Need some inspiration for May? Here are 40+ May Social media ideas, holidays & post ideas for content marketing. 

Tips for planning your May 2023 content marketing strategy.

May is the perfect time for a brand review. Assess the effectiveness and perception of your brand. By conducting a brand review, you can gain insights into how well your brand is performing and make informed decisions to strengthen and improve it.

Review visual identity - examine your brand's visual elements, such as your logo, color palette, typography, and imagery. 

Evaluate your brand messaging and positioning including brand consistency across platforms

Asses brand experience - website, social media presence, customer service, packaging, and any other touchpoints where customers interact with your brand.

Feedback. gather feedback from your customers, employees, and stakeholders to gain external perspectives on your brand. Conduct surveys, interviews, or focus groups to understand how people perceive your brand and identify any areas for improvement.

Develop an action plan to address any gaps or opportunities based on the insights from the brand review. 

May Blog Topics & Categories

Here are a few of the most popular May blog post categories and topics to write about:

• Mother's Day
• Memorial Day
• Spring and Outdoor Activities
• Graduation Season

Use these topics to inspire May social media ideas.

Choose a May Content Theme

Simplify your marketing with a monthly theme strategy. By focusing on one theme per month, you can streamline your content creation process and easily plan your editorial calendar. Use this theme to generate May social media ideas as well as blog posts and video content.

Themes bring cohesion to your content by allowing you to create related posts, images, and other assets in batches. This not only saves you time but also ensures consistent branding throughout your materials. With a monthly theme in place, you can take advantage of templates and maintain a cohesive visual identity.

Furthermore, a theme helps build brand recognition and generates anticipation among your audience. By centering your posts and emails around the theme and its related aspects, you can engage your readers and create a sense of excitement.

A content theme for May can revolve around "Spring Renewal and Growth." This theme aligns with the changing season, the blossoming of nature, and the renewed energy that comes with the arrival of spring. Here are some content ideas for this theme:

1. "Fresh Start" Series: Create a series of blog posts or videos that provide tips and strategies for personal or professional growth. Cover topics such as goal setting, self-improvement, productivity, and positive mindset.

2. Outdoor Activities and Adventure: Highlight outdoor activities, travel destinations, and adventure ideas that are popular during the spring season. Share tips, itineraries, and recommendations for hiking, camping, cycling, or exploring nature.

3. Spring Cleaning and Organization: Tap into the tradition of spring cleaning and offer practical advice, hacks, and checklists to help your audience declutter and organize their homes, offices, or digital spaces. Provide guidance on cleaning routines, storage solutions, and minimalist living.

4. Health and Wellness: Promote physical and mental well-being by sharing content on fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and self-care. Offer workout routines, healthy recipes, meditation techniques, and stress management tips that can help individuals feel rejuvenated and energized.

5. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Living: Focus on eco-conscious living and sustainable practices. Educate your audience on ways to reduce waste, conserve energy, shop responsibly, or support environmentally friendly initiatives. Highlight brands or products that prioritize sustainability.

Adapt the content theme to your specific niche, target audience, and brand values. Consistency in delivering content around the theme will help create a cohesive and engaging experience for your audience throughout the month of May.

Use May Hashtags

• #HelloMay
• #MayVibes
• #MayInspiration
• #MayGoals
• #MayMemories
• #MayMagic
• #MayAdventures
• #MayMood
• #MaySunshine
• #MayFlowers

Save time and effort with a a social media scheduling tool like Later. Make your business easier by scheduling your May social media ideas.

Here are 10 hashtags to use in May

• #cincodemayo
• #happygraduation
• #happymothersday
• #memorialday
• #mentalhealth
• #nationalbbqday
• #schoolsout
• #summervacation
• #teacherappreciation
• #hellospring
• #womenshealthweek

Use these hashtags to come up with May social media ideas.

Celebrate May Holidays

Use holidays to create sales or celebrate with your followers. 

For May pay tribute to mothers and motherhood by creating content that celebrates their love, sacrifices, and contributions. Feature gift guides, heartfelt stories, DIY ideas, or interviews with inspiring mothers. Create a Mother’s Day sale and offer a discount. This can be a 24-48 hour flash sale, a week long sale or even longer. 

You can also celebrate Mother’s Day with user generated content (UGC) by asking your clients to post pics of their Mother’s Day celebrations. 

For more Mothers Day Ideas and inspiration check out Canva.

BONUS TIP: Sale exclusives. You can make sales exclusive by only offering to previous clients, only offering to email subscribers or only offering it on a social media platform for example TikTok. 

You can also build campaigns around holidays. 

