These simple tasks will help your business stay polished, professional and visible; even when you’re offline.

1. Update your Google Business profile 

Log in and double-check all your info including your closing and reopening dates for the holiday period, as this now syncs automatically with Google Maps, Search, and the new AI Summaries! While you’re there, check and update all your content, respond to any new reviews, answer FAQs, remove spam and upload any new or festive images to support a “top of page” result in local searches.

2. Refresh your social media presence

Check and update your About or Bio sections with your holiday hours and pin any “see you soon” type posts to the top (depending on the platforms you’re using). If you’re running Meta, TikTok, Google Display or LinkedIn ads, double check the content, budget and running dates, and pause or refresh them if needed.

Tip: Decide whether you want notifications on or off – or better yet, use scheduling tools like Meta Business Suite, Canva Scheduler or Later to pre-load content for automatic posting while you relax.

3. Set your out-of-office message

Create a friendly autoreply for email. If your business uses shared inboxes or chat tools like Slack or Teams, ensure team status updates are clear so customers know who’s available.

You may also like to update your email signature to reflect any changes in standard operations.

4. Update your website, metadata or chatbot

Make sure your closing/reopening dates are easily found on your website homepage or banner. If you use an AI chatbot, update the automated greeting or response. You can even add a short “we’re on a break” pop-up for clarity.

Chat to your website provider about this if you don’t manage your own website: Take a look at your metadata (the back end of your website) to ensure all your web pages are current and all metadata is correct for search engine optimisation (SEO).

5. If you have a physical brand presence, give it a once-over

If relevant, check all your physical signage, tidy/clean window displays, wash the branded vehicle(s) – and don’t forget the plants! A little care goes a long way in supporting brand pride and professionalism over the holidays.

6. Update your voicemail, phone or text messaging settings

Record a short, friendly holiday voicemail message, and make sure all staff know what to say if they are working and answering calls. Also check any automated text message tools to ensure auto-replies are correct.

Tip: Our Taranaki Business Computing Services team can help you install a VOIP/cloud-based phone system with messaging, no matter where you are in the country!

7. Review any paid/booked advertising campaigns

Review all active advertising: Billboards/out-of-home, radio/podcasts, print, web, Google Ads, Meta, Spotify, Tik Tok etc. Ensure nothing runs past its use-by date or references promotions that have ended.

If you’re using automated campaigns or AI ad tools, confirm your seasonal messaging still fits. 

Tip: Don’t stop advertising just because you’re closed! Your ideal customers are still spending time scrolling, driving, reading, listening etc. Just make sure your brand messaging is suitable for the time period.

8. Audit your branded collateral

Do a quick stocktake of business cards (physical or digital), any brochures, giveaways, proposal/report templates, uniforms, loyalty cards, flags, pens etc.

Make a note of anything that needs a refresh to reorder early in the new year or use this time to research more sustainable options.

9. Email your clients and key stakeholders

If regular emails (EDMs) are part of your marketing mix, then you may like to communicate any unusual/different opening hours or unique offers. Make sure there’s enough time for them to action anything (e.g. book/order something, send files, make a payment etc).

Tip: Don’t spam them. If it’s not something they would expect from you, then let’s not clutter everyone’s inbox.

10. Schedule a "return to work" update

Open your calendar and schedule a January reminder to update/revert your Google Business Profile, website, voicemail and socials when you reopen. You’ll thank yourself later! 

11. Reflect, celebrate and reset

Marketing strategy is an ongoing task, but the end of the calendar year marks an opportunity to reflect, review your marketing goals, and celebrate the wins or learn from the challenges. 

Check your marketing budget against your business goals for 2026 and make adjustments if necessary. Remember, marketing sits in service of the overall business goals so don’t treat it as a single-line item in a spreadsheet – plan for your success across all aspects of marketing (not just advertising). 

Remember: Your brand is more than just your logo, it’s how people feel about every interaction they have with your business… from your Google reviews through to how you drive your branded vehicle to your summer holiday spot.

Have a fantastic holiday season – see you in 2026!