May has so many content marketing opportunities. 
Is your content and social media plan ready for May?
No worries, if it isn’t.
I’ve got your back.
So that you have a steady source of inspiration and ideas.
Let’s get started.
I always recommend that you start by looking at your business and industry each month.
You have a ready set of hyper-timely, relevant content that’s going to attract and engage your audiences.
What’s in store for your business this May?
- Product launches
- Promotions
- Key milestones
- Company news, key people, customers, and culture
Roadmap your editorial calendar with those key elements first.
(If you don’t already have an editorial calendar template, download the template one I’ve created and use myself)
Then decide what social posts, articles, and videos need to be created and when.
But you always need more, right?
What’s happening in May?
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic will be the top news story in May as it was in March and April.
But there are so many other opportunities for you to publish content that will be attractive to your audience.
Here are 5 big content marketing ideas for May.
Tailor these themes to your business.
1. Nurses Day – Wednesday May 6, 2020
One of the wonderful experiences that has come out of the COVID-19 crisis is the outpouring of support for nurses and healthcare professionals.
At 7pm every night, my neighborhood cheers, honks horns, and makes a racket in support of nurses on the front lines. In big cities like New York, it’s spine-tingling.
All nurses, in addition to those treating COVID-19 patients, have been under pressure during this outbreak.
Their sacrifices deserve recognition.
May 6 is National Nurses Day and the first day of National Nurses Week.
There’s one problem.
Many will look to exploit our sympathies.
You should not produce Nurse Day content if your real goal is to get likes, increase followers, or – worst of all – pivot to a sales message.
Here’s what you can do.
Truly support nurses.
- Tell a story of how a nurse helped you
- Write about nurses you personally know
- Profile nurses with historic, relevant significance
You can also share something you did to support nurses.
Again be careful. People are keen to negatively call out brands doing “look at me, we’re doing something good” press releases and social posts.
2. Star Wars Day – Monday May 4, 2020
Let’s back up a few days to May the 4th.
Without a doubt, you have a ton of Star Wars fans among your audience.
And May 4th is Star Wars Day.
With such widespread fandom, the consumption and social sharing of Star Wars-themed content will be big enough to overwhelm Palpatine’s Final Order fleet of star destroyers.
Massive.
You can unleash your creativity here.
Consider creating memes, social posts, short videos, articles, or podcasts that connect your business with the Star Wars story.
Here are a few examples:
- Any relevant Dark Side vs. Light Side comparison
- Trivia challenges that test your audience’s knowledge
- Survey or quiz your audience on favorite characters, scenes, worlds, monsters, ships, etc.
- Review fashion, food, or anything that relates to your business
- Share your favorite hidden gem of the many series, fan fiction, or fanart
- ANYTHING with Baby Yoda
The depth of detail in the Star Wars universe takes light years to traverse.
Check out the Wookieepedia at https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page
And may the force be with you.
3. National Pet Week – May 3, 2020 to May 9, 2020
What’s bigger than the Force?
Our love of pets.
Each May, the American Veterinary Medical Association celebrates National Pet Week.
People have a special bond with their pets.
Animals make us feel good.
After all, we consume hours of cat and dog videos every single day.
You can create animal-related content that’s personal to you, your employees, or your customers.
And you can go beyond cats and dogs.
We have a rabbit and a fish. My daughter would get a snake or any reptile (if we allowed her).
Your audience undoubtedly has some very diverse love of animals that you can tailor your content to.
The range of content ideas for Pet Week is equally diverse.
- Ask your audience to share their pet pics and videos
- Create quick consumption memes
- Short videos of you and your employees pets
- In-depth how-to articles on pet care, food, toys, and even fashion
- Interview local veterinarians for pet care tips
Similar to Star Wars, your audience will definitely respond to any survey or quiz.
You’ll need the full week of May to share all that content.
4. Mother’s Day on Sunday May 10, 2020
Who do we love even more than our pets?
Mom!
According to the 2020 National Retail Federation’s survey, 78% of Americans say that celebrating Mother’s Day is important to them this year given the current state of the coronavirus.
And we’re spending a little more on Mom, approximately $8 more than last year, for an average of $205 on Mother’s Day gifts and celebrations.
For your Mother’s Day content marketing, I recommend two approaches:
- Publish a thoughtful list of Mother’s Day gift ideas, including an explanation of what makes the item a good gift.
- Everything isn’t commercial. Share how your Mom inspired you and thank them.
My Mom has always encouraged me to learn.
Though much to her chagrin, I have a tendency to break things as my approach to figuring them out.
How has your Mom inspired you?
5. Holidays and National Days in May
There are many “days” and “weeks” celebrated in May.
Even if not directly related to your business, these national observances are great for social media posts.
You can also develop content related to well known holidays like Memorial Day (May 25) to commemorate those who have died in military service to their country.
Here are 12 world or national celebrations you might consider include:
- May Day (May 1)
- National Fitness Day (May 2)
- Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
- National Twilight Zone Day (May 11)
- National Barbeque Day (May 16)
- National Solitaire Day (May 22)
- National Hamburger Day (May 28)
- National Smile Day (May 31)
- World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- ALS Awareness Month
- Skin Cancer Awareness Month
- National Photography Month
Check out this list for U.S. national and international observances.
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/may-overview/
I hope this gives you some new inspiration to boost your content plans.
What content are you posting in May?
Feel free to share it on the Bob Angus Facebook Page.
Photos by James Pond, Tom Barrett, Joe Caione on Unsplash
