Keep Your Sales Rolling After Christmas
January feels different in Australia. The Christmas rush fades, inboxes slow and plenty of people step away from routine. Many small businesses take this as a sign to switch off entirely, particularly in regional areas. The result is a quieter market where fewer brands compete for attention. This is where your summer marketing opportunity sits.
During summer holidays, customers have more time to browse, plan and think ahead. Your visibility during this period helps you hold ground while others fade out of sight.
Summer is not a lull.
It is a gap in the market that rewards the businesses
who choose to stay visible.
With a clear plan and steady activity, you can maintain momentum well into the new year.
Why Summer Marketing Is a Missed Opportunity for Many Small Businesses
January rewards businesses that stay active while others check out. The market becomes less crowded. Your customers spend more time on their phones, often while travelling. Your content stands out because there is less noise to compete with.
This becomes a practical window to reset, refresh and reintroduce your brand for the year ahead. When you keep showing up, your audience keeps listening.
New Year Goal Oriented Marketing Ideas
January motivation peaks early and drops fast. Your campaigns should tap into that energy with clarity and purpose. The most effective offers link directly to the goals people already set for themselves.
You could focus on themes such as:
• Health or fitness
• Organisation and productivity
• Confidence or wellbeing
• Financial planning or budgeting
Create short, time sensitive offers that help people start strong. Add a simple email series that guides readers through a small reset and highlights the best tools or services you offer.
Social content ideas:
• Three day challenges
• Bite sized tips
• User stories showing small progress
Your aim is to support people as they create new habits.
January Engagement Strategies
January is the moment to rebuild engagement without overwhelming your audience. People want light content that feels easy to interact with.
Include tactics such as:
• Polls, questions and quizzes
• Friendly behind the scenes updates
• Short videos filmed outdoors or in natural light
• A New Year welcome email to reset expectations
• Seasonal refreshes like updated banners or profile photos
• A soft push for Google reviews while customers have time
Consistency in January
strengthens the foundation for your entire year.
Also, don’t forget that local connection also matters. Share community events, markets or summer festivals. Join in the conversation. It’s where the magic happens.
Making the Most of Holiday Foot Traffic and Tourism
If tourism plays a role in your region (and let’s face it, it does, regardless of where you are), summer is a peak window for marketing opportunity, especially for bricks and mortar retailers. Visitors explore, spend and share their experiences.
Practical ideas include:
• Pop up tables or signage in high traffic locations
• QR codes linking to menus, services or special offers
• Collaborations with nearby cafés or shops
• Simple branded maps or guides with local recommendations
• Encouraging visitor reviews or photo tags
These touches help visitors remember you long after they leave.
Back to School Promotions That Actually Work
Families feel the pressure of getting organised for school. They want convenience and clear guidance. Businesses that deliver simple solutions build trust quickly.
Include ideas such as:
• Bundles for families or teachers
• Starter kits covering essentials
• Digital planners, printable checklists or lunchbox guides
• Parent or student discounts
• Content that helps, like five minute lunchbox hacks or quick uniform care tips
Keep every visual grounded in our summer season. Show sunlight, outdoor textures, warm palettes and familiar Australian settings.
Support parents with practical tools and you position your business as part of their everyday routine.
Summer Sales Planning for February and Beyond
January sets your direction for the coming months. The information you gather now helps to shape stronger campaigns later.
Track your January activities by reviewing:
• What offers converted well
• What content gained the most engagement
• What questions customers asked
• What stock or services were most in demand
Plan early for Valentine’s Day, refine your offers with customer feedback and build a simple roadmap (strategy) for your next quarter. Future you will be grateful for the clarity.
Summer rewards businesses that stay present. If you maintain momentum while others pause, you build visibility, connection and trust that carries through the year.
If you found this useful, you will feel right at home in The Open Field. It’s our monthly note to small business owners who want clearer marketing without the noise. We share practical tips, simple templates and the kind of guidance that helps you stay consistent through the busy seasons and the quiet ones.
You are welcome to join us. The next edition is already taking shape.
