The Adbot E-Commerce Calendar

January: It’s a real no-fun, downer of a month, right? Not anymore, because now it’s Ginuary, and it’s big on social media. Check out Instagram and Twitter for all the #Ginuary cocktail posts by gin lovers.

The no-alcohol “Dry January” movement is about detoxing and repenting for being naughty over the holiday season. But it’s making an exception, just for gin, while participating in the spirit of Dry January. (Ah, the spirit.)

Heaps of gin bars and brands jump onto this trend by promoting special Ginuary deals, gin-based cocktails and events to encourage ginophiles to have fun and enjoy their gin – in moderation. If you’re a gin distiller, this is the biggest online retail month for you.

Who’s your customer? Gin’s for everyone who’s a grownup, from grandma who’s loyal to her Gin Martini to your cousin at uni who introduced you to a Rhubarb and Cranberry Cosmo. Gins fans are everywhere.

So go on, show off your gin recipes on Facebook, link them to a deal and make sure your campaign is supported by a strong search strategy.
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Get ready to gouda the cheese, curd connoisseurs! January 20th marks Cheese Lover’s Day, a glorious day dedicated to celebrating the creamy, crumbly, tangy, gooey joy that is cheese. It’s a day to dive into the depths of cheddar, ascend the mozzarella mountains, and bask in the brie-lliant flavors that bring everyone together.

Feast Your Senses on Diversity:

• Search Ads are your parmesan grater to connect with fellow cheese fiends! Foodies hungry for new adventures, connoisseurs chasing the perfect pecorino, and wine-lovers on the hunt for the ultimate pairing – they’re all waiting to hear from you. Search ads to showcase your artisanal skills, crumbly blues, and melty mozzarellas.

Honoring the Craft:

• This day isn’t just about indulging in deliciousness (though there will be plenty of that). It’s about celebrating the art and dedication of cheesemakers who work tirelessly to bring us these incredible flavors. Let’s shine a light on the craftsmanship behind each curd, from the milkman to the monger, thanking them for enriching our lives with their cheddar-ific passion.

So, mark your calendars, cheese champions! January 20th is the day to let your gouda flag fly.
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If you don’t love chocolate, and cake, are you even alive? We thought so.

That’s why we also love International Chocolate Cake Day. It’s a great opportunity for your bakery, restaurant or confectionery store to promote your chocolate cake products and get feet through the door.

Here’s how to do clever stuff on International Chocolate Cake Day:

Get creative: Dream up a special chocolate cake flavour or offer limited-edition cakes for the day to create excitement and drive sales.

Drop short social media promo videos onto Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to promote your delicious new Choc-With-A-Twist flavoured cake. Use the hashtag #NationalChocolateCakeDay and get heaps of likes and attention.

Partner with local businesses like local coffee shops, restaurants or other businesses to feature your chocolate cakes and reach adoring new customers.

Allow online orders, and delivery through Uber Eats, to reach more customers who’d rather get it done online.

International Chocolate Cake Day may be a one-day event, but you can make that choccie-love last way longer. Keep creating a buzz to seduce the chocophiles, other goody lovers and foodies in the long-term.
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Hey toy warriors, get ready – International Lego Day is on January 28th! This celebration of creativity is a golden opportunity for your online store. Here’s a quick guide:

Ignite Inspiration:

• Daily Build Challenge: Spark engagement with a “Build of the Day” series on social media, creating a bustling digital Lego town.

• Live Building Sessions: Go live on Instagram or TikTok, building and interacting with viewers.

Target Your Brick Brigade:

• Laser-Focus Ads: Use Facebook and Instagram Ads to reach Lego lovers. Craft visuals featuring your Lego selection and deals.

• Keyword Conquest: Support campaigns with search ads using keywords like “Lego Day deals” and “best adult Lego sets.”

Sweeten the Deal:

• Free Shipping Frenzy: Offer free shipping for Lego orders during your promotion. Watch those shopping carts fill up!

