Hi there,

Have you ever worked on something for weeks, finally put it out into the world, and heard… nothing?

No replies. No feedback. Just silence.

It’s tempting to wonder if it was worth the effort.

I came across a story recently that made me think about this.

In 1863, a woman spent 15 years trying to get one idea accepted.

Her name was Sarah Josepha Hale. She was a magazine editor who wanted Thanksgiving to become a national holiday celebrated on the same day across the United States.

For years, she wrote about it, contacted governors, and kept making her case.

Nothing quite stuck.

Then, on September 28, 1863, she wrote to President Abraham Lincoln.

Five days later, Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving proclamation.

Her letter is preserved in the Library of Congress. And after all those years of pushing for something she believed in, she ended it with a surprisingly modest line:

“Excuse the liberty I have taken.”

I keep thinking about that.

Fifteen years of effort, and she still had to ask.

Her original letter is here, if you’d like to read it.

Of course, one letter wasn’t the only reason the proclamation happened. But her persistence helped bring an idea closer to reality.

And it got me thinking about the rest of us.

The blogger who keeps publishing even when comments are scarce.

The business owner who sends a newsletter without knowing who’s actually reading.

The creator who has a dozen ideas but keeps wondering whether any of them matter.

If you’ve ever sent an email to your list and heard nothing back, you know the feeling.

But silence doesn’t always mean nobody cares. Sometimes people read and move on. Sometimes the timing is wrong. Sometimes you haven’t given them an easy reason to respond.

And sometimes, the thing worth changing isn’t how often you show up. It’s how you invite people into the conversation.

With the last two months of 2026 ahead of us, here’s one small thing I’d try:

Don’t just ask your readers to click something. Give them a reason to talk to you.

Ask what they’re struggling with. Invite an opinion. Share something honest. Or simply ask a question you’d genuinely like to hear the answer to.

You don’t need every subscriber to reply. One real conversation can teach you more than a hundred silent opens.

I am a reply person. And you?

So if you’re planning your next newsletter, here’s something I’d love to know.

What’s one thing you wish your email subscribers would do more often?

Reply with whatever comes to mind:

• Reply – you’d love to hear from them.
• Click – you want more people to take action.
• Buy – you want your emails to lead to sales.
• Read – you just want to know your emails are reaching people.

Or tell me something else entirely. I’d love to know your perspective on it.

I don’t need a perfect answer. I just want you to be yourself and tell me how you see it from your side.

If you ask me, alwaysss a reply. I love talking to the people who read my emails and getting to know them better.

One more thing before we end this conversation.

For your Halloween emails…

If you are planning to send a personalised email to your readers and you already use Icegram Express. Don’t forget to use the email templates. There are some pre-designed Halloween templates, too. So, if you’re planning something for Halloween, why not give them a try? You can use these templates for your future newsletters as well.
I use them, too. And who knows, you might just spot one in my Halloween email. 😉 Hahaha, kidding!

But seriously, try them out this time. BFCM is just around the corner, and it’ll be so much easier if you’ve already tried a template, made your changes, and know what works for you. One less thing to worry about when the busy days arrive, right?

How to do it? Simple 3 steps:

1. Open Icegram Express > Campaigns > Templates.
2. Pick an existing design or create one using the Drag & Drop Editor. For this time, better use the existing one. Add your content and personalise the layout if required. 
3. Save it, send a test email – preview your email, save your template, and send it out. In case you try it right now, you can schedule your email for 31st too… (I am going to do that btw…)

Still confused? This doc might help you get started. Do share your experience with me.
And if you don’t have Icegram Express yet, get it here and give it a try!

Trick or treat? 🎃

So, keeping this email short and light, I want you to think about this one thing.
Has perseverance helped you in any way ever? Think of when and how.
Just sit with this thought fr some time, and maybe you find something that helps you move forward better. 

So… when I think about the 31st and what will look scarier while dressing up… I always think… there’s nothing spookier than growing up and realising how life works. It’s so beautiful that you never want to leave it, yet so scary that you don’t know how to live it. Hahahaha. A little oxymoron, perhaps? 👻

Anyway, have the time of your life with people you love – around you!

And tell me, would you rather trick your readers or treat them? I think I’d rather ask my readers to give me my treat. 😉

P.S. A little hint: There might be a Halloween treat for you, too. So, check your inbox on Halloween!

See you soon with more stories.
Don’t forget. I keep refreshing my inbox.. waiting for that one reply of yours!

Happy Halloween! 🎃

Until next time,