We're in the thick of summer (as I write this, the temperature is slowly making its way to 100 degrees), but fall is just around the corner — and with it, comes one of the busiest seasons for small businesses.
Between the uptick in customer activity, early holiday planning, and those final-year goals creeping in, now’s the time to prep your systems so you can stay ahead instead of scrambling to keep up.
Below, you’ll find a three-step game plan for your marketing automation software to help you show up consistently, capture more leads, and cruise into fall with confidence.
1. Clean Up Your List
Your CRM system fuels your marketing automation platform, so if your contact list is cluttered or outdated, your campaigns won’t be nearly as effective.
Before lifting a finger on any fall promotions, take time to tidy up your CRM.
A clean list helps you target the right people, improve email deliverability, and get more accurate reporting, so you’re not wasting effort (or budget) on the wrong audience.
Here are a few smart ways to refresh your list:
- Remove or merge duplicate contact records.
- Re-engage cold leads with a targeted win-back campaign.
- Remove unengaged contacts that aren’t opening or clicking.
- Review and update your tagging system to reflect current lead status or interests.
2. Pre-Schedule Fall Campaigns
Fall brings a wave of can’t-miss marketing opportunities. But if you wait too long to plan them, you risk sacrificing quality or missing out altogether.
Instead, get ahead by scheduling campaigns in your marketing automation software now. That way, when things pick up, your marketing is already working behind the scenes.
Key moments to plan for:
- Labor Day: This holiday is a great time to promote last-chance summer offers or early fall teasers.
- Back-to-school: Offer solutions that simplify routines or save time. Consider providing free value during this season to prepare customers to act during upcoming fall promos.
- Halloween: It's not just for candy — instead, think themed promos, contests, or fun engagement campaigns.
These moments are packed with potential. By prepping early, you can show up consistently, stand out from the noise, and stay focused on your big-picture growth goals.
3. Refresh Your Lead Magnets
Are your lead magnets outdated, under-performing, or in need of a seasonal refresh? Now’s the time to take action and rework any drab freebies to make them more enticing!
Start by auditing the lead magnets you currently have, and take note of which ones aren’t working. Those will be where you want to focus your efforts.
Then, brainstorm strategic and seasonal tweaks you can make to freshen up these resources. Do some digging to see what’s the buzz around your industry and what customers are searching for. Use that info to refresh your lead magnets into something more relevant.
Pro tip
Content isn’t the only thing you can refresh! Try testing out different formats too, such as short videos or quizzes (instead of a standard PDF).
Start Now so You Can Relax Later.
If you want to save time and focus on customers rather than chaos this fall, these three steps will help you do just that. Log in to your marketing automation software today and start checking them off!
Still searching for software or wondering if your marketing automation platform is the best fit? Watch this 5-minute demo of Keap to discover how it can streamline your marketing and help you grow smarter.