International Lego Day is just the beginning. Follow these strategies to build a passionate Lego community and watch your sales soar. Unleash your creativity and brick up a Lego Day bonanza! …

Calling all art warriors, brush-wielding heroes, and craft store champions! January 31st is your battle cry – Inspire Your Heart with Art Day! This day isn’t just about paint supplies and mosaic dreams – it’s about building a vibrant tribe of art lovers and solidifying your role as a creative catalyst.

Here are some ideas to build trust with a new audience:

• Host online workshops: Guide artists through watercolor, clay, or music, being the virtual studio for masterpieces.

• Showcase local artists: Turn your platform into a bustling digital gallery. From sun-kissed brushstrokes to melodies that whisper moonlight, let their talent captivate the world. Be the bridge connecting art to eager hearts.

• Sparkle with deals: Offer irresistible art supply kit deals, catalyzing creative journeys.

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day extends beyond sales. Build trust and passion:

• Insta-Ignite: Flood Instagram with art demos, features, and glimpses of your creative haven. Make your feed an invitation to the art world and make sure you pay for some ads

• Search Savvy: Update your Adbot with keywords like “Art Day deals,” “local art classes,” and “beginner art supplies.” Be the guiding light for those searching for creative inspiration.

This day isn’t just about fleeting discounts -it’s about sparking creativity, building loyalty, and a thriving community. Go, ignite imaginations, and paint your online platform with possibilities! …

Cancer is a sensitive and serious topic, so It’s important to be sensitive and considerate when you promote your health products. Be gentle. You don’t want to be seen as exploitative or tactless.

If you’re a small business operating in the healthcare industry this is a good opportunity to raise awareness about cancer and to support the cancer community.

During Cancer Day or on Cancer Month, try this:

Donate a portion of proceeds from sales to a cancer research or support organisation. This can be a great way for your business to give back to the community and support cancer research, while also promoting your products.

Offer discounts for cancer patients on cancer-related health products, to support them during their treatment and recovery and let them know that you care.

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Cue the fireworks and festivities! Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, celebrated by 1.4 billion people in China, and millions around the world.

It’s a time to wish friends and family prosperity, wealth and luck for the new year, to give gifts, and to enjoy a great bash. It’s even bigger than Christmas; last year alone consumers spent $127 billion over a week-long period.

Your audience are Millennials and Gen-Z. They’re spending even more than their parents’ generation on Lunar New Year – and they’re buying more tech items.

Need tips? Okay: 2023 is the year of the rabbit, so why not include a rabbit theme in your social content?

Promote at-home consumer experiences, as more consumers make the most of being at home. Chinese New Year is the perfect time to promote things like online courses or online fitness programs, as people look ahead and say: “This year, I’ll sign up. No, really.”
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Love is ALL around, especially in February – so catch feelings now. This is the perfect opportunity to start off your year’s marketing efforts.

People start searching for Valentine products as early as January. You can celebrate all this Cupidy, cuddly romance in your eCommerce store by promoting gifts and treats that lovers will love.

And remember: the early lovebird catches the Valentine, so get in quick. To pump up those sales, use visual Facebook ads and support your marketing funnel with search ads.

There’s been a huge increase in online searches for Valentine gifts like flowers, gifts, and restaurants, but people also want gifts for kids and pets.

For new audiences, think different, with gift options or experiences. From mid-January, focus on telling your unique brand story. February 11th to 13th are big shopping days, and same-day delivery is in big demand, so in that week, change your focus to same-day delivery and value.

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It’s Fur Baby Day! International Love Your Pet Day is your chance to promote whatever products and services your pet retail business offers. Celebrate the cuties, the fluffies and the feathery ones, and show you care.

Pet owners show their love through their wallets. The global Pet Care E-Commerce market has been valued at over US $38 billion – and it’s growing.

Want a share of that pie?

Try hosting a pet photo contest on social media, where your customers share photos of their pets, and give the winner a prize from your store. Use the hashtag #NationalLoveYourPetDay to reach a larger audience.

Doggy and kitty companions really are like children to many owners. You could live stream with pet experts and vets who give advice on all kinds of pet health issues.

Remember: you’ll reach heaps more customers by offering online shopping, too.

