Your Marketing Prep Guide for 2026
The holidays are here! While December is filled with festive energy, it’s also one of the trickiest months for business planning. Between staff vacations, office closures, and personal commitments, the number of actual working days left is far fewer than it looks on the calendar.
That’s why smart businesses use December not just to wrap things up, but to set the stage for a strong start in the new year.
Here’s how to make the most of this final stretch.
Count Your Real Workdays
Pull out the calendar and mark off holidays, office closures, and team vacations. You’ll quickly see that December often has two to three fewer “productive” weeks than a normal month.
Kalen Pro Tip: Once you know your true working days, prioritize must-do tasks and push non-urgent projects into January.
Prep & Schedule Ahead
With fewer people around, automation is your friend. Get campaigns queued up before the break:
- Schedule social posts through your management tool.
- Line up email campaigns so they land even while your office is closed.
- Pre-schedule ads to start fresh in January.
Kalen Pro Tip: Double-check ad budgets and scheduling settings before your time off. You don’t want a holiday surprise draining your ad spend.
Tease Your 2026 Promotions
The last few weeks of December are perfect for building anticipation. Whether it’s a January sale, new product launch, or special campaign, give your audience a sneak peek now.
Download this “How To” guide for building audience anticipation.
Kalen Pro Tip: Think of December messaging as gift wrapping, you can create curiosity and excitement so your audience is ready to engage as soon as January hits.
Ready to Start 2026 Ahead of the Game?
December is less about squeezing in more work and more about preparing smartly so you can hit the ground running in January. With the right prep, you can enjoy your holiday break and step into the new year with confidence.
Schedule a 20-Minute Call with a Kalen Marketing Consultant to get a head start on your 2026 marketing plan and see how Kalen can help keep you on track all year long.
Cheers to the New Year! 🎉
— The Kalen Marketing Solutions Team
