It’s July! Most people are deep into summer break mode—the month is packed with holidays, special events, and unique themes that reflect the season’s warmth and excitement.
For individuals, this means unabashedly enjoying some good old summer indulgence. It could be a refreshing ice cream cone, fireworks displays, great BBQ, feel-good music, or a family vacation.
For businesses, the various holidays or celebrations present an excellent opportunity to engage and connect with their clients or target audience. Creative and unique July newsletters that capture the essence of summer can easily become one of the month’s highlights for your newsletter subscribers.
Are you looking for great July newsletter topics you can cover to boost engagement and conversion? We’ve compiled a list of some of the best July newsletter ideas you can base your email campaigns on.
15 July newsletter ideas to engage your subscribers
Check out these 15 creative July newsletter ideas that will ensure your content stands out while blending with the July vibe:
1. Independence Day (July 4th)
Independence Day, popularly referred to as the 4th of July, is a big federal holiday in the US and probably one of the most anticipated events of the summer season.
Around 87% of the population plans to celebrate Independence Day this year. It’s a day filled with patriotism, fireworks, barbecues, and a sense of community.
Therefore, you must incorporate these themes into your July newsletter to establish a strong connection with your readers.
Some of the great newsletter ideas for Independence Day include:
- Offering fun tips: Provide information that helps your readers enjoy Independence Day. For instance, you can offer recipes for classic 4th of July foods such as burgers or hot dogs. Additionally, you can provide step-by-step guides for creating DIY patriotic decorations like flag-themed banners and wreaths.
- Sharing a local events list: Compile a list of local events such as parades, fireworks displays, and community gatherings. This can be particularly useful for subscribers looking for ways and places to celebrate with their family and friends.
- Giving safety tips: Share important safety tips for the holiday, such as guidelines for handling fireworks or the grill. Such information shows that you genuinely care and value your audience.
- Offering discounts: offer special deals or exclusive discounts on your products or services for a limited time around Independence Day. This will create a sense of urgency, which is an effective way to encourage bulk purchases or long-term commitments from your clients. Overflow does this perfectly, as shown in the example below.
Besides the offer, the entire email also leans heavily towards the 4th of July theme.
For instance, the CTA is bold blue. The background is also quite vibrant, giving off a fun summer vibe. Additionally, the promo code ‘FIREWORKS20’ is clearly Independence Day-themed.
Speaking of themes, you could also temporarily update your branding elements and email templates with patriotic themes like the American flag, as Trade Gecko did.
The significant change in your visual identity elements will capture readers’ attention, encouraging them to engage further with your content.
2. World Chocolate Day (July 7th)
Most people love a good chocolate treat! Therefore, don’t miss out on the business this holiday could bring you.
This newsletter idea is a no-brainer for businesses that offer chocolate-related products like Thortons.
However, even those who don’t can use this international day to humanize their brand and provide a fun break from the usual sales-focused content.
Here are some creative holiday marketing ideas for World Chocolate Day and tips on how you can incorporate them into your July newsletter:
- Partner spotlight: If you work with companies in the food and beverage industry, particularly those who deal with chocolate, spotlight these partners in your newsletter. Share their stories, products, and how their offerings can benefit your audience.
- Corporate gifting ideas: Chocolate will always be a great gift idea. You can suggest great chocolate gift sets for your audience’s clients or to celebrate employee milestones. You can also offer recommendations for trusted chocolate suppliers or feature partners specializing in corporate gifting.
- Promotional campaigns: If you plan any promotions or special offers, tie them into World Chocolate Day. For instance, you could offer a gift voucher to a great chocolate shop with every purchase made during the week of July 7th. This will make your campaigns more exciting and ensure your marketing efforts don’t go unrewarded.
- Run a contest: Run a social media contest where you encourage customers to share their favorite chocolate-related stories or share creative social media posts with branded hashtags in exchange for a great discount. Then, feature the best social media posts or stories in your email newsletter to drive engagement.
Remember, when in doubt, educate! You can provide interesting facts and information about the chocolate industry. To avoid overwhelming readers with too much information, provide summaries in structured content sections, then link to a blog post with more details. This is an exciting way to engage your audience without trying to push your products.
3. Bastille Day (July 14th)
Bastille Day is the national day of France, celebrated on July 14 every year. The day commemorates the storming of the Bastille, a fortress prison that symbolized the tyranny of the monarchy, in 1789.
Bastille Day also honors the Fête de la Fédération, a massive rally of unity and patriotism held in 1790 on the first anniversary of the Bastille’s fall.