OK, fetch!

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Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, achievements and beauty of women everywhere.

So let’s talk about self-care. It’s become a big thing, especially for women with busy lives, and this is the day to offer them something.

If you’re in the beauty industry, whether you own a spa or nail bar, sell underwear or sex toys, remember: every woman deserves to feel her best on this day – and you can make it happen. She’s waiting – get onto it!

A tip on Ads: Remember that Search is a media channel that’s great for conversion this month, so why not increase your search budget in March?

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St. Patrick’s Day – now there’s another grand opportunity to increase your online sales.

Jump in and promote relevant products – or engage your clever brain and make them relevant. (Clue: Green stuff. Lots of green stuff.)

Get a festive atmosphere going in your physical or online stores. Students and younger people love buying green beer on this day, and eating green-dyed soda bread. (Yum.) Anything and everything goes green.

Create a page on your website with all your green products on one page, or give your website a green theme for the day.

Your customers are looking for unique St. Patrick's Day-themed products. They like witty t-shirts. They like silly mugs. They like fun ornaments – anything that’s relevant.

Just have fun. The luck of the leprechaun will help you find that pot of cash at the end of the
rainbow….

Global Recycling Day, March 18th – did you know only 10% of South Africa’s waste gets recycled? Let’s change that!

Recycling companies, here’s how you can reach low-recycling neighborhoods:

Location-Based Targeting through Search Ads:

• Utilize location-focused keywords like “recycling near me” or “[neighborhood name] waste disposal options.”

• Employ Radius Targeting on platforms like Adbot to pinpoint low-recycling neighborhoods efficiently.

Hyperlocal Content:

• Tailor ad copy and landing pages to address each neighborhood’s challenges and preferences.

• Highlight drop-off locations, debunk recycling myths, and share local testimonials.

Incentives & Gamification:

• Offer discounts on waste disposal fees for recyclers. Implement reward programs or weekly challenges for increased participation.

Let’s transcend the 10% mark on Global Recycling Day. It’s not just a one-day event but a launchpad for lasting change. Every recycled item counts, and together, we can turn the tide on waste, fostering a thriving, sustainable South Africa.
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Hoppy Easter! Around the world, that means chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs and fun parades for millions. For millions of others, it’s a deeply spiritual time. And for everyone who celebrates, food and cooking are big. It’s family get together time, with big family meals – and braais. Gardening and DIY also becomes popular as people use their free time to get things done.

Spending – both in store and online – has recovered, and increased enormously since 2020. Women do more shopping than men, but men spend more.

Even if your audience is just relaxing over the long weekend – this is an opportunity to promote relaxed and restful services. Think spa treatments, pampering and self-care products.

However your customers celebrate this moveable feast, you can connect with them by marking Easter in an unforgettable way. Use Adbot to help you pump up sales, and personalisation to make it more meaningful.
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Gotcha! In the week leading up to April 1, millions of naughty pranksters search on Google and Bing for good April Fools’ Day ideas. Want to take advantage of that, and get in on the fun? Try this:

Create a prank- or joke-themed campaign that’s relevant to your business. Let’s say you’re a food business. You could dream up a silly or odd fictitious product or menu item, (onion milkshake, anyone?) or if you’re an e-commerce business, you could create an equally silly but fake sale or promotion.

Promote your campaign on social media using hashtag #AprilFools to reach a larger audience.

Use Paid Advertising like Google and Bing to drive traffic to your prank campaign by targeting keywords related to April Fools’ Day.

Use email marketing: send an email to your customer list promoting your April Fools’ Day campaign, and any special offers or discounts.
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Well, well, well! It’s what everyone wants to be, judging by the value of the wellness market at over USD 4,8 billion in 2022 and it’s still rising.

Health-focused apps and e-commerce stores are hugely popular. Want to get a piece of the action? Use social media and search advertising, and you’ll reach new customers.

World Health Day, which is organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), draws attention to a specific health topic. (last year’s theme was Our Planet, Our Health).
It encourages healthy living among people and communities who know the importance of good health.

