New year kickoff issue

This is a suggested send moment rather than an official observance. The first full working day back after the new year holidays is a good time for an issue that welcomes people back and sets out what's ahead.

Content kit

Ready to paste

Newsletter blurb

Paste into this week's issue.

Welcome back, and happy new year. We hope you had a proper break. Here's a quick look at what's ahead: our priorities for the coming months, key dates for your diary and a few changes worth knowing about. Full details are at [link to plan]. If you're easing back in, start with the three things your team most needs this month. And if you have ideas for what the newsletter should cover this year, just reply and let us know.

Welcome back, and happy new year. We hope you had a proper break. Here's a quick look at what's ahead: our priorities for the coming months, key dates for your diary and a few changes worth knowing about. Full details are at [link to plan]. If you're easing back in, start with the three things your team most needs this month. And if you have ideas for what the newsletter should cover this year, just reply and let us know.

Slack / Teams post

For the company channel on the day.

Welcome back, everyone. The new year kickoff issue is out, with what's ahead and the key dates to know.

Welcome back, everyone. The new year kickoff issue is out, with what's ahead and the key dates to know.

Talking points

For managers and team leads.

- Welcome people back and acknowledge that not everyone had an easy break. - Share the top priorities for the coming months in plain terms. - Ask the team what they'd like more or less of this year.

- Welcome people back and acknowledge that not everyone had an easy break.
- Share the top priorities for the coming months in plain terms.
- Ask the team what they'd like more or less of this year.

Tone note

How to pitch it.

Keep it welcoming and steady rather than high-pressure. Some people will have had a difficult holiday period, and colleagues in Scotland or other countries may have had different days off, so don't assume everyone is back and refreshed.

Keep it welcoming and steady rather than high-pressure. Some people will have had a difficult holiday period, and colleagues in Scotland or other countries may have had different days off, so don't assume everyone is back and refreshed.

Turn this into this week's issue

Drop New year kickoff issue into a ready-made newsletter template, add your team's news, and send it from your own inbox.

Turn this into this week's issue

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Subject line ideas

Try these subject lines to boost open rates:

New year kickoff issue: What we're doing this year
It's New year kickoff issue — here's how you can get involved
This week: New year kickoff issue + team news
4 January: New year kickoff issue at [Company]

How to feature this in your newsletter

Plan ahead — Add New year kickoff issue to your content calendar at least 2 weeks before the date so you have time to gather content and images.
Choose your angle — Will you run a dedicated special edition, or include it as a section in your regular newsletter? Bigger events work well as specials; smaller ones fit into your weekly digest.
Involve your people — Ask employees to share their stories, experiences, or ideas related to New year kickoff issue. User-generated content always gets higher engagement.
Include a call to action — Give readers something to do: attend an event, share a message, learn something new, or donate to a cause.

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Related dates

Mar

Employee Appreciation Day

Employee Appreciation Day falls on the first Friday in March and is a moment for organisations to say thank you to their people. It works best as a reminder to keep recognition going all year rather than as a one-off.

May

International Workers' Day

International Workers' Day, or May Day, falls on 1 May and celebrates workers and the labour movement. It is a public holiday in many countries, though not in the UK, which has an early May bank holiday on the first Monday of May, or the US, which marks Labor Day in September.

Oct

Q4 planning kickoff

The Q4 planning kickoff is a suggested send moment rather than an official observance. For calendar-year companies, 1 October marks the start of the final quarter, which makes it a natural point to share year-end priorities and plan communications for the busy season.

Nov

US benefits open enrolment season

Many US employers run benefits open enrolment between late October and November, though windows vary by employer. The Healthcare.gov marketplace also opens on 1 November.

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