We know, it feels a little strange to talk about snowflakes and sleigh bells when it’s 85 degrees and you’re sipping a cold lemonade. If you want your brand to sleigh this holiday season, now is actually the time to start planning.
Here’s why summer is the unsung hero of holiday marketing prep and what you should be doing now to make December a success.
Everyone thinks they’re ahead of the game in October… until they realize vendors are booked, inboxes are full, and timelines are tight. Starting your planning in the summer gives you room to actually be strategic, not just reactive.
Connext tip: Start outlining your campaign goals now. Whether that’s boosting sales, growing your list, or just surviving Black Friday/Cyber Monday.
Want to try a new email format or experiment with the subject lines? Do it now. You’ve got time to test what works including different subject lines, landing pages, and creative approaches without the holiday pressure cooker.
Try this: A/B test a few holiday-themed CTAs in August newsletters. Low stakes could bring high insight.
Designers, copywriters, and devs alike are all juggling multiple projects during Q4. Getting your requests in early means they’ll actually have time to make magic happen (instead of stress-editing potential campaigns at 11 PM in December).
If your campaign includes products or shipping, time is crucial. Supply chain issues don’t care that you procrastinated. Mapping things out now helps you avoid out-of-stock items, missed deadlines, and awkward customer emails later.
What’s better than a last-minute campaign scramble? Not having one. Give your future self the gift of sanity by prepping now. Your team, and your customers, will feel the difference.
So, what should you be doing this summer?
Holiday magic doesn’t just happen in December. It starts with smart strategy, thoughtful planning, and a little iced-coffee-fueled creativity in July or August.
Need help getting ahead? That’s kind of our thing. Shoot us an email today!