It’s all about appreciating healthcare professionals and advocating for greater access to healthcare for all. WHO provides resources and guidance to help countries and organisations to plan and implement their own events and activities.

Think public events, media campaigns, and social media campaigns.

This year, do it. Show your support. Connect with WHO and collaborate with your communities’ partners in the healthcare industry….

Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims. Each day, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, then break their fast by sharing meals with family and friends. They celebrate the end of Ramadan with a three-day festival, Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam’s major holidays.

Let’s look at your Ramadan audience

Google identified 7 audience personas for Ramadan that will help with marketing to this target audience:

“The Foodie” who loves new food and new desserts. Their food-related online queries during Ramadan keep increasing.
“The Spiritual Faster” who searches for “Religious App Downloads”
“The Entertainment Lover” who searches for entertainment app downloads.
“The Ramadan Shopper” who loves shopping via E-commerce applications.
“The Seeker of Mental Refuge” who likes relaxing activities at home, like yoga and home exercising, and is searching for these activities online.
The Escapist” who searches for arts and crafts and gaming during this time.
“The Progress Seeker.” In the MENA region, people who use this time to enhance their productivity search for videos about Ramadan that include the word ‘Routine’ in the title….

Chag Sameach! It’s Passover (Pesach), a celebration of the story of the Jews’ epic exodus from Egypt, led by Moses, traditionally celebrated with a meal, storytelling, discussions, and religious services. The eight-day Passover holiday begins with the seder (celebratory meal) where family and friends gather.

This is also a great e-commerce opportunity to promote Pesach-themed gifts, food products, and decorative items that mark the main themes of this holiday.

Searches for “Pesach recipes” increase exponentially at this time. So do search terms like “Happy Passover 2022” and “What time does Pesach end 2022?” In South Africa, the search term “Passover 2022” had already increased by over 10 000% between February and March this year.

Your audience is searching for flowers, clothing and decorations. They want Passover-specific food and wine.

It’s a no-brainer: Team up with Adbot to take advantage of the sales uptake in the build-up to, and during, Passover. Use personalisation, because people need community…

On your bike, little business! The bicycle market could grow to be worth almost USD 128 billion by 2029. That’s how popular cycling’s becoming.

And electric bikes are set to become the fastest-growing segment over the next 7 years. So if you’re in the two wheel business, this is your chance to shine, put forward promotions and get rid of some old stock.

Google shopping ads are your best bet for these promotions; just set up an ad campaign with words like “discount” or “last chance.” (We’ll help.)

As pet lovers are with their pets, bicyclists can be as obsessive about their wheels. From CamelBaks to bib shorts to gloves, headlights, and pants, to Z Lok Security Ties, water bottles and sunglasses.

Nielsen data tells us that most cyclists are between the ages of 26-41 and they’re fans of travel, food and wine. Cyclists also tend to have higher annual incomes than the general population.

As a fun idea, why not get your employees to cycle to the office on this day? …

Hey hustle heroes! April 21st is no ordinary day – it’s World Creativity and Innovation Day, a celebration of small business legends like you who work magic every day.

Wearing a million hats, from marketer to chief bottle washer, you embody creativity and innovation. But even superheroes need a break. So, on this special day, put down the mop, step away from the spreadsheets, and treat yourself to a well-deserved day off!

Here’s your permission to:

• Savor a sunrise without setting an alarm.

• Unleash your inner explorer in a museum, park, or your own city.

• Reconnect with your tribe over board games and meaningful conversations.

• Refuel your creative fire with inspiring books, movies, or spontaneous wandering.

And guess what? While you soak up the sun, Adbot’s got your back, ensuring your ads reach new audiences and keep your business humming. Enjoy your recharge, small business rockstars! …

Okay, everyone IS watching – so make your business dance! International Dance Day, April 29th, could be a good day to promote your small business if it’s related to dance in some way.
Dance into the spotlight on International Dance Day, April 29th! If your business is dance-related, it’s a perfect time to promote. For dance studios, clothing stores, or related services, seize the day to reach your audience. Consider collaborating with influencers for a TikTok dance challenge, offering online classes, or hosting a special event. However, if dance isn’t your focus, it might not be the ideal day for promotion. Always align promotional efforts with your business relevance….

