The Ultimate Christmas Marketing Survival Guide for Professional Services Firms: How To Stay Busy, Visible and Profitable Over the Holidays

It is already early December. 
Deadlines are piling up. Clients are rushing to get everything sorted before the holidays. Your team is juggling school concerts, break-up parties, last minute settlements and annual leave forms. And somewhere between the chaos, you realise something you had every intention of getting to earlier: 

Your Christmas marketing plan is still sitting untouched. 

You know this happens every year. You want to finish strong, stay visible and set up your new year pipeline. But December has a way of sneaking up on every professional service firm, even the ones that plan ahead. 

If this is you, you are definitely not alone. 
Most lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and financial planners enter December with no clear holiday season strategy. The result is predictable: 

• A soft December on socials 
• A slow January 
• Missed opportunities 
• A scramble to restart marketing after the break 
• That sinking feeling that you could have started the year stronger 

But here is the good news. 
It is not too late. 
Even in early December, you can still create a smart, simple Christmas marketing plan that helps you stay visible, build trust and glide into January with momentum, not panic. 

Before we dive in, it is worth reading our earlier blog on the holiday social media drop off. It explains why your reach dips in December and how paid activity from big brands squeezes organic posts out of the feed. Understanding that first makes this guide even more powerful. 

So, let’s get you set up for a Christmas break where your marketing continues working while you enjoy some well deserved downtime. 

December Is Still One of the Best Marketing Months for Professional Services 

Some firms assume that once December arrives, the window has closed and marketing is pointless. But the truth is the exact opposite. December is one of the best times to stay active on social media and in your clients’ inboxes. 

Why? Because your audience finally slows down long enough to pay attention. 

Even though people are switching off work, they spend more time: 

• Scrolling 
• Planning 
• Researching 
• Thinking about next year 
• Catching up on ideas they saved earlier 
• Making decisions they avoided during the year 

This is especially true for professional services. 
When people reset their lives in January, you want to be the brand they remember. 

December is a perfect time for: 

• Brand visibility 
• Warm relationship building 
• Light educational content 
• Future planning messages 
• Soft call to action posts 
• Setting up your January bookings 
• Re connecting with past clients 
• Strengthening trust 

Your competitors will go silent. 
That is your chance to stand out. 

Case Study
How a Canberra law firm used December to spark their strongest Q1 ever

A property and commercial law firm in Canberra believed December was dead. We helped them: 

• Share light, value driven posts 
• Add a January booking link to their website 
• Send a simple planning email 

• Focused messaging and lead magnet helping start-ups as the holidays are the time of year everyone contemplates their life choices and future 
• Update their auto replies for the holidays 

Result: 

• 23 new matters by mid January 
• A full calendar before the team even returned 
• Their strongest start to a year on record 

Momentum is built now, not in January.  

How to Build a Simple December Marketing Plan (Even If You Are Behind) 

If it is already December and you feel like you are late to the party, here is the good news. You only need a focused plan, not a complicated one. 

Here is the exact approach we use for professional service firms who want fast wins. 

1. Pick three content themes for the month 

You do not have time for a 30 day content calendar and that is okay. 
Pick just three strong themes to build content from. 

Great December themes include: 

• Client appreciation 
• Year in review reflections 
• Tips to finish the year strong 
• End of year reminders 
• Planning for January 
• A simple “things to know before the holidays” checklist 
• Common mistakes people make during the break 
• What to expect from your firm in the new year 

Themes keep you consistent without stressing over daily posts. 

2. Create a light content schedule 

Aim for two to three posts per week. 
Batch them, schedule them and let automation handle the rest. 

3. Update your website with holiday info and January details 

Add: 

• Closure dates 
• How to book 
• What clients can do while you are away 
• A January waitlist 
• A friendly holiday message 

This reduces questions and increases bookings. 

4. Send one warm December email 

This is key. 
One thoughtful, helpful email creates more goodwill and visibility than ten rushed posts. 

Ideas: 

• A short year in review 
• A December checklist 
• A thank you message 
• A planning tip for 2025 
• A simple resource 
• A reminder about your January availability 

Case Study
How a real estate agency doubled social engagement with one email and two posts 

A Brisbane real estate agency followed this exact plan: 

• One warm email with a mini “investment reset” guide 
• Two light December posts 
• A January booking link for appraisals 
• A website update 

Their results: 

• Double their normal social engagement 
• Stronger website traffic 
• 10 new January appraisal appointments 
• 5 new listings 

Simple works. 

Strengthen Client Relationships Through Christmas Client Care 

During December, people crave human connection. Not sales. 
This is your chance to build loyalty, trust and long term relationships. 

