My Simple, Zero-Guilt Summer Marketing Strategy for Small Business Owners

Let’s talk about summer — that magical season where the pressure to “keep up with your marketing” collides head-on with kids being home, vacations, heat-induced brain fog, and the general inability to function after 3pm.

If you’ve ever thought, “I can totally run my business full steam ahead while the kids are home for nine weeks!” …and then immediately regretted that thought?
Same.
Absolutely same.

This year, instead of pretending I’m a superhuman who can do it all, I’m getting strategic, intentional, and very realistic with my summer marketing. And today I’m breaking it all down for you so you can do the same.

Why Summer Requires a Different Marketing Plan

I have two elementary-aged kids. They do not feed or entertain themselves. They do not Uber themselves to the pool. I’m the default parent for most of the summer — the driver, the snack-maker, the sunscreen-applier, the lifeguard, the cruise director.

My husband has time off too, but let’s be honest: mom-mode logistics? Still largely me.

So if I want to run my business without losing my mind, yelling into a beach towel, or crying into a freezie, I have to structure my marketing around what is actually doable — not what looks good on paper.

What I’m Prioritizing (And Why It Works)

Here’s my four-part summer marketing plan — simple, sustainable, and designed for the reality of parenting + business.

1. Keep the Podcast Going

Not because I “have to,” but because it brings me joy… and because long-form content works harder than short-form anything.

Every episode gets turned into a blog post → which helps with SEO → which helps new people find me → which keeps leads warm even when I’m at a splash pad.

This is my most sustainable visibility tool.

2. Stay Consistent With Email Marketing

Email is easy for me. I’m fast. I enjoy it. And when I schedule four weeks of nurture emails in advance, I feel like Beyoncé with a clipboard.

If you’re overwhelmed?
Batch your emails.
Write four.
Schedule them.
Feel a rush of accomplished-adult serotonin.

3. Show Up on Social Media… With Zero Guilt

Instagram and I are in a “love you but also no” era.
Engagement is down everywhere — even for my influencer friends with 50K+ followers.

So here’s what I’m doing:

• Stories? Yes. Always. They’re easy and I film them while walking my dog.

• Feed posts? Maybe once a week.

• Guilt about not posting more? Absolutely not.

If you need permission to post less?
Permission granted.

4. Threads Is My Summer Playground

Threads feels like old-school Twitter before it became… whatever it is now. It’s perfect for copywriters, one-liners, wit, and low-pressure content.

No images.
No complicated editing.
No algorithm anxiety.

Just vibes and smart marketing thoughts. My favourite combo.

What I’m NOT Doing This Summer

Because boundaries matter.

• ❌ I’m not starting new platforms (hi TikTok, still nope).

• ❌ I’m not launching new ad campaigns.

• ❌ I’m not rebranding mid-July.

• ❌ I’m not acting like I have a full workday when I very much do not.

I am still taking on copywriting clients — because those projects are flexible and I can do them in evenings or pockets of time. But I’m keeping my 1:1 schedule lighter.

Why You Need a Realistic Summer Plan (Not a Fantasy One)

Every year, I used to tell myself:

“It’s fine! I’ll figure it out! I can be full-time business owner AND full-time mom AND do summer activities AND launch something huge!”

Then I would hit week three, lose my mind, yell about something unrelated, and wonder why I ever believed that lie.

The truth?
Your summer marketing has to match your real life, your industry, and your capacity.

If you’re in weddings, photography, tourism, or anything seasonal — summer might be your busiest season.
If you’re in consulting or online services, your clients might disappear for July and August — and that shifts your strategy.

Neither is right or wrong.
It’s simply about knowing what season you’re really in.

How I’m Making Marketing Easier on Myself

A few things helping me thrive instead of spiral:

✔ Batching emails and podcast recordings

Kids + microphones = chaos. Pre-recording = sanity.

✔ Repurposing big ideas into multiple smaller pieces

Very advertising-agency of me.
One idea → many formats.

✔ Leaning on what comes naturally

Podcasting, email, stories, threads.
Not LinkedIn. Not TikTok. Not anything that feels heavy.

✔ Giving myself grace

Because I can recover from the “oh my god I should be doing more” spiral faster now.

Your Turn: What Does Your Summer Actually Look Like?

Do you have kids home?
Are your clients on vacation?
Is July slow for revenue?
Is August your peak season?
Do you have travel planned?
Are you secretly dreaming of a nap?

All of that matters when deciding what you can do, not what you should do.

Choose the marketing that:
✨ brings in results
✨ feels natural
✨ fits your summer reality
✨ doesn’t require superhuman energy

That’s the whole strategy.