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October Content Ideas

October Social Media Ideas for Functional Medicine

content strategy email marketing social media marketing

Ready to check off social media & email content creation from your October to-do's?

If you're a naturopathic doctor, functional medicine practitioner, nutritionist, or other health professional, content is essential for building your brand and educating your future clients about your unique approach. 

Content creation can also be overwhelming. 

To cut through the overwhelm, this article walks you step-by-step through the process of October content planning. Use it as a complete guide to map out and create your nurture content for October. If you want to have naturopathic and functional medicine content done for you instead, be sure to check out Nurture Unleashed. It's the ultimate content subscription for health & wellness practitioners. 

Now open a new tab, and let's get started!

 

Drafting Your October Content Calendar

Before jumping into writing social media captions and email newsletters for October, the first step is to pull up the calendar and plug in the most important events and promotions you want to be sure not to miss this month. 

If you skip this step, you could end up wasting time creating content you'll never use and then scrambling at the last minute to create content around the more important and urgent events. 

Use this list to be sure to schedule content with the highest priority first. 

Speaking Engagements

Will you be interviewed for any podcasts or speak on any stages that you'll want to share during October? Pencil in the dates these recordings will be released and whether you'll want to share them in your email newsletter, in a single email, or on social media. 

  • Podcast Interviews
  • Guest Speaking

Collaborations & Affiliate Promotions

Do you have any friends, colleagues, partners, or affiliates who will be running promotions during the month of October that you want to share? Schedule the dates you plan to share partnership promotions through emails or social media. 

  • Online Summits
  • Affiliate Promotions
  • Support for Colleagues & Friends

New Offers or Promotions

Will you be launching any new online offers (such as a course or group program) or new in-office services (such as a novel therapy) during the month of October? Will you have any changes to announce, such as bringing a new practitioner into your clinic? Schedule important offers and promotions to share through emails and social media.  

  • Online Course
  • Group Program
  • Membership
  • In-Office Service
  • Updates & Announcements

Lead-Generating Content

Think about what offers and services you want to attract new clients to during October and into the fall months. Do you have content in place to attract these leads? List out the lead-generating content you want to share during the month of October to fill your pipeline with ideal potential clients. 

  • Free Lead Magnets
  • Free Challenge
  • Free Webinar

Now that you have the most important items penciled into your content calendar, we can move on!

 

Defining Your October CTAs

CTAs (call-to-actions) are the actions you invite people to take after consuming your content. CTAs can directly ask readers to purchase an offer, or they can gently ask them to take the next step in learning more about you or from you. CTAs on social media posts are typically different than those in emails. 

Social Media CTAs

Social media CTAs can encourage people to engage with your post, to connect with you through messaging, to sign up for something free, or to go to your website or a booking link. 

Engagement CTAs help improve your reach on social media These CTAs ask for follows, likes, comments, shares, and tags. For example: 

  • Like if you found this helpful ❤️
  • Comment with your biggest takeaway ⤵️
  • Save this post for later 📌

Connection CTAs invite people to send you a message so you can continue the conversation there. For example:

  • Message me "ready" to learn more!
  • Message me "Yes Please" and I'll send you a free resource.

Lead Generation CTAs invite people to download a free resource or sign up for a free challenge or webinar. For example:

  • Get the freebie from the link in our bio 🔗
  • Register for the webinar through the link in our bio!

Email CTAs

Email CTAs are a great way to invite your subscribers to book a call, book a consultation, or sign up for a mini program. Emails are also a great place to promote a free webinar. For example:

  • Book a free discovery call.
  • Register for the free webinar. 
  • Join our membership. 

The content you share on social media and in email newsletters will be helpful and educational, but it should also inspire and empower people to take the next step in working with you. That's why it's critical that you get clear on what CTAs you want to use along with your nurture content during the month of October.

Now is also a great time to double check that the links you have from your social media profiles still direct to the places you want people to go!

 

Choosing a Functional Medicine Content Theme

Having a functional medicine topic to center your social media and email newsletter content around for the month of October makes it easier for you to create AND easier for your audience to consume. When you follow a theme, your followers start to look forward to your upcoming posts and don't get overwhelmed or confused by too many different messages. 

