No Seriously, Invent a Holiday for Your Brand
Let’s be honest: every day of the year is already “something day.” We’ve got National Donut Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day, and let’s not forget the all-important National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day. So, if you’re thinking, “Do we really need another one?” the answer is an enthusiastic yes! Why? Because creating your own national day or month is a fun and clever way to build excitement around your brand.
Inventing a day (or a month, if you’re feeling ambitious) can be a game-changer for engaging your audience. It gives people a reason to talk about you, participate in promotions, and share their experience with their friends. Plus, you get to be creative and playful with it. Who doesn’t love that?
In this blog, we’re going to walk you through exactly how you can invent your own day (or month) and use it to boost your brand’s engagement, sales, and fanbase.
1. Pick a Theme That Fits Your Brand (And Isn’t Too Weird)
Alright, the first step is to come up with a theme for your special day or month that makes sense for your brand. You want something that feels right—something your customers will be into. If your brand sells homemade organic soaps, you probably don’t want to go with “National Bacon Day.”
The key is to align the theme with your brand’s identity. Let’s say you run a bakery. How about “National Cupcake Appreciation Day” where customers get to vote on new flavors, or a “Bake-Your-Own Bread Month” with weekly recipes and virtual classes? If you’re an independent theater, you could create something like “National Main Character Day” and encourage people to dress as main characters from beloved movies you’re showing, giving discounts to the best costumes.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be something super serious (unless that’s your vibe). The goal is to make it fun, relatable, and a little unexpected, but still on-brand.
2. Build the Hype—Because Hype is Everything
You’ve got your day or month. Now what? You hype it up, of course! Nobody’s going to care about National Best Coffee Mug Ever Day if they don’t know it’s coming. You’ve got to build anticipation. Get those cookies in the oven and entice people with the smell until they’re salivating for it. Gross, but it works.
Start by teasing your audience well before the actual event. Use your social media channels, newsletters, and website to drop hints about what’s coming. Maybe share a countdown or sneak peeks of what you have planned. The more you get people curious and excited, the better the turnout will be. Add a countdown, behind-the-scenes posts, and even a few cryptic Instagram stories. Build the mystery, and watch your audience’s excitement grow.
3. The Power of Free Stuff and Special Events
People love two things: free stuff and exclusivity. If you’re looking to drive engagement, offering exclusive deals, free trials, or even giveaways can really get people on board with your invented day. Think about it like this: National Margarita Day wouldn’t be nearly as fun without those 2-for-1 specials at your favorite bar. It’s the same for your brand’s day or month. Sweeten the deal with special offers!
If your brand is a local fitness studio, how about “National Fitness Freebie Day,” where anyone can attend a free class? Or, if you’re in the business of web design, offer a “National Website Makeover Month” with discounts on redesign packages. You can also host online events like webinars, live Q&A sessions, or Facebook Lives that allow people to engage with your brand in real time.
Bonus points if you add an element of surprise—like flash deals that only happen on the day itself or a surprise giveaway announced during a live event.
4. Let Your Audience Be the Star (With a Little Help from Hashtags)
One of the best parts of creating your own holiday is seeing your audience get in on the fun. Want to make it happen? Create a hashtag and encourage people to share their own content. This is user-generated content gold, and it not only boosts engagement but also expands your brand’s reach. It’s like getting your audience to do your marketing for you—talk about a win-win!
Imagine you’re launching “National Super Snack Day” for your health food brand. You could create a hashtag like #SuperSnackDayChallenge and ask followers to share their own healthy snack creations. Add a little incentive, like a prize for the best post, and watch the entries roll in.
The beauty of user-generated content is that it gets people excited to participate, and it also gives your brand tons of social proof. Plus, it keeps the conversation going long after your event is over.
5. Want More Reach? Team Up with Influencers (or Other Brands)
Collaborating with influencers or other brands can take your invented day from kinda cool to totally viral. Think of it like throwing a party: more people show up when they know there’s a great guest list. Influencers can give you access to their large and engaged audiences, while partnering with another brand helps broaden your reach.
For example, if you’re a beauty brand launching “National Glow-Up Week,” you might team up with a skincare influencer to share tutorials and product demos throughout the week. Or, if you run a digital agency, you could partner with a local print shop for “National Design Day” and offer a dual-service discount.
The great thing about partnerships is that they let you cross-promote and tap into each other’s followers, bringing fresh eyes to your brand. Plus, influencers bring credibility and make your event feel even bigger.
6. Social Media Is Your Best Friend—Use It Well
Social media is where the magic happens when it comes to spreading the word about your invented day or month. So, use it wisely! Don’t just post a couple of times and expect people to show up. You need to actively engage your audience.
Post regular updates leading up to and during your event. Use Instagram Stories, TikTok, or live videos to show behind-the-scenes action or demos related to your day. Hold a Twitter poll to get your audience involved or create a fun quiz related to your theme. The more interactive your content is, the more people will engage.
And don’t forget the power of FOMO. If people see that others are taking part in your event and having a great time, they’re going to want to join in, too. So, make sure to share what others are posting using your hashtag, feature user-generated content, and keep the buzz going.
7. Don’t Let the Fun End When the Day Is Over
Just because your special day or month has come to an end doesn’t mean the excitement has to stop. Keep the momentum going by sharing highlights, customer stories, and success metrics from the event. This not only wraps things up nicely but also gives you a chance to show off how awesome it was—and make people feel like they missed out if they didn’t join in.
Let’s say you hosted “National Dog-Friendly Business Week” for your pet shop. After the week ends, share a blog post or video that recaps the best moments: from cute customer photos to the amount of free treats given out. This keeps people talking about your brand, even after the event has passed.
And, hey, who knows? Your invented day might just become an annual tradition that grows bigger and better each year. Don’t forget that you can actually register your day, too, with the folks at National Day Archives™ or National Day Calendar™. Commit!
Inventing a national day or month for your brand is more than just a fun gimmick—it’s a strategic way to build engagement, create buzz, and connect with your audience in a meaningful (and memorable) way. Whether it’s offering exclusive deals, encouraging user-generated content, or partnering with influencers, there’s no limit to how creative you can get.
So, what are you waiting for? The next National Something Day could be yours—time to get brainstorming! Need an extra boost? Reach out and we can help you strategize ideas.