May the Adbot force be with you.

Promoting your small business on Star Wars Day (May 4th) could be a fun and unique way to engage with customers, especially if your business is related to Star Wars or pop culture in general. …

Mother’s Day is massive – a very popular holiday for small business retailers. It’s a day to celebrate and honour mom, mum, ma and granny, and there’s always a frenzy of gift-buying for these special humans.

You really don’t want to miss this one.

Retailers go all out to create special promotions and sales that attract Mother’s Day gift shoppers. And what do they look for? Popular gift categories are flowers, jewellery, beauty products, clothing and accessories, home decor, and gourmet food and chocolates – the special kind.

There’ll be loads of special deals and promotions on these types of products in the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day.

In addition to in-store promotion, your small business should definitely be promoting products or services as a great gift for mothers. This could be anything from spa packages to cooking and art classes. But think outside the box, too. CrossFit classes, anyone?

Overall, Mother’s Day means big sales for small businesses trading online. Take advantage of this time, and watch your sales and revenue spike. Remember, it’s smart to plan ahead, so start promoting 3 weeks before the big day, through paid advertising and social media content. These two channels work together, so use their combined power and push up overall conversion rates.

Now make your mom proud.
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Bee aware! And create a bigger buzz for your business.

World Bee Day – what a great idea – was established by the United Nations to raise global awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for the environment and human food security. Without bee-pollination, our food supply would be in trouble.

Activities around the world include planting bee-friendly gardens, promoting ethically produced honey, organic and bee-friendly pesticides.

This is a sweet opportunity for garden centres to educate customers and promote their products. How? Try providing special deals or discounts on bee-friendly plants and organic pesticides.

Host educational events or workshops on the importance of bees and how to create a bee-friendly garden.

And don’t forget social media. Create social media posts and blog articles that raise bee-awareness. Jump in and get involved in local events and festivals to promote your garden centre. Tell the world about bees – and pollinate your business!…

Want to add some sugar to your sales? Jump on the tea trend.

Craft beer, craft coffee and now … (drumroll) … craft tea is celebrated around the world. ‘Craft tea’ is a term used to refer to teas that are produced in small quantities; it’s all about quality, rather than mass production.

Often produced by small, independent farmers or companies, craft teas may be grown using more traditional or sustainable methods, and may be blended or flavoured in unique and interesting ways.

Tea can be enjoyed on its own or paired with alcoholic beverages like gin (remember Ginuary?) Serving suggestion: Why not cosy up to other businesses to cross-promote each other’s products? You’ll reach new audiences and build relationships with other industry professionals.

Is your website optimised for search engines? You can make sure it is, by including relevant keywords and meta tags, and building backlinks. (Ask us – we know this stuff.) Optimisation helps your website rank higher in search results and makes it more visible to potential customers. And we know you’ll drink to that….

Dad joke, anyone?

“I’m afraid for the calendar. Its days are numbered.”

No they’re not, we say. We also say dads are awesome. And Father’s Day is a great family thing, but it can be tough finding a dad gift. So why not help your customers out? Get your product some space in the Google Search spotlight.

These days, people are more sentimental about family. We’re better at showing love. People want to shower Dad with gifts, but they need new ideas, the kind that go beyond grey socks and rope-soap.

Post-pandemic families now want to create memories rather than buying more fancy ‘stuff.’ That’s why more people are giving their dads a unique experience for Father’s Day, like concert or match tickets, a day tour or a wine tasting, or activity gifts, like DIY craft kits, baking supplies, and cooking accessories. This Father’s Day, 22% of consumers will do just that, while 36% will be giving a subscription box.

Gen Z-ers and young millennials will make up most of your customers who are planning to celebrate and spoil their dads, so target them – and do it digitally.

Tip: Stretch your PPC budget in the weeks prior to Father’s Day, and include keywords to target stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, husbands, friends and sons. …

NamaSTAY visible on Google!

