Welcome to the Dove Direct Print and Marketing Blog. Today's post, "Consolidating 3rd and 4th Quarter Marketing Calendars," highlights both social media and traditional events that offer a marketing itinerary for the year-end push. This calendar outlines ideas for topical marketing strategies, which could be very helpful since online usage is currently operating unprecedentedly due to the pandemic. Event calendars are valuable tools for the marketing kit, particularly when engaging various generational targets. A social event calendar can represent low-hanging fruit for brands looking to engage through historical marketing efforts.
However, creating marketing content and ad posts for event-driven marketing and aligning with a brand's objectives can be challenging. That said, a range of marketing creative can tie an event to a particular message. Alternatively, a straightforward approach to posting can acknowledge the importance and support of a celebrated event. Moreover, we contend that there are several marketing and event calendar types that brands should put into their strategic arsenal.
Quote of the Day: "For me, pop culture is very fluid: it's music, it's movies, it's books, it's art, it's tech, it's so many things — and as marketing and brand advocates, we should be able to take products and services and match them to what's happening in pop culture." — Bozoma Saint John, CMO, Endeavor
Depending on the industry, niche, offerings, and time of the year, these key markers can provide further insight for targeted event participation.
For example, automotive sales tend to peak in August and then again in December. In the instance of new models hitting the market, brands can launch introductory deals and communication messaging on strategic days or weeks that fall outside the peak sales months. However, due to production and manufacturing challenges brought forth as a result of the pandemic, marketers may have to adjust those timelines per availability.
Another example would be healthcare; with plans renewing annually, communications for those new plans typically begin late in the 3rd quarter and continue through the rest of the year. Therefore, as you absorb the social media 2021 calendar, let your creative juices flow, and try to unite some of these events into the brands' strategy.
When using an event calendar, the tricky element is the ability to create messaging that serves a dual purpose. In these types of instances, a multi-purpose message that recognizes the importance of the event celebration while also promoting the product or service in support of the occasion can help build brand acceptance.
In addition, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen X are more brand conscious than previous generations. The people born after 1981 actively pursue and relate to brands that demonstrate that they care about people, the community, and the environment. Brands that fail to engage in the betterment of the planet and its people may find themselves in the crosshairs of negative perceptions leading to negative posts.
As we introduce the 2H2021 calendar, keep in mind that we live in the holistic age of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental well-being. The following event list is based both on social media and traditional celebrations.
July Calendar
1st - National Postal Workers Day
2nd - World UFO Day
04th - Independence Day
07th - World Chocolate Day
11th - Cheer Up The Lonely Day
12th - Malala Day
15th - Get to Know Your Customers Day
15th - Give Something Away Day Day
17th - World Emoji Day
18th - Nelson Mandela Day
30th - International Day of Friendship
August Calendar
01st - Respect for Parents Day
02nd - National Coloring Book Day
08th - International Cat Day
09th - National Book Lovers Day
10th - National Lazy Day
11th - National Son and Daughter Day
12th - World Elephant Day
13th - International Left-handers Day
15th - National Relaxation Day
16th - National Tell a Joke Day
19th - World Humanitarian Day
19th - World Photo Day
19th - National Women's Equity Day
September Calendar
4th - National Wildlife Day
5th - International Day of Charity
6th - Labor Day
6th - National 401(k) Day
6th - National Read a Book Day
7th - National Beer Lover's Day
8th - International Literacy Day
9th - National Wiener Schnitzel Day
10th - Stand Up to Cancer 1
11th - Natural Day of Service and Remembrance
12th - Civic Day of Hacking for Change
12th - National Day of Encouragement
12th - National Video Games Day
12th - National Grandparents Day
19th - Talk Like a Pirate Day
21st - International Day Of Peace
21st - Miniature Golf Day
22nd - Car Free Day
22nd - First Day of Fall
22nd - Hobbit Day
26th - European Day of Languages
26th - National Pancake Day
27th - World Tourism Day
28th - National Good Neighbor Day
28th - World Rabies Day
29th - National Women's Health and Fitness
Day
30th - International Podcast Day
October Calendar
1st - World Vegetarian Day
1st - International Coffee Day
1st - International Day of Older Persons
1st - World Smile Day
2nd - International Day of Nonviolence
3rd - National Techies Day
4th - National Tacos Day
4th - World Animal Day
4th - World Habitat Day
5th - World Teachers Day
10th - World Mental Health Day
10th - National Depression Screening Day
11th - International Day of the Girl
14th - National Dessert Day
14th - National Tacos Day
15th - Global Hand-washing Day
16th - National Boss's Day
16th - World Foods Day
17th - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
20th - World Statistics Day
21st - Reptile Awareness Day
21st - Get to Know Your Customers Day
24th - United Nations Day
25th - Greasy Food Day 3
30th - Checklist Day
30th - National Publicist Day
31st - Halloween
November Calendar
1st - National Authors Day
1st - National Cook for Your Pets Day
1st - World Vegan Day
3rd - National Sandwich Day
4th - National Candy Day
7th - Daylight Saving Time Ends
8th - National Cappuccino Day
8th - Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine Day
11th - Veterans Day
12th - National Happy Hour Day
13th - World Kindness Day
14th - World Diabetes Day
15th - America Recycles Day
15th - Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
16th - International Day for Tolerance
16th - National Entrepreneur's Day
17th - International Students Day
19th - International Men's Day
20th - Universal Children's Day
21st - World Hello Day
25th - Thanksgiving
26th - National Cake Day
26th - National Day of Listening
26th - Black Friday
27th - Small Business Saturday
29th - Electronic Greeting Card Day
30th - Computer Security Day
December Calendar
1st - World Aids Day
3rd - International Day of Persons
4th - National Cookie Day
5th - World Soil Day
6th - Microwave Oven Day
8th - Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
10th - National Salesperson Day
10th - Human Rights Day
10th - Nobel Prize Day
21st - First Day of Winter
21st - Crossword Puzzle Day
24th - Christmas Eve
25th - Christmas
26th - Boxing Day
31st - New Years' Eve
The Net-Net
When planning marketing strategies, it is vital to align with the key events that make sense for the brand's offerings. Identifying notable calendar events aids in the creative process for graphics, messaging, and content. Further, brands should differentiate the event calendar from the sales push dates and ferret out the holistic calendar dates the brand can support as a dedicated social partner for the communities in which they do business.
The marketing calendar presented in this post barely touches the surface. Nonetheless, it's a start. We recommend researching various dates to determine how you will align your brand with current events. The results will significantly help your brand's relatability. Thanks for reading "Consolidating 3rd and 4th Quarter Marketing Calendars."
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