With the ever-increasing demand for creative marketing strategies, social media holidays and awareness days can help hospitality businesses stand out, engage with, and reach new audiences.
And in October 2023, there are plenty of opportunities to do just that.
Contents
Social Media Holiday Dates October 2023
User-Generated Content Campaigns: The Power of Authenticity and Engagement
Campaign Ideas for October 2023
Social Media Holidays in October 2023
Here is a comprehensive list of social media holidays, events, and celebrations in October 2023:
October Monthly Celebrations
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Dessert Month
National Cholesterol Month
Go Sober For October
Black History Month
ADHD Awareness Month
October Social Media Holidays & Awareness Days
October 1: International Day of Older Persons
October 1: International Coffee Day
October 1: World Vegetarian Day
October 2: National Fried Scallops Day
October 3: National Caramel Custard Day
October 4: National Taco Day
October 4: National Pumpkin Seed Day
October 5: World Teachers Day
October 5: National Do Something Nice Day
October 6: World Smile Day
October 6: National Noodle Day
October 7: National Frappe Day
October 8: National Fluffernutter Day
October 8: National Pierogi Day
October 8: National Salmon Day
October 9: International Beer and Pizza Day
October 9: Moldy Cheese Day
October 10: World Mental Health Day
October 10: National Angel Food Cake Day
October 11: National Sausage Pizza Day
October 12: National Gumbo Day
October 13: National Yorkshire Pudding Day
October 13: World Egg Day
October 14: National Dessert Day
October 15: National Chicken Cacciatore Day
October 15: National Roast Pheasant Day
October 15: Navaratri (Hindu)
October 16: World Food Day
October 17: National Pasta Day
October 18: Meatloaf Appreciation Day
October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 19: National Seafood Bisque Day
October 19: Get to Know Your Customers Day
October 21: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 22: National Nut Day
October 22: Durga Puja (Hindu)
October 23: Chongyangjie / Ch'ung Yang (Chinese)
October 25: Greasy Foods Day
October 26: National Pumpkin Day
October 26: Mince Meat Pie Day
October 28: National Chocolate Day
October 28: Wild Foods Day
October 29: National Oatmeal Day
October 30: Checklist Day
October 30: National Candy Corn Day
October 31: Halloween
October 31: All Hallow's Eve (Christian)
October 31: Samhain (Wiccan/Pagan)
User-Generated Content Campaigns: The Power of Authenticity and Engagement
Building trust is essential for every brand. Consumers want to know what they are buying and are more likely to trust the opinions and experiences of their peers. UGC allows brands to showcase their products or services from a user's perspective, providing authentic and relatable content.
85% of consumers view UGC as more authentic than brand-sponsored content (AdWeek). Reviews, testimonials, and customer feedback can help brands establish a reputation of trustworthiness and reliability.
Boosting Engagement
Brand loyalty and growth depend on engaging your audience. UGC campaigns allow users to participate and interact with your brand actively.
UGC encourages customers to participate and share their experiences through contests, challenges, or collaborations. This increases engagement levels and creates a sense of community around your brand.
According to Tailwindapp, accounts that hold Instagram IGC contests grow their followers 70% faster than accounts that don't run contests.
Driving Conversions
UGC can significantly influence consumers' purchasing decisions. It provides social proof and acts as a recommendation from real people, making it more persuasive than traditional brand content. UGC is twice as likely to be shared as other types of content (AdWeek).
Additionally, over 80% say UGC significantly impacts purchasing decisions (BusinessWire).
Incorporating UGC into your marketing strategy can influence potential customers and drive conversions.
Best Practices for Running UGC Campaigns
To ensure the success of your UGC campaign, it is important to follow these best practices:
Low Barrier to Entry
Make it easy for users to participate in your UGC campaign. Keep the entry requirements simple and accessible to a wide range of participants. This could include submitting a photo, sharing a story, or using a specific hashtag.
Keep It Simple
Avoid complicating your UGC campaign with too many rules or requirements. Keep the instructions clear and concise, allowing users to understand what is expected of them quickly.
