Well, here we are. End of the year. Your brain’s fried, your staff are hanging on by a thread, and you’re wondering if you can sneak out of work early without anyone noticing. Cute.
But before you mentally clock off and face-plant into the Christmas ham, I’ve got news: this is the most important time to check in on your marketing health.
Because let’s be honest, you’ve probably let a few things slide this year. We all have. So, grab a coffee (or wine, I don’t judge), and let’s do a no-BS audit of where you’re at.
1. Your Website: Still Alive or on Life Support?
When’s the last time you actually looked at your own website like a customer would? If it’s slower than your staff walking into work on a Monday morning, fix it. If your photos still look like they were taken on a Nokia in 2012, update them. If your hours, menus, or offers are out of date, guess what? You’re losing customers before they even walk in the door.
2. Socials: Engaging or Just Existing?
Posting the same “Happy Friday” memes? Yawn. Engagement drops off when you’re phoning it in. Check your analytics. What worked? What bombed? What made people click, comment, or buy? Double down on that. Ditch the filler.
3. Emails and SMS: Goldmine or Ghost Town?
Are you actually sending to your database, or are those addresses sitting there collecting dust? End-of-year is the PERFECT time to get people back in your orbit. Run a festive campaign, sell vouchers, hype Boxing Day or NYE offers.
This is also the best time of year to SMS–Gift vouchers, special events, tickets etc. All of this can be helped by SMS. Even letting people know if your Boxing Day sales starts early. Oh and the best day of the year to send stuff? Boxing Day for sure! So many people are off work and glued to their devices.
Trust me, if you’re not doing these two things, you’re leaving money on the table.
4. Google My Business: Your Forgotten Child
Yes, this still matters. Update your trading hours. Add fresh photos. Post an update. People are literally Googling you while you’re reading this — make sure what they see is current.
5. Customer Experience: Smooth or Sloppy?
All the marketing in the world won’t save you if your customer service is trash. This is the season where reviews fly thick and fast. Get your team prepped, polished, and ready to handle the chaos with grace (and maybe caffeine or mixed lollies. I’d always sugar my team up pre-shift. Works a treat).
6. Plan Ahead: Don’t Start 2026 in Panic Mode
January can be quieter. That’s when you need a plan, not a hangover. Think promotions, fresh campaigns, and strategies that keep the momentum going. Your “future you” will thank you for not winging it. I’m now booking in strategy sessions for the 2026 year. I only take a few in January, so if you’re finally keen and ready to work with us head to our Contact Page and let’s lock you in now, and you can pay later! Just take that action now and secure your spot!
My Two Cents
End-of-year isn’t just for stocktakes and staff parties. It’s for getting brutally honest about your marketing. What’s working? What sucks? What needs fixing yesterday?
Do the work now, and you’ll roll into 2026 sharper, smarter, and miles ahead of the businesses still stuck in snooze mode.
Want help with your marketing audit or a fresh set of eyes on your strategy? That’s literally what we do. Hit us up, and let’s make sure next year you’re not just surviving — you’re smashing it.Chrissy 😉