Who knew yoga would get so HUGE? It’s a booming industry with about 300 million fans. They all need yoga clothes, accessories and courses— so make sure you holler at them on (and before) June 21st.

This day, adopted by the United Nation in 2014 was the brainchild of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has the thumbs-up from 177 nations.

Its purpose to raise awareness of yoga’s many benefits, not just for individuals but for society as a whole.

It all started in ancient India, as a physical, mental, and spiritual practice. Today, it’s all about physical and mental well-being and just about anyone, from kids to great grandparents, can practice it.

If you’re in the health industry or if you sell yoga-related items, you MUST jump in and take part in this big day, to promote your products and services….

une 30th, Social Media Day – it’s not just about likes and shares; it’s about igniting your story and connecting with your tribe. Here’s how to amp up your brand:

• Theme Time: “Day in the Life,” “Customer Appreciation,” or “Behind the Scenes.” Celebrate customers, highlight your team, or showcase products uniquely.

• Hashtag Hustle: Create a catchy hashtag for your campaign, encouraging followers to join the party. The goal is to create buzz and unite your community.

• Content Craze: Go live on Instagram, host a Q&A on Twitter. Experiment and have fun – ditch the boring!

• Share the Love: Appreciate loyal customers with discounts, giveaways, or personalized shout-outs. They’re the reason you’re here, so make them feel special.

• Collaboration Conquers: Partner with local businesses or complementary brands for a joint campaign. Cross-promote, share resources, and amplify each other’s reach.

Use this day to:

• Build genuine connections: Engage with followers, respond to comments, and foster community.

• Sharpen storytelling skills:Learn new ways to share your brand’s unique story and values. Craft compelling narratives that resonate with your audience.

• Track your results: Measure the impact using analytics tools. See what worked, what didn’t, and refine future strategies. June 30th is your chance to showcase the power of small businesses on social media!

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If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, summer’s coming to an end, and if you’re south of the equator, spring’s around the corner. And we know what that means: sales. Sales everywhere. Your customers love an excuse to shop and, more practically, a tough economy and tight budgets make sale shopping a really sensible idea.

Your customers are looking for end-of-season markdowns, good quality and value for money, so make sure that you’re visible during sales season. Google shopping and search should take the lead in your ad spend budget in these months….

The world fell in love with Madiba in the 90’s, a statesman who left an enormous legacy.

The purpose of Nelson Mandela International Day is to encourage people around the world to go out there and do something to make a positive change in their communities. The Nelson Mandela Foundation encourages everyone to spend at least 67 minutes of the day doing something good for others. (It’s not a big ask.)

Your customers will eagerly get involved in loads of activities to honour Mandela’s legacy. They like volunteering, community service, and fundraising. They attend organised events and activities such as educational programs, cultural events, and community service projects.

Ultimately, YOU decide whether or not to use Nelson Mandela International Day as a retail opportunity for your business. But think carefully. Don’t exploit the day as a retail opportunity – be sensitive to its meaning. Your customers and your community are watching, so chose your approach wisely….

Chocoholics, mark your calendars! July 7th is World Chocolate Day, a day to melt hearts and sales with Google Shopping Ads magic. Here’s your recipe for success:

Step 1. Create a Google Merchant Center account
Step 2. Link the Merchant Center account to Google Ads
Step 3. Create a Product Feed
Step 4. Optimize your Product Feed Data for Google Shopping

World Chocolate Day is your chance to indulge in online advertising success. Optimize your data, craft tempting visuals, and add a dash of promotions. So go forth, unleash your choco-creativity, and watch the orders roll in!…

Buds, mates, pals, chums, cronies: where would we be without them? Home alone, scrolling?
Started in 1958 by the World Friendship Crusade, it promotes understanding between diverse cultures.
Show big love for buddies! Send cards, messages, or gifts. People celebrate with parties, picnics, or a call to an old friend. If you have a restaurant or online store, offer buy-one-give-one deals. Remember this day if you have a restaurant, a coffee shop or an online gift store.

