It’s crunch time!

After a very pre COVID shoulder season, not to mention the political drama nationwide, it’s time to finish with the November number’s tally and get moving on the end of the year Holiday rush and marketing entry to 2025.  I know I required a bit more rest and self care this Fall because 2024 was a such a stressful year with a relentless swarm of unknowns and constant pivots. I’m looking forward to Tahoe Truckee business stabilizing in 2025. My prediction for 2025 is that the world is till a bit unstable after COVID, the US did better than most of the world as far as the recovery.  Add to it the summer’s mass travel abroad left quite a few people with an “I’m over it” attitude and that means they are ready to come home to the ease and welcome of regional travel.

So let’s shake off the shoulder season sleepy’s  and get ready for the Holiday Rush.

Start with a Holiday - Early Jan social media plan.

1. Gather all your Holiday media from last year. Why last year? Because if you are anything like my clients they are far too busy to think about posting during the rush. Granted they get time to snap a photo or two, and I capture for them when traffic allows, but keeping to a rigid posting schedule of new content is far too stressful.
2. Schedule out the entire Holiday: By this week you should have all your social posts scheduled out to New Years. Lay the ground work and take the stress off. This does not mean you will not do any current posting. If the moment presents its self go for it and add to the mix, but take the pressure off.
3. Capture, Capture, Capture! Taking media from capture to post is time consuming, especially during the high season. You may or may not have the time. If you do, BONUS!  Take out your phone and snap away!  Come January you will have a breather to gather all the seasonal photos for next year.

Myth Buster - Don’t be fooled or taken in by the social media marketing myth that it has to be of the moment or live. Be realistic and business savvy.  If you have a dedicated staff member on hand 24/7 to do nothing but post all day for you, then you are far ahead of 98% of our local businesses. If you’ve found a way to make that investment ROI work then I want to hire you for a consult. Take note from the big box players, they either staged photo shoots in August or the media is from last year.

Planning ahead isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential for making the most of Tahoe-Truckee’s holiday rush and setting yourself up for a strong start to 2025. By laying the groundwork now, you free yourself to focus on what matters most during the season: serving your customers, capturing meaningful moments, and enjoying the festive energy.

With a solid plan in place, you’ll reduce stress, stay consistent, and create a library of content to keep your marketing momentum rolling into the New Year. Remember, effective marketing isn’t about being in the moment; it’s about preparing for the moments that matter most.

So shake off the shoulder season haze, tackle your to-dos, and step confidently into the holidays knowing you’re ready to make this season your best yet. Let’s plan smart, execute with ease, and welcome 2025 with open arms!

If there is a topic you’d like to hear more about by all means comment below or direct message and I’ll do my best.

Nothing better than a good question to jump into.

Reach out for a talk over coffee or a hike I give information freely. I only ask to be paid when I do the work. tgold@bigwaterci.com

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Trina Gold

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