5 Content Marketing Ideas for October 2016

In October 2016, content marketers have plenty of opportunities to engage customers and potential customers by publishing articles or releasing videos about Halloween, the upcoming Christmas season, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and even knock-knock jokes.

Content marketing is the act of creating, publishing, and distributing content, such as articles or videos, with the specific purpose of attracting, engaging, and retaining customers. At its core, content marketing depends on reciprocity. It gives readers or viewers something of value — content — that is useful or helpful or entertaining, and in exchange, readers or viewers feel indebted, which may lead some to make a purchase.

Here are five content marketing suggestions for your business in October 2016.

1. Entertaining and Educational Halloween Articles, Videos

Halloween is by far one of the most important holidays for retailers, as shoppers spend liberally on everything from candy to spooky housewares and decorations. So it makes sense to give the scariest of holidays the lion’s share of your content marketing efforts this October.

While you will certainly have a number of opportunities to produce articles or videos around Halloween (suggestion two on this list is an example), consider trying to entertain shoppers this October.

A few years ago, retailer Westlake Ace Hardware, as an example, produced a series of entertaining zombie videos. Collectively, those five zombie videos have had more than 100,000 views.

If budget is not a problem, you might also consider something similar to Ford’s Car Wash Prank, which gave consumers a serious scare.

If you would rather write articles or blog posts, you might:

• Consider a funny post about a trick-or-treating experience;
• Publish a list of the best Halloween “tricks” you can imagine;
• Compose an article describing Halloween traditions from around the globe.

2. Describe Halloween Costume Ideas

The pinnacle of Halloween celebration is the costume. If your content marketing can help someone pick the “greatest Halloween costume ever,” you’ll likely be successful.

This moose costume idea from BuzzFeed is an example of the sort of suggestions content marketers can make.

So regardless of the industry that your business serves, consider publishing a Halloween costume guide. Here are a few examples of actual Halloween costume guides to inspire your content.

• Mental Floss: “12 Halloween Ideas From 1884’s Hottest Costume Guide“
• BuzzFeed: “27 Halloween Costumes For Elementary School Teachers“
• Huffington Post: “33 Creative Halloween Costumes For Pregnant Women“
• Popsugar: “A Halloween Costume Guide for Wes Anderson Fans“
• Slate: “The Reasonable Person’s Guide to Political Correctness on the Occasion of Halloween“

3. Christmas Shopping Guides

Christmas gift guides can take a few forms, including focusing almost exclusively on products, like this example from Macy’s.

As described in the first two points, Halloween is one of the most important retail events of the year. But for many stores, Christmas is the most important retail event. On October 1, there will be just 85 days until Christmas.

Start your holiday content marketing now. In a fashion similar to the Halloween costume guides from point two on this list, publish a series of Christmas shopping guides or lists of gift ideas. Be certain to focus on the products your store sells.

Here are several examples of Christmas shopping and gift guides to help you choose your article or video topics.

• Macy’s: “The Gift Guide“
• UncommonGoods: “Christmas Gift Ideas“
• Dodo: “100 Most Unique Christmas Gifts for 2016“
• Good Housekeeping: “Holiday Gift Ideas 2016“
• Country Living: “51 DIY Christmas Gifts Your Friends and Family Will Love“

4. Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A number of cancer organizations work together in October to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among women — only skin cancer beats it in frequency. In October, use some of your content marketing efforts to support this cause.

Publish content that reminds women of the dangers of breast cancer and encourages them to learn more about it and get screened for it.

5. Knock-Knock Joke Day: October 31

October 31 is National Knock-Knock Joke Day. While the holiday’s origins and legitimacy are something of a mystery, it represents a good opportunity for content marketing.

To celebrate, consider publishing a knock-knock joke or even a list of knock-knock jokes. If the jokes are related to your industry, it’s even better.

Remember that knock-knock jokes often use pronunciation to elicit laughter. Here are a couple of examples.

Knock. Knock.

Who’s there?

Yule log.

Yule log who?

Yule log the door after you let me in.

In this example above, “Yule log” is pronounced something like “you’ll log.” The joke is corny at best, but that is the point.

Here is another one. In the punch line, pronounce “Dwayne” like you were saying “drain” whilst being underwater. Also, say “drowning” like you’re submerged.

Knock. Knock.

Who’s there?

Dwayne.

Dwayne who?

Dwayne the bathtub. I’m drowning.

Good luck with your knock, knock jokes.