Summer Survival Guide: Quick Tips to Stay Connected Throughout the School Holidays
It may not look like it outside, but the UK summer holidays are in full swing! We completely understand the challenges of managing a business while the family is together. It’s a time when people just want to keep things ticking over. So what does our team at HookedOnMedia know about staying connected throughout the school holidays?
Depending on the industry, summer is often a quieter time for businesses. Termed the “Summer Slump,” this is a period when people jet off abroad or spend more time with their families and in nature, which leads to reduced web traffic and sales for businesses. Many people also consider digital detoxing during this time and turn off their phones and devices to take a break and return to basics for a few weeks.
So while summer may not be the ideal time to launch any major campaigns (unless you’re in tourism or hospitality), it provides a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy quality time with loved ones before the hectic back-to-school and festive season hits. That said, it’s important not to go off-grid, either. To strike a nice balance, here are some marketing tips that are simple to implement and will keep you connected throughout the summer. We’ve arranged the tips from most time-consuming to least, allowing you to choose the ones that align best with your needs and workload.
1) Create Seasonal Content
Got some extra time? Why not get creative and whip up some seasonal content? Inspire your readers with blogs or posts on travel, outdoor activities or sports. You’ll be amazed at how any business, regardless of its industry, can relate to these themes. It might require a touch of creativity, but your audience will appreciate the variation and enjoy the fresh perspective.
Need some inspiration? Check out Google Trends. It’s a great resource for staying on top of what’s trending!
2) Go Automated
When you’re not as active, consider going automated by setting up automated email journeys. These emails are a fantastic way to drive sales without adding to your workload. Start with automated welcome emails that greet people when they create an account or subscribe to your newsletter, keeping the communication flowing.
Basket abandonment and post-purchase emails are also essential if you’re an eCommerce business. They help boost additional sales and build a strong relationship with customers without requiring extra effort from you.
3) Go Behind the Scenes
With things being quieter for your business right now, you might be mulling over what to post on your social media to maintain engagement. How about taking your audience behind the scenes?
Share some content of your day-to-day business activities, like restocking shelves, crafting items or setting up eye-catching window displays. This personal touch will add a lot to your social media presence.
Another fantastic way to boost engagement is by featuring your team and showing off the faces behind your business. Have some fun with it, and you’ll see those views roll in!
“It’s never too early to begin building your social footprint! If you’re stuck for inspiration on what to upload, start by capturing the daily runnings of your business.
These days, customers love to see the faces and operations behind a business. So why not take them behind the scenes?'”
– Louisa.
4) Email Newsletters
Email newsletters are a lifesaver when you’re short on time. They are fast and straightforward to create, making them an ideal way to connect with your subscribers. Focus on keeping the content summer-themed and showcase seasonal items or exciting events that will interest your audience. Remember to include links to specific website pages to enhance traffic and boost sales.
When promoting summer offers, ensure that the discount code is presented clearly. Mention the offer in your subject or preview text and utilise the discount sign (%) to capture attention. By doing so, you’ll encourage clicks and entice subscribers to take immediate action.
5) Repurpose Old Content
Repurposing your existing content is a brilliant way to maintain engagement. Repost popular content from this year, or get creative by turning blog posts into bite-sized social media snippets and transforming Instagram photos into fun reels. The possibilities are endless when it comes to making the most of what you already have.
6) Find Out When People Are Online
In the summer months, it’s a smart strategy to schedule social media posts for later in the evenings when people are more likely to be at home. With longer daylight hours, we all tend to stay out later, so aim to post between 6 pm and 9 pm to grab their attention. Likewise, since many people plan weekend trips or long outings during the summer, it’s wise to hold off on posting during weekends and save your updates for the next working day.
7) Wish Your Clients A Happy Summer Before Signing Off
It might not be too late to send a fun postcard to a handful of your favourite clients/partners to wish them a great summer. The personal touch goes a long way.
8) Keep People In the Loop
If you’re planning to close up shop or modify your working hours during the summer, update your Google Business profile and share the news on social media. Keeping your customers informed will help avoid any disappointment or inconvenience.
8) Out-of-Office messages
Ready to take that well-deserved summer break? Why not infuse your out-of-office message with some creativity and personality? Depending on your audience and how playful you can be, there are plenty of creative and humorous ways to let everyone know you’ve clocked off!
For example ⮕ Hello from vacation mode 🌊 Please wait while I soak up the sun and recharge my energy!
Final Word
We hope these quick tips will help you conquer the summer slump with a dash of creativity!
Our HookedOnMedia team will still be online throughout the summer season to support businesses in reaching their marketing goals. So, if you need a helping hand, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today and start the conversation.