You can create a month long campaign with a May long holiday. A monthly long campaign can consists of 30 days of Mental Health Awareness. Use your content platform to raise awareness about mental health issues, share resources, and promote self-care practices. Collaborate with mental health professionals or organizations to provide valuable insights and support. You can send weekly email reminder, or even host an event.

Create week long campaign with a week holiday - Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12). For May find a relevant week long holiday to share with your audience. This is a great opportunity to offer a free download in your email and/or social media. You can do a survey around the topic as it relates to your business. 

And don’t forget to use daily holidays as well. Daily holidays are great to wish your followers a happy holiday or to show behind the scenes how you celebrate it. 

• Share recipes for favorite dishes served on Mother’s Day
• Give tips on how to decorate for Mother’s Day
• Offer advice on entertaining during Mother’s Day
• Share photos of employees or customers celebrating Mother’s Day
• Run a contest related to Mother’s Day
• Offer a discount on products or services related to Mother’s Day 

Holidays are an easy way to share May social media ideas.

Save Time and Effort in May with Content Marketing Templates

Using templates is a game-changer! They not only save you time but also ensure consistent branding, making your brand easily recognizable. So, here's what you can do: create templates for your social media posts, blog articles, and emails. Canva is a fantastic tool that simplifies the process of creating and using templates.

For May, I'll create a template that aligns with my chosen theme or the specific product I'm promoting that month. Thanks to the 2023 Business Planner, I've already planned out all my promotions, themes, and campaigns for the entire year. It's a handy tool to keep everything organized!

By utilizing templates, you'll have a consistent look and feel across your July social media post ideas and all your content, saving you time and effort while maintaining a strong brand presence.

Maximize Your Output: Leverage Batch Creation for May’s Content Strategy

Don't get caught up in the cycle of creating content one piece at a time. Batching is the way to go! It's not only more efficient and productive but also helps maintain consistency, frequency, and cohesiveness in your content. Let me share my process with you.

I dedicate two days to content creation. On the first day, I focus on writing the posts, while the second day is dedicated to creating graphics for my blog and social media, as well as scheduling everything. If you're curious about my detailed process, you can read Work that Marketing Plan.

Even if you can't plan months in advance, aim to be at least 15 days ahead. Start batch creating for May at least two weeks in advance. Avoid the last-minute rush by not waiting until May 1st to start creating. A handy tool like Canva can help you efficiently create your graphics in batches.

And don't forget the power of the 2023 Business Planner! It's a valuable resource that allows you to map out your entire year, ensuring you're well-prepared for each month's content creation.

By embracing batching and utilizing these strategies, you'll streamline your content creation process and stay ahead of the game.

Read more about my blogging schedule and how to consistently create content even when you don't want to.

May Blog Post Ideas 

Plan a series of four engaging blog posts, released weekly, that align with your chosen theme for the month of May. These blog posts should be tailored to resonate with your target audience and be suitable for inclusion in your weekly newsletter.

Here are 3 Exciting Blog Ideas for May

Exploring Outdoor Activities: Embrace the May Sunshine:

Highlight outdoor activities that are perfect for the month of May, such as hiking, gardening, or picnics.

• Share tips and suggestions for planning outdoor adventures, including recommended gear or local destinations.
• Provide insights on the benefits of spending time in nature for mental and physical well-being.
• Share personal experiences or stories related to outdoor activities in May.
• Include vibrant images of outdoor scenes to enhance the visual appeal of the blog post.

Spring Cleaning Your Content: Refresh and Revitalize

• Discuss the concept of "spring cleaning" in relation to content creation.
• Provide practical tips for decluttering and organizing digital files, such as updating old blog posts, deleting irrelevant content, or reevaluating content strategy.
• Offer guidance on refreshing branding elements, such as updating website design or social media profiles.
• Share insights on the importance of content audits and how they can improve the effectiveness of your content.
• Include before-and-after examples or case studies to illustrate the impact of content spring cleaning.

Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month: Let's Talk About It

• Acknowledge May as Mental Health Awareness Month and the significance of addressing mental well-being.
• Share personal stories or experiences related to mental health challenges and overcoming obstacles.
• Provide resources and strategies for maintaining mental well-being, such as self-care practices, mindfulness exercises, or seeking professional help.
• Highlight the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting open conversations.
• Collaborate with mental health experts or advocates for guest contributions or interviews to provide expert insights.

To enhance your blog series, create a valuable opt-in content upgrade that complements your niche and the theme of your blog posts. Consider using Canva to design a useful checklist, informative e-book, or other valuable resource that your readers can access for free when they subscribe to your email list.

In addition to providing valuable content, explore potential affiliate opportunities that align with the topics covered in your May blog post series. This allows you to monetize your blog, newsletter, and social media channels by partnering with relevant brands or products. Choose affiliates that align with your audience's interests and needs, ensuring a seamless integration of affiliate promotions within your content.

