How to Have a Stress-Free Holiday: Your Out of Office Checklist for Social Media Managers
The holiday season is fast approaching, and while you may be ready for a well-deserved break, your social media platforms are always “on.” As a social media manager, the idea of completely unplugging might seem impossible, but with a little preparation, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday while keeping your channels running smoothly. Here’s your go-to checklist to ensure your time away from the screen is truly relaxing!
- Double and Triple-Check Scheduled Content
Preparation is key to stress-free time off. Use scheduling tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Meta’s native scheduler to line up your posts throughout the holiday season. But don’t stop there—review all your scheduled content to make sure everything is in order.
● Double-check dates and times: Make sure your content is going live when you intend it to, especially around different time zones.
● Review post formatting: Check that text, images, and links display correctly across platforms. ● Ensure all holidays are covered: If you’ve planned any special holiday posts, ensure they’re timed perfectly for maximum engagement.
Taking these steps before you sign off can prevent embarrassing mistakes or the need for emergency fixes while you’re on vacation. - Set Up Crisis Alerts
Just because you’re out of the office doesn’t mean a potential communication crisis can’t happen. A crisis can pop up at any time, so it’s important to have a system in place to monitor your brand’s online presence without constantly checking your phone.
● Use tools like Google Alerts, Sprout Social, or Mention to monitor specific keywords or mentions related to your organization. For example, set alerts for crisis-related terms like “complaint,” “urgent,” or “failure” so you’re always in the loop if something goes wrong.
● Make sure these alerts are sent directly to your email or phone so you can address issues promptly—or pass them along to a colleague if necessary.
Having crisis alerts set up means you don’t need to obsessively check your notifications, giving you peace of mind to enjoy your holiday. - Create Professional Auto-Responders
Communication doesn’t stop just because you’re on holiday. To manage expectations and keep things running smoothly, set up auto-responses on all your channels to let people know when they can expect a reply.
Here’s an example of a simple yet effective auto-responder for direct messages:
Social Media DM: “Thank you for your message! We’re currently offline for the Thanksgiving holiday and will answer all DMs when we return on [date]. If this is an emergency, please contact [backup contact details]. Have a wonderful holiday!”
Setting up these responses on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can help maintain a professional presence even while you’re away. It also lets your audience know their message has been received and when to expect a reply, avoiding frustration on their end. - Delegate Responsibly
If you’re lucky enough to have team members who can step in, make sure they’re fully prepared before you sign off. The key to a smooth handover is clear communication.
- Create a shared document with essential information such as:
- Account logins
- Social media guidelines
- Crisis communication plans
- Contact lists for key stakeholders
- Include scheduled content that might need adjustments and any ongoing campaigns that require monitoring.
By giving your colleagues everything they need in one place, you’re setting them up for success—and ensuring you won’t have to field unnecessary questions while you’re supposed to be relaxing!
- Create a shared document with essential information such as:
- Really Unplug (If You Can)
It’s not always easy to fully disconnect as a social media manager, but it’s crucial for your well-being. Trust in the systems and backup plans you’ve put in place so that you can recharge.
If you absolutely must stay connected, try to set boundaries:
- Check in at designated times (once or twice a day) to monitor key notifications and leave the rest to your team or your automated systems.
- Rely on your crisis alerts: If a major issue arises, you’ll be notified promptly, but you don’t need to hover over your accounts constantly.
By allowing yourself to truly unplug, you’ll return to work feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to tackle the new year.
With the right preparation, you can enjoy your holiday break without stressing over your social media channels. Whether you’re completely unplugging or staying minimally connected, this checklist ensures you’re ready for a smooth and stress-free time away. Happy holidays!