Need ideas to inspire your content marketing? In May 2017, you might try covering pets, writing about The Twilight Zone, speaking at a conference, interacting with shoppers, or making a summer guidebook.
Content marketing is the act of creating, publishing, and promoting articles, videos, or similar content for the purpose of attracting, engaging, and retaining customers. At its core, content marketing relies on the idea of reciprocity — the exchange of things for mutual benefit. When a business provides someone with useful, informative, or entertaining content for free, that someone may feel a connection to the business and may be more likely to buy from the business in the future.
What follows are five content marketing ideas for May 2017.
1. National Pet Week
Each May, the American Veterinary Medical Association celebrates National Pet Week. In 2017, the informational event runs from May 7 to 13. It honors the bond between pets and people “and encourages pet owners to be certain they provide their best friends with all they need for a happy, healthy life every week of the year.”
For content marketers, there is an opportunity to talk about pets within your industry’s context. For example, imagine an online store that sells power tools and equipment for professionals and do-it-yourselfers. This business could publish articles, such as these ideas.
- “How to Keep Your Dog Safe at the Job Site”
- “5 Reasons It’s Okay to Bring Your Puppy to Work”
- “Does Your Dog Need a Car Seat? Transport Your Pet the Right Way”
- “How to Build a Better Dog House”
Similarly, an online store that sells camping and hiking gear could produce articles or videos with titles like these.
- “10 Day Trips Your Dog Will Love”
- “Beginner’s Guide to Hiking with Dogs”
- “Camping with Your Pet: What to Pack”
If your business happens to sell pet-related items, National Pet Week should be obvious.
2. The Twilight Zone Day: May 11
Rod Serling’s classic science-fiction series, The Twilight Zone, first appeared on television in 1959 and was revived twice, in 1985 and 2002. The show, which could be creepy, often viewed current events through science fiction’s twisted lens. It was both a form of escapism and a transcendent social commentary.
The series has garnered many fans, and it can represent an opportunity for content marketing. This May 11, consider publishing articles, videos, or even social media posts related to the classic show. These might be profiles of some of the show’s actors or writers or, better still, connections to the industry your business serves.
For example, an online store selling electronics or, more specifically, audio recording equipment, might profile Serling, describing how he “wrote” episodes of the series with a Dictaphone.
3. Speak at an Industry Conference or Event
Content marketing can take many forms, including giving presentations at industry-specific conferences or events. Often conferences will publish videos or summaries of talks on social media.
For May, look for important events or conferences for your industry and try to give a useful presentation.
As an example, if you’re a business-to-business ecommerce operation that serves the cooking market, you might try to give a presentation at The Smart Kitchen Summit.
4. Let Customers Help You Pick New Products
In May, many online retail businesses will be busy selecting products for the fourth quarter and beyond. So why not put some of your purchasing activity to work as content marketing?
Consider posting previews (if your vendors will allow it) of products on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest and ask consumers what they think. Would they buy it? Would they order it now?
You might even use a service like Woobox or similar to present new products as a poll.
5. Publish a Seasonal Guidebook
In May, you should be enjoying mild spring weather, the blooming flowers, and more time to spend outdoors. But it is also a time for content marketers to begin working on seasonal guidebooks for summer.
For this content idea, try to come up with a summer-related ebook you can create and publish before summer comes to North America on June 20, 2017. As with just about every suggestion on this month’s content idea list, try to connect the content you provide to the industry you serve and the products you sell. Here are a few examples.
- Online shoe store: “2017 Oregon Hiking Guide: 25 Summer Hikes You’ll Love”
- Online craft shop: “75 Summer Crafts to Make with Your Kids”
- Online wine purveyor: “The Summer 2017 Guide to Small North American Wineries”
Bonus — Mother’s Day: May 14
For the third year in a row, we’ve published a list of content marketing suggestions for the month of May. In each of the previous lists (2015 and 2016), Mother’s Day was included. It is, after all, one of the most recognized holidays in May. In the United States, folks will spend about $21 billion on presents for their mothers, which makes Mother’s Day very important for retailers.
Consider promoting Mother’s Day content in one of a few ways.
- Publish “mom” stories that inspire.
- Post “mom” quotes on social media sites.
- Release Mother’s Day shopping guides.