As temperatures rise, so should your marketing efforts. Summer presents an excellent opportunity for small businesses to boost visibility, build community connections, and drive seasonal sales. From refreshed branding to local partnerships, now is the time to get creative with your marketing strategy. Here are seven effective ways to turn up the heat on your marketing this summer.

1. Get Involved in Local Summer Events

Summer is packed with community festivals, outdoor concerts, markets, and parades – making it the perfect season to amplify your brand’s local presence. Whether you sponsor a local event, set up a vendor booth, or simply volunteer your services – showing up for your community builds trust and increases visibility. Be sure to promote your participation on social media, in your email newsletter, and with signage or print ads. Event involvement gets your name in front of more people while creating content opportunities you can use all season long.

2. Collaborate with Other Local Businesses

Nothing says summer like community, and that includes local business partnerships. Team up with complementary businesses in your area to launch co-branded promotions, bundle deals, or offer seasonal giveaways. You’ll increase your exposure to new audiences while reinforcing local connections that customers value. For example, a gym could partner with a smoothie shop for a “sweat and sip” deal, or a bookstore and coffee shop could offer joint loyalty discounts. Think creatively and lean into what your community loves most during the warmer months.

3. Tap into Wedding Season

Between May and September, wedding season is in full force and the marketing opportunities are endless. Even if your business doesn’t fall directly into the wedding industry, there’s likely a way to get involved. Promote custom gifts, beauty products, catering, rehearsal dinner spaces, dessert options, and more. Market services to the bridal party or newlyweds – such as florals, financing, or travel planning. Tailor your messaging to speak to this massive audience, including wedding guests looking for last-minute accessories, gift ideas, or travel accommodations. Any business can also offer small discounts to newlyweds and/or bridal parties.

4. Refresh Your Ad Designs for Summer

Give your advertising a seasonal facelift by incorporating summer themes into your visuals and messaging. Bright colors, sunny imagery, and seasonal motifs like beaches, fruit, or backyard barbecues can help your ads feel fresh and relevant. If you’ve been running the same creative for months, this is a great time to re-engage customers who may have started to tune it out. A simple refresh can make your business feel more vibrant and top-of-mind.

5. Give Your Social Media a Seasonal Makeover

Update your profile banners, imagery, and content calendar to reflect the fun and relaxed tone of summer. Whether you’re using tropical color palettes, summer puns, or photos of your products outdoors – embrace the vibe of the season to strengthen emotional connections with your audience. Don’t forget to adjust your posting schedule for summer habits. People tend to scroll more in the mornings or evenings, so time your posts accordingly – and consider batching content in advance to keep up with vacation schedules.

6. Launch a Summer Contest or Sweepstakes

Rather than cutting prices during a peak sales season, consider running a contest or giveaway to boost engagement and incentivize purchases. For example, customers who spend over a certain amount and follow your social channels would be entered to win a grand prize revealed at the end of the summer. This boosts sales during busy months, while helping you gather leads and keep customers engaged as the season winds down.

7. Don’t Overlook Back-to-School Marketing

When summer draws to a close, smart businesses start shifting their focus to back-to-school needs. The best part? Nearly every business can find a relevant angle. Cafés can offer grab-and-go breakfast deals or boxed lunches. Fitness studios can promote classes designed to help parents decompress. Tailors can market uniform alterations. Whatever your niche, look for creative ways to support families preparing for the fall.

Fuel Your Business Growth with First Financial

First Financial is here to help your small business succeed. From business checking accounts to newsletters and virtual retirement planning seminars, we offer the resources you need to grow through every season. To learn more about our business services or to speak with a representative, visit your local branch. Don’t forget to subscribe to the First Scoop Blog for more expert tips on financial wellness and small business success!