The Marketing Bare Minimums: What to Keep Going When Life Gets Busy
Let’s be real, when November hits, small business owners turn into juggling acts. You’re managing client work, sales promos, staff PTOs, your kid’s winter concert, and the emotional labor of remembering who’s allergic to what at Thanksgiving. Marketing? Yeah, it tends to fall somewhere between “I’ll get to it later” and “oops.”
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to do everything to stay visible. You just need to keep a few key things moving so your momentum doesn’t flatline.
Let’s talk about the marketing bare minimums: the handful of things that actually keep your brand warm, relevant, and ready to bounce back when life chills out again.
1. One Weekly Check-In (Even If It’s Just 15 Minutes)
Set a timer, open your analytics or your inbox, and take stock. What’s still working? What fell flat? This little habit keeps you from drifting into “marketing autopilot” and helps you pivot fast when something changes.
Think of it as your “marketing pulse check.” No spreadsheets, no guilt - just awareness.
2. One Social Post That Feels Human
Forget batching content for the month if you haven’t done it already. Just post one real, honest thing each week… something that reminds people there’s a person behind the brand. Share a client win, a behind-the-scenes moment, or your “holiday chaos meets caffeine” story.
Showing up once still keeps your audience connected. Consistency doesn’t always mean frequency, it means presence.
3. Keep Your Homepage Updated
If someone lands on your site from a holiday promo, make sure it doesn’t scream “last updated in July.” Swap in a seasonal message, update your CTA, or refresh your featured service. Tiny tweaks go a long way in keeping your brand energy current.
4. One Outreach or Connection Each Week
Send one check-in email to a past client, referral partner, or lead you meant to follow up with. Doesn’t have to be salesy, just real. A quick “how’s your Q4 going?” can spark a new project faster than a fancy campaign ever will.
5. Protect Your Learning Habit
Even during the busy season, keep your brain in the game. Watch one short tutorial, read one blog (hey 👋), or scroll your industry hashtag for five minutes. Staying curious keeps your ideas flowing and your confidence from fading when everything else feels chaotic.
TL;DR
When your calendar’s bursting at the seams, marketing doesn’t have to be another stressor. Keep these five bare minimums going:
Check in weekly on what’s working
Post one human thing
Keep your homepage fresh
Reach out to one connection
Keep learning, even in micro-doses
You’ll stay visible, relevant, and ready to ramp back up when the snow, and the chaos, finally settles.
