This week was May the 4th, celebrating the cinematic legacy that is Star Wars.
So does your business need to pose with lightsabers and upload it to Instagram?
Just a few days ago, Star Wars fans across the globe (across the galaxy?) celebrated May the 4th, recognising the everlasting impression the franchise has left on cinema. If you went on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram, you might have been inundated with posts of cosplayers dressed up as Obi-Wan Kenobi with captions saying ‘may the force be with you’. I didn’t just stop there either, with many businesses posting on May the 4th every year (we’ve been guilty of it in the past). But it begs the question: just because you can, does it mean you should?
Should you be posting for every holiday under the sun? National Pancake Day? Festival of Sleep Day? Talk Like Shakespeare Day? (These are all real, feel free to fact check us). What’s important is focusing on the opportunity these days bring. Rather than posting a simple ‘Happy National Pancake Day’ post, is there a way you can leverage this day? For instance, if your brand’s values are all about being community-minded, why not host a brekkie event for your community on the day? The content will come easy as the event goes and this will do wonders compared to a simple photo of pancakes.
Ideas like this can feel more authentic and organic to users, rather than being too ‘salesy.’ Opportunities like this can improve your brand awareness and recognition. Consider with your next campaign, why not check what holidays are on throughout. It’s better to get extra content for these days that connect with your existing campaign messaging.
It’s best for your national holiday posts to be seen less as fluff and more as a little break from typical content that still relates to your business. This doesn’t limit you to obscure national holidays (like today is National Cosmopolitan Day, so celebrate with a cosmo if you get the chance). Consider ideas such as a ‘Happy New Year’ post that reflect on the achievements for the year instead of a picture of a firework display. Even Pizza Party Day is coming up on the 19th and simply going out to buy some pizzas for the office and filming it, is a way to connect your audience to the team behind your brand.
Ideally, you want to ensure your ideas are in line with your brand’s values and voice. As much as taking the opportunity of these National days can be great, you still want consumers to feel like it is in line with your company’s values. Evaluate your brand’s identity and how you can still elevate your content.