Make summer count by sharpening your PR and marketing strategy

For many UK businesses, summer brings a welcome change of pace. Clients and colleagues are on holiday, inboxes are a little quieter, and the relentless pace of the rest of the year (hopefully) eases off. But while August might not feel like the obvious time to think about your PR and marketing efforts, it offers a golden opportunity for reviewing and refining your strategy.

There are a few reasons why it’s smart to review your strategy in August. First, during peak months most teams are too focused on urgent deliverables to step back and look at the bigger picture. August, on the other hand, tends to be quieter, giving you and your team the mental space to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to go next.

Second, come September, everyone will be competing for time and attention again – in the media, online, and at events. Companies planning proactively during summer can enter the autumn with fresh plans and ideas.

Third, September marks the start of a packed calendar – industry events, trade shows, awards deadlines, and budget discussions. Planning in August ensures you’re ready to capitalise on these opportunities, rather than scrambling at the last minute.

So, what does a productive summer PR and marketing review look like? Here are the areas we recommend focussing on:

• Revisiting your objectives: Are your PR and marketing goals still aligned with your business strategy and revenue targets for the second half of the year?
  
  
• Evaluating your channels: Are you using the right platforms to reach your audiences? Look at performance across media, socials, owned content, and events. Are there gaps you need to fill, or underperforming areas you would like to improve?
  
  
• Updating touchpoints and collateral: Check that your marketing materials, social profiles, and website are up to date and consistent and start planning to refresh these if needed.
  
  
• Planning your content calendar: Map out key themes, campaigns, and content pieces for the rest of the year.
  
  
• Exploring industry trends and upcoming issues: Research emerging trends in your sector and anticipate possible challenges. Preparing your response and thought leadership angles now will pay dividends when editors and customers are looking for timely insights in autumn.
  

Rather than letting summer slip by, use this time strategically to strengthen your PR and marketing efforts. Doing the work while things are quieter will ensure you enter the second half of the financial year with clarity and momentum.

Whether you need a fresh perspective on your PR strategy, help polishing your marketing materials, or content mapped and created for the rest of the year, get in touch. We’d love to help you make the most of this valuable window and set you up for success in the months ahead.