Today, the holiday is celebrated with festivities and cuisines that honor the French heritage and values.
So, how do you weave this holiday into a newsletter?
You can simply share interesting facts about French history, traditions, or the significance of Bastille Day. Then, include key patriotic-themed elements like the French flag and the Eiffel Tower.
Check out how this template does it.
You can also provide Bastille Day-themed promotions or discounts. For example, you can offer a discount on services or products related to French culture or partner with a French brand to offer exclusive deals to your clients.
You can also include recipes for classic French dishes such as croissants, quiche, Baguettes, ratatouille, and coq au vin. Additionally, include insights from a great local chef, like what national wine goes with each recipe. This will add a fun and engaging element to your newsletter.
For brands in the food business, you can offer discounts to boost your sales. For instance, you can have a 30% off cheese day–since cheese is one of the most popular foods in France.
4. National Ice Cream Day (Third Sunday of July)
Nothing says summer like the constant strong craving for a scoop of ice cream to help you cool down. People in the US have an extra reason to indulge in these cravings in July since it’s National Ice Cream Month, with National Ice Cream Day falling on the third Sunday of July.
It makes sense that you should incorporate the significance of ice cream in your July newsletters. One of the ways you can do this is by sharing unique ice cream recipes in your newsletters throughout the third week of July. You can share how to make a dairy-free ice cream, for example.
Like with World Chocolate Day, if you have clients who run a creamery or own an ice cream shop, ensure you spotlight these partners in your newsletter. See how Yelp did this in the example below.
You can also offer special promotions or discounts on your products or services themed around National Ice Cream Day. For example, highlight a limited-time discount by using relevant, witty phrases like “sun day fun day” or “claim your frosty treat” in your email subject lines and email body to entice clients to make a purchase.
This Dairy Queen email is a great example. The brand offered subscribers a special offer for National Ice Cream Day only, which was meant to boost their app downloads. Also, see the crafty use of the words “It’s chill-out day!”
You can also use National Ice Cream Day as a theme for your creative marketing campaigns. For instance, you can use ice cream-themed graphics in your newsletter. Some common ice cream graphic elements include ice cream cones, sprinkles, and popsicles.
5. National Parks and Recreation Month
National Parks and Recreation Month, celebrated throughout July, emphasizes the importance of parks and recreational activities in communities. This year’s theme is “Where You Belong.” It will celebrate how park and recreation professionals across the US continue to create inclusive, accessible, and safe park spaces.
You can borrow from this theme to promote wellness, community engagement, and the value of caring for the environment. Here are some ways you can incorporate National Parks and Recreation Month into your July newsletter:
First, you can feature local parks in each area. Ensure you use high-quality images to engage readers. Also, provide key details on trails, activities, and amenities to help your audience plan their visits, as Vacasa did in the example below.
Besides that, you can highlight the importance of outdoor activities for mental and physical well-being. For instance, you can give your audience tips on how to balance work with recreation. Then, encourage readers to take advantage of local parks for relaxation and exercise.
If your business operates in the outdoor activities niche, promote relevant products or services, highlighting how these products help users enjoy parks and recreational activities. You should also offer discounts or special promotions to encourage more purchases or signups.
See how AllTrails does this in the example below.
You can also outline various ways your audience can participate in or support environmental initiatives that improve parks and recreation spaces. This could include park clean-up projects, tree-planting events, or donations to national park foundations.
6. Christmas in July
Who says you can only celebrate Christmas in December? You can bring some festive cheer to the middle of the year with a “Christmas in July” theme, often celebrated on July 25th. This period is especially special for countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, which are usually in the winter season at this point.
The tradition is said to have started at a girls’ summer camp in 1933. However, over the years, it has become more of a retail event to boost summer sales.
One way to include Christmas in July in your newsletters is by offering holiday-themed promotions or discounts on your products and services. Again, create a sense of urgency by limiting these exclusive “Christmas in July” offers to a specific timeline. Doing this will help boost mid-year sales, which tend to be affected by the summer lull in the US.
Check out how the example below did this.
Considering “Christmas in July” is not really a public holiday, people will most likely be confused about what gifts to give. Sharing gift ideas can boost engagement and add more value to your newsletter.
7. National Picnic Month
July is a great month for picnics, thanks to the warm weather, longer daylight hours, and wide variety of outdoor activities available. So it’s not surprising that it is also National Picnic Month in the US.
Including the picnic theme in your July newsletters is a great way to engage your subscribers. But how do you do this?
