TikTok's 2023 marketing calendar for SMEs (part 1)

To help businesses overcome this challenge, ECOMDY has created a 2023 Marketing Calendar designed to assist in navigating marketing plans and identifying the appropriate moments to engage with audiences on TikTok.

Part 2: TikTok's 2023 Marketing Calendar for SMEs

How to use TikTok's 2023 marketing calendar

Ecomdy suggests a three-step procedure for utilizing this marketing calendar in order to attain optimal effectiveness.

Step 1: Choose up to three major holidays that are most relevant to your brand. For instance, if you sell jewelry, Mother's Day may be a suitable event to focus on. Similarly, if you operate a custom stationery business, targeting the back-to-school season could be a good fit.

Step 2: Plan a few months ahead. By determining in advance the dates to focus on, you can be better equipped to create a successful marketing strategy.

Step 3: Launch your campaign early. A recommended best practice is to start a major holiday initiative up to two months before the actual date. This allows for ample time to capture users' attention and create momentum before prompting them to take action.

Marketing calendar for SMEs for the first quarter

January 22: Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year is now celebrated globally, and advises brands to understand how the holiday aligns with their values and history before joining in the celebration. It suggests looking for opportunities to show how the brand can assist its customers during the season of new beginnings and fresh starts.

Recommended products: Traditional clothes, Red lanterns, Red envelopes, Door couplets, Home decors & furniture,...

February: Black History Month

Although it is essential to support Black-owned businesses throughout the year, February is a month devoted to honoring Black accomplishments and amplifying Black voices, which includes Black-owned businesses. The United States has approximately 134,567 Black- or African American-owned businesses with a total annual revenue of $141.1 billion. This month is an excellent opportunity to share the backstory and motivation behind your Black-owned business or showcase others that have inspired you. Additionally, it is a great time to collaborate with Black creators and communicate your business story through their distinct voice and creativity.

Recommended products: books by black authors, art or decor from black artists, beauty/wellness products from black-owned companies.

February 14: Valentine’s Day

If your brand offers a gift-worthy product or service, Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion for you. This day is all about expressing gratitude to those you love, including partners, friends, parents, and even pets. Therefore, Valentine's Day provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your appreciation for your customers through innovative promotions, discounts, and heartfelt messages.

Recommended products: Valentine’s Day Care Package, Explosion Gift Box, Rose Flower Bear, Valentine’s Day Inflatables, etc.

March: Summer Travel Planning

In the United States and Canada, March marks the beginning of planning for the summer vacation season, with April being the peak booking period. For small businesses such as boutique hotels and travel-related product or service providers, this is an ideal opportunity to concentrate on campaigns to increase awareness and offer early bird deals. This strategy can help to convert customers as they begin planning their summer vacations.

Recommended products: Bikini, Beach Cover-up, Beach Dress, Straw Hat, Baseball Cap, Sandals, Beach Bag, Packing Cubes, etc.

March 8: International Women’s Day

TikTok is becoming a powerful tool for women globally to expand their businesses and create communities, resulting in a significant impact. A vast majority of female users, approximately 85%, are exposed to content on TikTok that resonates with them. To demonstrate support for women's initiatives and causes, it is recommended to highlight products and services customized for women.

Recommended products: jewelry or accessories from women-owned businesses, beauty/wellness products from female-founded brands, or other items that benefit women.

Mid-March: Travel Season Kickoff

From spring break in April to the peak booking period in March, travelers worldwide are preparing for the summer season. As a small business owner, this is an opportune time to increase your customer base and enhance brand recognition. This season targets students, families, and all types of travelers through promotions and awareness campaigns. To simplify the planning process, offer early bird deals for boutique hotels, experiences, and other travel-related products and services.

Recommended products: luggage, portable chargers, travel adaptors, neck pillows, headphones, and other must-have items for trips.

Marketing calendar for SMEs for the second quarter

March 22 - April 20: Ramadan

Ramadan is a significant month for the 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, as it signifies a period of fasting, prayer, contemplation, and togetherness. During this month, it is recommended to concentrate your campaign efforts on these concepts by demonstrating support for the community and prioritizing assistance over profit.

Recommended products: traditional clothing, prayer rugs, religious jewelry, etc.

April 22: Earth Day

Earth Day, initially observed in 1970 to increase awareness of environmental concerns, is a global event where individuals unite to safeguard our planet from pollution and deforestation. When planning campaigns for this event, emphasize your sustainable products and business practices.

Recommended products: Reusable Coffee Pods, Reusable Produce Bags, Reusable Storage Bags, Beeswax Wraps, Reusable Makeup Wipes, Reusable Diapers

Tips to showcase eco-friendly business on Earth Day

May: Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the countless ways Asian and Pacific Islanders have contributed to North America. When planning campaigns for this occasion, prioritize building connections, supporting one another, and sharing business experiences to engage with the AAPI business community and expand your business's reach.

Recommended products: Traditional clothing, decor, art, jewelry, accessories, foods, beauty products, and other items from specific countries or regions.

May 14: Mother’s Day

Although Mother's Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating moms, it may be beneficial to focus campaigns on family members who will be purchasing gifts, such as children and spouses. Instead of solely emphasizing sales, consider expressing appreciation to your hardworking mom customers through your own Mother's Day post.

Recommended products: Floral arrangements, scented lotions or candles, jewelry, gourmet food baskets, personalized keepsakes, etc.

See more: Top 5 dropshipping products for Mother’s Day 2023

June: Pride Month

June is an ideal time for your brand to demonstrate support for the LGBT community. Pride campaigns offer various opportunities, such as creating a unique rainbow flag-colored product, contributing funds to an LGBTQIA+ charity, or publicly expressing support for queer individuals' rights. These initiatives allow your brand to communicate its values and connect with consumers.

Recommended products: Pride flags, clothing and accessories in pride colors, jewelry with pride symbols, art and decor featuring notable LGBTQ figures, and other items with pride themes, etc.

June 18: Father’s Day

Although Father's Day may not garner as much attention as Mother's Day, it is still a significant shopping event. In recent years, the anticipated per-person expenditure on Father's Day has consistently increased, as reported by the National Retail Federation. Therefore, it is recommended not to overlook this occasion when planning marketing campaigns.

Recommended products: Electronic accessories, shaving and grooming products, barbeque tools and grilling gear, wallet or watch, fitness accessories, etc.

Conclusion

By understanding the significance of timing in marketing, ECOMDY has created a comprehensive guide that helps SMEs identify the right moments to connect with their audience. The calendar provides a month-by-month breakdown of major holidays and events, offering recommendations for products and services that align with each occasion.

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