What should financial marketers blog about this month? Our monthly roundup has you covered with timely topics for blog posts, social media campaigns, and other marketing ideas.
Want to look further ahead? Download our Financial Content Planning Calendar to stay up-to-date all year long.
Topic #1: GICS Gets With the Times
#GICS #Sectors #SectorInvesting
The Angle
- Calling all sector experts: The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) is making a major change this fall.
- At close-of-business on September 28th, the Telecommunications Services Sector will be renamed “Communications Sector” and expanded to include “companies that facilitate communication and offer related content and information through various media.”
- In addition to the current telecom companies, several companies from the Consumer Discretionary Group (e.g., Netflix) and the Information Technology Group (e.g., Alphabet) will be reclassified as Communications Services to bring the sector in line with how people communicate and consume entertainment in this day and age.
- As the changes become imminent, sector investors will be looking for tips on how to position their portfolios, as well as insights into this evolution and future/potential GICS changes that may be in the cards.
Blog Inspiration
A New GICS Sector is on Its Way (SPDR Blog)
Topic #2: The Fed Meets Again
#Fed #FOMC
The Angle
- The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets September 25-26, 2018, giving financial marketers an opportunity to talk to their audiences about the potential repercussions of projected interest rate changes.
- The Fed raised rates in March and June, pushing the federal funds rate to 2 percent, but left it alone at their July 31-Aug 1 meeting. The minutes from that meeting indicated a likely increase in September due to a strong economy, but also revealed concerns about the impact of escalating trade wars.
Blog Inspiration
Fed Minutes Signal Rate Hike Likely at September Meeting (Washington Post)
Topic #3: September Swoon?
#markets #invest
The Angle
- September has historically been a downer for markets, as illustrated by the Dow and S&P 500 falling an average of 0.8 and 0.5 percent, respectively, since 1950.
- The fall freefall is often attributed to seasonality, with investors returning from vacation, ramping up activity and subsequently boosting volatility.
- This year, markets have a few extra challenges to contend with, including mounting political scandals, an ongoing trade war and a likely September rate hike when the Fed meets at the end of the month.
Blog Inspiration
Stock Market Likely to Undergo Vigorous Stress Test in September (MarketWatch)
Topic #4: Back to (Financial) School
#ReadABookDay
The Angle
- What do you get when you combine the first day of school (August/September) and Read a Book Day (Thursday, September 6th)? A great month to share some lighter content on financial education themes – particularly aimed at school-aged kids.
- Tap your thought leaders and other blog contributors to find out what financial-themed books they’ve recommended to their own children, from elementary school to college-bound.
- Remember to tag the authors you’ve highlighted when promoting the blog on Twitter – you may get a retweet!
Blog Inspiration
30 Resources to Teach Kids Financial Literacy (A Mighty Girl)
Topic #5: Q4 Prep
#CharitableGiving #TaxLossHarvest
The Angle
- 2018 will be done and dusted before we know it. Are your readers’ finances prepared?
- Help your audience get ahead of the game with a checklist full of year-end tasks (e.g., tax loss harvesting; charitable contributions) and deadlines (e.g., Roth IRA conversions by October 15th).
Blog Inspiration
7 Things to Put on Your Year-End Financial Checklist (The Balance)
LOOK AHEAD: OCTOBER TOPICS
- Financial Planning Month
- Earnings Season
- World Bank/IMF Annual Meeting
What are you blogging about this month? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section!
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