YOUR

Ultimate
2021 MARKETING
PLANNING GUIDE
2020 is finally over and we can see the light at the end of
this long tunnel! So, what does that mean for your business?
That now it’s time to plan for success as the world opens
up again, and this guide will give you strategic marketing
ideas to do just that.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
03 2021 Marketing Trends to Inform Your Planning
04 Popular Hashtags
Marketing Ideas by Month
05 January
07 February
09 March
11 April
13 May
15 June
17 July
19 August
21 September
23 October
25 November
27 December
29 Conclusion

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

2021 MARKETING PREDICTIONS
TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THIS YEAR
Set yourself up for success this year by paying close attention to these trends
and predictions that may impact your marketing.
YOUR WEB PRESENCE IS OF
THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE
In 2020, we saw how critical it was for
businesses to have a solid web presence
so consumers could find their business
when searching online. This will continue
to be important as people navigate the
pandemic – and as we (hopefully) emerge
later this year.
MAKE YOUR BUSINESS
NEWSWORTHY
In 2020, more people than ever turned
to their local publications to stay
informed on all the changes and updates
happening across the country. And, we
see that will only continue. Make sure
your business is visible in the news –
whether in print or online – with print ads,
display advertising, and branded content.
LOCAL SEO IS A MUST FOR
ALL BUSINESS TYPES
Local SEO is a key component of a
healthy web presence, and it’s no longer
negotiable for businesses – whether
you’re a local single-location storefront
or a multi-location national chain. As
more and more consumers turn to search
engines to find businesses and answers,
local SEO is how you can ensure you’re
getting seen when and where it counts.
STAY SOCIAL
Social media has only grown in importance
– if that even seemed possible – and
businesses are adapting to the new ways
that consumers expect to engage with
them and consume content. Make sure
you have a plan to reach your audience,
post likeable content, and give a glimpse
into what your business is all about on
social this year.
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
YOUR BRAND STORY
MATTERS MORE
Consumers are seeking a connection with
the businesses they frequent. Make sure
they know and understand your brand
story – what makes you unique, what
matters to you and your employees, and
what causes you care about. This can help
you stand out and build brand loyalty.
DEVELOP A PLAN –
BUT BE AGILE
You might be hesitant to develop a full
marketing plan for 2021 considering the
change we all experienced in 2020. But, it’s
still crucial to outline your marketing plan
– determine what marketing is necessary
year-round and what marketing strategies
you’d like to try once you know where your
business – and the economy – is going.
POPULAR INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC HASHTAGS
Use these hashtags on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (and maybe even LinkedIn!) to help
your social posts reach a wider audience.

FINANCIAL
#finance, #business, #investment, #entrepreneur, #investing, #success, #financialfreedom, #wealth, #stocks, #money,
SERVICES #stocks, #accounting, #stockmarket, #investor, #trading
INDUSTRY

HOME
#interiordesign, #homedecor, #architecture, #home, #decor, #interiors, #furniture, #homedesign, #interiordesigner,
SERVICES #vintage, #homesweethome, #exteriordesign, #construction, #garden, #gardening, #designinspo, #designinspiration
INDUSTRY

HEALTHCARE #healthcare, #healthandwellness, #wellness, #healthyliving, #getyourcheckup, #checkup, #health, #telehealth, #doctor,
INDUSTRY #selfcare, #pharma, #medtech, #hospitals, #covid19

FOOD &
#food, #foodie, #foodphotography, #yummy, #delicious, #foodlover, #healthyfood, #tasty, #yum, #sweet, #hungry,
BEVERAGE #eat, #healthy, #homemade, #chef, #alcohol, #booze
INDUSTRY

FITNESS &
#fitness, #gym, #workout, #fit, #fitnessmotivation, #motivation, #bodybuilding, #training, #health, #fitfam, #sport,
WELLNESS #crossfit, #lifestyle, #healthy, #strong, #fitspo, #wod
INDUSTRY

EDUCATION #school, #college, #university, #inspiration, #learning, #motivation, #teacherlife, #studentlife, #success, #knowledge,
INDUSTRY #learn, #lifegoals, #teacher, #study, #student, #teachergoals, #virtuallearning, #distancelearning, #highered

FASHION
#fashion, #style, #love, #ootd, #fashionblogger, #beauty, #instafashion, #fashionista, #art, #makeup, #outfit,
& BEAUTY #shopping, #dress, #lifestyle
INDUSTRY

