There are tons of special times that get noticed in the virtual world. Some are generic ones that everyone can enjoy like Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19) and others may be specific to your offerings or industry like National Nurses Day (May 6). This list will help get you started on the days and gives you some ideas on how to celebrate each one. Start by keeping a calendar of them and integrate these special observances into your content calendar.
February
2/2. Groundhog Day
It’s not just the weird one you can observe. Try this traditional celebration too. Host a contest based around whether the groundhog will see his shadow or use your own mascot to replicate the idea.
2/5. Chinese New Year
This year is the Year of the Pig. Share some fun facts about Chinese culture or ask people if they could be associated with any animal what would it be and why. Share your own on social media.
2/20. Love Your Pet Day
Your social media profiles will explode with cuteness when you invite people to share pictures of their pets and why they love them.
March
3/5 Mardi Gras
Offer a discount to people who wear their beads.
3/8 International Women’s Day
Share quotes from inspirational women or describe a very important woman in your life.
3/14 Pie Day
Serve up your favorite kind of pie, ask others what theirs is, collect recipes or give someone a special discount if they can recite the first fifty digits of pie.
April
4/1 April Fool’s Day
Livestream your best pranks on this fun-filled day.
4/15 Tax Day
This has become the perfect day to give fellow Americans a little break with a discount or a freebie. Try extended hours if you serve coffee or alcohol.
May
5/4 Star Wars Day
May the Fourth be with you. Hold a Star Wars-themed social media contest or post a survey to figure out who’s your audience’s favorite character.
5/7 National Teacher’s Day
Inspire people to share their stories of the educators who had the most profound effect on their lives. Recognize these special people in some way, if possible.
June
6/1 Dare Day
Crowdsource ideas as dares and live stream the results or ask people their craziest dares and how they turned out.
6/3 Repeat Day
Try everything more than once and report back on how it does.
July
7/17 National Hot Dog DayTime to get out the grill for a customer appreciation day.
7/22 National Hammock Day
Invite people to rest and relax at your place or by sharing pictures of where they’re doing it.
August
8/10 National S’mores DayInvite your audience to create an inventive way to cook s’mores or suggest some delicious add-ins. Crowdsource the winning entries.
8/13 Lefties Day
If you’re right handed, try to do everything with your left hand today. Livestream the hilarity.
September
9/8 Grandparent’s Day
Give these special people a discount or invite others to share their favorite pieces of advice from their grands.
9/21 Oktoberfest begins
Incorporate a German flair into your business marketing this month.
October
10/4 World Smile DayGive your customers reason to smile on this day and all others. Save a big announcement for this day and build up to it as a big reveal or cause to smile.
10/26 Make a Difference Day
Customers love companies that give back. How will you make a difference?
November
11/2 Book Lover’s DayWhat’s your favorite book? How has it influenced you? Share it and ask others to do the same.
11/7 Men Make Dinner Day
You can have a lot of fun with this one.
December
12/13 Friday the 13thScare up some good times with your favorite superstitions.
12/23 Festivus
For those of you who don’t know, it’s a Seinfeld reference. Host your own Festivus and await the Festivus miracle.
January
1/1 National Hangover DayShare some of your favorite cures on this day or simply speak quieter.
1/10 Peculiar People Day
It takes all types. This day celebrates them. Fly your inner geek flag and invite clients to do the same. Share some “This or that” picture collages to narrow down just how peculiar your audience is.
There are a lot more holidays worth celebrating, not to mention the traditional ones. Take a look at this list of unique opportunities for some fun social media engagement.
Christina R. Green teaches small businesses, chambers, and associations how to connect through content. Her articles have appeared in the Midwest Society of Association Executives’ Magazine, NTEN.org, AssociationTech, and WritersWeekly. She is a regular blogger at Frankjkenny.com and the Event Manager Blog.
Christina is an introverted writer on a quest to bring great storytelling to organizations everywhere.
