August might seem like a quiet month, but it’s actually full of marketing potential. Instead of taking a break, use this time to refresh your branding and connect with your clients, prospects and followers in new ways. With fewer distractions and less competition, it’s an ideal time to focus on your strategic marketing efforts. Focus on creating engaging content, revisiting and refining your business goals, and leveraging the unique opportunities this month offers.
Here are 15 practical strategies to help you make the most of August and position your business for future success. Whether it’s through webinars, targeted social media campaigns or reconnecting with former clients, these tips will ensure you continue to grow your brand and achieve your business and marketing goals.
- Optimize Google Alerts: Set up Google Alerts for your name, company, key clients and prospects. This helps you quickly respond to mentions, handle any issues and celebrate positive news. By keeping tabs on your top clients or prospects, you can stay updated on their latest developments, tailor your outreach, offer timely help, and congratulate them on achievements. These proactive steps can strengthen professional relationships, build trust and keep you top of mind for future opportunities.
- Revisit Business Goals: August is a great time to assess your progress on marketing and business development goals. Check where you stand, identify any gaps and adjust your objectives to stay on course. Use this month to fine-tune your strategy and set clear, achievable targets for the rest of the year.
- Engage with Former Clients, Referrals and Prospects: Rekindle relationships by sharing valuable content like articles or webinars. Reach out with personalized updates that are relevant to their interests or industries. This “touchpoint” strategy keeps you on their radar and reinforces your expertise, maintaining the bond even without direct business interactions. Follow up with a friendly email or a quick check-in call to show you value their ongoing connection.
- Keep Your Content Flowing: Regularly publish a mix of in-depth articles, blog posts, client alerts, social media posts and opinion pieces. This highlights your expertise, keeps up with industry changes and addresses client concerns. A steady publishing schedule keeps your clients informed and engaged while enhancing your online presence. By consistently sharing valuable insights, you build your reputation as a go-to expert for both current clients and potential leads.
- Master LinkedIn Engagement: LinkedIn is an essential tool for professionals. Regularly post insightful content, engage with comments and participate in discussions to increase your visibility. Utilize this platform to showcase your expertise, build meaningful connections and open doors to new opportunities.
- Build a Strong LinkedIn Network: It’s not about having the most connections but the right ones. Focus on industry leaders, potential clients and people who can offer valuable insights or opportunities. Engage with your current connections by commenting on their posts, sharing relevant content and sending personal messages. When adding new contacts, choose those who align with your goals and can add real value to your network. By nurturing these relationships and selectively expanding your connections, you’ll create a LinkedIn network that truly benefits your career.
- Deep Dive into Content Analytics: Regularly review the performance metrics of your blog posts, email newsletters, client alerts and other digital content. Understand engagement patterns, time spent on pages and conversion rates. Identify what resonates most with your audience and recognize trends or topics of high interest. Leveraging these insights refines your content strategy, enhances user experience, ensures relevancy and bolsters your position as a go-to resource.
- Refresh Your Bio and LinkedIn Profile: Your bio is so important as it is usually the first thing people see when they search for you online. Make sure it’s up-to-date and accurately reflects your current practice. Focus on recent and relevant expertise and experiences, and highlight how you solve problems for clients. Keep it clear, concise and client-centric, showing how you add value rather than just listing your achievements. Integrate industry-relevant keywords and phrases to optimize search engine visibility, making it easier for potential clients and collaborators to discover your profile. Use your updated web bio as the basis of your LinkedIn bio – which should be written in the first person and less formal in tone than your web bio.
- Maximize Alumni Connections: Tap into the valuable relationships you made during school and at your previous employers. Tap into these networks by joining alumni events, online forums and social media groups. Get involved in discussions, mentor alumni and collaborate on projects. These interactions can lead to client referrals, business partnerships and even lasting friendships. Staying connected with these groups keeps you updated on industry trends and provides new perspectives, helping you grow both professionally and personally.
- Host a Webinar: Hosting a webinar is a great way to connect with your audience and highlight your expertise. Pick key topics in your industry, find expert speakers and promote the event. The webinar itself is just the beginning. After the webinar ends, transcribe the content and turn it into blog posts, articles, podcasts and social media posts. This keeps the conversation going and shows your commitment to sharing valuable knowledge and engaging with your audience.
- Get the Most Out of LinkedIn Groups: LinkedIn Groups are a great way to connect with people in your field. Find groups that match your interests or expertise and start participating. Share your thoughts, answer questions and post useful content. This will increase your visibility, build your reputation and help you make meaningful connections. Plus, keeping an eye on popular topics can give you insights into what people are interested in, helping you adjust your strategy as needed.
