How to Tackle Social Media Management Over the Holiday Season

The holidays are a busy time of year.

There are parties to attend, shopping to be done, and so much more. And if you’re also running a business at the same time, it can be a little stressful.

As we all know, the world of social media doesn’t just stop because it’s a holiday. We still need to maintain our accounts to ensure we stay top-of-mind for our audience.

But tackling your social media management during the holidays doesn’t mean you need to be online 24/7. You just need to get prepared now!

How to Tackle Social Media Management Over the Holiday Season

So, how can you juggle social media and everything else you have going on? First, don’t panic! And second, just follow these tips to make managing all those accounts a breeze (while still giving yourself a chance to unplug).

1. Make Sure Your Posts Get Scheduled in Advance

With so much stuff on your plate this time of year, it’s easy to let your social media management tasks fall to the bottom of your to-do list. That’s why it’s best to plan ahead and start scheduling content now so you don’t have to worry about it later on. Just make sure you check in from time to time to see that everything is posting.

Knowing your social media queue is filled with posts gives you peace of mind. Plus, it frees up your time to focus on other important tasks. If you don’t already have a third-party scheduler, now is the time to get one! You can see a few of my recommendations in this post.

Once you have a trusty scheduler in your toolbox, it’s time to start plugging posts into the queue! For the most part, social media content during the holiday season is just like any other time of year. You want to share your own content, promotional posts, and even throw in some curated content from other creators you love.

But make sure you’re keeping my next tip in mind…

2. Don’t Forget to Throw in Some Light-Hearted Holiday Fun

It’s still a time of year for celebration, so don’t let it be all business, all the time. Schedule a few holiday-related posts to spread cheer to those who follow you. And don’t be afraid to get creative with your copy and graphics by giving your posts a festive spin. This post from Crowdfire has some fantastic ideas!

3. Find Ways to Give Back to Your Online Community

The holiday season is the perfect time to spread a little love and show your community that you appreciate them. Whether it’s an exclusive discount, a giveaway, or something else, it’s sure to put a smile on their faces. Plus, it makes them love your brand even more and boosts loyalty.

I shared some other ways to give thanks to your community, so be sure to check those out! Even sending a simple “thank you” email at the end of the year goes a long way.

4. If You’re Planning to Run Ads, Get Them Approved Early

This is a pretty busy time for social media advertising. If ads are part of your holiday marketing campaign, your best bet is to get them created and submitted early. This way, there’s more time for them to be approved. And you’ll have extra time to make changes if needed.

It’s also worth noting that you may wind up paying more for your ads than usual. This is due to the increase in competition with so many brands running campaigns at the same time. Review your budget so you can be prepared.

5. Consider Temporarily Outsourcing the Job

If it’s just you running things behind the scenes at your business, why not consider getting some help over the holidays? You can bring someone on to handle social media management instead of trying to tackle it all yourself if it’s in your budget.

This person could take care of scheduling posts, responding to comments, etc. And if you need extra help with customer service at this time of the year, make sure you have specific guidelines prepped! Because as we know, customer service inquiries can definitely skyrocket during the holidays. And with guidelines, your new team member can step into the position with ease.

6. Set Virtual Office Hours to Allow Time for Unplugging

And finally, it’s important that we all take time away from our laptops and phones during the holiday season. We need to have those moments where we’re actually present when with family and friends, instead of staring at a screen.

That’s why it’s beneficial to set virtual office hours for yourself, allowing you the chance to shut down at the end of the day. It may be tempting to check all your social media accounts and mindlessly scroll through your feeds… But you deserve time off! Allow yourself the time to step back for a bit. And if you do customer service through social media, make sure your online hours are clear on your profile.