Content marketing pegs to drive conversations for June 2018
The ‘mediator month’ of June tries to balance the scorching heat with the promise of impending rain. It is also a great month for brands to ace their content marketing strategy with diverse talking points. From cashing in on last-minute vacation deals to giving back to the community by leveraging World Blood Donor day, we have rounded up 15 content pegs that will allow brands to hum the right tune in June.
Last-minute vacations
What is it about?
Procrastinating vacation plans leads to a spike in search for last-minute travel plans and weekend getaways.
Major conversation areas
Your readers are searching for quick 2-to-7 day trips near their city of residence, ticket deals, and travel fashion ideas.
Content Ideas
• ‘Best wildlife sanctuaries that make ideal weekend getaways’
• ‘5 Trekking trails around Mumbai/Delhi’
• ‘5 Essential clothing items to pack for a weekend getaway’
• ‘Must-have skin care items in your travel pouch’
• Content on investing in the right vehicles for a big vacation next year will also encourage reader engagement.
World Milk Day, June 1st
What is it about?
The Global Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.
Major conversation areas
From queries on “is there really a day dedicated to milk?” to questions on the health claims as well as the condition of animals in the dairy industry will make the rounds of social media.
Content ideas
• ‘Is milk really healthful?’
• ‘Does milk help you gain more muscle mass?’
• ‘5 Milk-based savoury dishes you must try’
• ‘5 Plant-based alternatives to milk’
• ‘A day in the life of a dairy animal’
• ‘6 Quick breakfast recipes with milk’
• ‘7 Facts about the ‘Milkman of India’ – Verghese Kurian’
• ‘Do you eat your cereal with cold or hot milk?’
World Bicycle Day, June 3rd
What is it about?
This day was approved on 12 April 2018 as an official United Nations day of awareness about the multiple societal benefits of using the bicycle for transport and leisure.
Major conversation areas
Since the resolution has just been passed, there would be enough talks on the benefits of cycling as well as India’s preparedness to adopt this as an important means of transportation.
Content ideas
• ‘Meet the man who made World Bicycle Day a reality’
• ‘5 Ways to encourage employees to cycle to work’
• ‘8 Health benefits of cycling’
• ‘Is India ready for more cyclists on the roads?’
• ‘The top ten bicycle-friendly countries in the world’
• ‘5 Thoughts that cross every cyclist’s mind’
• ‘How to cycle in a group’
• ‘Ways to encourage children to take up cycling’
Top Searches
(last year data, Source: buzzsumo)
The search was highest in April because that was when the UN established that the day will be celebrated on June 3rd. Searches should continue to be high in June.
(last year data, Source: buzzsumo)
Facebook will be the highest tool for engagement for this topic.
(last year data, Source: Google Trends)
Since this was finalized in April, the buzz surrounding it peaked only around April.
(last year data, Source: Google Trends)
India might have the highest search for this topic.
National Cancer Survivors Day, June 4th
What is it about?
Observed on the first Sunday of June, National Cancer Survivors Day aims at highlighting the reality of life after conquering cancer.
Major conversation areas
From talking about common types of cancers, their symptoms, survivor stories, and new-age technologies that can detect and cure cancer, the digital space would be abuzz with conversations.
Content Ideas
• ‘Common lifestyle choices that can cause cancer’
• ‘Dealing with stress during cancer’
• ‘5 Ways to stay strong through chemo’
• ‘Cancer charities you can donate hair to’
• ‘Nutrition guidelines after cancer detection’
• ‘Can your food cause cancer?’
• ‘Common cancer myths’
• ‘5 Genuine ways to support a loved one battling cancer’
• ‘7 Survivor stories that prove cancer’s got nothing on us’
• ‘Here’s what men should know about breast cancer’
World Environment Day, June 5th
What is it about?
With an aim to bring awareness about the current state of the environment and encourage sustainable living, World Environment Day is widely observed and sees tremendous participation from brands across the globe.
Major conversation areas
Since India is the global host of World Environment Day this year, a lot of domestic content is expected to reach the world, making it a fantastic opportunity for brands to be seen in the right light. The theme for this year is #BeatPlasticPollution and a lot of talking points will be in line with the environmental consequences of using plastic, along with other go-green campaigns.