- Enhance Practice Descriptions: Invest time in revising your practice descriptions highlighting key specializations, landmark cases and notable achievements. Create clear, comprehensive overviews that demonstrate your expertise and successes in each area. This approach not only builds credibility but also helps potential clients understand the full scope of your capabilities, making it easier for them to choose your firm.
- Engage Actively in Associations or Committees: Beyond membership, take on leadership roles or contribute to initiatives within professional associations or committees. This involvement broadens your network and showcases your dedication to the advancement of your field. By spearheading projects, participating in think-tanks or leading educational sessions, you solidify your reputation as a proactive, knowledgeable, and influential figure. This can lead to increased referral opportunities, collaborations and heightened visibility among peers and clients.
- Proactively Seek Speaking Opportunities: Don’t just wait for invites—put yourself out there for speaking roles at conferences, workshops and webinars. Showing your expertise on these stages boosts your visibility and positions you as a go-to expert in your field. Engaging with audiences directly gives you immediate feedback and great networking opportunities. Plus, it’s a chance to showcase what you know and how well you communicate. By consistently being part of the conversation, you’ll attract collaborations, partnerships and new clients, all while strengthening your professional brand.
- Optimize Conference Participation: Don’t just attend—strategically select industry events that align with your company’s goals and areas of specialization for the upcoming year. Prioritize events that offer workshops, breakout sessions or panels related to your niche. Beyond acquiring the latest insights and best practices, these conferences serve as optimal grounds for forging valuable connections. Engage in active discussions, seek introductions and organize side meetings or dinners to deepen relationships. By being deliberate about your attendance and engagement, you can maximize the return on time invested, boosting both your professional development and business prospects.
Incorporating Hashtag and Social Media Holidays
Consider incorporating hashtag and social media holidays into your content calendar. These holidays provide opportunities to stand out, show pride in a cause you care about and be more human by showcasing your culture and people. While you don’t need to create a post for every holiday, take advantage of the opportunities that make sense for your brand. Here are some ideas for August:
- August is National Black Business Month: Recognize your favorite Black-owned businesses.
- National Nonprofit Day (August 17): Highlight your nonprofit partners.
- National Book Lovers Day (August 9): Showcase your employees’ favorite books.
- National Dog Day (August 26): Create a photo collage of your employees’ dogs.
- National Women’s Equality Day (August 26): Highlight women’s initiatives efforts and tie it to current events.
Additional August Holidays
August 1 – American Family Day #AmericanFamilyDay
August 2 – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day #NationalIceCreamSandwichDay
August 3 – National White Wine Day #NationalWhiteWineDay
August 4 – Single Working Women’s Day #SingleWorkingWomensDay
August 4 – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day #NationalChocolateChipCookieDay
August 6 – National Cycle to Work Day #NationalCycleToWorkDay
August 8 – International Cat Day #InternationalCatDay
August 10 – National S’mores Day #NationalSmoresDay
August 10 – National Spoil Your Dog Day #SpoilYourDogDay
August 11 – National Sons and Daughters Day #SonsAndDaughtersDay
August 11 – Annual Medical Checkup Day #AnnualMedicalCheckupDay
August 12 – International Youth Day #YouthDay
August 13 – International Lefthanders Day #LefthandersDay
August 13 – National Prosecco Day #NationalProseccoDay
August 13 – National Best Friends Day #NationalBestFriendsDay
August 16 – National Tell a Joke Day #NationalTellAJokeDay
August 17 – Baby Boomers Recognition Day #BabyBoomersRecognitionDay
August 18 – Never Give Up Day #NeverGiveUpDay
August 19 – World Photography Day #WorldPhotographyDay #WorldPhotoDay
August 19 – World Humanitarian Day #WorldHumanitarianDay
August 19 – National Aviation Day #NationalAviationDay
August 21 – Senior Citizens Day #SeniorCitizensDay
August 26 – Make Your Own Luck Day #MakeYourOwnLuckDay
August 28 – National Bow Tie Day #NationalBowTieDay
August 28 – National Red Wine Day #RedWineDay
August 30 – National Beach Day #NationalBeachDay
August 30 – National Grief Awareness Day #GriefAwarenessDay
August 31 – Love Litigating Lawyers Day #LoveLitigatingLawyersDay
August offers a prime opportunity for proactive growth. The decisions you make this month can shape the rest of the year. Each strategic action can significantly impact your brand and business expansion. Whether it’s optimizing your LinkedIn engagement, leveraging alumni connections, or creating targeted content, the steps you take now will set the tone for your success. Which strategies will you focus on to drive your business forward?