There are 3 ways you can choose a naturopathic or functional medicine topic as a theme for October:

  • Choose an October health observance
  • Choose a topic related to an upcoming launch
  • Choose any topic that educates your followers about your approach

Themed Content Around a October Health Observance

Creating content related to a October health observance can increase your reach because there is already buzz around that topic during this month. You can use hashtags related to that health observance and share other people's content related to the topic as well. Here are some October health observances: 

United States October Health Observances (source):

  • American Pharmacists Month
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Down Syndrome Awareness Month
  • Health Literacy Month
  • Healthy Lung Month
  • National Chiropractic Health Month
  • National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  • National Liver Awareness Month
  • National Orthodontic Health Month
  • National Physical Therapy Month
  • National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
  • Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
  • SIDS Awareness Month

Canada October Health Observances (source):

  • ADHD Awareness Month
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Canada's Healthy Workplace Month
  • Hypertension Month
  • International Dyslexia Awareness Month
  • Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
  • SIDS Awareness Month

Themed Content Around a Pre-Launch 

Will you be running a promotion or launching a new offer in November? If so, you'll want to begin sharing content related to that topic during the month of October. We call this the "pre-launch" window because you are not actively promoting anything, but you are beginning to educate your audience on the topic. 

If you will be opening the doors to your group program for IBS in November, for example, you want to share educational content related to gut health during the month of October. This pre-educates people and gets them starting to think about gut health so they will be more interested when you open the doors next month.

Themed Content Around the Functional Medicine Approach

If none of the October health observances resonate with you and you do not have any promotions or launches coming up soon, you can choose a topic theme that educates your audience about the naturopathic & functional medicine approach. Here are some options for topic themes:

  • Inflammation
  • Detoxification
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Stress Hormones
  • Microbiome
  • Vagal Tone
  • Mindset
  • Neuroplasticity
  • Food Sensitivities

Think outside the box to share a concept that will shift people's mindsets and help them better understand why functional medicine is so unique. 

Inside the Nurture Unleashed membership, the themed content for October revolves around mitochondrial health. Here's an example post:

 

This is one of the design templates included inside my monthly content membership. If you want content like this done for you—including captions, images, video scripts, reels, email newsletters, and more—check out Nurture Unleashed

  

Creating Niched Functional Medicine Content

In addition to sharing educational content around a themed topic related to naturopathic or functional medicine, you'll want to create additional content that empowers your followers, positions you as a health authority, and provides insight into what makes you unique. Come up with content ideas for each of these categories.

Health Tips

One barrier for people wanting to sign up for naturopathic or functional medicine services is that they question whether they will be able to do what is asked of them. They worry they don't have the willpower, time, money, or commitment required. 

When you share health tips that are easy to follow and offer quick wins, this empowers people to feel like they can be successful with your strategies. When coming up with health tips to share, think about the challenges facing your audience—especially at this particular time of year in October.

In the United States and Canada, October is when the fall season is in full swing. People are enjoying fall foods, hayrides, and pumpkin patches. 

Here are some of the health tips included in the October content bundle for Nurture Unleashed:

  • What is real breast health prevention?
  • Journaling Prompts for Fall Reflections
  • Fall Superfoods to Stock in Your Kitchen
  • Healthy Halloween Treats!

Like this:

This is another one of the designs included inside my monthly content membership. If you want content like this done for you—including captions, images, video scripts, reels, email newsletters, and more—check out Nurture Unleashed.  

News Recaps

People are drawn to others to guide them who have authority and expertise. One way to showcase this is to share your take on recent health research or health topics that come up in the news. People love to feel informed and "in the know." You can be their go-to source to understand the latest health news!

Here are some interesting studies related to nutrition and functional medicine you can share in October:

Here are some places to find more of the latest health news:

Personal Insights

Truth be told, there are a lot of naturopathic doctors and functional medicine practitioners sharing content on social media. So, how are you different? What is it that will make people feel magnetized to YOU? While everyone can share similar educational content, health tips, and news recaps—only you can share insights into your specific approach and practice. 

Let people behind the scenes. Tell them what to expect from the process of working with you. Share a case study or testimonial. Tell a story of why you do what you do. This type of content shows you are human and helps people feel connected to you. It differentiates you from other practitioners and will both attract the right people and repel the wrong. 

Here are some personal insights you could share in October:

  • Fun Facts
  • Are We a Good Fit?
  • Freebie Teaser
  • Process of Working With You

Inside of the Nurture Unleashed membership, you get content prompts to create captions on topics like these along with video scripts, images, reels, and more. Check it out!

