Need October marketing ideas?
In the northern hemisphere, October’s all about Autumn colors, harvest themes, falling leaves, warm comfort food, and pumpkin spice everything!
And Halloween is big business just about everywhere.
Don’t miss this colorful opportunity to market your business!
It’s a great time to start gearing up before the big holiday sales season starts in earnest. Try to maintain an optimal posting frequency on your best social media channel.
It’s easy with all these ideas to choose from! You can even get them as ready-to-post content, to make your marketing easy as pie.
Read on!
6 October Marketing Themes
Try one of these perennial favorites as a theme for your October marketing.
Halloween for Fun and Profit
There’s no getting around it – people love Halloween!
Halloween promotions launch in stores before August is over. If you’ve got the goods, get them on your shelves – or on your website – at least 2 months ahead of the big day.
Which is October 31, for those unsure!
Do you blog about Halloween parties, recipes, crafts, costumes, or decor? Start pinning Halloween seasonal content to Pinterest at least 2 months ahead.
Some bloggers trickle Halloween content to Pinterest all year. People love Halloween and will repin it any time to refer to later.
Treat your Customers
Now on to the fun side!
If you have a physical location, you can give out small goodie bags of candy with your business card and/or a coupon or brochure.
Strictly digital? Treat your followers to a Halloween or Fall-themed free download or sale.
To add that something extra, learn how to Halloween your social media profiles.
Costume Contest
Brick-and-mortar businesses can bring out shoppers by holding a costume contest.
But online-only can join in too – on social media! You’ll enjoy the added engagement a contest can bring.
Have followers post photos of themselves in costume on your Facebook Page or group, or tag you on an Instagram or Twitter post.
Theme the contest to your business. If you blog about or sell pet stuff, have people dress up their pet – or dress as their pet!
Or perhaps they’re required to use one of your products or tutorials.
Get creative and enjoy.
Oktoberfest
Hate Halloween? This month has so much more to offer.
October is also known for Oktoberfest. But be aware that this celebration actually starts in mid-September.
In 2023, it begins on September 16 and ends on October 3.
Restaurants and bars can promote specials on beer. But even bloggers who are German and/or beer lovers can join in the fun on social media.
Fall into Fall
Pumpkin spice everything is here at last. Be sure to feature fall products, projects, recipes, and colors.
For fun and engagement, ask when the leaves change where your followers live, or share a few fall quotes with colorful graphics you make yourself.
Christmas Gift Ideas and Promotions
It’s never too early to plan for this biggest shopping season of the year.
While you’re planning, check out my Christmas marketing ideas. Not just for retailers, but for social media marketers and content creators too.
10 October Month-long Marketing Ideas
There are so many ways to celebrate this month! Do any of these resonate with your business and audience?
Plan a month-long promotion that could include blog posts, sales, social media posts, contests and more.
International Strategic Planning Month
National Work and Family Month
Fair Trade Month
Financial Planning Month
Women Walking In Their Own Shoes Month
National Stop Bullying Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Book Month
Apple Month
Adopt A Dog Month
If you haven’t found the perfect fit to participate this month, there are dozens more health awareness events, child and pet care causes, and celebrations of cultures and foods.
Check out more October monthly observances.
8 October 2023 Weekly Holidays
These holidays last for a week(ish). Asterisked dates* change year to year.
Dates are correct for 2023 and will be updated each year a few months ahead. It’s a good idea to check before planning a promotion though, as this group of events are most prone to change dates.
Oct. 1–7 National Walk Your Dog Week
Oct. 1–7* Get Organized Week
Here are some productivity quotes to prompt your audience.
Oct. 2–6* Customer Service Week
Oct. 8–14* Pet Peeve Week
Oct. 9–13* National Work From Home Week #WFHW
Oct. 15–21* National Business Women’s Week
Oct. 15–21* National Character Counts Week
Oct. 23–29* International Open Access Week
October 2023 Daily Holidays
The biggest holiday in October is Halloween (October 31). We dove into that above.
But there are more special days in October!
The dates for the holidays below don’t change year to year, so they’re correct for 2023 and each October in the foreseeable future.
Here are some favorite minor holidays:
October 1: International Coffee Day
October 5: World Teachers’ Day
October 6: Mad Hatter Day
October 9: Curious Events Day
October 11: “You Go, Girl” Day
October 14: National Dessert Day
October 16: Boss’s Day
October 19: Evaluate Your Life Day
October 21: Celebration of Mind Day
October 27: Black Cat Day
October 28: National Chocolate Day
October 29: Internet Day
October 31: National Magic Day
There are yet more ideas in Your Social Plan. Keep reading!
Which October Holidays for Your Business?
There are truly holidays for every business and personality. Some days have over a dozen to choose from!
I love fun holidays and have compiled collections of hundreds for each month.
But just knowing the holidays doesn’t mean you’ll:
- Remember which happens when.
- Know how to use them in your marketing.
- Or have time to come up with eye-catching images and engaging captions to go with them.
That’s why there’s Your Social Plan!
Your Social Plan is a daily posting plan that combines beautiful, done-for-you content with powerful business-building prompts so you’ll never wonder what to post again.
Each day your business benefits from a combination of 3 posts:
M – Motivational / Inspirational
V – Visibility Boosting (like holidays!)
P – Promotional / Business Building
Check out Your Social Plan now and save hours on your social media marketing this month!
Disclosure: If you purchase, I will earn a commission, at no cost to you.
No marketing budget? Grab the free one-sheet content inspiration calendar. One holiday each day, plus room to write in your own ideas on how to use it.
Get a printable PDF or two in the FREE members area.
To sign up for a free membership, click here.
Conclusion
This video offers a brief overview of each month’s top holiday.
Ready for November? Jump right to November marketing ideas.
Be sure to pin or tweet this post to let others know about this free resource.
What do you think? Which October marketing ideas will YOU use?
If you’re pressed for time, try Your Social Plan for ready-to-post content monthly!
Heidi Garland says
It’s also Breast Cancer Awareness month…a biggie for me. Great Calendar! Thank you and Happy BIRTHDAY!
Louise Myers says
Yes it is! I’m sure I have that featured in the Planner. Thanks for reminding us!