AUTOMOTIVE #carsforsale, #newcars, #usedcars, #preownedcars, #carselling, #carbuying, #forsale, #carsales, #dealership, #carbuyer,
INDUSTRY #autosales, #carbusiness, #newcarsforsale, #usedcarsforsale, #cardealership
January 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

JAN 13
MAKE YOUR DREAM COME
TRUE DAY
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST Share how you or one of your team
members has had a dream come true –
Get your year started off right by taking a look at your website. Don’t have one yet? Now’s whether it’s a goal you reached, a milestone
the time to invest! Your website is the hub for your business and the foundation for all you celebrated, or a trip to Disneyland! Ask
your other digital marketing strategies. your audience what dream they want to
come true this year. #dreamcometrue

QUICK TIPS
• Make sure your website is responsive – meaning it looks great on desktop, mobile, JAN 18
and tablets. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
• Check that your contact information is prominently displayed on your homepage Celebrate this day by sharing your favorite
and most other pages on your site. Martin Luther King Jr. quote and asking
your audience to share theirs. #MLKDay
• Test a few links and your form fill to make sure customers can easily contact you
if they try.
JAN 21
GET TO KNOW YOUR
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS CUSTOMERS DAY
• Run a 21% off sale to celebrate the year 2021. What are your customers really like and
what do they like? Ask them! Engage with
• Make New Year’s resolutions for your business, and if applicable, share them with the people who love your business best.
your customers on social media or through email marketing. #gettoknowyourcustomersday
• Host or attend a blood drive as a company – January is National Blood Drive month.

• Write a holiday round-up post for your company blog or social sites – include
pictures of how you and your team celebrated.

86% of consumers won’t buy from a company

with a poorly designed website.
SOURCE: IRONMONK
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
January 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

NEW YEAR'S DAY

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

LAW ENFORCEMENT
NATIONAL TRIVIA APPRECIATION
DAY DAY

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

MAKE YOUR DREAM

COME TRUE DAY

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

MARTIN LUTHER NATIONAL GET TO KNOW YOUR

KING, JR. DAY POPCORN DAY CUSTOMERS DAY
#MLKDay

24 25 26 27 28

NATIONAL DATA PRIVACY DAY

COMPLIMENT DAY

31 GOALS & PLANNING

GRAMMY AWARDS
#grammys

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

February 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

FEB 07
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
Share your and your team member’s Super
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST Bowl Sunday plans and ask your audience
to share theirs. The day after the Super
How do your listings look online? Your local listings are an important part of your online Bowl, ask your audience what their favorite
presence because they show up in local searches, house reviews, and can increase your commercial was. #superbowl2021
visibility on search engines.
FEB 14
VALENTINE’S DAY
QUICK TIPS
Socialize your Valentine’s Day specials or
• Make sure your business is listed on the top local listings sites. promotions on your social sites. Target
• Do a quick search for your business name and check that the listings that show up those last-minute shoppers with a special
have the correct information about your business. gift basket giveaway. #valentinesday

• Keep your business name, address, and phone number consistent across all your FEB 20
listings. Consistency is an important ranking factor! LOVE YOUR PETS DAY
Who can resist a picture of some cute
pets?! Share pictures of your pets and ask
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS your audience to share theirs and tag your
business. #loveyourpetsday
• Run a Valentine’s Day sale or promotion to show your customers how much you
love them.

• Send your customers your Valentine’s Day promotion over email so they get a little
love in their inbox.

• To celebrate Black History Month, share your favorite quotes from Black leaders or
historical figures on social media and ask your audience to share theirs.

• February is also Heart Disease Awareness month, so share resources on your

social sites to educate your audience.

