Unpacking Their Value for your Small Business Social Media Planning

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, we are all constantly seeking creative ways to engage with our audience and boost our brand visibility. One strategy that has gained popularity in recent years is using awareness days, also known as national or international observances or holidays as part of social media content planning. But are these awareness days just hype, or do they offer genuine value to small businesses? Let’s take a deeper look into this topic to understand their potential impact on your social media strategy.

The Power of Awareness Days

Awareness days are designated occasions that draw attention to specific causes, issues, or themes. They vary from the well-known International Women’s Day and Earth Day to more niche observances like National Coffee Day or National Pizza Day. These days offer several benefits for small businesses:

1. Content Relevance: Awareness days provide a timely opportunity to create content that resonates with your audience. Aligning your social media posts with relevant days can make your brand more relatable and engaging.
2. Trend Relevance: Joining the conversation on trending topics can help your content gain more traction. By participating in awareness days, you can tap into existing online discussions and reach a broader audience.
3. Showcasing Values: Many awareness days revolve around social or environmental causes. Participating in such observances can showcase your business’s values and commitment to making a positive impact.

The Potential Downsides

While awareness days offer several advantages, it’s crucial to consider the potential downsides before diving in headfirst:

1. Oversaturation: Some days have become so popular that they risk oversaturation. Your content might get lost in a sea of similar posts unless you find a unique angle to stand out.
2. Relevance: Not all awareness days will align with your business. Posting on unrelated days can come across as disingenuous or opportunistic. It’s vital to select the ones that resonate with your brand and target audience.
3. Planning Challenges: Keeping up with awareness days can be time-consuming. Small business owners often have limited resources, so planning and creating content for numerous days can be overwhelming.

Maximising the Value of Awareness Days

Here are some tips to ensure you don’t fall into the hype trap:

1. Content Strategy: Prioritise the days that align with your brand’s values and resonate with your audience. Develop a content strategy that outlines how each awareness day fits into your overall social media plan.
2. Creativity: Instead of simply acknowledging the day, find creative ways to participate. Share unique stories, create engaging visuals, and provide valuable insights related to the observance.
3. Consistency: Don’t limit your engagement to awareness days alone. Maintain a consistent social media presence throughout the month. Awareness days should complement your regular content, not overshadow it.
4. Measure Impact: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your awareness day posts. This data can help you assess the actual impact of these observances on your brand’s online presence.
5. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on a select few awareness days that genuinely matter to your audience. It’s better to create high-quality, meaningful content for a few of the days than to participate in many with shallow posts.

So, in my opinion, awareness days are not just hype. They can be valuable tools for a small business owner looking to enhance their social media strategy. However, the key lies in strategic planning and thoughtful execution. By aligning your content with the right days and consistently delivering meaningful messages, you can use these days to boost your brand’s visibility, connect with your audience, and showcase your business’s commitment to important causes. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of awareness days you participate in; it’s about the quality of your engagement.

If you need help with planning out your monthly content, why not consider booking a Social Media Content Planning Session with me over Zoom?  Email me at karen@littleacornmarketing.co.uk for more information.

 

*image credit canva Nov 2023