Content Planning: May 2018

As many of you know, I enjoy helping individuals develop social media content plans that are tailored to meet their goals and objectives in a way that is fun, engaging and consistent with their brand messaging.

One agency process that benefits EVERYONE is to create a content calendar so that you can ensure you’re not only using social media effectively, you are sharing in a balanced, fun, way. If you want to learn more about the why and how behind creating a content calendar, click here.

When it comes to content calendars, you can count on including important dates and holidays, which is where this new Monthly Content Planning series will come in handy!

Remember: I may not know the nuances of your particular business (but reach out to me and we’ll talk!) but I can give some insight into the background behind important dates and holidays, along with links to share more information and some social media posting ideas for the month ahead!

May Content Planning: Holidays & Important Dates

Month-Long Awareness Campaigns:

If you have any connection* to the following May awareness campaigns, consider posting about them! Learn more by clicking on the links below:

*A Consideration: Be genuine. People do business with people they trust. If none of these topics are relatable to you, don’t feign interest just because it’s being recognized this month. If it ties into your business goals or you have another personal connection, go ahead and plan strategic content throughout the month for it, but don’t post just for the sake of posting!

Days to Mark on Your Calendar:

May 4 – Star Wars Day (“May the 4th Be With You!”)
- 💡 Social Media Post Ideas: Find a Star Wars quote that somehow ties to your business and design a quote post around it.
  - Show your fun side and snap a fun picture or video with Snapchat, who will undoubtedly have a great filter option for May the 4th.

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
- Fact-Check: Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day (Mexico’s Independence Day is actually September 16.)
  - That said, it’s still a very cool celebration of an unlikely victory of the Mexican army over the French army on May 5, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla. Despite being outnumbered by the French, who had about 8,000 men to the Mexicans’ 4,000, the Mexican army defeated a world-class French army who had not been defeated in nearly 50 years.
  - In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is mainly celebrated in Puebla, but in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has grown to become an annual celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
- Things to consider when posting: While many do enjoy a good tequila or margarita, this is not Cinco de Drinko. This is, unfortunately, a holiday where stereotypes are played up – avoid them.

May 6 – World Laughter Day
- Did you know that the first “World Laughter Day” took place in Mumbai, India? (I didn’t!) Learn more about this holiday by clicking on the link above!
- 💡 Post Idea: This should be easy! What has made you laugh recently? Share a video, share a funny story or a funny meme – and ask your followers to do the same in the comment section of your posts!

May 8 – National Teacher Day
- Are there any teachers in your lives? Thank them. Acknowledge them. Recognize how important their work is and how they are changing lives.
- 💡 Referral Brownie Points: If, in your business, you have any clients that are teachers – send them a small treat with a note!
  - (Don’t forget to take a picture of your treats before delivering them to post on, social media!)

May 13 – Mother’s Day
- 💡 Social Media Post Ideas: Mother’s Day is a special and personal date to recognize and celebrate the mother’s (and mother-figures) in your life! Depending on which route you want to go, you can….
  - Share photos of the mothers in your life that you value,
  - Create a special tribute (maybe a slideshow video?)
  - Take a more generalist approach with a quote post honoring mothers at large. The choice is yours!

May 19 – Armed Forces Day
- Background: President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
  - Quotable: “Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense” – President Harry S. Truman
- 💡 Social Media Post Ideas: Did you serve or do you know people who serve the military? It’s a simple as expressing your gratitude. Thank them for their service.
  - 💡 Referral Brownie Points: Does your business offer any special discounts or rates for military members? Post about it and make sure to share it with your friends that could benefit from that information!

May 24 – National Brother Day
- 💡 Social Media Post Ideas: If you have a brother or brothers or people that act like you’re brothers, this is a fun day to recognize them – what about a photo-collage highlighting you with your brother(s) in the past and in the present?

May 28 – Memorial Day
- Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors the military men and women who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces.
  - Things to consider when posting: Honor the fallen. Memorial Day is observed annually on the last Monday of May – this is a commemorative holiday for lives lost and should not be confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

Up Next

Hope this was helpful to you as you prepare your social marketing efforts for next month! If you need help creating and developing your content plan for your social media marketing, reach out to me and we’ll talk!)

Next Series Post: June Content Planning (Saturday, May 19)