Not every business experiences the holidays the same way. For some, November and December bring a rush of customers, appointments, and orders. For others, things naturally slow down.
The good news is that both seasons create opportunities for your marketing. The key is knowing which one you’re in and showing up in a way that fits.
First, figure out which season you’re in
Look back at last year. Ask yourself:
Did your calendar fill up or open up in November and December?
Were customers booking gifts and holiday services, or waiting until January?
Did you feel stretched thin, or did you have extra time on your hands?
Your answers tell you where to put your energy. And if you’re somewhere in the middle, you can borrow from both lists below.
If you’re entering your busy season
Your goal is to make everything easy. Holiday customers are distracted, rushed, and juggling long lists. The easier you are to find and buy from, the better.
Update your info everywhere. Holiday hours, closures, and shipping deadlines should match across your website, Google profile, and social media.
Make the next step obvious. Booking links, order forms, and gift card options should be one tap away.
Answer the common questions in advance. A quick post or story about availability, deadlines, or gift options saves you a dozen DMs.
Schedule your content ahead of time. Batch it in now in early November so your marketing keeps running while you’re busy serving customers.
Keep it simple. Two to four posts a week that are clear and useful beat a daily scramble.
Show the people behind the business. Customers love a quick look at your team getting ready for the season.
If things tend to slow down
A quieter calendar is a great time to invest in the relationships and groundwork that pay off later.
Build relationships. Reply to comments, answer DMs, and thank the customers who showed up for you this year.
Share educational content. Tips, how-tos, and behind-the-scenes posts keep you visible without a hard sell.
Reconnect with past customers. A simple check-in by email or message goes a long way.
Ask for reviews and feedback. Slower weeks are the perfect time to ask happy customers to share their experience.
Repurpose your best content. Pull your top posts from the year and give them a second life.
Prepare for the months ahead. Plan your January content, refresh your website, and update your photos while you have the time.
A simple holiday timeline
Early November: Update your info, plan your content, and schedule what you can.
Thanksgiving week: Share gratitude posts, final deadlines, and holiday hours.
December: Stay consistent and keep your message useful. This is where scheduling pays off.
Between Christmas and New Year’s: Say thank you, share a year in review, and give people a peek at what’s coming.
Early January: Pick your marketing back up with a fresh start, new goals, and the planning you did ahead of time.
Content ideas that work in either season
A thank you to your customers and community
A behind-the-scenes look at how you’re spending the holidays
A highlight of a local business you love
A year in review of your favorite moments
Answers to the questions customers ask most
A sneak peek at what’s coming in the new year
Your marketing doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s
Your feed is about to fill up with countdowns, giveaways, and sales. You don’t have to join the noise. Your marketing just needs to support where your business is right now.
Whichever season you’re in, we’re cheering you on.