Try offers like buy-one-give-one deals. Use paid media on Facebook and Search to promote whatever offer you’re having. Today, Adbot really is your friend….

It’s Beer O’ Clock all day, on this great and wonderful holiday. Today people everywhere will enjoy the beer they love, with the people they love.

You really should be a part of the action if your small business is:

A restaurant or bar: Promote your beer selection, host an events, and create beer-themed menus for the day.
A brewery: Offer tours and tastings, host an events, and promoting your brands.
A bottle shop or liquor store: Offer discounts on beer, or host tastings.
A food truck: If you specialise in beer-friendly foods, you can partner with local breweries and participate in beer festivals or events.
A hotel: Promote their beer selection, offer beer-themed packages and host tastings and tours.
An online beer retailer: Offering discounts or promotions on your selection of beers.

And don’t forget to get in early with your ads. You can reach a larger audience than if you waited until the last minute.

The FOMO is real – get involved!…

Another cat video? Really? Yes, really!

Millions of ‘cat people’ around the world know that cats are why the internet was invented. In fact, millions are online right now – especially on social media – showing their cat-love, sharing cat pictures, videos and cat memes, and chatting about cats.

The online cat lover communities and cat websites are joining in. These sites celebrate the day by sharing information about cat health, behaviour and welfare, and by encouraging people to adopt cats. Some offer discounts on cat-related products and services on the day.

If you’re a cat lover who owns a small businesses, you can get extra attention for your products and services on International Cat Day.

You could try hosting an adoption event, or offering discounts on cat-related products. Tell customers you’re donating a portion of sales to cat welfare organizations. (Then do it, okay?)

And get an early start. When planning your event, make sure to use paid media (such as Google search ads, Bing search ads, Facebook and Instagram ads) at least 3 weeks before the day of the event….

Every dog has its day. And today is that day.

International Dog Day – another fine idea – was created to celebrate all breeds of dogs and to recognise the role they play in our lives as four-legged besties.

Dog lovers all over the world celebrate their pooches, and like to show their appreciation for their ‘fur babies.’

The pet product business is growing. Dog owners are spending more and more on their pets, splashing out on everything from ‘Pawties’ to ‘Pawdicures.’

So get yourself seen this year. If your small business sells doggy treats, toys, clothing, bed, grooming or training classes, join Scooby-Doo and his friends to celebrate international dog day by:

Hosting an adoption event
Offering discounts on dog-related products
Donating a portion of sales to dog welfare organisations

To ensure that your event is well publicised, you should advertise it in Google search ads, Bing search ads, Facebook and Instagram ads – and start at least 3 weeks before the day of the event. The rewards are waiting!…

September 6th is Read a Book Day – a celebration of the written word! For bookstore owners:
Targeted Treats:
Recommended Reads Carousel: Showcase curated books based on interests or trending genres.
Back-to-School Bonanza: Offer themed deals like “Chick Classics” or “Cozy Reads for Kids.

Local Love:
Community Spotlight: Feature local authors, book clubs, or events.
Virtual Book Club Launch: Host a virtual club for a new release or classic.

Scavenger Hunt:
Organize a virtual or in-person hunt based on famous book clues. Add prizes for an interactive experience.
Make it a day to ignite imaginations, share the joy of reading, and connect with book lovers. Use these ideas, infuse them with your flair, and make it a day customers eagerly await…

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time for introspection, reflection, and repentance. It culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During Rosh Hashanah, it is traditional to attend synagogue services, to recite special prayers, and to hear the shofar, a hollowed-out ram’s horn, being sounded.

It’s also a time for family gatherings and special meals, and it is customary to eat sweet foods such as apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year….

Our hearts are truly in this one: World Heart Day. Its goal is to promote healthy lifestyle choices as heart disease becomes increasingly common these days, thanks to unhealthy lifestyles of the 21st Century.

If you’re a retailer, try a promotion that includes specials on heart-healthy food products like whole grains, berries, dark chocolate (yep!) and fatty fish. Promote your exercise equipment and healthy lifestyle products. Inspire your customers to get out there and get healthy.