68%
of people would stop working with a
local business if they found incorrect
info in their local listings.
SOURCE: BRIGHTLOCAL YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
February 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6

GROUNDHOG DAY WORLD READ NATIONAL

ALOUD DAY WEAR RED DAY

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

SUPER BOWL CHINESE NEW YEAR GALENTINE’S DAY

SUNDAY

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

VALENTINE’S DAY PRESIDENT’S DAY MARDI GRAS ASH WEDNESDAY NATIONAL LOVE
YOUR PETS DAY

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

NATIONAL
MARGARITA DAY

28

GOLDEN GLOBES
#goldenglobes

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

March 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

MAR 05
EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY
Shout out your employees on your social
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST media pages with a picture or video
highlighting each one and sharing why
Are you using your business’s social media sites to their fullest potential? Your social they’re special. #employeeappreciation
media sites give you a place to directly engage with your target audience and brand
fans – so they shouldn’t be ignored! MAR 14
PI DAY
QUICK TIPS Share pictures of you and your team
enjoying some pie to celebrate Pi Day. If
• Take a minute to refresh your social media pages with new images, a high-res logo, you don’t offer pie, make sure to tag your
and correct business information. local bakery in your post to support another
• Try out different types of social posts to see which perform best for your audience – local business! #piday
do they like pictures or videos better than content?
MAR 20
• Create a posting schedule so you’re regularly posting on your social media platforms. INTERNATIONAL HAPPINESS DAY
Ask your audience to share what makes
them happy – it can be a picture, a post, or
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS a video. You can even turn it into a contest
and choose one winner to make extra
• Run a St. Patrick’s Day special – 17% off services or products.
happy! #internationaldayofhappiness
• March is Women’s History Month, so share inspirational quotes from inspirational
women on your social media pages.

• Celebrate your employees this month by giving them a special incentive or a paid
day off – your employees are the backbone of your business!

• Spruce up the About page on your website to make sure it accurately conveys
your brand story.

60% of Instagram users say they discover

new businesses on the platform.
SOURCE: FACEBOOK
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
March 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6

ZERO WORLD EMPLOYEE

DISCRIMINATION WILDLIFE DAY APPRECIATION DAY
DAY

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
CEREAL DAY WOMEN’S DAY

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
START OF SPRING
SAINT PATRICK’S (Spring Equinox) &
SAG AWARDS,
PI DAY & DAY INTERNATIONAL
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS HAPPINESS DAY

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

NATIONAL PASSOVER BEGINS

PUPPY DAY

28 29 30 31

PALM SUNDAY VIETNAM WAR NATIONAL

VETERANS DAY DOCTORS’ DAY

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

April 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

APRIL 1
APRIL FOOL’S DAY
If your business is into pranks, post the
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST aftermath on your social sites. Ask your
audience the best prank they’ve pulled –
After giving your social media sites a little love last month, let’s take it a step further! or had pulled on them. #aprilfools
Facebook advertising can help you reach a new audience on both Facebook and
Instagram – two places you can’t afford to be missing out on. APRIL 13
NATIONAL SCRABBLE DAY
QUICK TIPS For all those word lovers, celebrate this fun
holiday by sharing the best Scrabble word
• Try running a Facebook ad campaign using lookalike audience targeting, which allows you’ve played – or by sharing some unique
you to target users with traits similar to your existing customers. Scrabble-approved words your audience
• Create a Facebook Lead Ads campaign to get leads directly from Facebook. can steal. #nationalscrabbleday

• A/B test an ad with different ad creative or a varied call-to-action to see what performs APRIL 22
best with your audience.
EARTH DAY
Celebrate Earth Day by sharing ideas for
sustainability, pictures of you and your
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS team volunteering with a local clean-up, or
• With many schools on Spring Break this month, consider a Spring Break sale or promotion. how your business contributes to restoring
our earth year-round. #earthday
• Run a Tax Day sale to entice shoppers to spend their refunds with you – or to help those
who just paid their taxes save.

• Spring clean your web presence by doing a quick search for your brand name and
taking note of what shows up – does everything look good?

• April is National Volunteer Month, so gather your employees and volunteer with
a local organization. Make sure to share pictures to your social sites!

11 The average Facebook user

clicks on 11 ads per month.
SOURCE: HOOTSUITE
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
April 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

