Anyone with an Instagram account will have noticed a surge in social media holidays in recent years.
From boomerangs of clinking cosmopolitans on #WorldCocktailDay to silly staff on #UglyChristmasJumperDay, these annual dates are sometimes considered a waste of time by business owners. But they’re more than a bit of frivolous fun - they’re perfect marketing opportunities.
Of course, most social media holidays are entirely made up. And, like Valentine’s Day, their purpose is to drive sales. But there’s also a deeper reason these dates are so effective for brands and influencers:
- They give us reasons to connect with people similar to us.
- They spark conversations (and in turn, engagement rates).
- They help marketing teams plan content for the year ahead.
- They help express brand personalities on a human level.
- They increase visibility (and in turn, potential custom).
Where did social media holidays all begin?
Web developer Marlo Anderson created the first National Day Calendar as a bit of fun. Today, brands across the world pay big bucks to buy their own national days. For example, winemakers Riondo Prosecco officially “founded” #NationalProseccoDay, which means its brand visibility blooms (and clinks, and fizzes) year by year.
If you’re savvy enough, you could start your own unique social media day within your industry niche. Like ‘Wear Your Old Band T Shirt To Work Day’ started by BBC Radio 6 Music - a personal favourite.
But with thousands of dates set in stone, jumping on existing hashtag holidays is the best way to boost visibility within trending topics and cultural happenings.
How to use social media holidays authentically
If you sell a product or service, #BackToSchool sales to #BlackFriday deals are brilliant opportunities to get in front of customers’ eyeballs when they’re in the frame of mind to buy. But jumping on a hashtag that’s completely irrelevant to your brand or social account is completely transparent to followers. It’s lazy, lacks authenticity and makes you look sleazy.
Only you know your brand. Pick out the relevant themes, topics and dates from these important hashtag holidays and embellish them with your own messages, tone of voice and conversation sparkers.
January hashtag holidays 2020
20th January: #NationalCheeseLoversDay
24th January: #NationalComplimentDay
27th January: #CommunityManagerAppreciationDay
February hashtag holidays 2020
1st February: #NationalStorytellingWeek
9th February: #NationalPizzaDay
22nd February: #WorldThinkingDay
March hashtag holidays 2020
5th March: #WorldBookDay
8th March: #InternationalWomensDay
20th March: #InternationalDayOfHappiness
April hashtag holidays 2020
1st April: #NationalPetMonth
15th April: #WorldArtDay
22nd April: #EarthDay
May hashtag holidays 2020
1st May: #InternationalWorkersDay
5th May: #ThankATeacherDay
13th May: #WorldCocktailDay
June hashtag holidays 2020
8th June: #BestFriendsDay
23th June: #WorldSelfieDay
30th June: #SocialMediaDay
July hashtag holidays 2020
7th July: #WorldChocolateDay
17th July: #WorldEmojiDay
24th July: #2020SummerOlympics begins
August hashtag holidays 2020
8th August: #InternationalCatDay
13th August: #LefthandersDay
31st August: #WorldBlogDay
September hashtag holidays 2020
3 September: #BackToSchool
5 September: #WorldBeardDay
30 September: #InternationalPodcastDay
October hashtag holidays 2020
1st October: #WorldCoffeeDay
4th October: #GrandparentsDay
10th October: #WorldMentalHealthDay
November hashtag holidays 2020
13th November: #WorldKindnessDay
21st November: #WorldTelevisionDay
28th November: #SmallBusinessSaturday
December hashtag holidays 2020
3rd December: #InternationalDayOfPersonsWithDisabilities
10th December: #HumanRightsDay
18th December: #UglyChristmasJumperDay
