The sun is out, the birds are singing, and everyone seems to be glued to their pool floats (or maybe glued to their phones at the pool!). Summer can be a double-edged sword for businesses with a digital presence. While some industries see a natural boost in sales (think ice cream shops and travel agencies!), others might experience a dip in audience engagement.
But fear not, fellow marketers! Just because your audience is soaking up the sun doesn’t mean you have to let your engagement take a summer vacation. Here are some creative content ideas to keep your audience hooked and your brand thriving through the hottest months:
Embrace the Season: Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and creating memories. Infuse your content with that same spirit! Instead of the usual product posts, pivot towards summer-themed content. Create listicles like “Top 10 Beach Reads” or “Beat the Heat Hacks” that subtly showcase how your product or service can enhance their summer experience. For example, a bookstore could share a list of summer reads while subtly highlighting their online ordering system for poolside delivery.
User-Generated Content Contests: Turn your audience into brand ambassadors with engaging user-generated content (UGC) contests. Run a photo contest on Instagram where people share their favorite summer moments using your branded hashtag. This not only encourages engagement but also gives you a treasure trove of user-created content you can repurpose later. The prize could be anything from a summer-themed product bundle to a gift certificate to your store.
Interactive Stories: Stories on Instagram and Facebook are a fantastic way to keep your audience glued to their phones. Create interactive stories with polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions around summer topics. For example, a clothing brand could run a poll asking viewers which summer outfit they love most, or a restaurant could host a Q&A session with their chef, sharing summer recipe tips.
Go Live with a Summer Twist: Liven things up with engaging live streams. Host a live Q&A session with a summer-themed expert – a travel blogger for a travel agency or a mixologist for a bar. You could even host a live product demonstration, showcasing how your product can enhance summer activities.
Partner Up for Summer Fun: Collaborate with other complementary businesses for a summer-themed social media campaign or giveaway. This not only expands your reach but also offers your audience unique value. A sports clothing brand could partner with a healthy food delivery service to offer a combined prize pack for a summer fitness challenge.
Bonus Tip: Embrace the Humor. Summer is a lighthearted season. Inject some humor into your content with summer-themed memes, GIFs, or witty captions. This humanizes your brand and creates a more relatable connection with your audience.
By implementing these creative content ideas, you can ensure your brand stays top-of-mind with your audience all summer long. Remember, your goal is to provide value and entertainment, not just sell products. So, grab your digital marketing floaties, dive headfirst into summer-themed content, and keep your audience engaged – even when they’re soaking up the sun!
