New Year Sequence for Course Creators Email Guide
Why New Year Sequence Emails Fail for Course Creators (And How to Fix Them)
Another year ends, another list of course goals left unachieved. That feeling of potential slipping away can be frustrating for any course creator.
Many course creators find themselves caught in a cycle of reactive launches, constantly chasing the next trend instead of building a strategic, predictable income stream. This often leads to inconsistent enrollment, fluctuating student success, and a sense of overwhelm.
The New Year isn't just a date; it's a powerful psychological anchor for planning and renewed focus. A well-crafted New Year sequence allows you to tap into this energy, guiding your audience to reflect on their past year, envision their future, and see your course as the essential bridge to get there.
Below, you'll find a sequence designed to help your audience turn New Year's resolutions into course enrollment.
The Complete 4-Email New Year Sequence for Course Creators
As a course creator, your clients trust your recommendations. This 4-email sequence helps you introduce valuable tools without sounding like a salesperson.
The Reflection
Help them review the past year and identify gaps
Hi [First Name],
Another year ends. You likely started it with ambitious plans for your courses, your students, and your business.
Take a moment to truly reflect. Did you hit your enrollment goals?
Did your students achieve the transformations you promised? Did you feel in control of your launch calendar, or were you constantly reacting to deadlines?
It's easy to just jump into planning for the next year, but the most successful course creators pause. They understand that honest reflection is the foundation for genuine growth.
What worked? What didn't?
Where are the gaps? This isn't about judgment.
It's about clarity. Pinpoint those areas where you felt stuck, where student success wasn't quite what you envisioned, or where your course content could truly shine brighter.
This insight is your guide for the coming year.
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses the psychological principle of "future pacing" combined with a "gap analysis." By asking reflective questions, it guides the reader to identify their own pain points and unfulfilled aspirations from the past year, creating a felt need for a solution without mentioning one directly. It sets the stage for your offer as the answer to these identified gaps.
The Vision
Paint a picture of what their next year could look like
Hi [First Name],
You've reflected on the past year. Now, let's look forward.
Close your eyes for a moment. Picture your course business next year.
What does it look like? Are your enrollment numbers consistently strong?
Are your students raving about their results, celebrating their completion rates? Do you feel confident, organized, and truly effective?
Imagine launching your next course with a clear strategy, knowing exactly how to attract the right students and guide them to success. No more frantic last-minute promotions.
No more wondering if your modules are truly resonating. Just focused, intentional growth.
This isn't just a dream. It's a blueprint waiting to be built.
The New Year offers an unique opportunity to reset your approach, to build the systems and strategies that make this vision a reality. What if this year, you didn't just hope for better student success, but designed it?
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email employs "vision casting" and "future self" psychology. It encourages the reader to visualize a desirable future state, creating a positive emotional connection to the idea of change. By contrasting their current reality (implied from Email 1) with this aspirational future, it magnifies the desire for improvement and positions your upcoming solution as the means to achieve it.
The Fresh Start
Present your offer as the catalyst for change
Hi [First Name],
The New Year is officially here, and with it, a clean slate. You've reflected on what didn't work.
You've envisioned what's possible. Now, it's time to build the bridge between those two points.
That's why I'm excited to open enrollment for [PRODUCT NAME]. This isn't just another course; it's your complete framework for designing, launching, and scaling your online courses with confidence.
We'll cover everything from structuring engaging modules on platforms like Teachable or Kajabi, to building a community that drives student success, and even improving your enrollment strategies. Think of it as your strategic partner for achieving those student success stories and completion rates you've been dreaming of.
It's time to stop wishing and start doing. [CTA: Begin your New Year transformation with [PRODUCT NAME] →]P.S. For those ready to commit to their best year yet, I'm offering a special New Year bonus for everyone who enrolls in the next 72 hours: a personalized 1:1 strategy session. [CTA: Claim your bonus & enroll now]
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses the "fresh start effect" and "urgency bias." It capitalizes on the psychological momentum of the New Year, presenting the product as the immediate, practical solution to the problems identified in Email 1 and the vision painted in Email 2. The bonus with a deadline adds a scarcity element, prompting immediate action.
