Summer Social Media Success: Plan, Post, and Prepare

As a small business owner, the long Summer holidays can feel like a real juggling act trying to keep all the balls in the air. So NOW is the ideal time to start organising your Summer social media content. You don’t want to find yourself at the end of a busy summer day wondering, “What should I post on Instagram today?” only to give up, make an Aperol Spritz, and relax in the garden.

Come September, you’ll regret neglecting your Instagram all summer.

Here are some tips to help you plan your Instagram posts for the summer holidays.

Start with a Plan

Begin by laying out a plan. Take out your calendar for the next couple of months. Identify key dates for your business, any times you’ll be away (it’s okay to take a break from social media during your holiday, but don’t abandon it entirely for July and August), and any social media awareness days you want to engage with. Mark these dates on your calendar.

Get Ready for Summer Sales

Don’t forget to prepare for summer sales while planning your content. Include promotions, discounts, or special offers in your content plan.

Define Your Goals

Consider what you want to achieve with your social media posts. Are you aiming to boost brand awareness, drive sales, promote an event, or simply entertain your audience? Defining your goals clearly will guide your content creation and ensure your posts align with your objectives.

Brainstorm Post Ideas

Look at your calendar and goals, then start brainstorming post ideas for the next couple of months. Decide whether these posts will work best as grid posts, reels, or even Instagram LIVES. Add these ideas to your calendar, and just like that, you have your summer content plan.

Create a Content List

Planning is just the start. Make a list of all the content you need to create. What photos do you need? What videos should you shoot? Do you need to line up guests for Instagram LIVES? Write down everything you need.

Get Creative

Dedicate a day to content creation and gather all your visuals. I’ve been known to show up at Lara’s house with a suitcase full of outfits for our content creation days and knock out 20 to 30 reels. We have a plan and execute it, ticking off items as we go. It’s the most fun part of our job! I miss these days….. I miss you Lara…. sometimes Zoom just isn’t the same….

Schedule Your Posts

With visuals ready, start writing captions and gathering hashtags. Then, use your calendar to schedule these posts. We’re big fans of Later, a user-friendly scheduling tool that makes this process a breeze.

Posts Scheduled? Check!

Your posts are scheduled, but stay flexible. If something comes up that you want to share, simply adjust your scheduling tool to fit it in.

Engage with Intention

When your post goes live, remember to engage with your audience. Since it’s summer, engage thoughtfully. Avoid aimlessly scrolling and liking random posts. Be intentional, treat it like part of your job, then put your phone away and enjoy that Aperol Spritz.

August Quiet Time

Remember, social media typically quiets down in August as people go on holiday. Don’t be discouraged if engagement dips. Use this time to relax, recharge, and maybe even get ahead on planning for the rest of the year.

Think Ahead to Autumn and Winter

It might seem early, but now is the time to start planning your autumn and winter content. Consider upcoming product launches, events, or key dates in September and beyond. And yes, it’s not too soon to think about Christmas! The more you prepare now, the less stressed you’ll be when the busy season hits.

Don’t forget that a bit of planning and effort now will ensure a more enjoyable, carefree summer, and your future self will thank you in September.

Enjoy your summer!