Planning Your Holiday Marketing… In July? Yes, Sis! Here's Why (and How to Start Simple)
I know what you’re thinking: “Girl, it is literally 95 degrees outside, why are we talking about the holidays?”
You might still be in your sundress era, iced coffee in hand, doing your best to just stay consistent online and I know what you’re thinking: “Girl, it is literally 95 degrees outside, why are we talking about the holidays?”
But hear me out.
If you run a business, especially in e-commerce or services, planning your holiday marketing strategy in July isn’t just smart, it’s essential. The brands that crush Q4? They’re not scrambling in November. They started mapping out their ideas months ago.
So no, you don’t need to have every gift guide and sales page ready today. But if you start now, you can avoid the stress, save time, and actually show up consistently when it matters most.
Let’s get into why it matters and a few simple steps you can take right now to set your future self up for a peaceful (and profitable) holiday season.
Why You Should Start Your Holiday Marketing Strategy Now
Whether you’re selling physical products, digital offers, or services, Q4 is prime time to make money if you go in with a plan. That’s when people are spending money, booking ahead, and searching for gifts.
Here’s why holiday planning in July gives you the upper hand:
More time to actually map out a promo or offer that makes sense
You can brainstorm and build campaigns without rushing
You’ll have content ready to roll during busy weeks instead of rushing to post daily
You can test ideas early, build anticipation, and tweak what doesn’t work
You’ll actually enjoy the holidays instead of working through them
Basically, prepping your holiday marketing strategy now = future you saying “thank you.”
Step 1: Brainstorm Your Holiday Offers (Even if They’re Not Final)
You don’t have to have it all figured out, but you do need a general idea of what you’re selling come October through December.
Start by asking: What do I want to promote in Q4?
Think:
What’s your main offer for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Do you want to offer holiday bundles or limited-time services?
Gift cards or digital downloads
Early booking incentives for 2026 services
Even if you don’t launch anything new, you can repackage or spotlight what you already have. Planning now gives you time to make those offers feel intentional and aligned.
🗒️ Keep a simple Google Doc or Notion board titled Holiday Offer Ideas and brain-dump everything. No pressure to commit today — just get the ideas flowing.
Step 2: Map Out Seasonal Content Themes
Once you know what you’re offering, the next step in your Q4 content planning is figuring out how to talk about it in a way that builds momentum. Think of each month as having its own role. Prep, launch, then nurture.
Here’s how to start simple with Q4 content planning:
October: The Warm-Up
This is your prep month — where you build curiosity and get your people ready to buy.
Behind-the-scenes of product or service prep
Education-style posts (why this offer matters, how it helps)
Waitlist, early bird, or VIP sneak peeks
Personal content to reconnect with your audience before the push
Testimonials
This is when you plant the seed — so when it’s time to sell, it doesn’t feel random.
November: The Launch
This is your main character energy month. Time to go live with your holiday marketing campaign and show folks why this offer is the one.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday countdowns
Value-led, problem-solving content tied to your offer
Urgency posts: early access, limited spots, final hours
Social proof: share testimonials, results, or client wins
Don’t just post “25% off!” — use storytelling and strategy to connect the offer back to your audience’s real life.
December: The Cozy Close-Out
December’s content should feel like a warm hug, still intentional, but softer.
Last-minute reminders for shoppers or clients wrapping up the year
Gratitude posts to highlight your community or favorite 2025 moments
Here’s what’s coming teasers for 2026
Light engagement posts to stay visible without pushing a promo
This is the perfect time to nurture your audience so they’re still around (and ready) come January.
Step 4: Pay Attention to What Your Audience Is Already Saying
People might already be dropping hints in your comments and DMs. “Do you do holiday gifts?” “Will this be available in November?” That’s data.
Keep a running list of:
Common questions about timelines or availability
What products or services are getting the most attention
What your audience is stressed about heading into the holidays
Use this info to shape your holiday campaign so it’s actually useful, not just another “25% off” promo they’ll scroll past.
Step 5: Make a Simple Holiday Launch Timeline
No 6-week launch plan needed. Just decide when you want to promote your offers and what you need to prep ahead.
Try this light version:
September: Finalize offer, update product photos, write early email drafts
October: Build hype with content, open up a waitlist, warm up your audience
November: Go live with your sale or promo
December: Retarget with last-minute offers, post testimonials, wrap up the year strong
This is how you approach your holiday marketing strategy with clarity instead of chaos.
Let’s Make Holiday Season Feel Aligned, Not Rushed
At Gleaux, we believe strategy shouldn’t feel like pressure. It should feel like a plan that supports you, not stress you. Starting your holiday prep now gives you time to breathe, create with intention, and actually enjoy the season while still showing up for your business.
✨ Want help planning your Q4 campaign, content, or offers? Book a FREE quick call today!