Prepare Your Brand and Business for the Summer
The spring and summer can be great for our personal lives
Photo: 123rf
The spring and summer can be great for our personal lives. There’s such a vibrant energy. Flowers are blooming and people are smiling. I get to wear my girly boho chic skirts. Life is good.
Because the weather is beautiful and there’s a lot to do it can be hard to lock down extended commitment because summer is when those impulsive trips to the beach, a spontaneous brunch or vacations tend to take over one’s attendance at a class, training or webinar.
The good news is, summer can still be awesome for engagement, you’ll just need to execute a different approach. Here are five ways you can optimize the summer time for your brand, side hustle, and/or business.
- Go outside.
Aside from the perks that vitamin D provides your body, getting outside is a great way to leverage the season and harness the good vibes of other people.
- If you work from home, go to a local park of cafe with outdoor seating.
- If you work at an office, take your lunch break outside.
- Have client meetings outside.
- Take a weekend to scout places that would be appropriate for different work-related activities such as meetings, brainstorming sessions, Google Hangouts, Skype conferences, etc.
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- Pimp out your gear.
Now would be a great time to get that super cute logo and put it on a t-shirt, water bottle, laptop cover, phone case and stickers.
If you’re going to be outside, leverage your BODY to serve as a walking billboard. While you’re at it, make a few for your most prized clients, subscribers, friends, etc.
Be sure to put your website URL so that people can see your website address.
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- Be social.
If you’re an introvert, like me, then use this time to break free. Social events in the summer are much easier on the crowd-phobic.
Instead of loud bars opt for boutique cafes and smaller venues. There are networking events everywhere. Find the neighborhoods that fit your style and get out there.
Meetup.com is a great start to finding likeminded peers in the setting which suits your personal style. If you’re adventurous then trek out to another ‘hood.
Bolt and Mega are bus companies which take you out of your city for cheap. For those in NYC, make a day trip to Philly, DC or Baltimore. It’s not that far.
Plan in advance and find a wifi cafe and networking group to connect with while you’re there.
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- Organize an event.
The summer is a great time to get people to show up. Pick an event that makes sense for your brand and find someone to team up with. Select a venue, pick a non-competitive day and create a catchy title for your event.
Examples can include:
- Pop-up Shop
- Talent Showcase
- Bookclub Brunch
- Entrepreneur’s Night Out (a fun spin on Girl’s Night Out)
- Writer’s Retreat
Find quirky and creative venue spaces. Go on AirBnB and rent a loft, beach house, rooftop or co-working space.
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- Create a summer guide.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTY45Y5BH-d/?taken-by=zenfulie
If you have an online brand, you have a niche and there’s something you can write about to position your brand as an authority or go-to site for whatever topic you specialize in.
Create a summer guide and print marketing collateral promoting the guide.
Place the postcards and flyers where your audience is hanging out.
- Movie theaters?
- Yoga studios?
- Coffee shops?
Remember to be intentional and strategic. The summer time is a great opportunity for your brand regardless of your niche or area of expertise. Spend a weekend brainstorming now so that you’re ready to get things rolling before the summer season starts.
