How to Simplify Your Online Business for the Summer

Do you have kids home for the summer or you just want to vacation and not spend so much time on your business?

Then this post is for you. We all want to enjoy the fun that summer brings. Here are ways you can do that and still get things done for your business, without neglecting it.

As the temperatures rise and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to simplify your business and create a seamless summer experience. Whether you’re a newer business owner or a seasoned professional, this blog post will provide you with actionable tips to streamline your online business operations, allowing you to enjoy the summer while still making progress towards your goals.

I share this because I have little ones who are home with me for the summer, so I always look for ways to stay connected to my business and still enjoy my time with them. Grab your favorite beverage, find a cozy spot, and let’s dive in!

Here is how to simplify your online business for the summer.

Evaluate and Refocus

As the summer approaches, take some time to reflect on your business goals and priorities. Evaluate your current strategies and determine if they align with your long-term vision. Are there any tasks or projects that can be put on hold or delegated to free up your time? By refocusing your efforts on what truly matters, you can simplify your workload and create space for growth and creativity.

Start by looking at your long-term goals. What do you hope to achieve in the fall? Five years? Ten years? Once you have a clear understanding of your objectives, break them down into smaller, more manageable milestones. Identify the specific actions you need to take to make progress towards each of these goals.

Next, assess your current progress towards these goals. Are you on track to meet your targets? If not, what changes do you need to make to get back on course? Are there any new opportunities or challenges that you need to consider?

Finally, take a close look at your summer plans. Do they support your overall goals, or are they distractions that will take you off track? Be honest with yourself and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your efforts are aligned with your vision.

By regularly evaluating your goals and adjusting your plans as necessary, you can stay focused and make the most of your summer months. So take the time to assess your business goals and make sure that you are on the right track to success.

Pro Tip: I like to keep my goals on both my Trello Business Planner and in my print planner that I use daily.

Evaluate and Refocus: What this looks like

• Write down all of the tasks you need to do daily, weekly, monthly and add to your calendar or at least make a checklist.
• Prioritize your most profitable products or services and put less emphasis on those that generate minimal revenue. Maybe you just promote one product and really build out that marketing plan to perfection.
• Set or revise your goals and revisit them weekly. Are you making progress or do the goals need to be adjusted?

Create a Summer Content Plan

Consistency is crucial for your online presence, but it’s equally important to allow yourself some breathing room during the summer months. Create a summer content plan that aligns with your business goals but also allows for flexibility and relaxation. You know how much I love content planning!

Batch create content in advance, so you have several posts and emails ready to go. Consider repurposing existing content or sharing resources that provide value to your audience. This way, you can maintain engagement while still enjoying those long-awaited beach days and family vacations. Don’t forget to use AI tools to help! They will save you hours of time.

Create a Summer Content Plan: What This Looks Like

• Develop a content calendar that outlines topics, formats, and publishing dates, ensuring a consistent presence while allowing for breaks or vacations.
• Repurpose existing blog posts or videos into different formats such as podcasts, social media posts, short form video and your email newsletter. Don’t forget to ask AI to write new posts for you.
• Collaborate with other entrepreneurs or influencers for guest posts or cross-promotion, providing fresh perspectives for your audience. It is helpful to collaborate because they you have content ideas and info to share with your audience.
• Pre-schedule your content so you’re only working once and getting a lot done, instead of repeating the task lots of times. I love Tailwind, FB Business Suite, and Canva for content planning.

Simplify In All Areas

Here are the five areas I suggest simplifying your workflow. Use which will help you the most.

• Unsubscribe from email lists
• Clean out your inbox
• Clean up your work space
• Simplify social media
• Streamline your offers

Now let’s get into more details.

Unsubscribe from email lists.

This can be tricky, but you probably have email you don’t read from a lot of people, and it’s keeping you feeling overwhelmed and feeling like you can’t get ahead. I know because that’s how I used to feel before I looked through what information I wanted to keep, and where I wanted to unsubscribe.

If you haven’t opened several of the newsletters in awhile, it’s probably safe to say you don’t benefit from being on the list. Unless it’s someone whose product you have or course, or you are learning more about them, feel free to simplify and unsubscribe.

Clean out your inbox

The fastest way to do this is to sort by sender and mass delete that way. There are entire courses you can take on how to get to inbox zero, and don’t forget the power of organizing into folders to help make this happen. This is a great workshop about cleaning up your digital clutter (affiliate link).

clean up your work space

I don’t spend much time in my office during the summer, so just before school gets out for my kids, I go through everything to declutter, organize, take care of things that need to get done and clean up the entire space. Get rid of what you can, it will help you more than you know.

simplify your social media

Here’s an idea – post where you enjoy posting and that’s all! But don’t forget to save time by batching and scheduling.

