What’s the key to a successful marketing calendar? Planning!
Hopefully, you have your 2018 marketing calendar set and ready to execute.
If not, now is a perfect time, as it’s better to start late and have a plan verse not having a plan at all.
There are so many holidays, special days, and events to remember, so having a preplanned calendar will help to simplify your marketing plan.
How to Keep Track of Your Marketing Calendar
There are lots of marketing calendars out there (a few included in this post), so you need to decide what works best for you and your team:
- PDFs / Printouts – These are great to help you start brainstorming out ideas to get you going, but keeping a digital version is much easier to update and keep others in the loop on changes.
- Excel Spreadsheets – Here’s a great example from Search Engine Journal
- Google Docs
- Google Calendars
- Outlook Calendars
Start with the Big Picture
Go through and mark out significant events that you don’t want to miss, and then you break down your plan from there.
These might include:
- Holidays
- Advertisements
- Product Launches
- Events / Tradeshows
These big-picture dates/events might contain a specific message or content.
Not sure what’s going on each month? As a bonus down at the bottom of this post, we’ve included holidays and observations to help you plan out your calendar.
Breakdown the Big Picture into Content Ideas
Now that you’ve got an idea about the big events you can start to plan out content and add dates to your marketing calendar surrounding these events.
Some examples:
- Blog post about a new product
- Send out an email about an event
- Schedule Facebook ads around a promo
Plug Your Content Into Monthly Calendar
Now it’s time to plug your content into your monthly calendar.
These content pieces could include:
- Promotions
- Blog Posts
- Lead Magnets
- Videos
- Webinars
- Social Media Ads
- Email Blasts
- Tradeshows
- Other Events
What’s going on Each Month in 2018?
Here are the dates you might want to include in your marketing plan.
The infographic below was designed by depositphotos.com.
Here’s the Monthly Breakdown of Holidays and Observations
January
Monthly Observances
Weight Loss Awareness Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Thank You Month
National Hobby Month
National Tea Month
Girl Scout Cookie Season Begins
Weekly Observances
January 1-7 – Diet Resolution Week
January 14-20 – Hunt For Happiness Week
January 15-19 – Sugar Awareness Week
January 22-26 – Clean Out Your Inbox Week
January 22-26 – National School Choice Week
January 28-February 2 – Meat Week
Days
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 1 – National Hangover Day
January 2 – Personal Trainer Awareness Day
January 4 – Trivia Day
January 5 – National Bird Day
January 6 – Cuddle Up Day
January 7 – Golden Globes
January 8 – Clean Off Your Desk Day
January 9 – Girl Scout Cookie Pre-Sales Begin
January 10 – National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
January 11 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 13 – First Friday the 13th of 2018
January 14 – Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 17 – Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
January 18 – Get to Know Your Customers Day
January 18 – Winnie the Pooh Day (Author A.A. Milne’s birthday)
January 19 – National Popcorn Day
January 20 – Penguin Awareness Day
January 21 – National Hugging Day
January 21 – SAG Awards
January 24 – Compliment Day
January 24 – National Peanut Butter Day
January 25 – Opposite Day
January 26 – National Green Juice Day
January 26 – Spouse’s Day
January 27 – Chocolate Cake Day
January 28 – Grammy’s
January 28 – Fun at Work Day
January 29 – National Puzzle Day
January 31 – Backward Day
February
Monthly Observances
Black History Month
American Heart Month
National Heart Month
National Weddings Month
National Cherry Month
Weekly Observances
February 1-7 Eating Disorder Awareness Week
February 8-16 – Fashion Week
February 14-21 – Condom Week
February 10-16 – Freelance Writers Appreciation Week
February 14-20 – Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 13-19 – International Flirting Week
Days
February 1 – National Freedom Day
February 2 – Groundhog Day
February 2 – Wear Red Day
February 2 – Bubble Gum Day
February 4 – Super Bowl Sunday
February 5 – World Nutella Day
February 6 – National Chopsticks Day
February 7 – Give Kids a Smile Day
February 8 – Boy Scout’s Day
February 9 – National Pizza Day
February 10 – Umbrella Day
February 11 – Make a Friend Day
February 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday
February 13 – Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday
February 14 – Valentine’s Day
February 14 – Ash Wednesday
February 15 – Single’s Awareness Day
February 16 – Chinese New Year
February 17 – Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 18 – Drink Wine Day
February 19 – President’s Day
February 22 – Washington’s Birthday
February 22 – Margarita Day
February 22 – Walk Your Dog Day
February 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day
February 26 – Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sales Begin
February 26 – National Pistachio Day
February 28 – Floral Design Day
February 29 – Leap Day (The next leap year is in 2020.)
