Five Ways to Cut Through the Noise This Summer

The sun’s out, the inboxes are full, and attention spans are shrinking faster than a melting ice cream cone. As marketers, summer is both an opportunity and a challenge: customers are spending, but they’re also distracted. So how do you make sure your business stands out when everyone else is competing for the same eyeballs?

We dove into our latest research and reports and uncovered five data-backed strategies to help your business shine this summer – without resorting to gimmicks.

Remember, summer marketing doesn’t have to be all about sales. Use this time to also foster deeper relationships with your audience, experiment with fresh ideas, and test strategies that will set you up for long-term success.

Read on and let’s make this your most engaging, revenue-boosting, and hottest summer yet (in the best way possible).

1. Pair email with SMS for maximum impact

Why? Because customers are glued to their phones – the average person spends nearly four hours a day on their mobile device, according to Engage, Convert, Repeat, a joint report from Mailchimp and Harvard Business Review. And while email is still as (if not more) powerful as ever, SMS is emerging as a high-impact companion. With 98% open rates, SMS can cut through the clutter and drive immediate action.

As the report says: “When done right, having SMS and email marketing work cohesively together can pack a punch and lead to better business outcomes such as higher sales and revenues and increased customer loyalty.”

Here are some ways to do it… 

• Send SMS reminders for limited-time summer sales or flash discounts
• Follow up on abandoned carts via SMS after an email nudge
• Use SMS to confirm appointments or events during peak vacation months
• Personalize SMS messages based on past purchases or engagement history

Pro tip: Keep SMS short, value-driven and conversational. Think “Hey [Name], the summer sale ends at midnight! Don’t miss 20% off. Shop now: [link]”

2. Focus on brand building, not just sales

If your marketing is all “BUY NOW” and no personality, customers will tune out, especially in the summer months when people are more relaxed. According to our How to Grow Your Brand report, brands that balance short-term promotions with long-term brand-building see sustained growth.

Try this:

• Create summer-themed content that entertains, educates or inspires, without the hard sell
• Run community-driven campaigns, like summer challenges or user-generated content contests
• Invest in storytelling that highlights your brand values, not just your products
• Partner with influencers or micro-influencers to spread summer vibes authentically

Pro tip: Try a ‘versus’ position strategy – set your brand against an alternative (i.e. “Why our lightweight summer gear beats bulky luggage”)

3. Reward customer loyalty to boost repeat sales

Loyal customers are your best customers. The Science of Loyalty report found that repeat purchases often happen out of habit, not just preference. With summer’s distractions, giving people a reason to stick with your brand is crucial.

Here’s how to do it:

• Offer exclusive summer rewards (think: “VIP customers get early access to our July sale!”)
• Create limited-time referral bonuses for customers who bring in friends
• Use surprise-and-delight tactics like bonus points, gifts, or early access to new products
• Launch a gamified loyalty program that offers fun, interactive ways to earn rewards

Pro tip: Tap into the psychology of reciprocity – small rewards (like a discount or freebie) encourage customers to return the favor by engaging with your brand.

4. Automate, automate, automate

While your customers are off enjoying their vacations, your marketing should be working overtime. Mailchimp’s The Revenue Blueprint report shows that “performance-obsessed” marketers rely heavily on automation to drive engagement and revenue.

Here’s how to use it:

• Set up automated email journeys based on seasonal behaviors (things like summer travel or back-to-school shopping)
• Use AI-powered product recommendations in emails to boost conversions
• Automate SMS and email drip campaigns to nurture leads while you focus on big picture strategy
• A/B test your automation flows to fine-tune engagement levels and conversion rates

Pro tip: Test and optimize your automated sequences now, so they’re running smoothly when peak summer traffic hits.

5. Make your marketing personal (and fun!)

One-size-fits-all marketing won’t cut it. Our research shows that brands leveraging AI-powered personalization drive higher engagement and conversions. And in the summer, adding an element of fun can make your brand more memorable.

Here’s how to use it:

• Use dynamic email content to personalize recommendations based on past purchases
• Segment audiences by seasonal interests (e.g. “Beach lovers” vs. “Staycationers”)
• Inject summer vibes into your messaging – light-hearted copy, emojis, and GIFs can boost engagement
• Leverage user-generated content to create a sense of community around your brand
• Launch an interactive quiz to recommend summer must-haves based on customer preferences

Pro Tip: Make your subject lines pop – test playful summer themes like “☀️Sizzling deals inside!” or “Your summer must-haves await! 🌺”