NYC is Melting, But Your Marketing Strategy Doesn’t Have To

Stephanie Quinones
Jun 24
3 min read

We don’t want to be dramatic, but NYC is currently three degrees away from turning into a rotisserie chicken. It’s 97° in Manhattan. The sidewalk is sticking to your shoes. Your cold brew is lukewarm before you even hit the block. And somewhere between sweating through your shirt and refreshing your analytics, you realize…

You are the marketing department. And you still haven’t written that newsletter.

New York, we love your ambition. But right now? We’re tired. We’re overheated. And we are not about to launch a full campaign in this weather.

And guess what? You don’t have to.

The NYC Forecast: Officially Unhinged

As of June 24, Central Park clocked in at 96°F, tying a 138-year-old record. Add humidity and the "real feel" climbed into triple digits, per The Guardian. Governor Hochul issued a state of emergency as NYC braced for more “dangerously hot” days ahead, warning residents to limit activity, hydrate constantly, and check on vulnerable neighbors

Meanwhile, Business Insider reported that commutes are slower, MTA service is affected, and everyone is just… fried.

So no, your sudden lack of creative energy isn’t laziness. It’s survival.

When the weather gets brutal, productivity tanks. Studies show businesses in heat-struck cities see a 5–6% drop in worker hours on extreme days (and yes, that includes solo entrepreneurs working from 4th-floor walkups with exactly one fan and no central air).

Here’s the thing: the city’s cooking, but your business still has to show up. So, how can you stay in front of your customers when you feel like doing nothing in this extreme NYC heat?

If You’re Soloprenuer in NYC Right Now…

First of all, you deserve a parade (with misting stations).

Second, here’s how to keep your marketing machine running without sacrificing your sanity.

Use the Heat to Say What Everyone’s Thinking

Your audience is in the same swampy boat. Use it.

Examples:

Share your “too hot to care” moments - fans, iced drinks, and all.
Post a sweaty selfie or a behind-the-scenes heat survival hack.
Highlight how your products/services help customers beat the heat.
Use NYC heatwave memes or local weather jokes for relatable humor.
Offer a limited-time “cool down” discount or special.
Reference iconic NYC summer things - ice cream trucks, fire hydrants, park fountains.
Show how your business adapts - later hours, faster shipping, virtual appointments.
Remind customers to hydrate - and throw in a light-hearted CTA.
Share “heat wave survival tips” related to your industry or product.

Heat is the great equalizer. Use it to humanize your brand.

Make One Good Move This Week. That’s It.

Nobody expects you to run a full PR blitz when you’re sweating through your desk chair. So pick one high-impact thing and do it:

Drop a short, cheeky email blast.
Post something that says, “Yes, we’re alive. Yes, we’re sweating”.
Update your site banner with a seasonal promo or “Too hot to shop? We ship fast and cold”.

Do that, then go back to hiding in front of the AC with your cat.

Repurpose Like It’s a Summer Friday

Old post that got likes? Repost it. Reel from April that didn’t get its due? Give it new text. Great customer review? Make it a graphic.

Hot tip: Your audience isn’t stalking your every move. If it’s good and relevant, bring it back.

Book the Free Thing. Seriously.

You don’t have to figure this all out alone. If your brain is too hot to brainstorm, book a free consultation with us.

No pressure. No “sales funnel”. Just humans who understand that running a business in NYC during a heat advisory is heroic, and that your brand deserves to be seen without you having to sacrifice electrolytes.