Meaningful client care goes a long way. Here are ideas that always work: 

• Personal thank you email 
• Team holiday photo or video 
• A small client appreciation gift 
• A charity donation on behalf of clients 
• A heartfelt social media message 
• A short story about your team’s wins this year 
• A simple “wishing you a safe and happy break” video 
 

How to Market When Your Office Is Closed (Without Working During Your Break) 

You do not need to be online during your holiday. You need systems that keep working while you rest. 

Before closing the office, make sure you have: 

1. A clear banner on your website 

Include: 

• Closure dates 
• Return dates 
• What to do if clients need help 
• Link to book an appointment 
• Warm holiday message 

2. An automatic email responder 

State: 

• When you will reply 
• Where clients can get resources 
• How to book for January 
• Any emergency details 

3. Social media posts scheduled for the break 

At least two: 

• One announcing closure 
• One wishing people well during the break 

4. Pre scheduled December and early January content 

Keep your page active even if you are offline. 

5. A 24 hour booking link 

People often plan late at night or on weekends during the holidays. 

Case Study
How an estate planning lawyer gained 10 bookings while the office was closed 

With a few small changes: 

• Website banner 
• Auto reply 
• January booking link 
• Scheduled posts 
• Helpful resources in the auto reply 

The firm gained: 

• 10 bookings 
• 5 high value matters 
• A stress free return in January 

Systems protect your pipeline. 

Set Yourself Up for a Strong January Before You Clock Off 

Your January results are created in December. 

Here is the January Jumpstart Plan we use to help clients start strong each year. 

1. Prepare your January email now 

People return from the break with strong motivation. 

Your January email should help them: 

• Reset 
• Plan 
• Get organised 
• Solve a problem 
• Take quick action 

Examples: 

• Lawyers: The five biggest business risks to check in the new year 
• Accountants: A simple cash flow reset 
• Real estate agents: How to prepare for stronger buyer activity 
• Mortgage brokers: What banks want to see right now 
• Financial planners: A financial clarity checklist 

2. Schedule three weeks of January content before the break 

Returning to a pre planned schedule removes pressure and keeps you consistent. 

3. Launch something small 

This could be: 

• A short guide 
• A January planning call 
• A small workshop 
• A checklist 
• A January only offer 

4. Revisit your warm leads 

A simple message can reignite interest. 

Christmas can feel chaotic, but it is also one of the most powerful seasons to stay visible, deepen relationships, and guide clients into the new year. Even if December caught you off guard, the steps you take today can shape your entire first quarter. When you show up with warmth and clarity, clients remember you. When you prepare your January systems now, you return from your break with momentum already waiting for you. The firms that plan their holiday marketing now are the ones that start the new year ahead of everyone else. You can absolutely be one of them. 

If your social media goes quiet over Christmas, your brand loses visibility at the exact moment your audience is slowing down enough to take notice. If you want to stay top of mind while others switch off, it is time to rethink your holiday marketing and visibility plan. 

At Zenovate Marketing, we help professional service firms stay consistent, warm and client ready over the holidays with smart marketing strategies that run even while you rest. Book your free 15 minute strategy call.

Written By Zenovate Marketing Team

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

• Why does social media engagement drop over the holidays?

  Engagement dips because your audience is offline more often—spending time with family, traveling, or simply switching off. On top of that, increased holiday ad spend by big brands pushes organic content further down in feeds.

• Should small businesses even bother posting during the holiday season?

  Absolutely. Even light, consistent posting keeps your brand visible. While many competitors switch off, your content has a better chance to stand out, especially if it’s useful, seasonal, or human-focused.

• Do I need to spend money on ads to stay visible over the holidays?

  Not necessarily huge amounts, but a small, targeted spend can make a big difference. Retargeting warm audiences or promoting a lead magnet helps you stay in front of the right people without breaking the bank.

• What type of content performs best during the holiday season?

  Short videos, Stories, Reels, or bite-sized helpful tips work best. Content that’s seasonal, practical, or human (like thank-you messages) gets higher engagement even when feeds are crowded with paid ads.

• How can I measure success if likes and reach are down?

  Focus on outcomes that matter: leads generated, website clicks, ad conversions, or email sign-ups. A drop in likes isn’t a failure if your content is driving real business results.

DISCLAIMER: This article is general information only and cannot be regarded as legal, financial or accounting advice as it does not take into account your personal circumstances. For tailored advice, please contact us. PS – congratulations if you have read this far, you must love legal disclaimers or are a sucker for punishment.