March
Monthly Observances
National Women’s History Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Music in Our Schools Month
National Craft Month
National Irish Heritage Month
American Red Cross Month
March for Meals
The Great American Cleanup
Weekly Observances
March 23-28 – National Sleep Awareness Week
March 12-17 – Girl Scout Week
March 12-17 – Campfire Birthday Week
March 26-31 – National Cleaning Week
Days
March 1 – Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 2 – National Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss Day)
March 2 – Employee Appreciation Day
March 3 – Day of Unplugging
March 3 – World Wildlife Day
March 4 – Academy Awards
March 6 – Dentist’s Day
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 8 – Popcorn Lover’s Day
March 11 – Daylight Savings
March 12 – Girl Scout Day
March 12 – Napping Day
March 13 – Jewel Day
March 14 – National Pi Day
March 15 – The Ides of March
March 16 – World Sleep Day
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 20 – First Day of Spring
March 20 – National Agriculture Day
March 22 – World Water Day
March 23 – Puppy Day
March 25 – Palm Sunday
March 26 – Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness
March 29 – Mom & Pop Business Owner’s Day
March 29 – Baseball Opening Day
March 30 – Good Friday
March 30 – National Doctor’s Day
March 31 – Crayon Day
April
Monthly Observances
Earth Month
National Volunteer Month
National Autism Awareness Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
National Garden Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
Weekly Observances
April 5-8 Masters Week
April 15-22 – National Volunteer Week
April 16-22- Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week
April 23-29 – Administrative Professionals Week
April 22-28 – Every Kid Healthy Week
April 22-28 – National Princess Week
Days
April 1 – April Fool’s Day
April 1 – Easter
April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 3 – Don’t Go To Work Unless it’s Fun Day
April 4 – School Librarian Day
April 7 – World Health Day
April 7 – National Beer Day
April 9 – Winston Churchill Day
April 10 – Golfer’s Day
April 11 – National Pet Day
April 12 – National Grilled Cheese Day
April 13 – Friday the 13th
April 13 – Coachella Music Festival Begins
April 15 – National Titanic Remembrance Day
April 17 – Tax Day
April 22 – Earth Day
April 25 – Administrative Professional’s Day
April 27 – Arbor Day
April 28 – National Superhero Day
April 30 – National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
May
Monthly Observances
ALS Awareness
Asthma Awareness
National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
National Barbecue Month
National Bike Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salad Month
National Photograph Month
Gifts from the Garden Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Military Family Appreciation Month
Weekly Observances
Food Allergy Awareness Week (second full week of May)
April 30-May 4 – National Tourism Week
April 30-May 4 – Drinking Water Week
April 30-May 4 – National Pet Week
May 7-11 – Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6- 12 – Nurse’s Week
Days
May 1 – May Day
May 1 – Mother Goose Day
May 4 – Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you)
