs: “Shop Fall Essentials,” “Get Ready for Winter,” “Cozy Up Now”

Example: Bath & Body Works

Here’s a great example from Bath & Body Works with fall visuals that match the products.

Also, the email copy uses puns to be more fun while the promotion has a larger font to make it stand out in the middle of the design.

Subject line: Today only! 🍂 $2.99 just blew into Fall Sale…🍂

3. Halloween Campaigns

October is all about Halloween, and your email campaigns should reflect that from start to finish.

The month offers two key phases: the pre-Halloween period, where you help your audience prepare, and Halloween Day, where you can focus on last-minute deals and festive greetings.

By covering both, you can engage your customers throughout the month and maximize the impact of your Halloween marketing.

Pre-Halloween Promotions

Email campaign: Offer tips, guides, and product suggestions to help your audience plan their Halloween celebrations. Whether it’s costume ideas, home decor tips, or recipes for a spooky party, position your brand as a problem-solver.

When to send: Ideally, start in early October and run through mid-month to give your audience time to prepare.

Subject lines: Phrases like “Get Ready for Halloween 🎃” or “Your Halloween Planning Starts Here” work well. Also, don’t forget to add emojis and puns for a fun twist.

• 👻🎃 25% OFF Halloween Styles! + FREE SHIPPING (TOMS)
• Halloween is coming… (Concrete Minerals)
• Need Halloween Inspo? Check Inside (Bellami Hair)

Email copy: Focus on providing value with educational content, such as how-tos, checklists, and early-bird promotions. The goal is to help your audience feel organized and prepared.

Visuals: Use classic Halloween images—jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and autumn leaves—while keeping the tone more about preparation than celebration.

CTAs: “Start Planning,” “Get Ready Now,” “Explore Halloween Ideas”

Example: Coborn’s

This pre-Halloween email from Coborn’s combines fun, spooky recipes with an educational twist, making it ideal for families.

The engaging visuals and content capture the Halloween spirit and help their audience get ready with useful ideas and a themed cooking class.

Subject line: 👻 Let’s Get SPOOKY! 🎃

Further reading: Did you know supermarkets and grocery stores can use email marketing to promote deals and special offers? Check out our grocery store email marketing guide to discover how to do it.

Halloween Day campaigns

Email campaign: On Halloween Day, shift your focus to last-minute deals, special promotions, and festive greetings. Encourage your audience to make those final purchases or take advantage of limited-time offers.

When to send: Send these emails in the last few days leading up to Halloween, with a final push on Halloween Day.

Subject lines: Create a sense of urgency with phrases like “Last Chance for Halloween Deals! 🎃” or “Halloween’s Here—Don’t Miss Out!”

• Trick or treat 🎃 (SUGAR Cosmetics)
• 🦇 Spooky Savings End Soon! 🦇 (CBS For Life)
• 🎃 2-Day Halloween Mega Sale: Up to 75% OFF (Cokodive)

Email copy: Keep the message short and focused on urgency, highlighting the benefits of taking immediate action. Add a festive greeting to get your audience in the Halloween spirit.

Visuals: Use bold Halloween visuals to boost the festive mood—think bright pumpkins, spooky bats, and haunted houses.

CTAs: “Shop Now,” “Get Your Deal,” “Don’t Miss Out”

Example: J. Crew

Below, you can see how J. Crew used vibrant colors and interactive elements to create a captivating Halloween email campaign for their audience.

The dynamic design creates an immersive experience for the subscribers who will be eager to get an extra “31% off” their Halloween shopping.

Subject line: Email exclusive: EXTRA 31% OFF, just for BOO! 👻

4. Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Besides sales and promotions, email marketing can also be a powerful tool for raising awareness and supporting important causes.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to support those affected and raise funds for research. Also, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level, especially with female customers, by promoting meaningful initiatives and partnerships.

Email campaign: Focus on raising awareness, sharing informative content, and encouraging donations or event participation. Highlight partnerships with organizations to support research and consider offering limited-edition products or promotions where a portion of proceeds benefits a breast cancer charity.