Social media can be a powerful (and fun) tool to connect with your audience and promote your brand. However, constantly posting and engaging on every platform can be time-consuming and overwhelming. That’s where automation comes in.

By using social media management tools like FB Business Suite, which is free or Canva Pro (learn how to use it in my online Canva Course here), you can pre-schedule your posts, track analytics, and manage multiple accounts all in one place. This will free up valuable time for you to focus on other aspects of your business while still maintaining a strong online presence.

But don’t just set it and forget it. Make sure to regularly review and adjust your social media strategy based on engagement and results. With automation, you can streamline your efforts and make the most of your social media presence.

I love doing stories. I find them to be fun, simple, and engaging. Record small snippets of your day and post when you can. Don’t forget to ask questions and vary the videos so people stay engaged.

Streamline your offers

Take a few minutes to see what your customer journey is and how they buy from you. Is it easy, straightforward and effective? Are your funnels converting? Summer can be a great time to simplify what you offer and really hone in on creating an effective marketing plan for just one of your offers, instead of offering several that confuse your audience and divide your marketing efforts.

• Consolidate multiple service packages into a few comprehensive options that cater to different client needs. Do a VIP Day model like I do – you can take courses on how to set this up. This is a great workshop (affiliate link) that is the same program I took to learn how to set up my VIP Day services.
• Bundle related products together to create a simplified, all-in-one solution.
• Eliminate underperforming products or services that don’t align with your target market or business goals. Or that you haven’t fully built out all the supporting materials for like a course, or the email welcome series and such.
• Set up all of your products and courses in ThriveCart (affiliate link), it is a one time purchase and I can’t say enough good things about it. I’ll write more about how I use ThriveCart soon.
• Streamline what you offer in the summer – maybe just offer 1 service or product and really build a great marketing plan for it.

Optimize Your Workflow

Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to simplifying your business. Analyze your workflow and identify any bottlenecks or areas for improvement. Use project management tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. Implement time-blocking techniques to maximize your productivity and minimize distractions. By streamlining your workflow, you’ll be able to complete tasks more effectively, giving you more time to enjoy the summer.

Optimize Your Workflow: What This Looks Like

• Pick the hours you actually CAN get work done. For me this is very early in the morning before everyone wakes up, or later at night after my kids are in bed.
• Implement the Pomodoro Technique, breaking your work into focused 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks to maximize productivity.
• Utilize project management tools like Trello or Asana to track tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members if applicable. I use both!
• Automate repetitive tasks using tools like Zapier or IFTTT, allowing for seamless integration between different platforms and reducing manual effort.

Engage and Connect with Your Audience

While summer is a time for relaxation, it’s also an opportunity to engage and connect with your audience in a more personal way. Create interactive and entertaining content that resonates with your followers.

Host virtual events, giveaways, or challenges that encourage participation and build a sense of community. By fostering genuine connections with your audience, you’ll strengthen your brand and create a loyal customer base.

I host monthly challenges for my wellness business where people can do simple activities to connect. You can see them in this Facebook group.

Engage and Connect with Your Audience: What This Looks Like

• Host live Q&A sessions or webinars on topics of interest to your audience, fostering interactive engagement and addressing their specific needs. This is a great way to actually talk with others when you work from home alone.
• Be present regularly on social media stories, which can be fun and effective to stay connected.
• Run social media contests or giveaways, encouraging followers to participate and share your content, thereby expanding your reach.
• Respond promptly to comments, messages, and emails, demonstrating your commitment to building relationships and providing exceptional customer support.

Prioritize Self-Care

As a business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to take care of yourself. Remember, your well-being is crucial to the success of your business. Prioritize self-care and make time for activities that rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Schedule regular breaks, practice mindfulness or meditation, engage in physical exercise, and spend quality time with loved ones. By taking care of yourself, you’ll approach your business with renewed energy and a positive mindset.

Prioritize Self-Care: What This Looks Like

• Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to recharge, whether it’s taking a walk, practicing mindfulness, or simply enjoying a cup of tea.
• Set boundaries between work and personal life, designating specific times for relaxation, hobbies, and quality time with loved ones.
• Invest in professional development or personal growth activities that align with your interests and passions, allowing for personal fulfillment and a well-rounded mindset. I love reviewing online courses or products I’ve bought in the evenings or Sunday nights.
• Get your workouts in! I love the FitOn App. You can join for free here.