As we head into the cooler months, coming up with fresh, engaging email ideas can sometimes feel a little… harder than usual. We get it. When routines shift and things slow down, it’s easy for both businesses and customers to fall into a bit of a content lull.

That’s why we love leaning into seasonal moments and timely events during this period. They give you a natural, relevant reason to show up in your customers’ inboxes without relying on constant promotions or discounts to grab attention.

Because while offers can work in the short term, relying on them too heavily can start to chip away at long term value. Instead, tapping into what’s happening right now keeps your brand interesting, engaging, and top of mind… no discount required.

So, how do you keep your audience engaged in May? Start by making the most of what’s already on the calendar.

Some of our favourites this upcoming May include: 

May 1: Aussie Wine Month Begins 

May 2: Free Comic Book Day 

May 2: Space Day

May 3: World Press Freedom Day

May 3: World Laughter Day 

May 4: Star Wars Day

May 5: Cinco De Mayo

May 6: No Diet Day

May 10: Mother’s Day 

May 12: International Nurses Day

May 13: International Hummus Day

May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day 

May 15: National Families Week Begins 

May 16: Love A Tree Day 

May 17: World Baking Day

May 19: World Fair Play Day

May 20: World Bee Day

May 20: Amelia Earhart Day

May 21: International Tea Day 

May 22: International Day For Biological Diversity 

May 23: World Turtle Day

May 25: World Football Day

May 26: World Redhead Day 

May 27: Sunscreen Day

May 28: National Burger Day

May 30: International Day of the Potato 

May 31: World No Tobacco Day

Evergreen Idea: The Reverse Psychology Hook

For so many years, customers have been told what they should like, what they must buy and what they can’t miss out on. While this language was once effective, it has now become so overused in email marketing that it can often miss the mark. When open rates just aren’t reaching where they once used to, it’s time to try another strategy, and one we adore is the reverse psychology hook. 

Think about your next sale. Instead of telling customers ‘Up to 50% off’, why not try something a little backwards? Maybe, ‘You might find something inside.' You could even turn up the psychology a little more. Instead of ‘You just have to try this, ' you could try something like ‘Why people don’t like this…’ 

The slightly negative angle typically hits harder as customers aren’t as adjusted to seeing it in their inboxes. They think of it as a mistake, making them all the more likely to open. And once you have their attention, it’s so much easier to sell.