May 5 – Cinco De Mayo
May 5 – Kentucky Derby
May 6 – National Nurse’s Day
May 8 – World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
May 8 – National Teacher’s Day
May 9 – National Receptionists Day
May 11 – Eat What You Want Day
May 12 – World Fair Trade Day
May 13 – Mother’s Day
May 15 – National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16 – Love a Tree Day
May 18 – National Bike to Work Day
May 18 – NASCAR Day
May 19 – Armed Forces Day
May 20 – Be a Millionaire Day
May 24 – Victoria Day (Canada)
May 25 – Geek Pride Day
May 25 – National Wine Day
May 26 – Sally Ride Day
May 28 – Memorial Day
June
Monthly Observances
Men’s Health Month
National Safety Month
Acne Awareness Month
LGBTQ Pride Month
National Adopt a Cat Month
Aquarium Month
Candy Month
Weekly Observances
June 4-10 – Pet Appreciation Week
June 12-18 – Men’s Health Week
Days
June 1 – National Donut Day
June 2 – National Rocky Road Day
June 4 – Hug Your Cat Day
June 4 – National Cheese Day
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 7 – National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 8 – World Oceans Day
June 8 – National Best Friends Day
June 9 – Donald Duck Day
June 10 – Iced Tea Day
June 13 – National Weed Your Garden Day
June 14 – Flag Day
June 16 – World Juggler’s Day
June 17 – Father’s Day
June 18 – National Splurge Day
June 19 – National Kissing Day
June 21 – First Day of Summer / Summer Solstice
June 21 – National Selfie Day
June 22 – National Take a dog to Work Day
June 29 – Camera Day
June 30 – Social Media Day
Stanley Cup Finals
NBA Finals
July
Monthly Observances
Ice Cream Month
National Grilling Month
National Picnic Month
National Independent Retailer Month
National Blueberry Month
Weekly Observances
July 15-21 – Capture the Sunset Week
July 16-22 – Independent Retailers Week
July 28-30 – World Lumberjack Championships
Days
July 1 – National Postal Worker Day
July 1 – International Joke Day
July 2 – World UFO Day
July 4 – Independence Day
July 5 – National Bikini Day
July 7 – Chocolate Day
July 8 – Video Games Day
July 11 – National 7-Eleven Day
July 12 – Pecan Pie Day
July 13 – Friday the 13
July 13 – Rock Worldwide Day
July 15 – National Ice Cream Day
July 16 – World Snake Day
July 17 – World Emoji Day
July 18 – World Hepatitis Day
July 19 – National Daiquiri Day
July 20 – National Moon Day
July 21 – #NoMakeUp Day
July 22 – Parent’s Day
July 24 – Amelia Earhart Day
July 24 – Cousins Day
July 26 – Aunt and Uncle Day
July 30 – Father-in-Law Day
July 30 – International Day of Friendship
August
Monthly Observances
Back to School Month
National Golf Month
National Breastfeeding Month
Family Fun Month
Peach Month
Weekly Observances
August 6-12 – National Farmers’ Market Week
August 7-13 – PGA Championship Tournament
August 13-19 – National Motorcycle Week
August 13-19 – Feeding Pets of the Homeless Week
Days
August 1 – National Girlfriends Day
August 2 – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 3 – International Beer Day – First Friday in August
August 5 – American Family Day – First Sunday in August
August 5 – International Friendship Day
August 8 – International Cat Day #InternationalCatDay
August 9 – Book Lover’s Day
August 10 – National S’mores Day
August 12 – Middle Child’s Day (Go Jan Brady!)
