Cool Content for Hot Days đŸ„”

From niche holidays to Insta updates, we’ve got your content covered.

You know what pairs well with sunshine and iced coffee? A scroll-stopping content plan. As June winds down, we’ve pulled together the smartest, trend-savviest tips to help your business show up strong this July.

  • Instagram-Worthy Dates to Post in July: Use fun, niche holidays to spark fresh, timely content your audience actually wants to engage with.

  • What’s New on Instagram This Month: Stay ahead with the latest features, algorithm changes, and updates—plus what they mean for your posts.

  • Simple Video Wins for Small Businesses: A quick-start guide to the video types that bring visibility, trust, and conversions without needing a pro setup.

  • Summer Trend Alert: Pinterest to Instagram: Tap into the hottest summer themes from Pinterest and rework them into compelling Instagram Reels, Stories, and posts

July’s Made-for-Instagram Holidays

Summer’s heating up—and so is your content game. Here are the most fun, scroll-worthy holidays coming up in July and how your business can turn them into carousel gold or Reel-worthy wins.

đŸ‡ș🇾 Independence Day – July 4

Carousel Idea:

  • Retail: Showcase red, white & blue products with a “Fireworks-Worthy Finds” swipe-through.

  • Museum: Highlight 4 Rhode Island history facts that tie into U.S. independence.

Reel Idea:

  • Restaurant: BTS of your team grilling, mixing, or prepping festive specials with a patriotic playlist.

  • Coffee shop: Red, white, and cold brew challenge—fun drink styling in 15 seconds.

đŸ« International Chocolate Day – July 7

Carousel Idea:

  • Bakery: 3-5 must-try chocolate treats you offer. Add a poll: “Which one are you grabbing first?”

  • Retail: Gift guide for the chocoholic (local collabs welcome).

Reel Idea:

  • Museum: Chocolate through the ages exhibit snippet or vintage packaging in your collection.

  • CafĂ©: How our double-chocolate muffin gets made—crack, pour, bake, bite.

đŸč National Mojito Day – July 11

Carousel Idea:

  • Bar/Restaurant: “Mojito Menu Mashup” — classic, strawberry, spicy mint.

Reel Idea:

  • Behind the bar: Show your bartender’s perfect mojito in under 30 seconds.

  • Bonus: Add a mini cocktail class for extra value.

🍩 National Ice Cream Day – July 21

Carousel Idea:

  • Creamery: “Our 5 Most Underrated Flavors” with scoops that don’t get enough love.

  • Tourism business: “Top 5 RI spots to cool off with a cone.”

Reel Idea:

  • Any biz: Host a blind taste test with your team. Pure chaos = pure engagement.

  • Retail: Ice-cream-inspired product color drop? Make it visual.

đŸ‘šâ€đŸ‘©â€đŸ‘§ Parents’ Day – July 28

Carousel Idea:

  • Retail: Gift ideas for parents (include local artist or maker shoutouts).

  • Museum: “Parents & Kids: Then vs. Now” exhibit highlight or vintage comparison.

Reel Idea:

  • Restaurant: “What parents really want for Parents’ Day” — a quiet meal, a strong drink, and no dishes.

đŸ‘« International Day of Friendship – July 30

Carousel Idea:

  • Boutique: “Bestie Buys” — items that come in pairs or encourage twinning.

  • CafĂ©: Create a menu bundle for two with a friends-only discount.

Reel Idea:

  • Any biz: Run a “Tag your bestie” giveaway Reel. Boost reach and reward loyal customers.

đŸ“č Video 101 for Local Biz

Video marketing isn’t just for big brands with big budgets. It’s one of the most effective tools available to local businesses – and the right video can build trust, increase visibility, and drive real sales. Here’s how to make video content that actually works for your business.

🌟Why Video Works

  • Viewers retain 95% of a message when watching a video, compared to just 10% when reading.

  • Adding video to your site improves your SEO by increasing time spent on the page.

  • A single product video can boost conversions by up to 80%.

Bottom line: video marketing helps people find you, trust you, and buy from you.