Worthwhile Prize
Offer a prize or incentive that is valuable and relevant to your target audience. This will motivate users to participate and increase the overall engagement of your campaign.
Observe the Law & Platform Policies
Make sure your campaign complies with the laws and regulations surrounding UGC. Additionally, familiarise yourself with the policies of the social media platforms you use to avoid violations.
Instagram's UGC policies require users to obtain permission from any individuals featured in posted content. It’s important to ensure that any content you share on Instagram is appropriate and does not contain offensive or inappropriate imagery or language.
Campaign Branded Hashtag
Make your campaign's hashtag memorable and unique. This will help users easily identify and participate in your UGC campaign while allowing you to track and monitor the generated content.
Ask Permission to Report
If you plan to use UGC for marketing purposes, such as in advertisements or promotional materials, always ask for permission from the user. Make sure to communicate how and where their content will be used.
Respect Boundaries
Respect the privacy and boundaries of your users. Avoid sharing personal or sensitive information without their consent, and be mindful of the content you request from participants.
Feature UGC on All Digital Channels
Use UGC across all your digital channels, including your website, social media platforms, and email marketing campaigns. This will maximise the visibility and impact of the content while also showcasing the engagement and loyalty of your customers.
Brands Tapping into UGC
Starbucks #RedCupContest
Starbucks has successfully tapped into UGC with its annual #RedCupContest. This campaign encourages coffee drinkers to submit photos of their festive Starbucks drinks for a chance to win a valuable gift card.
By incentivising fans to participate and engage online, Starbucks promotes its seasonal campaign. It generates sales, as customers are required to purchase a red cup to participate.
Hilton Grand Vacations #MyHGV
Hilton Grand Vacations features an Instagram image gallery of user-generated content on its homepage. The #MyHGV feed showcases the best Instagram images shared by customers, inspiring website visitors to book their next vacation with Hilton Grand Vacations.
By leveraging UGC, Hilton Grand Vacations taps into the trust and recommendations of real customers, creating an authentic and relatable experience.
Mistakes to Avoid
#McDStories
McDonald's launched the #McDStories campaign to encourage customers to share heartwarming stories about their experiences with Happy Meals. However, the campaign quickly backfired as people started sharing negative stories and complaints about McDonald's. This is a prime example of how a UGC campaign can spiral out of control if not properly planned and monitored.
#MakeItHappy by Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola's #MakeItHappy campaign aimed to transform negative tweets into positive ASCII graphics. However, the campaign was hijacked by Gawker, who tricked Coca-Cola's Twitter bot into quoting lines from Mein Kampf. This incident showcases the importance of being prepared for potential misuse and negative responses when running a UGC campaign.
Tips to Get More UGC for Your Brand
Ask for Feedback
Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your brand by asking them for feedback. Use email surveys, social media polls, and website feedback forms to collect feedback. By actively seeking feedback, you can gather valuable UGC and show your customers that their opinions are valued.
Launch a Contest
Encourage users to create and share brand-related content by hosting a contest or giveaway. This could include photo contests, video challenges, or creative submissions. Offering a worthwhile prize will incentivise participation and increase the overall engagement of your UGC campaign.
Collaborate with an Influencer
Partnering with influencers who share your brand values can amp up UGC campaigns. Influencers can create and share content about your brand, encouraging their followers to participate and engage. This expands the reach of your campaign and adds credibility and authenticity to the content generated.
Observe Consumer Trends
Stay informed about current consumer trends and interests. Monitor industry-relevant hashtags and keywords to identify what types of UGC content clicks with your target audience. This will help you tailor your UGC campaign to match their preferences and increase engagement.
Create a Brand Ambassador Program
Establish a brand ambassador program to encourage loyal fans and customers to consistently create content for your brand. Treat your ambassadors like VIPs, offering exclusive perks and benefits in exchange for their ongoing support and content creation. This will foster community and loyalty, resulting in increased UGC.
Compelling Challenge
Motivate people to share and create your brand content with a challenge. This could be a fitness challenge, a creative contest, or a social cause initiative. A compelling challenge generates UGC and engages audiences uniquely and interactively.
Take-Aways
UGC boosts your brand's authenticity and engagement so you can connect with your audience on a deeper level.
