5 Content Marketing Ideas for November 2015

National holidays, a James Bond movie, creative writing, and cancer prevention might all be topics for your content marketing this November.

Content marketing seeks to attract, engage, and retain customers by creating, publishing, and distributing helpful, informational, or entertaining content. Content marketing works because shoppers will seek out your business and its message rather than you having to hunt them down.

One of the challenges with content marketing is knowing what to write about or make videos about. So here are five content marketing ideas for November 2015.

1. Thanksgiving: Nov. 26, 2015

Thanksgiving Day is one of America’s most celebrated and most appreciated national holidays.

The annual feast has deep historical roots. It brings families and friends together. And, in more recent years, it marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. In fact, Black Friday and Cyber Monday now begin, essentially, on Thanksgiving Day for many retailers and shoppers.

Your November content marketing could cover Thanksgiving in a few different ways, including educating your audience about the holiday’s history, offering helpful articles and videos about the celebration, or focusing directly on shopping.

If you publish content around the historic Thanksgiving, your audience may be parents, teachers, or others seeking to understand the holiday’s origins. Your content should inform and engage. Here are potential headlines.

• “10 Amazing Thanksgiving Facts”
• “Meet the 5 People Most Responsible for Thanksgiving”
• “Top 21 Thanksgiving Day Myths Debunked”

Your historical content might be published as an article or a video. If you need inspiration for the latter, consider the History Channel’s “Bet You Didn’t Know: Thanksgiving” video available on the company’s website or on YouTube.

November’s content might also focus on the Thanksgiving celebration, providing party ideas, meal recipes, or suggestions for family activities. Here are a few example headlines.

• A craft retailer might publish “20 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids.”
• A store selling kitchen supplies might write about “Cooking the Best Turkey Dinner Ever.”
• An online sporting goods merchant could post “Organize the Perfect Thanksgiving Day Family Football Game.”

A third Thanksgiving content angle may be to focus on Thanksgiving as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Consider these ideas.

• “Finish Your Thanksgiving Day Shopping in 10 Minutes”
• “10 Reasons to Start Christmas Shopping Early”
• “Use Thanksgiving Conversations to Discover the Best Christmas Gift Ideas”

2. ‘Spectre’ Release: Nov. 6, 2015

James Bond is, perhaps, one of the most recognizable fictional characters. The imaginary British Secret Intelligence Service agent first appeared in the 1953 novel Casino Royale. Since then, the character has been in dozens of books and movies.

The latest Bond film, Spectre, opens on Nov. 6, and features Daniel Craig in the title role.

Spectre starring Daniel Craig opens on Nov. 6.

The movie and its literary heritage may present a few content opportunities for savvy marketers. Here are some example article or video titles for your James Bond-influenced content.

• Apparel retailer: “How to Dress Like a Super Spy.”
• Apparel retailer: “10 Fashion Finds from 50 Years of James Bond Films.”
• Electronics retailer: “21 Gadgets that Would Make James Bond Jealous.”
• Auto accessory retailer: “Custom Car Secrets from James Bond’s Best Rides.”
• Bar supply retailer: “How to Make James Bond’s Martini in Five Easy Steps.”

3. Veterans Day: Nov. 11, 2015

America’s Veterans Day has a long and interesting history dating back to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when, in 1918, the allied forces signed a peace treaty with Germany, ending the Great War — World War I.

Veterans Day is an opportunity to thank those who have served.

The following November, the United States celebrated Armistice Day, honoring World War I veterans and commemorating the war’s end.

In 1938, the holiday’s name changed and the holiday itself shifted from a remembrance on the end of World War I to a more general embrace of those individuals who had served or who were serving in the United State’s armed services.

For content marketers, Veterans Day is opportunity to genuinely thank the men and women of the armed services. Consider publishing content that expresses this sentiment.

4. National Novel Writing Month

In its tenth year, National Novel Writing Month challenges creative-minded folks to write a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. The month-long event, which is known to many as NaNoWriMo, had nearly 400,000 participants last year.

Would be authors can register and track their progress on the NaNoWriMo website.

National Novel Writing Month may be an opportunity to engage as many as 400,000 would-be authors.

For your content marketing, consider offering resources or contests that help or inspire NaNoWriMo writers.

As an example, an online retailer of power tools might offer a $100 gift card to the first ten NaNoWriMo authors that complete the challenge and include the retailer’s company in the plot.

In a similar way, an arts and crafts retailer might publish a list of crafty novel titles and plot suggestions. A work like “I Knit So No One Has to Die” could be a horror masterpiece.

Bottom line, have fun encouraging NaNoWriMo participants.

5. No Shave November

No Shave November is a not-for-profit organization seeking to raise funds to “support cancer prevention, research, and education.”

No Shave November raises money to prevent cancer.

Content marketers can produce articles, graphics, and videos about not shaving or about the fight against cancer. As is always the goal with content marketing, these materials should engage potential customers and demonstrate that your store is part of the community.

Consider posting about store employees who are taking part in No Shave November, including encouraging your audience to make donations to cancer research.

You might post how-to tips related to grooming or growing a beard when it makes sense for your products or industry.