5 Content Marketing Ideas for August 2024

Content marketers looking for article or video ideas for August 2024 can honor the National Basketball Association and Alfred Hitchcock, or celebrate parents, partygoers, and challenge seekers.

Content marketing is the creation, publishing, and promotion of content to attract, engage, and retain customers. It works because articles, videos, or podcasts are a low-risk way for shoppers to connect with a business and, in turn, create a sense of reciprocity that drives them to make a purchase.

The only problem is that marketers need a constant stream of topics. Luckily, here are five content marketing ideas your business can use in August 2024.

NBA turns 75

In August 2024, the NBA will celebrate its 75th anniversary.

The National Basketball Association turns 75 on August 3, 2024, creating an opportunity for content marketers to connect one of America’s most popular sports to their brands and products.

Basketball was invented in 1891 at Springfield College in Massachusetts and quickly became so popular that two rival leagues emerged in 1946: the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America.

After a few teams — including the predecessor to the Lakers — left the NBL for the BAA in 1948, merger talks began. The result was the NBA, launched in August 1949 by combining the 17 teams from the two leagues.

Content marketers at ecommerce stores, brick-and-mortar retailers, and direct-to-consumer brands might write about the history of the NBA, basketball as a sport, or basketball culture.

For example, DTC brand TruHeight makes nutritional gummies and capsules, protein shakes, sleep aids and other products aimed at healthy growth and development in teens and children. The brand could expand its mission by publishing a series of articles on the fitness benefits of basketball.

Happy Birthday, Alfred Hitchcock

Master director Alfred Hitchcock was born in August 1899.

Born on August 13, 1899 in London, England, Alfred Hitchcock would become one of the film industry’s most celebrated directors. The ‘Master of Suspense’ was best known for ‘Rear Window’ (1954), ‘Vertigo’ (1958) and ‘Psycho’ (1960).

Celebrating Hitchcock’s birthday through content marketing could help stores with products related to the film or entertainment industry. But other online retailers could benefit as well.

A clothing brand could focus on fashion in Hitchcock’s films. A home decor store could discuss their set designs, and a pet store could offer a modern critique of “The Birds” (1963).

Parent-oriented Back to school

How about a back-to-school sale for parents?

The back-to-school shopping season is one of the biggest holidays in retail. Parents buy everything from pencils and pants to computers and cars for their preschool to college-aged students.

Unfortunately for retailers, most of those purchases will be at a discount. According to the National Retail Federation, about 68% of back-to-school shoppers will buy discounted items in 2024.

An alternative approach might be to target “back to school” content at parents. Here are some sample article titles.

• Sports shop: “Fitness routines for parents with school-age children”
• Retail sales organizers: “25 Tips for Decluttering While the Kids are in School”
• Kitchen gadget store: “Meal Prep Tips for Busy Parents”

Labor Day Planning Guides

Williams-Sonoma uses recipes to promote Labor Day.

Content marketing is especially effective when it is helpful or useful. A company builds connections with shoppers when it helps them learn a skill or overcome a problem.

Labor Day 2024 falls on Monday, September 2. Many consumers enjoy the long weekend by camping, taking a road trip or hosting a party.

Marketers can provide useful content that enhances, simplifies, or organizes these experiences while connecting with products for sale.

For example, Williams-Sonoma published a recipe set called “A Labor Day Cookout to Remember.” The recipes describe a three-course meal with bruschetta, grilled chicken, and blueberry-lavender cheesecake for dessert.

Most individual recipes recommend William-Sonoma products such as a food thermometer for grilling and a set of stackable bowls.

Issue a challenge

Take a play out of the fitness industry’s book and issue a challenge this August.

In 2019, entrepreneur and podcaster Andy Frisella challenged his audience to participate in a “transformative mental toughness program” called the “Hard 75 Challenge.”

For 75 days, participants adhere to a set of rules with no exceptions or compromises. This includes a daily regimen of two 45-minute workouts, a strict diet, drinking a gallon of water and reading at least 10 pages of a motivational book.

In August 2024, content marketers can borrow Frisella’s idea and challenge customers on topics related to companies’ products or services. Here are some sample challenges.

• Sustainable living for retailers who sell recycled products or environmentally friendly items.
• Metamorphosis of the backyard for stores focused on plants, garden items, power tools and garden furniture.
• Healthy cooking for stores that offer kitchen appliances or food box subscriptions.

The challenges can also be competitions, with participants posting on social media for extra visibility.