However, following best practices, avoiding common mistakes, and encouraging UGC is essential for success.
Content & Campaign Ideas for October 2023
Here are some marketing campaign suggestions for October's monthly celebrations, social media holidays, and awareness days:
🎉 Celebrate International Day of Older Persons with special discounts and promotions for senior citizens. Show appreciation for their patronage and create a memorable dining experience for them. Consider starting a coffee club for socialising in quieter hours.
☕ Embrace International Coffee Day by offering unique coffee blends, hot and iced coffees, hosting coffee-tasting events, or introducing limited-edition coffee-infused dishes and desserts.
🥗 Highlight World Vegetarian Day by creating a special or sect vegetarian menu or offering discounts on vegetarian dishes. Educate people about vegetarianism's health and environmental benefits.
🌮 Spice up National Taco Day with a taco festival or a taco-eating contest. Introduce new and creative taco flavours or offer discounted taco platters for sharing. Contests and challenges are a fantastic way to engage the local community and always create a buzz online.
🎃 Embrace Autumn on National Pumpkin Seed Day by creating pumpkin-inspired dishes and drinks. Consumers look forward to Pumpkin Spice offerings, so make sure you include hashtags like #PumpkinSpiceSeason, #AutumnVibes and #PumpkinSpiceAddict Host a pumpkin carving contest or offer pumpkin seed snacks as complimentary treats to your guests.
🍎 Show appreciation for teachers on World Teachers Day. Offer discounts or freebies to local teachers and school staff, and create a unique menu option for them. Consider partnering with a local school to make the occasion memorable and strengthen community bonds.
🌟 Celebrate National Do Something Nice Day by encouraging customers to perform random acts of kindness. Offer discounts or surprises to customers who share their kind acts on social media. Empower your team to surprise and delight guests with special treats and vouchers.
😊 Spread smiles on World Smile Day by organising activities that make your guests smile. Offer complimentary desserts, host photo booths, or surprise customers with small gifts. Set up a Selfie Area in your venue with accessories - make sure the lighting is on point! Don't forget to take plenty of pictures of happy colleagues to attract new talent.
🍜 Celebrate National Noodle Day by introducing a limited-time noodle menu featuring global and fusion flavours. Invite customers to share their favourite noodle dishes on social media.
☕ Quench your customers' thirst on National Frappe Day by offering a wide selection of frappes with luxury toppings. Create unique frappe flavours and run a social media contest for customers to invent a flavour.
🥜 On National Fluffernutter Day, serve up nostalgic fluffernutter waffles and desserts. Offer a special promotion for families and encourage them to share their fluffernutter moments on social media.
🎗️ Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Partner with a local charity, organise a fundraising challenge, and donate a portion of proceeds to support breast cancer organisations. Offer pink-themed menu items and encourage customers to share their support on social media using a dedicated hashtag.
🍨 Dessert Month - Indulge in a variety of hot, cold, healthy, vegan, and sweet treats. Create a dessert sampler menu featuring a selection of mouthwatering desserts. Consider offering limited-edition desserts or collaborations with local pastry chefs or bakeries.
💓 Cholesterol Awareness - Promote heart-healthy dining options and educate customers about the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Encourage guests to share their fitness journey by participating in a user-generated fitness challenge and reward them with special discounts or prizes.
🚫 Go Sober for October - Create a 30-day NoLo (No or Low-Alcohol) Challenge, offering a range of mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Provide pairing options that complement the flavours of the dishes without alcohol. Share alcohol-free recipes and encourage customers to share their experiences using a dedicated hashtag.
🌍 World Food Day - Celebrate the diverse flavours of the world by adding a global twist to your menus. Feature unique dishes inspired by different countries and cultures. Consider organising cultural entertainment, such as live music or traditional dance performances, to enhance the dining experience and promote cultural appreciation.
Take-Away
Holidays, events, and celebrations on social media can significantly affect how businesses market in October 2023.
With these popular and practical opportunities, businesses can reach their audience and boost brand awareness, engagement, and sales.
Start planning your October marketing campaigns today!
Here's to Your Success 🥂
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