Summer Marketing

Beat the Heat: Creative Summer Marketing Ideas for Your Business

When the temperature rises, most people slow down…but your marketing doesn’t have to. Summer offers the chance to stand out while others are on autopilot. If your B2B business depends on staying visible and generating steady leads, this is the time to keep your audience engaged.

Here are 8 summer-friendly tactics to keep your brand active and top-of-mind.

1. Host a Summer Giveaway

It might sound obvious, but branded giveaways still work. Not the “stress ball in a dusty drawer” kind…give them something they’ll use when it’s 103 outside. Think insulated tumblers, cooling towels, portable fans. I once saw a contractor hand out branded can koozies at a local festival — simple, cheap, and everyone kept them. Genius.

Keep it simple: announce the giveaway, ask for an email or a follow, maybe a share to enter. Don’t overcomplicate it. People love low-effort wins, especially when it’s hot and their brain’s running on half speed.

One study even reported that 83% of consumers like receiving promotional products with an advertising message.

2. Create Content That Matches the Season (And the Mood)

Nobody’s in the mood to read a white paper right now. You know it. I know it. So don’t fight it. Instead, make your content quick, useful, and maybe even a little fun.

What are your customers dealing with during this stretch of the year?

Examples:

  • A construction company might publish a blog on “Keeping Cool on the Job: Essential Tips for Summer Construction Work.”
  • A tech company could create a video series on “Optimizing Your Home Office for Summer Productivity,” showcasing ways to stay comfortable and efficient while working from home during the heat.
  • A healthcare provider might share an infographic on “Hydration Hacks: Staying Healthy in the Summer Heat,” offering tips on staying hydrated and the benefits of their hydration products or services.

And don’t be afraid to share a little personality. You’re not writing a textbook here…you’re trying to connect. A little levity goes a long way this time of year.

Creative Summer Marketing tips

3. Summer-Themed Promotions

You don’t need a full-blown campaign to offer a good summer deal. Toss out something limited-time, give it a fun name like “Too Hot to Think Promo” or “Summer Slowdown Special,” and send it to your list with a quick note.

Something like: “We know things feel slow right now. Here’s something to make your life a little easier.”

It doesn’t need to be clever or complicated. In fact, the more human it sounds, the better it performs. Summer is all about energy conservation, for your customers too. Make sure to promote these deals through email and social media marketing.

4. Outdoor Events and Sponsorships

Summer is the season for outdoor events. Consider sponsoring local events like festivals, fairs, or sports games. Not only does this increase brand visibility, but it also shows your support for the local community. Set up a booth or tent with branded giveaways and information about your business.

As a matter of fact, 9 out of 10 marketers agree that experiential marketing boosts compelling engagement.

5. Share a Bit of the Human Side

People like doing business with companies that feel… well, like people. One of the easiest ways to make that happen? Show off your team’s summer vibe.

Post some behind-the-scenes shots. Team BBQs, vacation snapshots, bad sunburn stories (ok, maybe not the last one). Or have your employees share their favorite summer snack or weekend activity.

It takes 10 minutes, and suddenly your business feels less like a logo and more like a group of real folks your audience can relate to.

Examples:

  • Share a series of social media posts featuring your team’s vacation snapshots and stories. This humanizes your brand and gives your followers a glimpse into the lives of the people behind the business.
  • Encourage your customers to share their vacation photos with your products and feature these images in your email newsletters or on your website. Offer a small incentive, like a discount on their next purchase, for participating.
Summer Marketing

6. Ask Your Customers to Share

Here’s the thing: user-generated content performs better than most brand posts. And summer gives you the perfect excuse to ask for it.

Run a social media campaign and start a hashtag (keep it short). Ask customers to post pics using your product or service in their summer routine. Give them a reason to join in — small discount, feature on your feed, bragging rights.

Once you get a few entries, repost them. People love seeing their content shared, and it gives your feed more depth than stock images or “corporate updates.”

7. Give Your Emails a Seasonal Refresh

A quick update to your email visuals and subject lines can make a difference. Highlight limited-time offers, useful tips, or seasonal use cases. Add a fun summer recipe or quick poll for interaction.

Emails that feel timely are more likely to be opened and shared.

Examples:

  • An office supply company could do a newsletter featuring “Top 10 Office Gadgets to Keep You Cool This Summer.”
  • A software development company might create an email marketing campaign titled “Stay Productive in the Heat” with tips on using their tools to maintain efficiency during the summer months.
  • A commercial cleaning service could offer “Summer Cleaning Specials” through their email campaigns, emphasizing how a clean, cool workspace can enhance productivity.
  • A food supplier could send out a summer-themed recipe newsletter showcasing “Cool and Refreshing Office Snacks” that use their products.

8. Refresh Your Visuals

You don’t need a full redesign. Just update your homepage banners, rotate in some warm-weather photos, and change your social profile headers.

It shows people your business is active and paying attention. It’s a small detail, but it adds up — especially when everyone else looks frozen in time.

Even swapping in an image of someone holding a cold drink or working outdoors can make your brand feel more relevant. It’s an easy win.

Don’t Let the Texas Heat Slow Your Business Down

Everyone’s tired, inboxes are lighter, and meetings start getting pushed to “after Labor Day.” That’s your chance. When your competitors go quiet, your voice carries further.

If you’re short on time or ideas, our outsourced marketing agency has your back. At MARION, we work with businesses across Texas to keep their marketing active — even during the dog days of summer. Let us help you beat the heat with our digital marketing services in Austin and Houston, Texas.

Need help with your campaigns, content, or getting something out the door before the heat hits triple digits again? Let’s talk.

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