🌟Match the Video to the Goal

Every video you create should focus on one of the following:

  1. Get noticed

  2. Build trust

  3. Drive action

Trying to do all three in one video is a common mistake. Instead, choose the format that fits your goal and your time.

For example:

  • A retail shop in Providence might use short-form Reels to showcase new arrivals.

  • A contractor in Cranston could post a demo of a recent home upgrade.

  • A cafĂ© in Newport might share a quick testimonial from a happy customer.

🌟Video Types That Drive Sales

Product Demo Video: Show your product or service in action. Short and clear works best – aim for 1 to 2 minutes with a strong call to action.

Featured Product Video: Highlight one item with a benefit-driven message. Ideal for email campaigns or social posts.

Explainer Video: Break down what your business does and why it matters. Use this on your homepage or landing pages.

🌟Build Trust with These Video Formats

Testimonial Video: Let satisfied customers speak for you. Keep it casual and honest, not overly produced.

Case Study Video: Tell the story of how your product or service solved a problem, including measurable results.

User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to share unboxings, reviews, or reactions. Feature this on your site or socials.

🌟Educational Content That Builds Authority

How-To Video: Answer a specific customer question or solve a small problem using your product or expertise.

Tutorial Video: Step-by-step guides to help customers use your product or service more effectively.

FAQ Video: Address your most common customer questions on camera. Useful for websites and social.

Tips and Tricks Video": Short, actionable advice your audience can use immediately. Great for social media.

Video Series": Create recurring content like "FAQ Fridays" or "Monthly Highlights" to build engagement over time.

🌟Show Your Personality

Behind-the-Scenes Video: Give a glimpse of how your business runs or how your product is made.

Company Culture Video: Highlight your team, workspace, or what it’s like to work with you. Especially helpful for hiring.

Interview or Q&A: Chat with team members or customers. Keep it natural and unscripted.

Vlog (Video Blog)": Share what you're working on, reflect on your business journey, or walk your audience through a typical day.

🌟Professional and Platform-Specific Video Ideas

Corporate Video: Clean and polished video for investor decks, B2B clients, or your About page.

Live Video: Engage in real time with product launches, Q&A sessions, or behind-the-scenes content.

Webinars and Online Events: Teach, share insights, or promote services with live or recorded sessions. Repurpose these into shorter clips.

Social Video Content: Create short, engaging videos for Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts. Focus on quick value and strong visuals.

Roundup Video: Feature expert tips, product highlights, or customer favorites in a single compilation.

Personalized Video: Create short, targeted messages for leads or existing clients using tools like Bonjoro or Vidyard.

🌟Internal Videos for Team Communication

Onboarding Videos: Help new hires feel welcome and informed with a consistent intro to your business.

Training Videos: Teach tools, tasks, or systems. Reusable and ideal for remote or growing teams.

Company Updates: Share news, milestones, or staff changes. These can also be shared publicly to build transparency and connection.

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

đŸ“± Instagram Updates You Need to Know

Instagram just dropped some big updates – and they’re especially useful for small businesses trying to look sharp, post consistently, and connect more directly with local customers. Here’s what’s new, why it matters, and how to use it.

🎯 Grid Customization: Curate That First Impression

You can now reorder your top nine Instagram posts. Why does this matter?

  • First Impressions: Those top 9 posts = your storefront window.

  • Marketing Strategy: Got a Reel that brought in leads? Pin it to the top.

  • Local Example: A Providence boutique can keep its new collection, store hours, and latest event pinned at the top (even if they were posted weeks ago).

đŸ“· 3:4 Aspect Ratio = No More Cropping Headaches

Instagram now supports natural 3:4 photo sizes, just like what you shoot on your phone.

  • No more resizing in Canva just to post a simple photo.

  • Single & Carousel Friendly: Works for one-off posts and multi-slide stories.

  • Local Example: A Narragansett cafĂ© can post latte art or oceanfront views exactly as they look—quickly and beautifully.