Content Ideas
• ‘10 Effortless ways to say no to plastic’
• ‘What other states should learn from Sikkim’s efforts towards banning plastic’
• ‘5 Alternatives to plastic bags’
• ‘These modern-day inventions can beat plastic pollution’
• ‘Take the plant-a-tree-a-year pledge’
• ‘How coastal cities are tackling marine litter’
• ‘Still have the Coachella hangover? Check out these 5 eco-friendly festivals from around the world’
• ‘5 species that went extinct due to deplorable environmental conditions’
• Brands can also organise events such as plant-a-sapling drive or ride-a-bike-to-work day
• Pledging to go green at the workplace would position brands as responsible and environment-conscious
World Oceans Day, June 8th
What is it about?
The belief that oceans connect us all is the basis for observing this day of celebrating oceans and having a global dialogue on their conservation and betterment.
Major conversation areas
Expect a lot of conversations on the major oceans of the world and human actions that pollute the ocean. The collective and individual steps towards improving the state of oceans will also be a talking point.
Content Ideas
• ‘Did you know that oceans offer a pharmacopoeia of medicines?’
• ‘5 Ocean-cleaning drives that changed their fate
• ‘These breathtaking oceanscapes are equal parts beautiful and terrifying’
• ‘5 Oceanic species that might go extinct because of marine pollution’
• Brands can also organise cleaning drives, pledge to reduce plastic consumption, support organisations that work towards ocean conservation, and talk about their ‘go blue’ initiatives
Anti Child Labour Day, June 12th
What is it about?
Launched in 2002 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the day aims at raising awareness about the plight of millions of children who work in restaurants, shops, factories, and homes around the world, as well as talk about how to deter this practice on a global level.
Major conversation areas
Despite laws, there are millions of child labourers – not just in India, but around the world. Deprived of schooling, good health, and nutrition, they are exposed to workplace hazards and are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and violence. Topics on spreading awareness, laws governing child labour, how to improve their condition, and what’s being done by governments, workplaces, and corporates to combat this pressing problem would surely be making the rounds.
Content Ideas
• ‘How can an individual contribute towards preventing child labour?’
• ‘5 Bold steps taken by global brands to put a stop to child labour’
• ‘A day in the life of a child labourer’
• ‘Importance of nutrition for underprivileged children’
• ‘Is creating more employment opportunities for parents the answer to combating child labour?’
• ‘These child trafficking incidents will leave in you in shock and anger’
• ‘Every child deserves to be educated!’
• ‘7 Ways you can support a child’
• ‘How child labour laws have changed over the years’
• ‘Are Indian minorities the preferred pool for child labour?’
• Brands can also leverage social media to highlight their initiatives and contributions towards improving the lives of underprivileged children.
World Blood Donor Day, June 14th
What is it about?
The day is celebrated to show gratitude to blood donors and raise awareness about the need for constant availability of safe blood for the healthcare system.
Content Ideas
In line with the theme of the year ‘Blood connects us all’, here are some content ideas to help brands make the right noise:
• Highlight the need for countrywide blood donation initiatives and deconstruct associated myths
• ‘5 Reasons why every adult should donate blood at least once a year’
• ‘What happens to your blood after it’s donated’
• ‘Did you know that one pint of donated blood can save up to three lives?’
• ‘Did you just save this two-year-old’s life?’ (Highlights how timely availability of blood saved the life of a kid who urgently needed it)
• ‘Which Indian state has the driest blood bank?’
• ‘How does your body get affected with every blood donation session?’
• ‘Did you know there’s a shortage of 1.1 million units of blood in India?’
• Brands can also organise blood donation camps and cover their initiative on social media.
• Additionally, they can invite their audience to post about an incident where their or a close one’s life was saved due to the availability of a stranger’s blood.
Eid al-Fitr June 15th
What is it about?
The most important Muslim festival that marks the end of a month-long fasting period, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on June 14th this year.
Major conversation areas
Expect social media to be populated with posts on greetings and pictures celebrating the day.
Content Ideas
• Eid memes and greetings
• ‘5 Eid dishes we all go to our Muslim friend’s house for’
• ‘Up your sheer khurma game with these secret ingredients’
• ‘Eid is synonymous with biryani, but which type of biryani is your favourite?’
Top Searches
(last year data, Source: Google Trends)
(last year data, Source: Buzzsumo)
Majority of searches and engagement across content for Eid-Al-Fitr start May-end and peak around mid-June.