APRIL FOOL’S DAY AUTISM AWARENESS

& NATIONAL BURRITO & GOOD FRIDAY
DAY

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

EASTER SUNDAY NATIONAL NATIONAL

& PASSOVER ENDS BEER DAY SIBLINGS DAY

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

NATIONAL RAMADAN BEGINS NATIONAL TAX DAY

PET DAY SCRABBLE DAY & NATIONAL HIGH
FIVE DAY

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

EARTH DAY

25 26 27 28 29 30

ACADEMY AWARDS PAY IT NFL DRAFT DAY ARBOR DAY &

FORWARD DAY KENTUCKY DERBY

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

May 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

MAY 05
CINCO DE MAYO
If you’re celebrating, share your pictures on
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST social media. Restaurants can share Cinco
de Mayo party recipes. #cincodemayo
Want your business to get found on Google and other top search engines? Then SEO is a
must. SEO helps you rank on Google and get more traffic to your website, which can give
your business a real boost. MAY 09
MOTHER’S DAY
QUICK TIPS Shout out to all the moms on social media
– share a special message, and include a
• Make sure all your metadata – meaning your title tags and meta descriptions – picture with you and your mom, or you and
on your website are filled in and contain relevant keywords for your business. your kids if you’re a mom! #mothersday
• Test the links on your site to make sure they go to live pages instead of broken links
with 404 errors. MAY 31
MEMORIAL DAY
• Read through the content on your site – does it make sense? Is it clear what your
Use quotes, images, and other posts to
business does?
show your support for those who have lost
their lives for our country. #memorialday
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS
• Take some time to make sure you’ve responded to all your business’s reviews
so far this year.

• If you’re near a college, offer a special student discount before school gets out
for the semester.

• Launch a customer loyalty program if you don’t already have one to reward your
customers and keep them coming back.

• Consider partnering with a few local businesses for a “block party” to take
advantage of nicer weather and get the word out about your business.

93% of online experiences begin

on a search engine.
SOURCE: SEARCH ENGINE JOURNAL
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
May 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

NATIONAL SMALL MAY DAY STAR WARS DAY CINCO DE MAYO NATIONAL NATIONAL SMALL
BUSINESS WEEK & NATIONAL NURSES DAY BUSINESS WEEK
BEGINS TEACHERS DAY ENDS

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

MOTHER’S DAY RAMADAN ENDS ARMED

#mothersday FORCES DAY

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

WORLD BEE DAY BIKE TO

WORK DAY

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

NATIONAL WINE DAY NATIONAL

BURGER DAY

30 31 GOALS & PLANNING

MEMORIAL DAY

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

June 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

JUN 4
NATIONAL DONUT DAY
Bring donuts for your team (and for your
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST customers if you have a storefront!) and
share pictures or videos of people enjoying
Video killed the radio star, and it’s still on the rise. Video is a powerful marketing tool them. If you got donuts from a local bakery,
to help you connect with customers, share what your business is all about, and show – make sure to tag them in your social posts!
instead of tell – why people should do business with you. #nationaldonutday

JUN 20
QUICK TIPS
FATHER’S DAY
• Make a quick video from your cell phone walking through your location or introducing
Now, it’s time to highlight all the dads
yourself and share it on social media.
out there! Share a picture of you and
• Try going live on Facebook or Instagram to build engagement with your audience. your dad or you and your kids if you’re a
dad and ask your audience to share how
• Have your employees script a brand commercial for your business to either film
they’re celebrating. Or, keep it casual and
professionally or create using your smartphone.
share your favorite dad joke. #fathersday
#dadjoke

MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS JUN 21

• We’re halfway through the year – are you on track to hit your business and marketing NATIONAL SELFIE DAY
goals? Review the goals you set and adjust as needed. This is an easy one: Share your best selfie
• Run a summer sale or promotion to get more people to try out your business. and ask your employees to share their
selfies! #selfieday
• Consider testing out a new marketing strategy in the last half of the year –
research some options or talk to your marketing partner for ideas.

• Celebrate National Best Friend’s Day on June 8 by running a buy-one-get-one or

referral special so best friends can take advantage of your products or services.

72%
of customers would rather learn about
a product or service through a video
than text.
SOURCE: HUBSPOT YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
June 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5

NATIONAL NATIONAL
CHEESE DAY DONUT DAY

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

NATIONAL
BEST FRIENDS DAY

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

FLAG DAY JUNETEENTH

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
FATHER’S DAY
#fathersday NATIONAL SELFIE NATIONAL TAKE YOUR
& START OF SUMMER DAY HANDSHAKE DAY DOG TO WORK DAY
(Summer Solstice)

