10 Tips for Juggling Your Business and the School Holidays
Without Losing Your Marketing Mojo…
The school holidays are here (at least in Queensland they are… some of you - I’m looking at you Victoria & NSW - still have a few more days of kid-free time), and if you’re anything like me, you’ve swapped client meetings for snack breaks, and your office is now doubling as an arts and crafts room. Balancing work and family during the holidays isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to leave your marketing in a heap on the floor.
Here are 10 tips to streamline your digital marketing, update your website, and create a stress-free work process so you can focus on what really matters these holidays — time with your kids.
1. Schedule Your Content in Advance
Take a day (or a few hours) to plan and schedule social media posts, blog articles, and email campaigns for the holiday period. Tools like Plann, Later, or even Meta Business Suite, can make this a breeze.
Bonus: You’ll feel like a productivity wizard (big-time dopamine hit for my fellow ADHD’ers)
2. Update Your Website’s Key Pages
Use any quiet moments to spruce up your website. Update your “About” page, refresh service descriptions, and make sure all links and forms are working. A polished site can keep attracting leads, even when you’re building sandcastles. Make sure to also update your office or opening hours, and remove any holiday promotions that have (or will) expired.
3. Automate What You Can
Automating parts of your business can free up your time and keep everything ticking along smoothly - even while you’re poolside with your kids. Here are a few easy wins:
Out-of-Office Email Replies: set up an automatic email reply that informs clients you’re on reduced hours or unavailable. Include key details, like when you’ll be back, alternative contacts (if needed), and what to do in case of an emergency.
Invoice Reminders: if you have invoices to send during the holidays, set them up to automatically go out on time, and make sure you set up automated reminders too (i.e. one 2 days before payment is due, and one 7 days after payment is due). No one wants to be chasing money over the holidays, but small business still gotta get paid!
Appointment Scheduling: if you use an appointment scheduling tool, make sure it’s updated with your holiday hours. The last thing you want is a new call booked in your calendar for Christmas eve because you forgot to make yourself unavailable. This is also a great way to get any new enquiries on your call list for the new year so you have new leads to work with from the get-go!
4. Batch Your Work Like a Pro
I’ll admit, this one isn’t for everyone. I cannot make batching work for me. But for some, it’s a game changer when time is limited. If you can - dedicate specific time blocks to write blogs, edit graphics, or brainstorm ideas. Focus on one thing at a time - multitasking is a lie we all fell for.
5. Refresh Your SEO Strategy
SEO might not scream holiday cheer, but now’s a great time to tidy up. Review your keywords, update meta descriptions, and optimise images on your website. If your site is humming in the background, you can relax knowing Google is working for you while you’re at the beach.
6. Repurpose Existing Content
Save time by reusing content. Turn a blog post into multiple social media posts or condense it into an email newsletter. That “how-to” guide you wrote last year? Chop it into bite-sized nuggets for Instagram, and then loop back to tip #1 - schedule it!
7. Offer a Limited Holiday Service or Promo
Keep business ticking with a short-term, hands-off offering like a holiday template, mini course, or digital download. Promote it once, and let it sell itself while you focus on your family.
8. Declutter Your Workspace
Take a moment to Marie Kondo your workspace - both digitally and physically. Clea out your inbox, organise your files, declutter your desk, clear out any digital clutter [cookies, extensions etc] slowing you down, maybe treat yourself to a new plant or artwork. A streamlined workspace is the gift that keeps on giving - no more scrambling to find “FinalFinalV2.doc” or lost notebooks.
9. Outsource What You Can
You don’t have to do it all yourself. If updating your website or running a marketing campaign feels overwhelming, bring in a freelancer or agency to help. Outsourcing a few tasks can free up hours of your week, and that’s more time in the bank for fun activities with the kids.
10. Set Realistic Expectations
I say this for myself as much as I say it for you… get real with yourself. I always think “client work is lighter during the holidays, so this is your chance to refresh your website, finally finish that course you started 8 months ago, restructure your services, or all of the above”! And it never happnes!
Be real with your expectations of yourself. You’re not going to work at full capacity while juggling kids. You won’t be able to do it all no matter how much you might want to. Prioritise what matters most, and give yourself grace to step back if needed.
Marketing can always wait for the new year - your kids are only this age once!
The school holidays are all about balance: doing enough to keep your business ticking along without missing the magic moments with your kids. Hopefully these tips will help you keep your business ticking along, while also giving yourself the headspace to enjoy the chaos of family life.