When to send: Start your campaign at the beginning of October and maintain momentum throughout the month to keep the cause top of mind.

Subject lines: Use supportive language to draw attention to the importance of the cause.

• Last Day: Shop & Support (BIKO)
• Breast Cancer Awareness ◆ Celebrate the Fighters (Wendell August Forge)
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month 💕 (EM Cosmetics)

Email copy: Share facts about breast cancer, survivor stories, and details on how your brand contributes to the cause. The tone should be sincere and focused on the positive impact your brand and customers can make together.

Visuals: Use soft colors, especially pink, associated with breast cancer awareness. Include visuals like pink ribbons or cause-related imagery and ensure product promotions are tastefully added.

CTAs: “Support the Cause,” “Learn More,” “Shop for a Cure”

Example: Sigma Beauty

Sigma Beauty has created a beautiful campaign with a limited-edition product set where 20% of proceeds will be donated to The Pink Fund.

The design uses the pink theme to align with the cause and encourage meaningful purchases.

Subject line: Pretty In Pink Exclusive Set 🎀 💗

Further reading: For more tips, strategies, and ideas consult our email marketing guide for beauty brands.

5. World Teachers’ Day

World Teachers’ Day, celebrated on October 5th, is another great addition to your October email planner.

You can run promotions to celebrate teachers and offer your customers thoughtful gift options. If your brand has leftover back-to-school inventory, this is an ideal time to clear out stock while supporting a worthy cause.

Email campaign: Highlight special offers on teacher-related products, such as classroom supplies, books, or appreciation gifts. Florists can promote flower arrangements specifically designed for teachers.

When to send: Start your campaign in late September and continue through October to capture early and last-minute shoppers.

Subject lines: Use meaningful words and phrases like “Celebrate World Teachers’ Day” or “Thank a Teacher with Our Special Offers.”

• Celebrate Teacher’s Day with BLK & Bold 📚 (BLK & Bold)
• Gifts For Teachers (John’s Socks)
• 30% off for teachers (Rothy’s)

Email copy: Focus on the importance of teachers and the role they play in shaping the future. Emphasize how your products can help customers show appreciation and make thoughtful suggestions.

Visuals: Use images related to teaching like books, apples, and chalkboards. For florists, incorporate beautiful flower arrangements that are perfect for gifting.

CTAs: “Shop Teacher Gifts,” “Show Your Appreciation,” “Celebrate Teachers”

Example: SoYoung

Here’s a great Teachers’ Day email marketing campaign from SoYoung that offers practical gifts teachers can use beyond the classroom, moving away from clichéd options.

The elegant email design and clear CTA encourage customers to celebrate teachers and shop for gifts for them.

Subject line: Thank Your Favourite Teacher With These Meaningful Gifts!

Further reading: Your email campaign design is the first thing subscribers see when they open your email. Here are some great newsletter design tips you can implement to capture them at first glance.

6. World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day on October 10th offers a great opportunity to educate your customers about the importance of mental health, while sharing practical tips and valuable resources.

These campaigns will encourage your audience to take small steps towards better mental well-being and help reduce stigma. Also, this is your chance to show your brand’s commitment to caring for your customers.

Email campaign: Provide educational content around mental health, self-care tips, and how to seek support. You can also showcase any partnerships with specialists offering exclusive workshops, webinars, or advice through your brand.

When to send: Begin your campaign in early October, leading up to World Mental Health Day. Continue to offer resources throughout the month as mental health is an ongoing conversation.

Subject lines: Convey empathy and show the importance of self-care. Also, keep the tone positive and reassuring.

• The essential mental health guide out today 📚 (Penguin Books)
• Our gift to you for World Mental Health Day (EM Cosmetics)
• How Parents Can Learn Mental Health First Aid (and Why You Should) (Lifehacker)

Email copy: Maintain a supportive tone throughout your campaign, focusing on offering practical advice and resources for mental well-being.