27 28 29 30

BET AWARDS
#betawards

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

July 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

JULY 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Share a simple Happy July 4th post with
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST a nice graphic – or share pictures of how
you’re celebrating and ask your audience to
Print advertising is still a valuable marketing strategy for any local business – especially share theirs! #july4th
when paired with digital marketing. You can create a unified brand message, increase
awareness, and drive users to your business with print ads. JULY 15
NATIONAL GIVE SOMETHING
AWAY DAY
QUICK TIPS
This is the perfect day for a Facebook
• Try running a print ad for a special promotion for your business – make sure to use a or Instagram giveaway! Run a
unique coupon code so you can track who found you from print. social media contest and choose a
• Speaking of tracking your print ads, use a tracking number or tracking URL so you’re winner to give something away to.
able to see visitors from your print ads. #givesomethingawayday

• Opening a new location? Make sure to run a series of print ads in the local paper to get JULY 21
the word out. NATIONAL JUNK FOOD DAY
Use the Poll feature on Facebook and
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS Twitter to ask your audience their favorite
fast-food chain – or their favorite junk food
• Run a special Fourth of July sale or promotion to get more people to visit your
item! #nationaljunkfoodday
business this month.

• Closed on the Fourth of July or have adjusted hours? Make sure to update your hours
on your website, your social media sites, and your local listings!

• July is National Grilling Month – share your favorite recipes, grill safety tips, or the
best grilling tools (and where to get them – locally!).

82% of US consumers trust print ads when it

comes to making a purchase decision.
SOURCE: STATISTA
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
July 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

WORLD UFO DAY

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

INDEPENDENCE DAY INTERNATIONAL WORLD NATIONAL PIÑA

#4thofjuly KISSING DAY CHOCOLATE DAY COLADA DAY

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

7 ELEVEN DAY NATIONALFRENCH NATIONAL GIVE WORLD

FRY DAY SOMETHING AWAY EMOJI DAY
DAY

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL NATIONAL JUNK NATIONAL SELF CARE DAY &
ICE CREAM DAY FOOD DAY HOT DOG DAY NATIONAL
TEQUILA DAY

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

GLOBAL DAY INTERNATIONAL

OF PARENTS DAY OF FRIENDSHIP

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

August 2021 SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

AUG 4
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP
COOKIE DAY
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST Share your favorite chocolate chip
cookie recipe – or your favorite place
Who’s got mail? With email marketing, the answer is your customers! Email marketing to buy them in your area and ask your
can help you engage existing customers and reach new potential customers right in customers to share theirs! If you enjoy
their inbox. any chocolate chip cookies today, make
sure to share a picture to your social sites.
#nationalchocolatechipcookieday
QUICK TIPS
• Use targeted email marketing to segment your audience and personalize your email AUG 15
messages to increase open rates. NATIONAL RELAXATION DAY
• Make sure your subject line is catchy, straightforward, and enticing. Share your favorite tips for relaxing, a
relaxation playlist, or a local business – like
• Keep your email marketing messages short and sweet – leading with a deal or a spa – that helps you unwind. Spas – this
promotion never hurts! is a great day for you to share testimonials
from customers who you’ve helped relax
or just an overview of what you offer.
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS #nationalrelaxationday
• It’s back-to-school season! Run a back-to-school promotion to reach students and
their parents. AUG 17
• It’s not too early to start thinking about your holiday marketing plan – outline NATIONAL NON-PROFIT DAY
your specials and promotions now and let your marketing partner know what you’re Get out and volunteer at a local non-profit
planning. and share pictures to your social sites. If
you can’t make it out to volunteer, share
• Everyone likes a good pen or tote bag – consider giving out promotional materials a round-up of your favorite non-profits.
to your customers to stay top-of-mind. #nationalnonprofitday

73% of millennials prefer communications

from businesses to come via email.
SOURCE: HUBSPOT
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
August 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

START OF SIMPLIFY NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL END OF

YOUR LIFE WEEK & CHOCOLATE CHIP BEER DAY SIMPLIFY YOUR
NATIONAL COOKIE DAY LIFE WEEK &
SISTER DAY PURPLE HEART DAY

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

INTERNATIONAL BOOK NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

CAT DAY LOVERS DAY LAZY DAY LEFT-HANDERS DAY

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

NATIONAL NATIONAL NATIONAL WORLD NATIONAL SENIOR

RELAXATION DAY TELL A JOKE DAY NONPROFIT DAY PHOTOGRAPHY DAY RADIO DAY CITIZENS DAY

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

WOMEN’S
EQUALITY DAY

29 30 31

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

September 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

SEPT 6
LABOR DAY
Wish your social media audience a Happy
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST Labor Day with a nice visual or share
a round-up of local Labor Day events.
A good online reputation is essential for a strong business. People trust online reviews as #laborday
much as they trust personal recommendations from friends, so it’s important that they’re
seeing only the best about your business online. SEPT 22
FIRST DAY OF FALL
QUICK TIPS Share your favorite fall pastimes, any fall
events you have coming up, or recipes for
• Do a search for your business name on Google and see which review sites show up – your most-loved fall treats. #firstdayoffall
make a note to regularly monitor these sites for new reviews if you’re not already.

