The Holiday Prep Email You Should Send This Week (Hint: It’s Not a Sale)
Last year around this time, a Shopify store owner DM’d me in a panic.
She had skipped sending emails in October because “nothing was ready” and figured she'd make up for it during Black Friday.
The problem? Her list had gone cold. No warm-up, no lead-in.
So when she finally launched her sale, her open rate tanked. Her click-through rate was worse. And her “biggest promo of the year” flopped.
The mistake wasn't her offer.
It was that she showed up like a stranger — right before asking for the sale.
If you're only emailing your list when you have something to promote, your subscribers forget who you are.
Especially during Q4 when inboxes are flooded with discounts.
But there’s good news.
Right now is the perfect window to send a non-promotional email that rebuilds connection, trust, and brand presence — before the sales begin.
Let’s talk about the holiday prep email you should send this week.
First, What Is a “Holiday Warm-Up” Email?
A holiday warm-up email is a relationship-building message that reminds your subscribers:
Who you are
Why they’re on your list
What kind of value they can expect from you this season
It’s not about promoting. It’s about priming.
Think of it like knocking on someone’s door before you ask a favor. You’re showing up to say: “Hey, I’m here — and I’ve got something good coming soon.”
Why This One Email Matters More Than You Think
Sending a strategic warm-up email now helps you:
Improve open rates before your big promos
Re-engage quiet subscribers without the pressure of selling
Set expectations for what’s coming (and why they should care)
Build goodwill so your holiday emails aren’t ignored
If your list has been quiet, this email is non-negotiable. And even if you’ve been showing up weekly, a value-first message can reset your audience’s attention before you start making offers.
Inside The Profitable Inbox™, we teach Shopify store owners how to mix value with promotion — so every email trains your list to open, click, and buy. But let’s get into what this looks like in action.
What to Say in Your Warm-Up Email (Template Included)
This email is not complicated — but it should be intentional. Here’s a simple structure that works:
Subject line ideas:
“Here’s what to expect from us this holiday season”
“Before things get crazy — a quick heads up”
“No promo here, just a little something for you”
Body structure:
1. Re-introduce yourself
Remind them who you are and what your brand stands for. Keep it short.
“It’s been a minute, so I wanted to drop in before inboxes start filling up with holiday noise. Whether you’re shopping early or waiting for Black Friday, we’ve got a few things coming that you won’t want to miss.”
2. Tell them what to expect
Give your subscribers a reason to keep opening. This is where you plant curiosity.
“Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some limited-edition drops, early access, and a few subscriber-only perks. But before any of that hits your inbox, we wanted to send something a little different.”
3. Add value right now
This could be a behind-the-scenes, a holiday guide, tips for gift-giving, or just a heartfelt note.
“Here are 3 ways to stress less while gift shopping this year...
Set a 30-minute timer and knock out your top 3 gifts
Stick to one theme (like cozy, wellness, or travel)
Don’t wait for Black Friday — the best stuff goes fast”
4. End with a light call to action
No promo. Just a nudge to stay engaged.
“Keep an eye out — we’re keeping things short, sweet, and worth your click this season.”
Real Talk: This Is Where Most Brands Go Quiet
You’re busy. You’re juggling product inventory, fulfillment, ad strategy, and family schedules. So email slips down the list.
But if you ghost your subscribers until your Black Friday campaign, you’re setting yourself up to sell to a cold list.
Inside The Profitable Inbox™, our members avoid this entirely — not because they hustle harder, but because they’ve got structure and support.
The Campaign Copy Assistant™ helps you write emails like this fast, even if you’re not a writer
Our private member community keeps you accountable and out of your own head
And our live support makes sure you never waste time wondering “is this good enough to send?”
What This Looks Like in Your Klaviyo Account
This email can be:
A one-off campaign to your full list
A segment-only send (like past buyers or VIPs)
The start of a mini 3-part pre-sale series (value > tease > offer)
You don’t need a full holiday calendar to send this. You just need to take 30 minutes, write something simple, and hit send.
If you’re stuck, The Profitable Inbox™ gives you the copy tools, community, and support to make it easier.
The brands that win in Q4 don’t just launch louder. They launch smarter.
That starts with showing up early — with value, not just offers.
If you’ve been quiet, disconnected, or unsure what to say… this is the email to break the silence.
No discount required.
Want help writing emails that get opened, clicked, and convert — without starting from scratch every time?
Join The Profitable Inbox™ and get the copy tools and support to make this your most profitable holiday season yet.