The Momentum
Create urgency before New Year motivation fades
Hi [First Name],
It's mid-January. How are those New Year's resolutions holding up?
The initial spark of motivation can sometimes dim as daily life kicks in. For course creators, this often means those big plans for new modules, higher student success, or a more effective launch strategy start to gather dust.
Don't let that happen to your course business this year. This is your chance to solidify your commitment and build real, lasting momentum.
Enrollment for [PRODUCT NAME] closes on [DATE]. This is your final opportunity to gain access to the strategies and support you need to make this year your most successful one yet.
Don't let another year slip by feeling reactive. Make a definitive choice for growth.
Your future self, with thriving courses and engaged students, will thank you. [CTA: Secure your spot before enrollment closes →]P.S. Still have questions about how [PRODUCT NAME] can specifically help you boost completion rates or simplify your ConvertKit sequences?
Hit reply, I'm here to help.
Best, [YOUR NAME]
This email uses "loss aversion" and "fear of missing out (FOMO)." It subtly reminds the reader of the common challenge of fading New Year motivation and positions the closing enrollment as a final opportunity to prevent that outcome for their course business. It creates a sense of urgency tied to their personal goals and the product's value.
4 New Year Sequence Mistakes Course Creators Make
| Don't Do This | Do This Instead |
|---|---|
✕ Launching a new course without validating the idea with your audience. | Conduct pre-launch surveys, host a free workshop, or offer a beta version to a small group to gauge interest and refine your content. |
✕ Focusing solely on course content creation without a clear marketing and sales strategy. | Integrate marketing planning from the very beginning, outlining your launch sequence, content promotion, and enrollment funnels before building all your modules. |
✕ Neglecting student success and engagement after enrollment, leading to low completion rates. | Implement onboarding sequences, regular check-ins, community engagement, and progress tracking within platforms like Teachable or Thinkific to support students throughout their journey. |
✕ Trying to do everything yourself, from content creation to tech setup to marketing. | Identify areas where you can delegate, automate, or use specialized tools to free up your time for your core strengths and impact. |
New Year Sequence Timing Guide for Course Creators
When you send matters as much as what you send.
The Reflection
Help them review the past year and identify gaps
The Vision
Paint a picture of what their next year could look like
The Fresh Start
Present your offer as the catalyst for change
The Momentum
Create urgency before New Year motivation fades
Start the last week of December, peak on January 1st.
Customize New Year Sequence for Your Course Creator Specialty
Adapt these templates for your specific industry.
Video Course Creators
- Prioritize high-quality audio and clear visuals; even with great content, poor production deters engagement.
- Break down longer lessons into micro-videos (5-10 minutes) to improve student focus and completion rates.
- Include interactive elements like quizzes, downloadable worksheets, or prompts for discussion after each video module.
Membership Site Creators
- Create a clear content roadmap for the year, showing members what new modules, live sessions, or resources are coming.
- Build a strong sense of community with dedicated forums, private groups, or regular Q&A calls to increase retention.
- Develop a compelling onboarding sequence that highlights the value, helps new members handle, and encourages early engagement.
Cohort-Based Course Creators
- Design synchronous live sessions that are highly interactive, encouraging peer-to-peer learning and active participation.
- Provide structured accountability partners or small group activities to keep students engaged and on track with the cohort.
- Clearly communicate the start and end dates, the schedule of live meetings, and the expected time commitment upfront.
Self-Paced Course Creators
- Integrate automated email sequences that drip content, provide encouragement, and check in on student progress at key milestones.
- Offer clear progress trackers and visual indicators of completion within platforms like Kajabi or Thinkific to motivate students.
- Include optional "challenge" weeks or suggested deadlines for specific modules to help students create their own structure.
Ready to Save Hours?
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