• Respond to all your reviews – negative and positive. Get our top tips for responding SEPT 25
to reviews here. NATIONAL ONE HIT WONDER DAY
Share a YouTube video of your favorite one
• Make an effort to get new reviews to build up your online reputation. Ask for reviews
hit wonder and ask your audience to share
from happy customers and train your team to do the same.
theirs! #nationalonehitwonderday

MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS

• Take a minute to plan out or confirm your Q4 marketing goals so you’re prepared
to end the year in a strong position.

• Check in to see how customers feel about your business by sending out a survey
asking for feedback.

• September is a busy month for moving – re-introduce your business to locals

and reach new community members by sending out a direct mail campaign
with a special promotion.

93% of people say they are

influenced by online reviews.
SOURCE: THE DRUM
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
September 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

LABOR DAY & INTERNATIONAL

START OF ROSH LITERACY DAY
HASHANA & END OF ROSH
HASHANA

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

GRANDPARENTS DAY YOM KIPPUR BEGINS YOM KIPPUR ENDS CONSTITUTION / START OF
CITIZENSHIP DAY OKTOBERFEST

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

PATRIOT DAY INTERNATIONAL START OF FALL NATIONAL ONE

DAY OF PEACE (Autumnal Equinox) HIT WONDER DAY

26 27 28 29 30

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

October 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

OCT 1
WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY
Share a recipe for your favorite vegetarian
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST dish or spotlight local restaurants in
your area with vegetarian options.
Do you have a way to answer questions, capture leads, and give helpful information right Make sure to tag them in your posts!
on your website? Live chat gives you a way to do all that and more. #worldvegetarianday

OCT 10
QUICK TIPS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
• Add live chat to your website. Share social posts from reputable mental
• If you already have live chat – or after you start using it on your site – see if there are health resources to your social media
any common questions you’re receiving and consider creating an FAQ page on your pages to raise awareness for this cause.
site to address them. #worldmentalhealthday

• Streamline a way to follow up with leads you’re receiving from live chat. OCT 31
HALLOWEEN
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS Share pictures of your employees dressed
up for Halloween and anyone that visits in
• Holiday shopping starts this month (we know, it seems early!) -- make sure your
costume. Launch a poll to get to the bottom
holiday marketing is locked and loaded and maybe even running already.
of whether people actually like candy corn.
• Do a quick search for your competitors – are they doing anything in their marketing #halloween
you should try? Are they offering something you’re not? Think about how you can
stand out from them either through positioning your business, ramping up your
marketing, or changing up your product offerings.

• Find a local trunk-or-treat your business can sponsor or participate in.

40% More than 40% of customers expect

live chat on your website.
SOURCE: FORRESTER
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
October 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

WORLD
VEGETARIAN DAY
& WORLD
SMILE DAY

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

MEAN NATIONAL WORLD

GIRLS DAY TACO DAY TEACHERS’ DAY

10 11 12 13 14 15 16
COLUMBUS DAY,
INDIGENOUS
WORLD MENTAL PEOPLES’ DAY NATIONAL WORLD FOOD DAY
HEALTH DAY & NATIONAL DESSERT DAY & BOSSES DAY
COMING OUT DAY