(last year data, Source: Buzzsumo)
Facebook comes across as the most relevant social media for content around Eid-Al-Fitr. Listicles, as a category, work the best as per the data, followed by posts that explain the facts behind the various elements of the day.
Football World Cup, June 14th – July, 15th
What is it about?
FIFA World Cup 2018 will be the 21st edition of this quadrennial international football tournament. It will take place in Russia between June 14th and July 15th.
Major conversation areas
Expect a month-long buzzing conversation around the World Cup with daily match updates, live tweets, player performances, memes, and epic match moments.
Content ideas
• ‘Epic goals from today’s match’
• ‘Workout regime of your favourite players’
• ‘WAGs of players spotted at the match’
• ‘How well do you know your favourite player?’
• ‘What do players eat before a match?’
• ‘5 Iconic soccer moments in history’
• ‘10 Retired soccer players we’d love to see play again’
• ‘How much does a trip to Russia cost?’
• ‘7 Soccer-based movies every fan would enjoy’
Top Searches
(last 5 year data, Source: Google Trends)
The tournament kicks off in mid-June and so starts trending online from May-end. Last year the event was held between June 12th and July 13th and maximum searches were seen on June 15th and July 21st. This trend will continue.
(last year data, Source: buzzsumo)
Facebook saw the highest engagement and was the medium where audience shared the most content. Format-wise, listicles are the perfect snackable content that’s ideal for a topical event like World Cup.
Father’s Day, June 17th
What is it about?
It’s a day to celebrate the contribution of fathers, fatherhood, and the paternal bond.
Major conversation areas
From gift ideas to paying tribute to fathers, this is a field day for brands, as every brand – regardless of the industry – will have something to contribute to the buzzing conversation.
Content Ideas
• ‘10 Non-boring gift ideas for the modern dad’
• ‘5 Lessons these celebrities learned from their dads’
• ‘What every dad wishes his daughter knew’
• ‘5 Thoughtful ways to show your dad that you care’
• ‘Who’s your favourite on-screen father figure?’
• ‘7 Embarrassing situations new dads often get into’
• ‘Cutest dad-kid pictures on the internet’
• ‘Letter from a father to his daughter on her wedding day’
• ‘These pictures prove that dads are superheroes’
• ‘7 Gadgets to gift your dad this Father’s Day’
• ‘Who’s the father of your group?’
• Brands can also push out memes and short messages as well as send thank-you letters to their employees’ fathers.
Summer Solstice – 21st June
What is it about?
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year with scorching heat and a late sunset.
Major conversation areas
Posts around what exactly is Summer Solstice to facts about this day would appeal to readers.
Content Ideas
• ‘What happens during the summer solstice?’
• ‘Does the summer solstice always fall on June 21st?’
• ‘Here are the best spots in your city to observe the summer solstice’
• ‘Why is the day the longest during the summer solstice?’
• ‘Is there a difference between a solstice and an equinox?’
• ‘Are there any summer solstice rituals?’
World Music Day – 21st June
What is it about?
Fête de la Musique or World Music Day is an annual celebration of all things music. It is also the day where you can play music in public spaces freely.
Major conversation areas
From reminiscing and celebrating music of bygone eras to heated debates on which band is the all-time favourite, expect a lot of talk and banter on social media.
Content Ideas
• ‘5 Iconic songs that turned into memes’
• ‘10 Songs that are perfect for a road trip’
• ‘How music can influence your mood’
• ‘Can music therapy reduce pain?’
• ‘All you should know about music therapy for cancer patients’
• ‘We still love these bands from the 90s’
• ‘10 Music concerts in India that you must attend’
• ‘5 Upcoming indie artists who are stealing the show’
• ‘Legends the music industry lost in 2018’
• ‘How does music differ from culture to culture?’
• ‘5 Songs that can instantly lift your mood’
• ‘Your workout playlist for June’
International Yoga Day, June 21st
What is it about?
The UN General Assembly declared June 21st as the International day of Yoga, commonly referred to as Yoga Day. A physical, mental, and spiritual practice, the day is perfect to talk about the importance of yoga towards overall health and wellbeing.
Major conversation areas
Although native to India, yoga has been adopted by people from all over the world working towards a better physical and mental state. Therefore, posts around its origin, common yoga poses, meditation guides, famous yogis, yoga sessions in your city, etc. will dominate conversations on this day.
Content Ideas
• ‘Is India importing a westernised version of yoga?’