First, you can offer tips on how to host great picnics or garden parties. This includes sharing picnic recipes, ideas for perfect picnic spots, and essential picnic equipment.
Check out how Material did this in the example below. The brand included insights from an interior designer, who they call a “pro picnicker,” while promoting their products.
Two, you can discuss the importance of being environmentally responsible while picnicking. For instance, share tips for minimizing waste, like recycling and using eco-friendly products. It is also a great opportunity to highlight your company’s commitment to sustainability, which most clients appreciate today.
Another great idea would be to partner with local food vendors, catering companies, or outdoor gear suppliers to offer exclusive deals or packages for picnics. Then, feature these partners in your newsletter, offering special discounts to your subscribers.
8. Parents’ Day (Fourth Sunday of July)
Parents’ Day, as the name suggests, is a holiday meant to honor parents. It is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July in the US, which will be on the 28th. The day could also be one of the best July newsletter topics.
To show appreciation for the day, include a time-limited family discount on specific products or services in your newsletter. Additionally, highlight some of the best products to gift parents.
You can also create content around some of your employees or community members who are parents. Share their experiences, challenges, and achievements. This will honor their contributions, humanize your brand, and foster a sense of community within your company.
The Swehl email example below does this perfectly.
The holiday is also a great opportunity to highlight your brand’s family-friendly policies and initiatives, such as flexible work hours, parental leave, childcare support, and healthcare plans. You can share how these policies have positively impacted your employees and their families.
9. National Grilling Month
It’s not summer without barbecues! Connect with your newsletter audience by tapping into the widespread appeal of outdoor cooking and summer gatherings throughout National Grilling Month.
One way to do this is by sharing expert tips and tricks for mastering the grill. This could include advice on choosing the right grill, temperature control, and techniques for cooking different types of food on the grill. By providing such valuable content, you will easily position your business as a helpful resource. This will make your July newsletter a go-to resource for all things grilling.
The Plochman email below is a perfect example you should emulate for National Grilling Month. You first notice the catchy headline, then the visuals and well-structured content sections.
Besides that, they provide must-have recipes for the grilling season, which feature their product.
If you sell grilling equipment and accessories, then it’s the perfect time for a flash sale—offer great deals that run throughout the month to boost your summer sales.
10. National Anti-Boredom Month
After all the excitement surrounding Independence Day, the rest of the month can feel underwhelming and sometimes a bit boring. July was selected as the National Anti-Boredom Month to encourage Americans to find creative ways to still enjoy the rest of their summer to the fullest.
You can use your July newsletter to keep your subscribers entertained by sharing gamified emails with interactive elements. Think of fun quizzes, puzzles, contests, or scratch cards. This will engage your audience and give them something fun to look forward to.
For instance, the ice cream tracker map in the Graza example below made the email interactive. Subscribers had to constantly check the map to track the “summer drizzles.” This added a little more excitement to the email than if they had just listed the places the brand would be visiting.
You can also use email automation to create a series that shares fun summer activities and hobbies to try out the entire month, from DIY projects to interesting local businesses to check out. This will give your subscribers plenty of ideas to stay engaged and entertained.
You can also highlight the smaller July holidays and make them fun. Some of them include National French Fry Day, International Kissing Day, National Junk Food Day, World Population Day, National Tequila Day, World UFO Day, and National Hot Dog Day.
11. National Watermelon Month
Watermelon is a typical summer treat, and since July is the peak of the summer season, it makes perfect sense to declare July National Watermelon Month.
To celebrate this occasion, share articles or blog posts about the fruit’s health benefits while highlighting any fun facts.
You can also share a variety of watermelon recipes, including salads, smoothies, desserts, and other delicious dishes made with the fruit. For instance, you can highlight innovative ways to use watermelon, such as in salsas or grilled watermelon steaks.
Another brilliant idea is to share DIY projects and crafts using watermelons. For instance, you can share a step-by-step guide on creating a watermelon centerpiece or a decorative bowl from watermelon rinds. The latter is a fun and eco-friendly way to serve fruit salads or other treats!
If recipes, fun facts, and DIY crafts aren’t really your brand style, you can simply incorporate watermelon-themes visuals into your July newsletters to commemorate the month. For instance, you can use a July newsletter template whose background is watermelon slices artwork, as shown in the example below.
The idea is to have an interesting email that celebrates the day and engages your audience. But make sure the artwork does not crowd your email or hinder readability, as that will have the opposite effect.
