I don’t know about you, but the minute June rolls around, my brain shifts into summer mode. School's almost out, B's schedule is packed with year-end everything, and my own calendar is suddenly overflowing with BBQs, beach days, and client work (hello seasonal biz friends!).

It’s a lot.

And if you’re like most business owners I know, the last thing you want is to be glued to your phone trying to post on Instagram while also chasing your kid with sunscreen.

But here’s the good news: with just a little prep work, your socials can run smoothly in the background while you soak up that sweet summer sun.

Let’s get your social media summer-ready without the stress.

Plan Around Your Summer (Not the Other Way Around)

Before you log off or hit the road, take a few minutes to look at the next couple of months. Think about:

What do you have coming up? (Markets, sales, events, launches)
When are you off? (Actually off, not just “sort of checking DMs”)
What has to go out while you’re away?

Use this info to map out a loose plan. Doesn’t need to be perfect. The goal is to take a real break without ghosting your audience. (I do this every June, and it saves me every time.)

Update Your Away Messages

Seriously, do this before you disappear.

Whether you’re fully out of office or just shifting into summer hours, let people know what to expect. You can update:

Your email auto-reply
Voicemail (if you use it!)
Business hours on Instagram and Facebook

If you’re running something in the fall, this is a great time to tease it. Add a waitlist link or email signup to your away message.

This one tiny task can save you hours of back-and-forth and give your audience confidence that you’re still around (just not right now).

Batch + Schedule = Freedom

You don’t need to post every day. You really don’t.

But you do need to show up regularly enough that your audience doesn’t forget you exist.

Try batching a few posts in one go and scheduling them out. That way, you’re not scrambling mid-vacation or missing key dates.

Need ideas? Here are a few summer-friendly content types:

Behind-the-scenes moments (vacation day, market setup, or just your morning bevvy)
Testimonials (they’re easy, and they build trust)
Throwbacks (highlight past wins or transformations)
User-generated content (share photos from your clients or customers)
Reposts of what already worked (don't reinvent the wheel!)
Tips/Q&A (record a few quick videos answering FAQs)
Local love (shoutout to other small businesses or your fave summer spots)

These are all things you can prep in advance or pull from your camera roll in a pinch.

✨ Want to make batching even easier? The Social Media Content Planner was designed for moments like this. It helps you map out themes, organize your posts, and stay on track, even when you’re juggling camp drop-offs and cottage weekends.

Use Tools to Keep Things Running

Automation is your friend. Here are some tools I love:

Meta Business Suite: Great for Facebook and Instagram scheduling
Canva Content Planner: Design and post in one place
Flodesk or Mailchimp: Email sequences made easy
Google Calendar or Trello: To keep your plan organized

Even posting 2–3 times a week can be enough to keep the lights on.

Get a Little Help If You Need It

If this still feels like too much, I get it. You don’t have to do it all yourself.

You can:

Hire a local student for a few hours a week
Bring on a VA to schedule the content you’ve already created
Chat with someone like me to build a seasonal plan (I’ve got space for 1–2 more short-term clients this summer, message me if you want in!)

Sometimes outsourcing a little saves a lot of stress.

Don’t Skip Email Marketing

I know I talk a lot about socials, but let’s be real: not everyone is online all summer. Especially not consistently.

This is where your email list comes in.

You can automate a couple of summer check-ins to:

Promote seasonal offers
Share updates or stories
Keep your business top of mind

You don’t need to write a novel. A few short, friendly notes to your list can go a long way.

Engage In Small Ways

You don’t need to be posting constantly to stay visible, but try to stay present.

Set a 10-minute timer a couple of times a week to:

Respond to comments and DMs
Like and comment on posts from your community
Reshare anything you’ve been tagged in

These small actions help your account stay active in the algorithm and your relationships stay strong.

Use a Planner (It Helps, I Promise)

If you’re trying to juggle kids, clients, and cookouts, planning ahead is everything.

I created the Social Media Content Planner to make this easier. It’s dateless (so you can start anytime) and helps you:

Map out content themes
Track engagement
Stay organized even when life gets busy

It’s a game-changer if you’re someone who likes to see your plan on paper. (I always bring mine in the car when we road trip, it lives in my tote with the snacks.)

You’re Allowed to Rest (Really)

Let’s be honest. You started your business for freedom, right? Not to be online every single day.

So give yourself permission to rest and show up.

It’s not all or nothing.

Small, consistent actions will keep your business visible while you recharge. Your community? They’ll still be here in September, probably more engaged than ever.

Ready to Summer-Proof Your Socials?

Here’s your checklist:

Batch a few posts
Schedule them in advance
Set up away messages
Engage a couple times a week
Reuse your best content

Want support? Let’s make it easy.

📩 Book a summer strategy session 📒 Need a planner? Grab yours here

Here’s to a summer that feels good. You’ve earned it!

Smart Social Media Planning for a Stress-Free Summer