Unfortunately, for the average marketer the summer season ends after the Fourth of July. As companies approach the halfway point of the year, marketers must determine whether their existing content marketing strategy is coming full circle or if it needs to be reworked; prep for the bustling tradeshow season; and, believe it or not, begin crafting strategies for quarter four and the holiday season.
While August may represent autumn in a marketer’s mind, the official summer season isn’t over quite yet. So now is not the time for marketers to ignore the content marketing genius they can find this month. Here are some ways you can find your content marketing muse before the leaves begin to fall:
Vacation: The Go’Go’s infamously sang, “Vacation, all I ever wanted.” Every marketer needs a relaxing vacation every now and then. If you’re in a lull with content ideas, and if you’re planning to take a break this month before the summer ends, try finding inspiration while you vacation. Inspiration can oftentimes be found once you remove yourself from the confines of the office; whether you’re sprawled on the sands of Hawaii, hiking the Appalachian Trail or simply sight-seeing. A break from the daily grind can actually open the floodgates of inspiration.
Back to school: Nothing kills the summer vibe more than the beginning of a new school year, but the majority of school calendars begin during the last week of August, making “back to school” something that every marketer should be looking to for content marketing inspiration. As teachers and professionals go back to work and students fill the hallways once again, marketers should be hitting the books as to how the “back to school” theme can be applied to new product rollouts or engagement strategies. For example, consider creating a handout or brochure divulging a quick “101” session of your company. The document could include all of the basics and core competencies of your organization, along with contact information for prospects.
Unconventional Holidays: August is chock-full of unique “holidays” and special events. For instance, did you know that August represents “Family Fun Month” and “National Golf Month?” Or, did you know that the first week of August represents “National Simplify your Life Week?” Consider how these out-of- the-ordinary celebrations can be leveraged for creating extraordinary content marketing assets, such as a theme behind an August eNewsletter or a topic for your next blog (or blog series if you want to optimize a theme for the entire month). Click here to see a full list of these holidays for August.
Remember that around every corner lies a new story angle, a fresh idea for a lead generation campaign or a creative approach to your latest social media strategy. Don’t let the summer escape you before making summer-inspired content marketing plans (especially if that includes a vacation).
Edited by
Brooke Neuman
