How to Launch Content Before Vacation and Actually Enjoy Your Time Off
Vacations are meant for unwinding, exploring, and recharging—but for marketers, the thought of leaving your audience hanging can make it hard to fully relax. The good news? With a little preparation, you can launch a seamless content strategy before you go, ensuring your brand stays active. Here’s how to set yourself up for a stress-free getaway without sacrificing your marketing momentum.
1. Plan Your Content Calendar in Advance
The key to a worry-free vacation is preparation. Start by mapping out your content calendar for the duration of your trip. This ensures your audience stays engaged, even while you’re offline.
Action Plan:
Audit Your Current Content: Review what’s already scheduled or published and identify any gaps.
Batch Create Content: Write, design, and finalize all posts, blogs, or videos you’ll need before you leave.
Set Clear Goals: Decide what you want your content to achieve while you’re away—whether it’s driving traffic, boosting engagement, or promoting a product.
2. Automate Your Publishing Schedule
Take advantage of scheduling tools to keep your content flowing without manual effort. Platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Later allow you to queue up posts across multiple channels.
Pro Tips:
Time It Right: Use analytics to determine the best times to post for your audience.
Diversify Formats: Schedule a mix of posts—like carousel images, videos, and Stories—to keep things fresh.
Double-Check Everything: Proofread and test links to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
3. Create Evergreen Content
Evergreen content is your vacation MVP. These are posts that remain relevant over time, requiring minimal updates.
Ideas for Evergreen Content:
“How-to” guides or tutorials related to your niche.
Inspirational quotes or stories that resonate with your audience.
Repurposed content, like turning a blog post into an infographic or video.
4. Engage Your Audience Before You Leave
Build excitement and set expectations with your audience before your trip. Let them know you’ll be away, but that great content is still coming their way.
Ways to Engage:
Countdown Posts: Share a countdown to your vacation with fun, themed posts.
Ask for Input: Poll your audience on what they’d like to see while you’re away.
Tease Upcoming Content: Give a sneak peek of what’s scheduled to keep them intrigued.
5. Delegate or Outsource Tasks
If you’re part of a team, delegate responsibilities to ensure someone is monitoring your channels. If you’re a solo marketer, consider outsourcing tasks like community management or content creation.
Options to Explore:
Hire a virtual assistant to handle comments and messages.
Collaborate with a freelancer to create additional content.
Partner with a social media manager for temporary support.
Looking for ways to create a content strategy and implement tools? Contact us.
6. Set Up Auto-Responses
Avoid the pressure to respond immediately by setting up auto-replies for emails and direct messages. This keeps your audience informed while giving you the space to relax.
Example Auto-Reply:
“Thanks for reaching out! I’m currently out of the office and will get back to you on [date]. In the meantime, check out our latest [blog post/product update/etc.] here: [link].”
7. Prepare for Post-Vacation Content
Coming back to a blank slate can be overwhelming. Before you leave, brainstorm ideas for post-vacation content so you can hit the ground running.
Ideas to Prep:
A “behind-the-scenes” look at your trip.
Lessons learned or inspiration gained while away.
A recap of your most popular vacation posts.
Final Thoughts
Launching content before your vacation doesn’t just keep your audience engaged—it gives you the freedom to fully enjoy your time off. By planning ahead, automating processes, and setting clear boundaries, you can maintain your marketing momentum without sacrificing your well-deserved break.
Need help crafting a pre-vacation strategy? Blackmore Strategy is here to help. From content planning to automation, we’ll ensure your brand stays active while you recharge. Schedule a free consultation today and let’s make your next vacation truly stress-free!
