Do you have your marketing and social media strategy outlined for 2019? You’re probably on top of high-profile days like Black Friday but you might be missing a few key dates.
Below is a comprehensive list of January through December calendar observations. These days present opportunities for you to increase awareness, engagement and ultimately sales. Here are some strategies to get your creative juices flowing.
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. 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 2019
JANUARY 2019
National Blood Donor Month
National Thank You Month
National Hobby Month
National Tea Month
Girl Scout Cookie Season Begins
January 1-7 – Diet Resolution Week
January 14-20 – Hunt For Happiness Week
January 15-19 – Sugar Awareness Week
January 22-26 – Clean Out Your Inbox Week
January 28-February 2 – Meat Week
New Year’s Day, Jan 1
National Hangover Day, Jan 1
Festival of Sleep Day, Jan 3
Trivia Day, Jan 4
Cuddle Up Day, Jan 6
Golden Globes, Jan 7
Elvis’s Birthday, Jan 8
National Take the Stairs Day, Jan 9
Dress Up Your Pet Day, Jan 14
National Hat Day, Jan 15
Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day, Jan 17
Winnie the Pooh Day, Jan 18
National Popcorn Day, Jan 19
National Cheese Lover’s Day, Jan 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan 21
National Hugging Day, Jan 21
Compliment Day, Jan 24
National Peanut Butter Day, Jan 24
Opposite Day, Jan 25
Chocolate Cake Day, Jan 27
Fun at Work Day, Jan 28
National Puzzle Day, Jan 29
Backward Day, Jan 31
FEBRUARY 2019
Black History Month
American Heart Month
National Heart Month
National Weddings Month
National Cherry Month
February 8-16 – Fashion Week
February 14-20 – Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 13-19 – International Flirting Week
Wear Red Day, Feb 1
National Freedom Day, Feb 1
Groundhog Day, Feb 2
Bubble Gum Day, Feb 2
Super Bowl Sunday, Feb 3
Chinese New Year, Feb 5
Send a Card to a Friend Day #SendACardToAFriendDay, Feb 7
National Pizza Day, Feb 9
Grammy’s, Feb 10
Make a Friend Day, Feb 11
Lincoln’s Birthday, Feb 12
Valentine’s Day, Feb 14
Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday, Feb 15
Single’s Awareness Day, Feb 15
Random Acts of Kindness Day, Feb 17
Drink Wine Day, Feb 19
President’s Day, Feb 18
Love Your Pet Day, Feb 20
Washington’s Birthday, Feb 22
Margarita Day, Feb 22
Walk Your Dog Day, Feb 22
National Tortilla Chip Day, Feb 24
91st Oscars ceremony, Feb 24
Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sales Begin, Feb 26
MARCH 2019
Women’s History Month
Nutrition Month
Peanut Month
Music in Our Schools Month
Craft Month
Irish Heritage Month
American Red Cross Month
The Great American Cleanup
March 23-28 – National Sleep Awareness Week
March 12-17 – Girl Scout Week
March 26-31 – National Cleaning Week
National Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss Day), March 1
Employee Appreciation Day, March 1
Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, March 1
Day of Unplugging, March 3
World Wildlife Day, March 3
Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday, March 5
Dentist’s Day, March 6
Oreo Day, March 6
Cereal Day, March 7
Popcorn Lover’s Day, March 8
International Women’s Day, March 8
Daylight Savings, March 10
Napping Day, March 11
Pi Day, March 14
World Sleep Day, March 16
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17
Awkward Moments Day, March 18
First Day of Spring, March 20
Agriculture Day, March 20
World Water Day, March 22
Puppy Day, March 23
Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness, March 26
Baseball Opening Day, March 28
Mom & Pop Business Owner’s Day, March 29
National Doctor’s Day, March 30
Crayon Day, March 31
APRIL 2019
Earth Month
National Volunteer Month
National Autism Awareness Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
National Garden Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
April 5-8 Masters Week
April 15-22 – National Volunteer Week
April 16-22- Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week
April 23-29 – Administrative Professionals Week
April 22-28 – Every Kid Healthy Week
April 22-28 – National Princess Week
April Fool’s Day, April 1
World Autism Awareness Day, April 2
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, April 2
Don’t Go To Work Unless it’s Fun Day, April 2
World Health Day, April 7
National Beer Day, April 7
Free Cone Day (Ben & Jerry’s), April 10
Golfer’s Day, April 10
National Pet Day, April 11
National Grilled Cheese Day, April 12
Palm Sunday, April 14
Tax Day, April 15
Good Friday, April 19
Lookalike Day, April 20
Easter Sunday, April 21
Earth Day, April 22
Administrative Professionals Day, April 24
Take Your Daughter and/or Son to Work Day, April 25
Administrative Professional’s Day, April 25
Arbor Day, April 27
National Superhero Day, April 28
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, April 30
MAY 2019
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 2019
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 2019
National Independent Retailer Month
Independence Day, July 4
Amazon Prime Day July 8
#GetToKnowYourCustomersDay, July 19
National System Admin Appreciation Day, July 2
AUGUST 2019
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 2019
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 2019
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 2019
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 28
Black Friday, November 29
Small Business Saturday #ShopSmall, November 30
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 2019
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