 

Boosting Engagement with Social Media Holidays

Social media holidays can be a fun addition to your content calendar. Here are some social media holidays for October (source):

  • October 1: International Day of Older Persons #UNDOP
  • October 1: International Coffee Day #InternationalCoffeeDay
  • October 1: World Vegetarian Day #WorldVegetarianDay
  • October 2: International Day of Nonviolence #InternationalDayOfNonviolence
  • October 3: National Techies Day #TechiesDay
  • October 4: World Animal Day #WorldAnimalDay
  • October 4: National Taco Day #NationalTacoDay
  • October 5: World Teachers Day #WorldTeachersDay
  • October 10: World Mental Health Day #WorldMentalHeathDay
  • October 11: International Day of the Girl #DayOfTheGirl
  • October 14: National Dessert Day #DessertDay
  • October 15: Global Handwashing Day #GlobalHandwashingDay
  • October 16: World Food Day #FoodDay
  • October 16: Bosses Day #BossesDay
  • October 17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty #EndPoverty
  • October 20: World Statistics Day (Held every 5 years; it will next be celebrated in 2025) #StatisticsDay
  • October 21: Reptile Awareness Day #ReptileAwarenessDay
  • October 24: United Nations Day #UNDay
  • October 25: Greasy Foods Day #GreasyFoodsDay
  • October 30: National Publicist Day #NationalPublicistDay
  • October 30: Checklist Day #ChecklistDay
  • October 31: Halloween #Halloween

 

Repurposing October Functional Medicine Content

Whether you create all of your content from scratch, have a team helping you, or use a content subscription like Nurture Unleashed, the key to leveraging your time and maintaining your sanity is repurposing content in multiple ways. 

Let's say you start with a long and juicy social media caption. Take that information and share it all of these ways:

  • Image post on social media
  • Reel (designed in Canva) on social media
  • Reel (as a video of you) on social media
  • Weekly email newsletter blurb

Repurposing content in this way not only saves you time but also helps your audience get smaller tidbits of information over time. This means they won't get overwhelmed and will more likely internalize and take action on the content you share. 

 

Turning Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Content into Clients

Content creation is an investment. It can be a time investment (if you DIY), a monetary investment (if you delegate), or somewhere in between (if you use a content subscription like Nurture Unleashed). That means you want to have a system in place to be sure your investment will translate into more clients coming through your door! To do that, you need a funnel. 

Don't panic.

A funnel does not need to be complicated. Think of it as the journey a person goes through from the moment they discover you to the moment they become a paying client. If we begin with them discovering you on social media, here are some common funnel options:

  • Free lead magnet (like a helpful guide) to subscribe to your email list →  Weekly email newsletters with gentle mention of your services →  Occasional promotions or launches through email →  Client signs up!
  • Free webinar registration →  Educational webinar with an offer →  Client signs up!
  • Free 5-Day Challenge →  Offer to join a program or service →  Client signs up!

There are other variations of funnels as well! One of my favorites is a lead magnet that leads to a mini offer and then the general email sign up. Check out copywriting templates for a Freebie Funnel here.

As long as you have a funnel in place, all you need to do is include a CTA (see above in this article) with every social media post to direct people toward the next step in your funnel. 

If all of these funnels feel too complicated to you and you are just starting out, you can even do something as simple as this:

  • Social Posts →  CTA to message for more information →  have a conversation in messages and invite to book a discovery call →  offer your service on the discovery call

There's no wrong way to do a funnel as long as it guides people to make positive changes in their health, learn from you, get to know you, and move closer to becoming your client. 

I can help you create a funnel for your specific naturopathic or functional medicine niche during a Copywriting VIP Intensive.

 

 

A Turnkey Solution for Naturopathic & Functional Medicine Done-For-You Content

Ready to just have all your content done for you—without wasting your nights and weekends and without breaking the bank? 

Nurture Unleashed is the ultimate done-for-you content subscription for naturopathic & functional medicine practitioners. Every month, you get a fresh bundle of reliable and shareable health content. We're talking social media captions, image designs, reels done for you, video scripts, and even email newsletters. 

Best of all? It only costs $97 a month. 

Join Nurture Unleashed here → 

Not too certain or have questions? Click over to the "contact" form from the bottom of this page or just go ahead and message me over on IG @sarahcook.wellnesswriter

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ABOUT

Sarah Cook is a Copywriter, StoryBrand Guide, and former Naturopathic Doctor with 10+ years of experience writing for the naturopathic and functional medicine community.

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