• ‘A beginner’s guide to understanding common yoga poses’
• ‘5 Yoga asanas to de-stress at work’
• ‘Impatient for inner peace: A quick meditation guide for those with a short attention span’
• ‘7 Yoga poses to increase libido’
• ‘5 Things we wish we could say to the overly enthusiastic yogi at work’
• ‘Ashtanga, Iyenger, or Yin Yoga: Take this quiz to find your best match’
• ‘The best places to learn yoga in India’
• ‘5 Short-term yoga courses you can do with a day job’
• ‘How-to’ posts on yoga and meditation poses will be well-received.
• Brands can also organise in-house yoga sessions and borrow content from these for publishing on social media.
International Olympic Day- 23rd June
What is it about?
International Olympic Day or the Olympic Day Run is observed on June 23rd – the day the International Olympic Committee was formally established in 1894 – to encourage worldwide participation of sports, realise its importance in our everyday lives, and encourage learning new sports.
Major Conversation Areas
Conversations can revolve around queries, what the day actually stands for, its history, and the upcoming Olympics.
Content Ideas
• ‘Why do we observe International Olympic Day?’
• ‘5 Olympic games where India made history’
• ‘A history of the modern Olympic games’
• ‘How to get your children excited about sports’
• ‘5 Non-cricket Indian sportspersons who are painting the sports landscape tricolour’
• ‘Believe it or not: these were actual Olympic events!’
• ‘Is India still synonymous with just cricket?’
• ‘What sports teaches us about life’
• ‘5 Sportspeople who showed us that impossible is just a word’
• Corporates can organise in-house marathons, walk for a cause, or fun games.
Festival and Fun Days
While your office might not allow puppy therapy on all days, on ‘Take your dog to work day’, on June 23rd, your furry friend will be thrilled to go to work with you. Dog and puppy posts are an all-time hit on social media and brands can get a lot of spotlight by encouraging employees to bring their dogs to work and share their pictures online.
Camera Day, on June 29th, is an important day, especially when almost everybody is putting out visual content on social media. From ‘Tips for amateur photographers’ to ‘5 Budget cameras for the constant traveller’ brands have plenty to talk about. Running contests and inviting user submissions will also generate good traction.
Major Celebrity Birthdays
• R Madhavan, June 1st
• Sonakshi Sinha, June 2nd
• Mani Ratnam, June 2nd
• Anil Ambani, June 4th
• Mahesh Bhupathi, June 7th
• Shilpa Shetty, June 8th
• Dimple Kapadia, June 8th
• Sonam Kapoor, June 9th
• Kiran Bedi, June 9th
• Kirron Kher, June 14th
• Mithun Chakraborty, June 16th
• Imtiaz Ali, June 16th
• Leander Paes, June 17th
• Amrita Rao, June 17th
• Lisa Haydon, June 17th
• Salman Rushdie, June 19th
• Rahul Gandhi, June 19th
• Vikram Seth, June 20th
• Joseph Vijay, June 22th
• Karisma Kapoor, June 25th
• Satish Shah, June 25th
• Arjun Kapoor, June 26th
• PT Usha, June 27th
Movie Releases
211, June 8th – The movie is inspired by the long-standing fight between a police officer, played by Nicolas Cage, and a young civilian. In the light of the recent police brutality incidents, this movie should invoke mixed reactions.
The Incredibles, June 15th – the whole world loves this superhero family, and theatres would surely be thronged by cinemagoers of all ages.
China Salesman, June 18th – Starring Mike Tyson, the movie is based in Africa where a Chinese salesman on a mission to set up the first mobile telecom technology in the country finds himself in the middle of a civil war.
Fanney Khan, June 15th – The official remake of ‘Everybody’s Famous’, Fanney Khan is a musical comedy starring a few big names from yesteryear, including Anil Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bacchan.
Race 3, June 15th – The franchise has always done well, whether it’s in terms of mid-movie twists or the thumping songs. With a dazzling star cast, the movie is speculated to perform well.
Content Ideas
• Movie-inspired memes perform exceptional well on social media
• ‘Did you spot these movie bloopers?’
• ‘Epic lines from the movie 211 that hit you viscerally’
• ‘Steal Jacqueline Fernandez’s look from Race 3’
Parting Words
If done right, June can set the mood for your next quarter’s content marketing initiatives. With plenty of transitioning points from summer-centric topics, let June be a great month for making the right noises online.