You’ve probably heard of wacky days that trend on social media like #lasagnaday or #kissaredheadday. Whether these are “real” or just crafted for fun, creative observances can be a great way to kick off a short term marketing push.
Of course, there are the big well-known holidays – like Valentine’s Day - where businesses big and small use marketing to increase sales or awareness. But you’ll stand out from the crowd if you promote a unique day.
Here are a few strategies to increase sales or awareness for your business along with a comprehensive calendar of celebrations through 2018.
Social Media and Content Strategy
Social media platforms are the perfect way to get your message out. Research popular hashtags used for the day to attract more eyeballs. If you have a blog, write up a short article about the day and how you are celebrating. These days, it’s relatively inexpensive to boost content online. Put a little money behind a post to potentially reach new customers.
Host an Event
If you have a bricks and mortar location, plan a special in-store event to bring customers in the door. For example, National Coffee Day in September is a great opportunity to connect with current and potential shoppers. Even if you don’t sell coffee, offer it along with snacks to celebrate. It’s a low cost promotion and the smell of freshly brewed java can bring customers in the door. Who doesn’t love coffee?
Support Other Small Businesses
Consider all calendar observations, not just the ones that apply directly to your business. For example, the International Day of Yoga in June could be an opportunity to support another small business. Have a yoga studio or individual instructor come into your store and give free classes. For May’s Lemonade Day that promotes young entrepreneurs, invite students who have started their own enterprise to market their business as well.
Learn more about how this strategy can be a win-win for entrepreneurs in your community in these SmartBiz Small Business Blog posts:
- Cross Promotions and Your Small Business
- Ways Your Small Business Can Support Other Small Businesses
Run a Special Sale
You can run sales and promotions if you’re an online business or you have a store. Use social media to promote a special sale or bundle of items for a lower price than usual.
Focus on the Customer
#GetToKnowYourCustomersDay in July is a good opportunity to bring in current customers or attract new ones. You can also offer unique specials to a specific population like teachers, students or those in the military. Here are easy to implement ideas: 5 Customer Appreciation Ideas
Get Creative
To spark ideas, visit the SmartBiz Small Business Blog. We have articles dedicated to specific holidays like Small Business Saturday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Back to School season and more.
Here’s a comprehensive list of holidays and calendar observations to keep on hand.
CALENDAR OBSERVATIONS AND HOLIDAYS 2018
MAY 2018
National Small Business Week - #SmallBusinessWeek, April 29 – May 5
May Day, May 1
Law Day, May 1
National Loyalty Day, May 1
National Life Insurance Day, May 2
World Password Day, May 3
Cinco de Mayo, May 5
Lemonade Day Promoting Young Entrepreneurs, May 8
Mother’s Day, May 13
Ramadan begins, May 15
Memorial Day, May 28
JUNE 2018
National Running Day, June 6
Father’s Day, June 17
Summer Begins, June 21
International Day of Yoga, June 21
National Insurance Awareness Day, June 28
National Camera Day, June 29
Social Media Day, June 30
JULY 2018
National Independent Retailer Month
Independence Day, July 4
Amazon Prime Day [mid-July – exact date TBD] Get to Know Your Customers Day #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay, July 19
National System Administrator Appreciation Day, July 2
AUGUST 2018
National Bargain Hunting Week, August 6-12
National Farmers’ Market Week, August 5-11
National Fraud Awareness Week, August 5-11
National Bowling Day, August 11
National Garage Sale Day, August 11
National Thrift Shop Day, August 17
National Mail Order Catalog Day, August 18
National Dog Day #NationalDogDay, August 26
SEPTEMBER 2018
National Courtesy Month
National Preparedness Month
Self-Improvement Month
National Payroll Week, September 3-7 (First Week)
Build A Better Image Week, September 16-22 (Third Full Week)
National Indoor Plant Week, September 16-22 (Third Full Week)
National Dog Week, September 23-29 (Always last week)
National Love Your Files Week, September 17-21 (Third Full Monday to Friday Week)
U.S. Bowling League Day, September 3
National Labor Day, September 3 (First Monday in September)
National Wildlife Day, September 4
National Newspaper Carrier Day, September 4
National Beer Lover’s Day, September 7
Rosh Hashanah begins, September 9
National Swap Ideas Day, September 10
National Boss / Employee Exchange Day – Monday after Labor Day, September 11
National Day of Encouragement, September 12
National Programmers Day, September 13 (256th Day of the Year)
National Tradesmen Day, September 15
National IT Professionals Day, September 19
American Business Women’s Day, September 22
Car Free Day, September 22
Autumnal Equinox, September 22 (Changes annually)
National Research Administrator Day, September 25
National Situational Awareness Day, September 26
World Tourism Day, September 27
National Drink Beer Day, September 28
National Coffee Day, September 29
International Podcast Day, September 30
National Mud Pack Day, September 30
OCTOBER 2018
Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
Emotional Wellness Month
Employee Ownership Month
Financial Planning Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month
International Strategic Planning Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Cookbook Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Ergonomics Month
National Fair Trade Month
National Work and Family Month
Positive Attitude Month
Right Brainers Rule! Month
Self-Promotion Month
Workplace Politics Awareness Month
National Work From Home Week, October 7-13 (First Full Week)
Customer Service Week, October 1-5 (First Mon-Fri Week)
Drive Safely Work Week, October 1-5 (Monday to Friday of First Full Week)
Financial Planning Week, October 1-7 (First Monday to Sunday Week)
Veterinary Technicians Week, October 14-20
Medical Assistants Recognition Week, October 14-20 (Third Full Week)
National Business Women’s Week, October 14-20 (Third Full Week)
National Save For Retirement Week, October 14-20 (Third Full Week)
National Name Your Car Day, October 2
National Techies Day #TechiesDay, October 3
National Manufacturing Day, October 5
National Online Bank Day, October 8
National Kick Butt Day, October 8
Native American Day, October 8
Columbus Day, October 8
National Handbag Day, October 10
National Farmer’s Day, October 12
National Train Your Brain Day, October 13
Boss’s Day (or National Boss’s Day), October 16
National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day, October 16
Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce, October 17
National Get Smart About Credit Day, October 18
Get to Know Your Customers Day #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay, October 18
World Statistics Day, October 20
Sweetest Day, October 20
Medical Assistants Recognition Day, October 24
National Cat Day #NationalCatDay, October 29
Halloween, October 31
NOVEMBER 2018
National Inspirational Role Models Month
International Fraud Awareness Week, November 18-24
National Deal Week, November 21-27
National Stress Awareness Day, November 4
Daylight Saving Time Ends (U.S.), November 4
National Cappuccino Day, November 8
Singles’ Day, November 11
Veterans Day, November 11 (observed November 12)
Thanksgiving Day, November 22
Black Friday, November 23
Small Business Saturday #ShopSmall, November 24
Cyber Monday, November 26
National Day of Giving, November 27
Electronic Greetings Day, November 29
Computer Security Day, November 30
Stay Home Because You’re Well Day, November 30
DECEMBER 2018
National Tie Month
National Write a Business Plan Month
Operation Santa Paws (December 1-December 24)
Kwanzaa, December 26-January 1
Chanukah December 12 -20
Chanukah Begins, December 2
National Pawnbrokers Day, December 6
Miners Day, December 6
National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, December 15
Free Shipping Day, Mid December (changes annually)
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas, December 25
National Thank You Note Day, December 26
Boxing Day (Canada), December 26
No Interruptions Day, December 28
Tick Tock Day, December 29
National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, December 30
Make Up Your Mind Day, December 31
New Year’s Eve, December 31