August 13 – Left Hander’s Day
August 16 – National Tell a Joke Day
August 18 – Bad Poetry Day
August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
August 21 – Senior Citizen’s Day
August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
August 26 – National Dog Day
August 30 – Frankenstein Day
August 31 – National Trail Mix Day
Septemeber
Monthly Observances
Wilderness Month
National Preparedness Month
National Food Safety Education Month
Fruit and Veggies—More Matters Month
National Yoga Awareness Month
Whole Grains Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Little League Month
Better Breakfast Month
Weekly Observances
September 9-15 – National Suicide Prevention Week
September 18-24 – Pollution Prevention Week
September 17-23 – National Indoor Plant Week
September 24-30 – National Dog Week
Days
September 1 – International Bacon Day
September 3 – Labor Day
September 5 – Cheese Pizza Day
September 6 – Read a Book Day
September 9–11 – Rosh Hashanah
September 11 – Patriot’s Day
September 11 – 9/11
September 12 – National Video Games Day
September 13 – Uncle Sam Day
September 15 – Greenpeace Day
September 16 – Wife Appreciation Day
September 15 – Boys’ and Girls’ Club Day for Kids
September 17 – Constitution Day
September 17 – Citizenship Day
September 18-19 – Yom Kippur Begins
September 19 – International Talk Like a Pirate
September 21 – International Day of Peace
September 22 – First Day of Fall
September 22 – Oktoberfest Begins
September 23 – Checkers Day
September 25– National Voter Registration Day
September 27 – World Tourism Day
September 28 – Native American Day
September 29 – Coffee Day
September 29 – World Heart Day
October
Monthly Observances
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
AIDS Awareness Month
Bully Prevention Month
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Financial Planning Month
National Pizza Month
Allergy Appreciation Month
Weekly Observances
October 1-7 – Great Books Week
October 1-7 – National Work From Home Week
October 15-21 – Mediation Week
October 15-21 – National Business Women’s Week
October 22-28 – National Red Ribbon Week
Days
October 1 – World Vegetarian Day
October 2 – Name Your Car Day
October 3 – National Techies Day
October 3 – National Boyfriend’s Day
October 4 – National Taco Day
October 4 – National Kale Day
October 5 – World Teacher’s Day
October 6 – World Smile Day
October 8 – Oktoberfest Ends
October 9 – Columbus Day
October 9 – Leif Erikson Day
October 10 – World Mental Health Day
October 11 – It’s My Party Day
October 13 – Friday the 13th
October 13 – World Egg Day
October 16 – World Food Day
October 16 – Boss’s Day
October 24 – United Nations Day
October 17 – National Pasta Day
October 21 – National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 24 – United Nations Day
October 27 – Make a Difference Day
October 30 – Mischief Night
October 31 – Halloween
October 31 – Day of the Dead Begins
November
Monthly Observances
Movember
National Healthy Skin Month
Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
*National Adoption Month
National Gratitude Month
Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month
National Diabetes Awareness Month
Weekly Observances
November 13-19 – World Kindness Week
November 13-17 – American Education Week
Days
November 1 – All Saint’s Day
November 2 – Day of the Dead Ends
November 3 – Sandwich Day
November 3 – King Tut Day
November 4 – Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 6 – U.S. General Election Day
November 11 – Veterans Day
November 12 – Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
November 13 – World Kindness Day
November 13 – Sadie Hawkins Day
November 14 – World Diabetes Day
November 15 – America Recycles Day
November 16 – International Tolerance Day
November 17 – Homemade Bread Day
November 22 – Thanksgiving
November 23 – Black Friday
November 24 – Small Business Saturday
November 25 – Cyber Monday
November 28 – Giving Tuesday
December
Monthly Observances
National Human Rights Month
Operation Santa Paws
Bingo Month
Weekly Observances
December 2-10 – Chanukah
December 26-January 1 – Kwanzaa
Days
December 1 – World Aids Day
December 1 – Rosa Parks Day
December 3 – Channukah begins
December 4 – Cookie Day
December 6 – St. Nicolas Day
December 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 9 – Christmas Card Day
December 10 – Nobel Prize Day
December 12 – Poinsettia Day
December 14 – Roast Chestnuts Day
December 15 – Bill of Rights Day
December 15 – Free Shipping Day
December 18 – Bake Cookies Day
December 19 – National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 20 – Go Caroling Day
December 21 – First Day of Winter / Winter Solstice
December 23 – Festivus
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas
December 26 – Boxing Day (Canada)
December 26 – Kwanzaa
December 27 – National Fruitcake Day
December 31 – New Year’s Eve
These dates were pulled from an article on SEJ (Search Engine Journal).
You can find examples of what some popular brands have done as examples from some of these observations and holidays here.
Now get to planning!
