Unpopular Opinion: Winter Is Not It

I’ll admit it… I usually struggle through winter. Like many Vancouverites, I find the short days, long nights, and constant rain a little hard to handle.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the cozy parts of the season. A clean home with a glittering Christmas tree, wandering the Shipyards Christmas Market, or sipping an espresso martini in a candlelit bar all make me so happy. Anyone who knows me knows I love Christmas in a big way. But winter as a whole? Not my favourite.

Ahhh, winter… yes, it comes with Christmas spirit, twinkly lights, and all the cozy vibes. But it also brings short days, long nights, and that relentless Vancouver rain. Not exactly a mood booster, right? The winter blues creep in for the best of us, and trust us, we feel it too.

That’s why this year, we at March Media made a little pact: to keep each other accountable with healthy habits that actually help us thrive through the winter. And honestly, they’ve been making such a difference that we wanted to pass them along, too.

When we first started this monthly email series, we made a promise, that this newsletter would be about community, not sales. Yes, we occasionally include special offers or discounts to thank our audience, but that’s never the main focus.

We know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed by content, especially as the holidays approach. Everywhere we look, we’re being told to buy more, do more, and be more. As a marketing company, we’re not here to knock marketing itself (it’s literally what we do!) — but even we can admit, it can all start to feel like… a lot.

This holiday season, we’re celebrating community over consumption. From thoughtful reviews to simple shares, these 10 easy ways to support local businesses — online and offline — will help you give back where it matters most.

Written by March Media, a Vancouver-based digital marketing agency that believes marketing should feel good, do good, and connect people, not just sell to them.

We know how fast the end of the year can sneak up. One minute you’re wrapping up fall campaigns, the next, it’s Christmas, and before you know it, you’re counting down to midnight promising yourself, “Next year will be more organized.”

We get it, the final stretch of the year always seems to fly by. But here’s the secret: a little bit of forward thinking now can set you up for a 2026 that feels calm, creative, and intentional, not rushed.

Truthfully, it wasn’t an intentional choice at first. As a graphic designer and social media marketer, I began to notice that many of my corporate clients lacked high-quality imagery for their businesses. Photos that not only captured their personalities but also created a cohesive, inviting visual identity that resonated with their audiences.

October is the perfect month for Vancouver businesses to get ahead on seasonal content and prep for November, December, and even New Year’s campaigns. Small, actionable steps now can make a big difference for visibility, engagement, and ultimately, conversions this holiday season.

SEO isn’t just for websites anymore: Instagram just dropped a game-changing update that makes search optimization more important than ever, and if your content isn’t optimized, you could be missing out on new audiences.

Here’s the breakdown: Public posts, Reels, and videos from professional accounts are now automatically indexed by Google. Your captions, keywords, and content aren’t just living inside Instagram anymore, they’re searchable on the world’s biggest search engine.

Summer 2025 was a good one! Now it’s time to embrace September’s “after-summer reset,” with routines settling back in, calendars filling up, and that gorgeous Vancouver fall feeling giving us all the inspo we need to carry us through the rest of the year with energy and intention.

September is all about momentum: finding flow in your routines, making progress on your goals, and enjoying the process. From networking prep to refreshing your brand, we’ve got tips to help you show up feeling confident, prepared, and maybe even a little excited.

We’re a creative agency. We work with service-based business owners every day, many of them right here in Vancouver, who are wearing every hat imaginable: strategist, admin, marketer, accountant, content creator. The work of an entrepreneur. This isn’t new. But what we feel isn’t talked about enough? Your business can wait an hour. Your body and peace of mind can’t.

Can you believe we’re already in the final stretch of summer?

August kind of feels like the Sunday of the season, doesn’t it? There’s still sunshine to soak up and memories to make, but you can feel that gentle shift in the air. The pace begins to change, plans pick up again, and routines slowly return.

This is your friendly reminder to take it all in. Say yes to spontaneous plans, slow mornings, and golden-hour walks.

We kicked off the month with Canada Day, and it had me reflecting on how grateful I am to live and work in such a beautiful place. Vancouver truly shows off in the summer—there’s nowhere quite like it.

When you pause long enough to look up from your to-do list and take it all in—the ocean views, the mountain air, the creative communities that make this city shine—you’re reminded just how lucky we are.

Your brand photos are often the first introduction to your audience—and your setting makes a lasting impression. It’s not just about finding a beautiful backdrop; it’s about choosing a space that reflects who you are and what your brand represents. And if you’re in Vancouver? You’ve got a serious advantage.

June always feels like hitting the reset button, doesn’t it? With longer days, sunshine on your skin, and just enough slow-down to finally catch your breath, it’s the perfect time to regroup and realign.

We’re officially halfway through the year (!)—a natural time to pause, reflect, and ask: What’s been working well for me so far?

You’ve heard that consistency is key when it comes to content. And yes—it absolutely matters. But if you're consistently posting content that lacks intention or value, you’re not building traction…you’re losing it.

If your audience sees your name pop up and they immediately scroll past, that's a problem. Showing up regularly is important- but showing up with something to say is what gets you engaged with, remembered, and trusted as a go-to resource in your space.

Let’s talk about why that matters—and how to make your content strategy actually work.

At March Media, we’re typically behind the scenes—directing shoots, crafting visuals, and capturing the magic for other brands. But recently, we had the incredible opportunity to step in front of the lens and be part of something truly special: a vibrant, tropical wedding inspiration shoot dreamed up by some of Vancouver’s most talented creatives.

Welcome to our very first official newsletter—it’s been a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally share this space with you.

As the season shifts, so does the rhythm of our work. Our team continues to grow, and with that, I’ve been gifted something rare as an entrepreneur: a little more time. Time to reconnect, to create, and to offer more value—both to our amazing clients and to the creative community we’ve been lucky enough to build online.

In a world where hustle culture is still (somehow) romanticized—looking at you, 12 open tabs and three iced coffees deep—we’re here to gently remind you: you don’t have to do it all to succeed.

In fact? Doing less—strategically—might just be the secret to doing it better.

Small businesses who are looking to elevate their online presence are faced with a key decision: Should they partner with a large media agency or a boutique agency that specializes in what truly matters—your brand? While big agencies might boast broad resources and name recognition, boutique agencies offer something far more valuable—personalized strategies, direct collaboration, and a focus on your brand’s unique needs.

So, your photoshoot is coming up! You’ve nailed your outfits, picked the perfect venue, and maybe even perfected your “candid laugh.” But let’s talk about something that can truly elevate your shoot: professional, camera-ready makeup. A brand photoshoot is your chance to show up with confidence, connect with your audience, and create content that truly represents you. Investing in makeup specifically designed for the camera? It's one of the simplest (and most impactful) ways to ensure your session is a success.