The festive season is RIGHT ON TOP OF US. While it’s supposed to be a time of family, relaxation and celebration, for the bulk of small business owners managing their own social media, it can be a whirlwind of challenges. You’re 100% not alone in feeling the pressure to stay active and engaging online while also trying to enjoy this special time of the year.
The Challenges and Realities: Take it from a professional, managing social media over the festive break is tough. You want to be present for your audience, but also for your family and friends. The struggle to strike this balance is real.
- Time Management: Finding time between holiday preparations and business demands can feel like an impossible puzzle.
- Content Creation: Coming up with festive-themed content that’s both original and engaging is no small feat.
- Engagement Pressure: The festive season sees a surge in online activity, and keeping up with this can be overwhelming.
- Personal Burnout: It’s easy to forget your own need for a break during this bustling season.
But here’s the thing: it’s okay to find this hard. Everyone does. Even the most seasoned marketers face these festive hurdles.
Small Wins and Feasible Goals: Over the last 9 years of managing the holidays & social, we’ve developed some easy steps to help navigate this season with less stress and more success (WHOO HOO).
- Plan Ahead: Pre-schedule posts where possible. This small step can save you heaps of time and stress.
- Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to post a few well-thought-out posts than to overwhelm your audience (and yourself) with daily content.
- Engage Smartly: Set aside a specific time for engagement. You don’t need to be online 24/7. Going to repeat this one more time for those who need tp hear it: YOU DON’T NEED TO BE ONLINE ALL THE TIME. Sometimes is plenty, we promise.
- Repurpose Content: Don’t hesitate to reuse or adapt your past popular posts. It’s efficient and often just as effective.
- Use Automation Tools: Leverage scheduling programs to manage posts – they are worth their weight in gold.
- Give yourself a break. During chaotic seasons, like Christmas, every post is a win, rather than every missed post a fail.
The Essential Insight: Remember, the festive season is chaotic online and IRL. Engagement will fluctuate wildly, peoples sense of time goes out the window and everyone’s emotions are heightened. Your audience will appreciate authenticity over perfection. So, it’s completely fine if you’re not constantly active online. In fact, taking this time to recharge can be beneficial for both you and your business in the long run.
Finally, we just want you to know: as small business owners, you’re already doing an incredible job. This festive season, give yourself the gift of balance. Focus on what’s achievable, enjoy the moments of connection with your audience, and don’t forget to take time for yourself.
YOU GOT THIS.