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

NATIONAL
PASTA DAY

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

NATIONAL NATIONAL
PUMPKIN DAY CHOCOLATE DAY

31 GOALS & PLANNING

HALLOWEEN
#happyhalloween

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

November 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

NOV 7
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS
Remind your audience that the clock is
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST falling back one hour – and make sure to
update them on any changes to your hours
Did you know there’s a way to keep your business in front of people until they decide to if you have any. #daylightsavings
convert into customers? With retargeting, once someone leaves your website, they’re
targeted with ads for your business on sites across the web. NOV 25
THANKSGIVING
QUICK TIPS Share what you’re thankful for when
it comes to your customers and your
• Retarget web visitors on social media with Facebook retargeting. employees. Make sure to share any
• Use retargeting ads to entice users back to your site with a special offer. pictures of employee or team celebrations!
#happythanksgiving
• Test out different ad creative and optimize based on what’s working to drive the most
visitors back to your site. NOV 27
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS Promote your participation in Small
Business Saturday on social! Share any
• Do you have any seasonal products or services? Make sure to show them off this month.
sales, special deals, or events you’re
• Add your business to the Shop Small map and make a plan to participate in Small holding, and spotlight other local
Business Saturday this month. businesses in your area. #smallbizsat

• Check in with your employees to confirm when or if anyone is planning to take

off for the upcoming holidays so your scheduling is streamlined.

70% People who see retargeted ads are 70%

more likely to convert on your website.
SOURCE: INVESP
YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
November 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6

ELECTION DAY

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS VETERANS DAY WORLD

TIME ENDS #veteransday KINDNESS DAY

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

WORLD NATIONAL NATIONAL WORLD UNIVERSAL

DIABETES DAY FAST FOOD DAY TAKE A HIKE DAY PHILOSOPHY DAY CHILDREN’S DAY

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

WORLD NATIONAL THANKSGIVING DAY BLACK FRIDAY SMALL BUSINESS

TELEVISION DAY JUKEBOX DAY #happythanksgiving #blackfriday SATURDAY
#smallbizsat

28 29 30

ADVENT BEGINS CYBER MONDAY GIVING TUESDAY

& HANUKKAH #givingtuesday
BEGINS

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

December 2021
SOCIAL CALENDAR IDEAS

DEC 5
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY
December is a great month for
THIS MONTH’S MARKETING MUST volunteering. Take part in this day
by volunteering with your favorite
It’s a great month to provide some helpful resources or educate your customers on your organization or sharing local volunteer
unique brand story. How do you do that? Branded content! opportunities for your audience to take
part in. #volunteerday

QUICK TIPS DEC 17

• Think about the unique perspective, tips, or insight you can provide to your local UGLY SWEATER DAY
audience. Have your team wear their ugliest holiday
• Use branded content to educate your local audience on a common problem or answer a sweaters and share pictures on social
common question your customers have – chances are, others have the same question! media. Consider giving a discount to any
customers who come in wearing their best
• Make sure you’re amplifying your branded content with a social media and display ad ugly sweater! #uglysweaterday
campaign to increase awareness even more.
DEC 31
MARKETING & PROMOTION IDEAS NEW YEAR’S EVE
Share your New Year’s resolutions with
• Create a holiday gift guide for your customers with your products and services as well
your social media audience and ask them to
as related products and services from local businesses.
share theirs! #nye2021
• Take a minute to update your holiday hours on your listings, website, and your social
media sites. This will go a long way for customers!

• Finalize your marketing plan for 2022 – what’s worked well this year? What do you
want to accomplish next year?

50%
Branded content distributed through
premium publishers (like USA TODAY
NETWORK) see 50% higher brand lift.
SOURCE: NIELSEN YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE
December 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4

NATIONAL
COOKIE DAY

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

INTERNATIONAL HANUKKAH ENDS PEARL HARBOR HUMANRIGHTS DAY

VOLUNTEER DAY REMEMBRANCE

12 13 14 15 16 17 18
BILL OF RIGHTS
DAY, WRIGHT
NATIONAL BROTHERS DAY SUPER SATURDAY
COCOA DAY & UGLY SWEATER
DAY

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

START OF WINTER CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY

(Winter Solstice) #merrychristmas

26 27 28 29 30 31

NEW YEARS EVE

#NYE

GOALS & PLANNING

YOUR ULTIMATE 2021 MARKETING PLANNING GUIDE

SO, ARE YOU READY
to get started?
We know that planning your year’s marketing can
be daunting, but we’re here to help. LOCALiQ can
provide the right marketing mix to help you reach
the right people, in the right places, at the right
time. We can take the guesswork out of it for you
and help you reach your marketing goals this year
and beyond.

Contact us today to speak with

one of our marketing experts.

LET’S TALK

LOCALiQ.com

@LOCALiQ

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