The week after the holidays is one of the most overlooked marketing windows of the year. Your audience is easing back into routines, clearing inboxes, and setting fresh goals — which makes it the perfect moment for your business to show up with value and relevance.
The best part? You can set up an entire campaign sequence in your CRM system now and let it run on autopilot during the first week of January.
Below is a ready-to-use post-holiday campaign, complete with sample copy you can tweak for your niche — whether pet, auto, cleaning, home, childcare, health, insurance, or legal services.
Day 1: Welcome Back Check-In
Goal: Re-engage your audience with warmth and excitement, setting the tone for the new year.
Channels: Email + SMS (optional)
General Sample Copy:
Subject: Let’s make this year your best yet ✨
Hey {{first name}}, hope your holidays were full of rest and good memories. As we all settle into January, I wanted to check in and share a few resources to help you start the year feeling inspired.
Pet Services Example:
Subject: Hope your furry family had a great holiday 🐾
Here’s to holidays full of cuddles and cute chaos! As we move into January, here are a few tips and treats to help your pet start the year happy and healthy.
Insurance Industry Example:
Subject: Make sure you’re protected in the new year
Wishing you a happy holiday! January is the perfect time to review coverage and make sure everything matches your goals.
Ensure the messaging matches your brand and fits your audience. You want to connect with your customers in a supportive and friendly tone, gearing them up for the new year without a hard sell. If you decide to use SMS, make sure to follow these tips as well as character limits. Let’s jump to Day 2!
Day 2: Quick Win Re-establishing Value
Goal: Give immediate, useful value to re-establish trust and expertise.
Channels: Email or social DM
Sample Copy:
Subject: Quick wins your first week back 💫
If you’re like most people easing into January, you’re focusing on clarity and momentum. Here’s a simple tip you can use today:
[Insert 1 actionable tip tailored to your niche]
Auto example: Check your tire pressure — cold weather drops PSI fast.
Cleaning example: Try this 5-minute win: Declutter one surface you’ve been avoiding since December.
Small wins lead to big results — try this today and feel the shift.
Day 3: Soft Offer or Free Resource
Goal: Introduce a no-pressure next step.
Channel: Email
Sample Copy:
Subject: Want a little help getting ahead this year?
I put together a free resource to help you hit the ground running:
👉 [Guide, checklist, short video, template]
No strings attached — just something to support your goals this month.
This shows that you care without trying to get something out of it. In marketing, this is considered nurturing your customers.
For example, if you provide childcare services, try something like: 👉 Download our January Family Routine Guide. Or a massage therapist might send: 👉 Download our 7-Day Wellness Reset Guide today!
Day 4: Social Proof or Success Story
Goal: Warm up leads by showing real, credible results.
Channels: Email + social post
Sample Copy:
Subject: How {{client name}} started January strong 💪
Last January, {{client name}} was in the same spot many of us are now: ready to reset. Within just a few weeks, they achieved:
• [Impressive Result #1]
• [Amazing Result #2]
Here’s what made the difference — and how you can follow the same steps.
Highlighting a tangible, real story lets your customer imagine the benefits of solving a potentially urgent or expensive problem before it starts. It’s a great way to show how and why your services truly work.
Legal services might say something along the lines of: “How updating their estate plan saved the Walkers months of stress.”
For home services, that could look like: “How a routine winter tune-up saved the Martins from a $3,200 HVAC emergency.”
You know your strongest results, now share those client stories!
Day 5: Engagement Play or Invitation to Connect
Goal: Restart conversations and improve deliverability.
Channels: Email or SMS
Sample Email:
Subject: Quick question for you, {{first name}}
What’s one goal you’d love to accomplish this month? Just reply and tell me.
I’m gathering insights for new tools I’m building — and I’d love to include yours.
Ask a simple question that’s easy to reply to. Here are some examples that cover multiple industries but always choose whatever copy will resonate with your specific audience.
- “What’s one legal question that’s been on your mind?”
- “What’s one thing you want to improve for your pet this year?”
- “What sound or dashboard light has been worrying you? Hit reply — I’ll tell you if it’s urgent.”
- “What’s your #1 wellness goal for January?”
Get your customers interacting with you again (reply, click, comment). End the message with a compelling call-to-action (CTA) that you want the customer to take, not to book a service yet, but to spark a connection and prove your expertise.
Day 6: Main Offer or Appointment Push
Goal: Directly drive leads to take a desired action (bookings or sales).
Channels: Email + SMS
It’s time! Now that you’ve warmed up your leads, you can be more direct. No matter what your small business provides, make this communication sound exclusive, like early bookings or new services you’re offering. This will build excitement and add urgency to the message.
Sample Copy:
Subject: Let’s make your January goal happen
If you’re ready for a strong start, I’m opening a few early-January spots for [consultations, sessions, services, demos, etc.]
Here’s the link to grab your time: [booking link]
These usually fill up fast after the holidays — so reserve your spot now.
Day 7: Final Nudge + Bonus
Goal: Close the loop and encourage last-minute conversions.
Channel: Email
Sample copy:
Subject: Last call (& a small bonus 🎁)
It’s the final day to snag a January spot. Book today and I’ll also include:
🤩 [Bonus: extra resource, added perk, priority scheduling, small discount]
Let’s make this year your strongest yet — starting now.
You essentially want to end this campaign with your strongest special offer, including any add-ons that could push your lead down the funnel. Think of this as your last chance to incentivize a new customer or convince a former customer to come back.
Three Reasons This Works
- Post-holiday inboxes are more receptive — people are looking for direction, not noise.
- This sequence builds momentum, starting with value and ending with a strong offer.
- It runs automatically, giving you a January boost without scrambling after the holidays.
Set It Up Now, Enjoy the Payoff Later
Load these messages into your CRM software, schedule them for January 2–8, and let the automation bring you early appointments, conversations, and sales.
With the right marketing automation software + CRM system, it really is that easy.
Ready, set, sell!