Visuals: Soft colors like blues and greens will evoke a sense of calm and peace. Include images that promote well-being, such as nature scenes or illustrations of mindfulness practices.

CTAs: “Learn More,” “Join the Workshop,” “Explore Mental Health Resources”

Example: Serumize

Serumize effectively combines a mental health message with wellness tips that align with their skincare products.

The email is visually appealing and supportive. Also, it offers valuable content alongside a clear CTA.

Subject line: 🌟 World Mental Health Day: A Comprehensive Guide to Wellness!

Further reading: Need more inspiration? Take a look at our mental health email campaigns.

7. Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.

Email campaign: Promote themes of exploration and new beginnings, tying in with the historical significance of Columbus’s voyage. You can promote products or services that align with these themes, such as travel gear, educational content, or items that inspire curiosity and adventure.

When to send: A few days before the holiday to build anticipation and continue through the weekend leading up to Columbus Day.

Subject lines: Use language that evokes the spirit of celebration.

• COLUMBUS DAY SAVINGS 🎁 20% Off Sitewide (Wendell August Forge)
• 40-60% off during our Columbus Day Sale! (Macy’s)
• Embark on a New Journey with Our Columbus Day Travel Deals 🌍

Email copy: Highlight the historical importance of the day while promoting your products or services. Focus on the excitement of exploring new ideas, places, or opportunities.

Visuals: You can add rich, earthy tones like deep blues, greens, and warm browns.

CTAs: “Explore Now,” “Start Your Adventure,” “Discover More”

Example: Clarks

This email from Clarks is a great example of how you can do more with less. The design is simple and clean, yet the messaging is clear and effective.

The copy communicates the value—30% off a purchase of $150 or more—making it easy for the recipient to understand the offer immediately.

Subject line: Don’t Miss Columbus Day Savings

8. Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Apart from Columbus Day, it’s important to note that many people and communities choose to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognizing and honoring the history, cultures, and contributions of Native American peoples.

This allows you to create thoughtful, inclusive, and respectful campaigns for both perspectives.

Email campaign: Raise awareness about Indigenous cultures and contributions. Highlight any partnerships with indigenous organizations or initiatives your brand supports. You can also share educational content that sheds light on Native American history, traditions, and the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate Indigenous cultures.

When to send: Begin your campaign a few days before the holiday and continue through the weekend leading to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Subject lines: Use respectful and thoughtful language to avoid being insensitive.

• Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day 🌎🧡 (Cheekbone Beauty)
• Resilience in the face of adversity (Patagonia)
• Honoring Indigenous Cultures: Celebrate with Us

Email copy: You can highlight cultural awareness by sharing the significance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day through stories, interviews, and educational content.

Visuals: Add visuals that reflect Native American culture. It’s crucial to ensure that any Indigenous imagery used is respectful, authentic, and culturally appropriate.

CTAs: “Learn More,” “Support Indigenous Communities,” “Explore Indigenous Heritage”

Example: Patagonia

This is a great example by Patagonia because it respectfully honors the day by acknowledging the leadership and contributions of Native Nations.

The email copy is powerful and sincere, reinforcing the brand’s values and dedication to meaningful causes.

Subject line: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

9. World Food Day

Here’s another great opportunity for your October email planner that offers more than just a celebration of the food we love—it’s also a moment to reflect on the global problem of hunger.

World Food Day on October 16th invites people to appreciate the richness of culinary traditions while considering how people can make a difference in the fight against food insecurity.

Whether you’re in the food industry or not, your brand can join the conversation and create impactful campaigns that resonate with both themes.

Email campaign: Share recipes or promote special offers while highlighting the importance of food security and the fight against hunger. You can also partner with hunger relief organizations, donate proceeds to food charities, or encourage audience involvement.

When to send: Ideally, you can send numerous emails the week before World Food Day.

Subject lines: Use phrases that encourage both enjoyment of food and a commitment to help others. Here are two examples from Michael Kors’ campaigns.

