Summer’s not just for vacations and backyard barbecues. For your business, it can be prime time to connect with new faces, rekindle old relationships, and stand out when competitors are dialing it back. The slower pace of the season gives you an opening to get creative, make bold moves, and plant seeds for the busy months ahead. Whether you're working with a shoestring budget or looking to make a splash, there are summer-specific strategies that can keep your business warm and thriving long after Labor Day.

Lean Into Local Events

Every town, big or small, comes alive in summer. Farmers markets, music festivals, art fairs—they all draw a steady stream of people who are relaxed, curious, and open to new things. You can set up a booth or partner with an existing vendor to put your business in the spotlight. Even a well-designed flyer with a summer-only offer can catch attention if placed in the right hands. Being visible in a space where your neighbors are already gathered helps build trust without having to force a pitch.

Launch a Seasonal Product or Service

There’s a unique kind of excitement that comes with things labeled “limited edition.” You can create that buzz by rolling out a summer-specific product, offer, or service. Maybe it's a version of your product with a sunny twist, or a pop-up experience that ties into the season’s themes of fun and freedom. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul—just something that feels fresh and timely. When people feel like they have to act fast or miss out, they usually do.

Design Online Flyers

There’s something magnetic about a well-designed summer-themed flyer—it instantly sets the tone and captures attention, especially when bright colors and bold visuals reflect the season’s energy. Whether you’re emailing out a flash sale or posting an event teaser on social media, these flyers give your campaigns a warm, timely edge. Saving your marketing images as PDFs keeps the quality crisp and consistent across devices, especially when sharing them with your team or print vendors. If you're wondering how to convert images to a PDF, using a simple JPG-to-PDF converter tool makes the process quick and effortless.

Host an Outdoor Pop-Up or Demo

Don’t underestimate the power of simply being seen—especially when the weather’s nice. An outdoor pop-up gives you the chance to interact directly with your community while making your brand feel more tangible. You can hand out samples, show off how something works, or just strike up good conversations. It’s low-pressure, high-reward marketing that doesn’t require people to click on anything or read a subject line. All it takes is a little setup, a welcoming vibe, and something worth remembering.

Send Gift Baskets to Reignite Dormant Leads

Here’s a move that feels personal, generous, and a little unexpected in the best way possible: Send gourmet gift baskets to clients you haven’t heard from in a while. Thoughtful Presence offers curated corporate baskets that feel far from generic, and they can spark conversations that might’ve otherwise stayed cold. Sending one to a potential client you’ve been chasing—or to someone who used to work with you but went quiet—shows effort without pressure. It’s a simple gesture with long echoes, often leading to fresh calls, new deals, or at least a revived connection that puts you back in the picture.

Create a Photo Contest With Real Rewards

People take more pictures in the summer than at any other time of year—pool days, road trips, sunset dinners. Why not tap into that habit by running a photo contest tied to your brand? Ask followers to share themed images using your product, tagging your business and a custom hashtag. Choose a winner weekly and offer real, enticing prizes—not just discounts or company merch. This encourages engagement, spreads awareness through organic reach, and gives you a stockpile of user-generated content to use down the road.

Refresh Your Website With a Summer Theme

You wouldn’t wear a sweater to a summer party—so don’t let your online presence feel like it’s stuck in February. Update your homepage visuals, rewrite your copy with summer language, and maybe even add a splashy banner highlighting seasonal promotions. Visitors should land on your site and feel like you’re in sync with the moment, not lagging behind it. Even small visual tweaks can keep things feeling fresh, and they signal to your audience that you’re active, tuned in, and worth engaging with.

Partner With Complementary Brands

Summer is collaboration season. When people are in a lighter mood, they're more open to trying new things, and that’s where partnerships can shine. Think about who shares your audience but isn’t a competitor—then come up with a joint giveaway, limited-time bundle, or even a shared event. You double your reach without doubling your effort, and you give both audiences something new to talk about. Plus, it's just more fun to market when you're not doing it alone.

Offer VIP Perks for Loyal Customers

Not every promotion needs to target strangers. Summer is also the right time to show some love to the folks who’ve been with you through it all. You could create a VIP-only offer, early access to a new release, or a random “just because” gift card to their inbox. These gestures go a long way toward keeping your base engaged and appreciated. You don’t need a major campaign—just a reminder that you see them and you’re grateful.

Summer can lull some businesses into autopilot. But for you, it can be a launchpad—not just for sales, but for relationships, brand visibility, and future growth. The key is showing up in ways that feel timely, creative, and generous. When you meet people where they are—whether at a street fair, in their inbox, or through a beautifully packed gift basket—you build more than just awareness. You build momentum that carries you forward, no matter the season.

Discover the perfect blend of gourmet, functional, and decorative gifts at Thoughtful Presence, where every gift basket is crafted with the care and quality you’d expect for your own family and friends!