By implementing these strategies, you can create engaging blog content, attract new subscribers through your opt-in content upgrade, and generate additional revenue through well-aligned affiliate partnerships.

14 Engaging Email Newsletter Ideas for May

In addition to sharing your May blog posts with your email subscribers you can also reach out with holiday sales. 

Spring into Inspiration

• Discuss the fresh energy and inspiration that comes with springtime.
• Share uplifting quotes or stories to motivate your subscribers.
• Provide tips and ideas to help them tap into their creativity during this rejuvenating season.
• Highlight any upcoming projects or collaborations you have planned for the spring.

Summer Prep

• Prepare your audience for the upcoming summer season.
• Share tips on staying productive and motivated during the summer months.
• Recommend summer-themed books, podcasts, or movies for inspiration.
• Suggest outdoor activities or hobbies that align with their content creation goals.
• Offer exclusive summer discounts or promotions for your products or services.

May Favorites

• Curate a list of your favorite content, tools, or resources from the month of May.
• Include books, articles, podcasts, or videos that have inspired you.
• Share updates on recent projects or collaborations you've been involved in.
• Highlight any exciting industry trends or events taking place in May.
• Encourage subscribers to share their own favorite discoveries or recommendations.

Use your email as a two way communication. Share what you are working on and solicit feedback. 

Make the Most out of Videos in May

Video marketing is becoming increasingly important on social media platforms. It's high time you seize the opportunity and make video content the cornerstone of your content marketing strategy. Don't shy away from getting in front of the camera and creating engaging videos that captivate your audience.

With the growing emphasis on video, platforms are providing extra support and exposure for video content. By incorporating videos into your content strategy, you can leverage this trend to boost your reach and engagement. Whether it's sharing valuable insights, demonstrating your products, or connecting with your audience on a personal level, videos have the power to leave a lasting impact.

Embracing video marketing allows you to showcase your brand's personality, establish authenticity, and connect with your audience on a deeper level. So, don't miss out on this opportunity to leverage the power of videos and elevate your content marketing efforts. Start brainstorming ideas, plan your video content, and take your online presence to new heights.

Here are 5 video marketing ideas:

Latest Challenge Videos: Create a video where you share your experience and results from the latest challenge you participated in. Discuss the process, share tips and tricks, and highlight any lessons learned along the way. This will not only engage your audience but also inspire and motivate them to take on their own challenges.

Product Review Videos: Choose a product or service relevant to your niche and create a video review. Share your honest opinion, showcase its features and benefits, and provide valuable insights to help your audience make informed decisions. Whether it's a book, a gadget, or a software tool, your review can help your viewers make smart choices.

Do's and Don'ts Videos: Create a video that offers practical advice and guidance on a specific topic related to your niche. Share the do's and don'ts, best practices, and common mistakes to avoid. This type of video can be highly informative and provide actionable tips for your viewers to implement in their own lives or businesses.

Tutorial Videos: Share your expertise by creating a tutorial video that teaches your audience a specific skill or guides them through a process. Whether it's a cooking recipe, a DIY project, or a professional skill, your tutorial can provide step-by-step instructions, demonstrations, and helpful tips to empower your viewers.

Testimonial Videos: Gather testimonials from satisfied customers or clients and create a video compilation showcasing their positive experiences with your product or service. This social proof can build trust and credibility for your brand, helping potential customers make the decision to choose your offerings. Feature their stories, feedback, and the positive impact your product or service has had on their lives or businesses.

You can create a series of short videos (15-30 seconds) around your theme for May

You can do quick lives showing you celebrating and participating in May holidays. 

Do a quick sales video of your promotion for the month or demonstrating your product. 

May is a fantastic month to elevate your content marketing strategy and engage your audience with captivating posts, social media campaigns and email. To make the most of this month, consider incorporating the May social media holidays and post ideas to spark creativity and provide valuable content to your followers.

As you plan your May content marketing strategy, keep in mind the importance of organization and preparation. The Quarter 2 Success Kit – 90 Day Marketing Planner is a valuable resource that can guide you in mapping out your content calendar, ensuring that you stay on track and deliver consistent and impactful content throughout the month.

Consistency and planning are key. Take the time to schedule your content in advance, utilizing tools and platforms that make it easy to automate and track your posts. This will help you maintain a consistent presence and free up time for other important aspects of your business.

So, don't miss out on the opportunity to make the most of May. Take advantage of the May Social Media holidays, email, video and post ideas, and let the Quarter 2  – 90 Day Marketing Planner be your guide to a successful and engaging content marketing strategy.

Ready to elevate your content game in May? Get your 2nd Quarter  Success Kit – 90 Day Marketing Planner now and start planning with confidence!