Marketing budgets. Every business has them and they can be notoriously tricky to adhere to. From social media advertising to print pieces, there’s a constant worry that your budget will be depleted by the second quarter. Occasionally though, after a good year of business (or planning), you’ll find yourself with remaining funds.

While the idea of spending your leftover marketing budget on frivolous things can be all too common, here are a few (responsible) ways to put the money to good use come the end of the year.

A/B test your paid ads

Facebook advertising can be a lucrative marketing venture for your business. However, in order to get the most bang for your buck, A/B testing your ads is a must. Simply testing two ads with different variables (the copy, imagery, and audience) can help you determine which ad performs the best. It can also come in handy when determining your target audience.

Sign up for conferences

While conferences can be costly, they are also very beneficial. If you haven’t been able to attend a conference in the past, now is the perfect time to do so. Not only do they provide you with an abundance of networking opportunities, it’s also a great way to stay up to date on current industry trends. If you can’t find one to attend before the year is up, set aside the leftover funds, and book one in advance for next year.

Generate high-quality content

Because content creation is such a valuable marketing tool, consider utilizing
your leftover marketing budget to create a few additional high-quality pieces.

Items like ebooks, success guides, or infographics can not only breathe new life into your content strategy but also provide you with more lead-generation opportunities—a definite win-win!

While a leftover marketing budget isn’t always guaranteed, knowing a few productive ways to use this extra cash to your advantage can help you start the new year off on the right foot.