• On World Food Day, Share Your Heart
• Today Is World Food Day

Email copy: Include stories, facts, or statistics that highlight food security issues and encourage your audience to enjoy their favorite dishes while supporting efforts to end hunger.

Visuals: Use pictures of dishes from around the world to celebrate the richness of global cuisine. You can also pair these with visuals or infographics that illustrate the impact of hunger globally.

CTAs: “Celebrate Food,” “Help Fight Hunger,” “Join the Cause,” “Shop with a Purpose”

Example: Michael Kors

By donating all profits from their LOVE t-shirt and tote sales to the World Food Programme’s (WFP) school meals program, Michael Kors effectively connected fashion with philanthropy, making it a powerful and impactful campaign.

Subject line: World Food Day Is A Good Day to Help Watch Hunger Stop

How to Create the Perfect Halloween Email Campaign

With Halloween being the highlight of October, it’s crucial to have a strong strategy to make your email campaigns stand out.

Whether you aim to drive sales, boost engagement, or spread some spooky cheer, a well-crafted Halloween email can do wonders for your brand.

Below, we’ve collected some tips to help you ace your Halloween email marketing strategy.

1. Embrace the spooky aesthetic

Halloween is all about the visuals, so don’t be afraid to go all out with your design.

Use dark, moody colors like black, purple, and orange to set the tone, and incorporate classic Halloween imagery such as pumpkins, bats, and ghosts.

Animated elements like flying bats or flickering candles can add an extra layer of spookiness that captures attention.

Here’s Redbubble’s spooky aesthetic:

2. Craft catchy subject lines

Your subject line is the first thing your audience sees, so make it count.

Play with puns, add Halloween emojis, and create a sense of urgency or mystery to entice your subscribers to open the email.

For example, “Don’t Miss Out on Spooktacular Deals 🎃” or “Get Ready for a Frightfully Good Offer!”

Here are some great examples from popular brands to get inspired:

• A scary good deal is just a spin away 🎃 (MAC Cosmetics)
• Need Halloween Inspo? Check Inside (Bellami Hair)
• Halloween Unmasking: The Routine For You 🎃 (Caudalie)
• Final Hours – Fangtastic Sale Ends TONIGHT (Sigma Beauty)

Further reading: For more tips and inspo, check out our Halloween subject line guide.

If you struggle with them, use a subject line tester like Refine. It provides suggestions for optimization, helping you craft catchy, effective subject lines for better email open rates.

3. Use a Halloween newsletter template

A Halloween-themed email template can streamline your design process and ensure your emails look festive and cohesive.

Templates come pre-designed with spooky elements like pumpkins and spiderwebs, which you can easily customize with your branding and content. This saves time and keeps your emails visually appealing, allowing you to focus more on crafting your email copy

You can find several Halloween email newsletter templates in Moosend’s library. Here’s a beautiful design to get started.

Try it

4. Offer exclusive Halloween promotions

Halloween is the best time to run exclusive promotions. Whether it’s a discount on Halloween-themed products, a limited-time offer, or a special bundle, ensure your promotion is front and center.

In addition to promotions, consider sharing Halloween-related content that adds value to your subscribers. This could be anything from costume ideas to makeup tutorials and spooky workshops.

Tip: Combine your educational content with promotions for better results. For instance, show them how to achieve the perfect Halloween look and add the products you used after the tips.

Here’s how bareMinerals did it:

5. Personalize your messages

Email personalization can make your subscribers feel truly valued. By addressing them by their first names and segmenting your email list based on previous purchases or interests you can send offers that truly interest them.

For instance, if a customer recently purchased back-to-school supplies for their children, they might also be interested in Halloween costumes for them. That’s a great way to solve a pain point and show them you understand their needs.

Here’s an example from Guess:

To set up targeted email sequences, you can use a platform with advanced personalization features. Moosend allows you to create dynamic content that adapts to each recipient, ensuring your emails are highly relevant and engaging.