12. Shark Week (Mid-July)
Shark Week is an annual, week-long TV programming block on the Discovery Channel in mid-July dedicated to sharks. The program features a variety of shark-themed content, including documentaries, specials, and films aimed at raising awareness and intensifying conservation efforts.
Over the years, more people have embraced Shark Week as one of July’s key holidays.
Since Shark Week’s primary function is to educate, ensure your newsletter shares fascinating facts about sharks. Provide insights into shark behavior, conservation efforts, and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
Your newsletters should also include special Shark Week-themed promotions or discounts on products and services. This could include exclusive deals on marine-themed merchandise, eco-friendly products, or service offerings.
While sharks are generally scary, your content doesn’t have to be. A little shark humor could make all the difference.
For instance, you can create a fun, light-hearted quiz for your audience. A great example is a shark-themed quiz that matches team members’ characters to certain types of sharks due to their aligned traits. It could just ask “Which Shark Are You?” with humorous choices like:
- Great White (the CEO)
- Hammerhead Shark (the multitasker)
- Whale Shark (team caretaker)
You can also draw funny comparisons between shark behaviors and your team or products. For instance, you can say, “Sharks can detect blood from miles away. Our CRM will help your sales team identify high-quality leads just as fast.”
13. National Day of the Cowboy (Fourth Saturday in July)
This holiday is celebrated on the fourth Saturday in July to honor the Cowboys’ significant contributions to America’s cultural heritage.
Integrate this celebration into your newsletter by sharing interesting historical facts about the cowboy era. Highlight the role of cowboys in American history and their contributions to the development of the American West.
Besides that, use cowboy-themed graphics, fonts, and colors to give your newsletter a Western feel. You can incorporate images of cowboy hats, horses, and boots. Additionally, include well-known cowboy quotes and sayings to match the theme.
If your business operates around the American West, offer your clients gift vouchers to western-themed shops or tickets to cowboy events in the area.
14. Summer vacation ideas
Help your readers make the most of their Summer by sharing summer vacation ideas in your July newsletters.
You can create a series that shares travel tips, upcoming events, popular vacation spots, destination guides, and packing lists. This will make your July newsletter a valuable resource for subscribers looking forward to traveling over the summer.
Check out how Sonder provides comprehensive Summer travel plans in the example below.
Divide your vacation ideas into content sections to make your newsletter more engaging, as Sonder has. For instance, you can provide ideas and tips for family vacations, such as amusement parks, camping trips, or road trips. Then, have a different section for romantic getaways and another for adventurous vacations like skydiving, paragliding, hiking, or mountain biking.
Use bright, summery colors and beach-themed graphics to create a visually appealing design. Additionally, include galleries of stunning vacation photos and videos to inspire your July newsletter readers.
Finally, if you own a travel product or provide travel services, partner with travel agencies or tour operators to offer exclusive travel deals on different July holidays. These deals could include discounts on flights, hotels, or travel insurance. Travel deals will boost your email newsletter’s value and drive engagement through the roof.
15. Back-to-school preparation
As July comes to an end, most parents and learners start making back-to-school preparations. Therefore, your email newsletters will have to reflect this.
Create a newsletter with great tips for preparing for the new school year. For example, you can share what school supplies learners need to get or help them prepare study routines. Use interactive content formats like checklists to keep your audience engaged.
If you are in the educational technology (EdTech) industry, discuss the latest trends in the field. Cover topics like online learning platforms, immersive learning technology (AR and VR), and digital classrooms. Share your unique insights into how these technologies can enhance learning experiences.
You can also share special discounts or promotions on some of your products and services that are relevant to learners. This could be technology gadgets, tutoring services, or organizational tools.
For educators, this is the time to dust off your books and start working on learning materials. We have simplified this process for you with our new GetResponse course builder.
First, you can quickly develop your course structure in minutes with AI. You can also create a paid subscription newsletter that offers exclusive content, which will be an extra revenue source.
Above all, you can now promote and sell your course or newsletter on the same platform through email marketing and marketing automation campaigns.
In closing
July has no shortage of fun newsletter topics you can build on to get your target audience’s attention and keep them engaged. This article discusses 15 key July newsletter ideas, from Independence Day—the biggest holiday in July—to back-to-school Preparation, which happens towards the end of July.
Incorporate the email marketing ideas that are most relevant to your audience today and see your newsletter engagement rates soar in July. Also, use great July newsletter subject lines to boost your open rates.
Remember, your newsletter is more than just a communication tool—it’s also an opportunity to connect with your subscribers and build long-lasting client relationships. Therefore, ensure you provide valuable content that resonates with your readers for every July newsletter topic you pick.