Unique Holidays: Don't See Anything You Like? Create Your Own


Writers and authors need to always be marketing! That means, developing a platform, such as a blog, podcast, or video series, and spending time on social media. So many places ... but how do we find new things to post? 

News, interviews, trivia, lists posts, and essays make for great content. But one of the best places to spark creative ideas is holiday calendars. Yes, traditional holidays work too. But I am a fan of creating content around unique holidays, like those found on HolidayInsights.com.

For instance, for writers, there's National Tell A Story Day on April 27, National Punctuation Day is September 24, and National Novel Writing Month is November. There's actually a whole list of writer holidays

Plus, there's The Nibble for food holidays, On-this-day.com to identify special days that relate to your books and/or business, and Positively Woof's Pet Holiday Calendar for those with a pet ... or pet-centric themes in the life or businesses.

Once you find your holiday ...

1. Brainstorm Content Ideas
2. Write your text 
3. Gather images
4. Construct your posts
5. Release 
6. Rinse and repeat
7. Be sure to keep a content calendar to track all of your ideas
 
While there are menus of holiday possibilities everywhere, what happens when you can't find a holiday that meets your needs? Simple. Create your own. That's what I did!

Let's go back to National Novel Writing Month. As we approached November, I found myself wanting to commit to some sort of monthly challenge, but didn't have the time for NaNoWriMo. 

I asked myself what I wanted to do more of in November. The answer: Dance! And #DaEvDaNo - Dance Every Day in November - was born.

First, I checked Twitter to research the hashtag. I created an image. 
Then, I put up a post on LinkedIn and started Tweeting about it. 

When creating or tagging onto existing holidays, the trick is to keep things simple. You don't need to overcomplicate things to come up with amazing content! You just need to do it.

Looking for new ways to put yourself out there? Uplevel your creativity and share your spin on an existing celebration ... or create one of your own!

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What's your ideal unique holiday? ANd how do you use it to support your business? Please share in the comments.

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Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and founder of the D*E*B METHOD, which is her system for goal-setting simplified. A writer, editor, and project catalyst, Deb works with entrepreneurs, executives, and creatives to set goals and manage their projects through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and online support. She is also the author of Write On Blogging and Purple Pencil Adventures; founder of Write On Online; Vice President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women's National Book Association; host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat, #GoalChatLive on Facebook and LinkedIn, and The DEB Show podcast. She speaks on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.


14 comments:

Terry Whalin said...

Debra,

What an interesting idea to create your own holiday. I've seen others suggest this idea but I've never done it--yet. You provide authors with the specific steps and great encouragement. Thank you.

Terry
author of Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success (Revised Edition)

Karen Cioffi said...

Debra, this is an interesting concept. I never thought about creating a holiday focusing on your platform. Thanks for the tips!

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

Just curious! Why not put “Founder and. Creator of xxxxx( name of your own holiday) in you bio /credo line! Be sure to include the date and hashtag. Curious mindswill always want to know!📚🖊

Hugs,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Founder of National Book Promotion Day
“Every day is book promotion day!”

deborah lyn said...

Debra, Thanks for sharing such a fun list.
What a grand idea - pick one or some or make your own holiday!
I like your #DaEvDaNo best!

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks, Terry! Keep me posted on your holiday creation!

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks for your comment, Karen! And you are so welcome!

Debra Eckerling said...

Love that idea, Carolyn! Adding #DaEvDaNo to my bio for sure! And maybe even my LinkedIn headline, since that's a great place to tease additional interests.

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks for your comment, Deborah! Remember to tweet your dance accomplishments with the #DaEvDaNo hashtag!

Suzanne Lieurance said...

Debra,

I love the idea of creating my own holiday. Now, I just to come up with the perfect one for my purposes.

Thanks.

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks for your comment, Suzanne! Please let me know what you come up with, so I can celebrate with you!

maryhagenauthorrommance.com said...

Your comments were so helpful.Thank you.

maryhagenauthorrommance.com said...

Very helpful ideas.

Debra Eckerling said...

Thanks for your comment, Mary.

Denise Channing said...

Very timely. I just invented International Awesome Grandparents Day for 2 November. There's a story behind it of course.

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