OK, we get it: you and all of your customers either are just about to go or just got back from vacation. Either way, no one's being super-productive but that's exactly why this is the perfect time to jump-start your fall marketing. With summer winding down, there's never been a better time to gear up your marketing and gain the upper hand over your slacker competitors.

So while you're enjoying your last few weeks pool- or beach-side, print out this month's Puzzle Pieces and start planning your fall marketing strategy. From developing a year-long email communications strategy to jotting a quick thank you, we've got ideas guaranteed to have you sitting pretty come the business frenzy of fall. Happy marketing!

JigSaw's Top 3 Tips to Seize the Summer

1. Get out of the office and mingle with prospects and clients. Whether it's taking a client to a minor-league ballgame, hosting a pool party or attending an industry social event, summer offers tons of great ways to combine networking and fun.
2. Call a colleague or client with whom you've lost touch. It's amazing how often this simple technique will yield new business. Just hearing from you can be enough to trigger, "I've been wanting to call you" and a new project.
3. Take a minute to review your marketing materials. If they're stale or no longer reflect who you are, this could be the perfect time to polish them up and be ready to take on the world come fall.

Topic of the Month: Email Marketing
With its flashier sibling social media stealing the spotlight, don't write off old-school email marketing just yet. The integration of email marketing with social media drives conversation, encourages customer engagement and reaches larger networks.

• Include your logo and call-to-action at the top
• Make sure the email is mobile-friendly
• Blend white space and bullet points for easy to read emails
• Have a text version available
• Include a link at the top to allow subscribers the option to "view online" if not displaying correctly