If you’re a start-up developing revolutionary ways to battle heart disease, then this is your opportunity to partner with local hospitals and educate healthcare professionals about your technology and collaborate with heart-related organisations too. Offer a free trial session to showcase your technology and help people learn more about their heart health.

Use World Heart Day hashtags for social media and reach a wider audience.

Note: There may be side effects: Your business will start pumping along nicely, too. …

“First, I drink the coffee. Then I do the stuff” – said a famous Internet meme.

International Coffee Day is celebrated around the world by people who swear they’d never make it to 10.00am without their dark, steamy, caffeine-heavy brew. A staggering 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed every single day, so yes, it’s a drink worth celebrating.

How is the day celebrated?

Some coffee shops and cafes offer discounts or freebies, and some coffee-producing countries hold festivals and events. They’re joined by coffee lovers, coffee growers, coffee roasters, coffee shops, and cafes all around the world.

You’ll find professionals like baristas, coffee roasters, and coffee farmers sharing their knowledge and expertise. They’ll host tastings and coffee-making competitions, and promote coffee-related causes. People everywhere will be trying new brews and methods, and visiting cafes that offer exotic blends.

Be a part of it. Join in, and you’ll give your business a real energy spike….

It’s time to scare up a crowd. Bring on the black cats and the broomsticks.

This fright-fest is purely for laughs, and for dressing up as anything spooky or silly. It’s a fun excuse for Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins and spiderwebs as décor, horror-themed parties, and scary shopping. It’s not just a family and neighbourhood thing, it’s also a great excuse for office parties.

If you’re in retail, you can have just as much fun selling treats and tricks, party costuming, spooky books, toys, games and accessory items.

Spend your advertising budget on promoting on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram end of September/early October….

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

As many brands develop more of a social conscience, customers now feel more loyalty to the brands that care.
Your business can use the theme of kindness to promote products that are:
Kind to people – think fair trade and local employment and upliftment initiatives, and shelters for vulnerable people
Kind to animals – plant-based and cruelty-free products and products or brands that support animal welfare, wildlife and nature conservation.
Kind to the environment – earth-friendly ingredients and packaging, recyclable or compostable materials.
Your customers will love you….

Black Friday is huge – and it gets bigger every year, although the pandemic cramped its style in stores and malls for a while. But now the crowds are back, and Black Friday’s one of the craziest shopping days of the year, as you know.

You can use it or put your own spin on it. Regardless of what your business is, build your funnel and start a month before the time with promotion on social media channels. As you get closer to the day, include search and Google Shopping in your ad spend.

And get ready for the rush….

Human rights are a big deal. They’re a fundamental issue, one that’s been getting more attention in recent years. Our rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, to freedom of expression, the right to work and education, and more.

Some countries’ citizens enjoy well-protected human rights. Millions of others suffer human rights violations daily.
Want to get attention and awareness? You could begin with a conversation on this topic and show your support for a specific cause.
Does your brand or product stand for something related to human rights? If so, use this day to promote your business by highlighting a cause, from fair trade products, girls’ education, healthcare to freedom of expression, clean water and homelessness.
Keep an open mind – and be ready for polarising responses. Your cause may not appeal to some customers, but you could gain popularity with many others….

Ho-Ho-Holiday time! Have you been naughty or nice?

Many of your customers celebrate the end of the year with Christmas, and its carols, lights, and Santas. Some celebrate Hannukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. And just about everyone takes time to rest. They relax. They party. They get into the holiday spirit.

It’s a time to make your customers feel special, especially when for so many people, it’s an emotional, often stressful time.

How to stand out?

Craft some considered messages, ones that touch people. Go beyond just saying: “Do your shopping here, now!”

Smart tip: Customers LOVE affordable stocking fillers. If you sell any gifts under R150, make sure you push this in your search term and Google Shopping marketing efforts.

For gifts over R500, advertise on social media – and be quick! Start no later than November, then in December, put more focus on Search ads.

And whatever the time of year, be a kind human being, and a caring business owner. People are the bedrock of your business. Let’s look out for each other in the New Year….