đŸ—Łïž Edits App Teleprompter: Talk to Your Camera Like a Pro

Want to make direct-to-camera videos that don’t feel awkward or scripted?

  • Built-in teleprompter lets you read your script while looking at the camera.

  • Customize it: Control speed and font size.

  • Easy workflow: Write in Google Docs → copy/paste into the app.

  • Local Example: A Newport yoga studio can record confident, clear intro videos for new students in one take.

💬 Advanced Comment Filters (For Growing Accounts)

If your account is scaling – especially past 100K followers – Instagram now offers:

  • Top Comment Filters: Prioritize the most liked/engaged replies.

  • Follower Size Filters: See what your biggest fans are saying first.

☀ Pinterest Summer 2025 Trends → Instagram Content Ideas

This summer, Pinterest says we’re going full Digital Detox Mode, and Gen Z is leading the way—searching for forest getaways, garden aesthetics, and all things rustic. Here's how you, can turn that intel into scroll-stopping Instagram content.

đŸŒŸ 1. Rustic Farmhouse Interiors = Instagram Home Inspo Reels

What’s Trending: Searches for “thrifted home,” “farmhouse kitchen,” and “rustic living rooms” are soaring.
Instagram Ideas:

  • Home Decor Shop: Post “before & after” thrift flips.

  • Realtors: Share walk-throughs of rustic homes or cozy cottage-style listings.

  • CafĂ©s: Highlight your wood textures, old brick, and vintage cups.

🧘 2. Nature Bathing + Book Retreats = Mindful, Scenic Content

What’s Trending: Nature retreats and book clubs are in.
Instagram Ideas:

  • Wellness Coaches: Share B-roll of RI parks or beaches with meditation tips.

  • Bookstores: Host and share your own book club + picnic content.

  • Travel Brands: Curate guides for nature-focused weekend trips in Rhode Island (hello, Arcadia and Block Island!).

🍅 3. Garden-to-Table = Farm-to-Feed Freshness

What’s Trending: Think “Martha Stewart” with urban gardens, fresh recipes, and detox drinks.
Instagram Ideas:

  • Farmers Markets or CSAs: Reel your garden harvest into a recipe.

  • Local Restaurants: Spotlight a summer dish made with garden ingredients.

  • Skin & Wellness Brands: Share smoothies or detox drinks with skin/glow benefits.

📚 4. Garden Parties & Book Clubs = Events That Convert

What’s Trending: Garden party themes and “book club hosting” are peaking.
Instagram Ideas:

  • Event Planners: Curate dreamy summer tablescapes for IG.

  • Boutiques: Sell “host kits” with table decor, candles, and invites.

  • CafĂ©s: Partner with local authors or readers to create a “Sip & Read” series.

👗 5. Boho Fashion + Dill Green = Visual Gold

What’s Trending: Crochet, 2000s boho, and this summer’s IT color: Dill Green.
Instagram Ideas:

  • Retailers: Post reels styling green linen pants or crochet accessories.

  • Artists/Crafters: DIY tutorials for boho crafts or summer crochet.

  • Markets: Promote vendors offering vintage or boho fashion.

💄 6. Astrology Makeup & Cool-Toned Beauty = Niche Meets Aesthetic

What’s Trending: Zodiac-inspired looks and summer nail art with tropical and blue vibes.
Instagram Ideas:

  • Salons: Run a zodiac makeup or nail series: “This week’s look: Gemini season.”

  • Beauty Brands: Drop reels showing astrology makeup tutorials with trending blue/red tones.

  • Content Creators: Use trending sounds to dramatize each zodiac’s “vibe.”

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Got a burning social media question? Wondering how to get more engagement, what to post next, or if hashtags still matter? đŸ€” Now’s your chance to pick a marketer’s brain – no consulting fee required! Drop your questions in our quick survey, and we’ll tackle the hottest topics in an upcoming newsletter. Whether it’s content creation, branding, or social media trends, we’ve got you covered.

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So go ahead – schedule that iced latte brainstorming session and let your feed do the heavy lifting. July’s vibe is bold, bright, and built for business.