Additional resources

• Email Segmentation Guide with Examples
• Demographic Segmentation: How to Do It + Examples

Personalize your emails

6. Add interactive elements

Want a fun twist? Then, consider adding interactive elements like clickable image galleries, a quiz to help your subscribers find the perfect costume, or a “scratch-off” feature or “Spin the wheel” that reveals a special discount.

Here’s an example from MAC’s Halloween email campaign:

These interactive touches keep your audience engaged and make your campaign more memorable.

7. End with a strong call-to-action (CTA)

Every Halloween email should end with a clear and compelling CTA.

Whether it’s “Shop the Sale,” “Get Your Treats,” or “Join the Fun,” make sure your CTA stands out and directs your subscribers to take the desired action.

Here’s a great Halloween CTA example from Tommie Copper:

Further reading: Need more campaigns to get inspired? Check our Halloween email newsletter examples guide.

October Newsletter Email Templates

Perfect for capturing the essence of Halloween and the fall season, the following templates offer a quick and easy way to create stunning newsletters that resonate with your audience.

Whether you’re showcasing spooky deals or celebrating autumn, these designs will help you connect with your subscribers.

Fall-themed promotions

Try it

To customize this template for fall-themed campaigns, add warm, autumnal colors like deep oranges, browns, and gold into the design.

You can replace the current images with fall-inspired flavors or ingredients, such as pumpkin spice or cinnamon. Adding seasonal elements like leaves or pumpkins to the background or header can also boost the fall theme, making the campaign feel more festive and relevant.

Spooky offers

Customize it

Here, you can add your brand’s specific offers or promotions to the “Here’s your treat!” section.

Replace the placeholder text with engaging copy that plays on Halloween themes, like spooky deals or limited-time offers. You can also insert product images or links to Halloween-related items in the main text area.

Welcome email campaigns

This welcome template is perfect for introducing new subscribers to your brand while also serving as a powerful tool for raising awareness about important causes like Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

To customize it, you can adjust the messaging to focus on the cause, highlighting your brand’s commitment and any related initiatives. Use relevant visuals and add links to resources or donation opportunities.

This approach allows you to make a meaningful first impression and promote a cause that aligns with your brand values.

For more free templates for your October email marketing, check out our template library.

Get Your October Email Marketing Ready

In our October email planner, we’ve covered several ways to make the most of this busy month.

Whether you run campaigns for Halloween or raise awareness for causes like Breast Cancer Awareness, October is full of opportunities to connect with your audience.

Now it’s time to put everything into practice, using your email platform to get started on your October campaigns. Moosend offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, a wide range of templates, and automation and scheduling features to help you set up your emails.

Ready to dive in? Explore what Moosend can do for your October campaigns by signing up for a free account.

FAQs

Here are some common questions to help you make the most of your October email campaigns.

1. What other opportunities can I target in October?

You can target several other holidays if your email list consists of people from a specific country. For example, Greece celebrates “Ohi Day” on October 28th. Ensure you’re mindful (and demure) when you approach such holidays, though, favoring educational content.

2. How can I balance Halloween with other October campaigns?

While Halloween is a major focus, it’s important to balance your campaigns throughout the month. Start with general fall promotions early in October, shift to Breast Cancer Awareness mid-month, and ramp up Halloween-specific emails as the day approaches.

3. Is October too early to start promoting for the winter holidays?

Not at all. October is a great time to tease upcoming winter promotions or offer early-bird deals. This helps you capture customers who like to plan ahead, giving them a reason to shop early.

4. What types of content work best in October?

Seasonal tips, how-to guides, and themed promotions are highly effective in October. Whether it’s preparing for Halloween or getting ready for winter, content that’s relevant to the time of year will resonate well with your audience.

5. Should I send more emails in October than usual?

It depends on your audience’s preferences. If your subscribers enjoy seasonal content, you can send a few extra emails this month. Just be sure to monitor engagement metrics to avoid overwhelming your audience.