20+ October Content Ideas and Storytelling Post Prompts [2025]
In search of social media post ideas for October? Welcome!
When you're trying to figure out what to post on social media every single month, here's a tip I picked up as a magazine editor: Keep an eye on the calendar.
There is a slew of inspiring holidays — official and unofficial, local and global, charitable and fun — that can be a source of inspiration for your content.
But — here's the BIG TAKEAWAY— don't just post about the holidays without context.
You don’t want to be that person who posts, “Happy National Air Conditioner Day!” if it means nothing to your audience.
That will lead to low engagement and confusion among your followers. Yikes.
Posting without purpose is one of the biggest reasons a content strategy doesn't work.
If you don’t know how to make these October holidays relevant to your brand message, don’t worry I take the guesswork out of connecting the dots.
See what I mean below with these social media post ideas for October inspired by national and international holidays.
October Content Ideas
The hardest part about telling stories as a business owner is connecting the dots between interesting and timely musings and a relevant brand message.
I don’t want you to overthink so much you don’t tell stories at all. So, I’ve done the hardest work for you in this article.
There are more than 20 timely and relevant October content ideas to choose from below with ideas on how to tie it to your message.
Select the content prompts that align most seamlessly with your small business or brand, then infuse them with your personality and voice to create captivating, original posts.
This list encompasses:
October observance days
Month-long celebrations in October
Fill-in-the-blank post prompts and ideas for October.
How To Use These Storytelling Prompts To Create Short-Form Content
The stories I share that get the most engagement rarely have to do with my message—at least not on the surface.
But underneath, there's a short-form storytelling framework that turns everyday moments into content that entertains while making a relevant point.
This is it:
Story → Point → CTA.
Think about it this way:
Story
🫙Your story is the vessel:
A message wrapped in story is more memorable than information alone.
Point
☝The point is the message.
The bigger takeaway your story illustrates.
Call To Action
💌 The CTA is the invitation.
The action* you want them to take after hearing your message.
*This doesn’t need to be an offer (though it 100% can be!).
A call to action can also be to: engage with a post, reply to a question, or download a free guide.
Most experts fall into the trap of over-explaining.
They stack reasons, context, and definitions until the message gets weighed down with excess words, which most readers skip over.
A story, on the other hand, demonstrates your message in action, so your audience can picture your message like a movie in their mind.
That’s how a “boring” moment like burning dinner and whipping up a delish supper on the fly can become a relatable teaching moment for a message about being flexible.
Or how teaching your puppy to listen can intro a message about leadership.
💸 And there’s the bigger payoff for you:
They'll remember the messenger not just the message.
When you let people into your life and share something that helps their life, they'll remember who you are and why they should care.
Try it for yourself.
Below you'll find 20+ storytelling content ideas for October.
OCTOBER 2
Storytelling Content Prompts:
Tell A Story about a time you had to “clean up” something in your business, lifestyle, or creative process. Maybe it was clutter in your workflow, outdated offers, a messy system, or outdated thought process not serving you anymore.
Tie It To A Message: What kind clutter, messy process, or way of thinking does your ideal client need to overhaul in the last 90 days of 2025?
Kale Day
OCTOBER 1
Storytelling Content Prompt:
Try your hand at a metaphor like: “___ is like eating kale. Not exciting, but key to long-term ___.”
Use it to: Highlight non-glamorous but essential elements of success like consistent daily habits, diligent record-keeping, financial discipline, or attention to detail.
OCTOBER 6
First, reflect on the most valuable lesson you've learned from coaches, mentors, or role models. Then ask, how have this lesson shaped your approach or methods? Lastly, share the story of how learned this approach is best.
Not sure how to write a story for social media?
I got you covered. Try my 7-Sentence Storytelling for Social Media Framework for free when you sign up to my newsletter.
OCTOBER 7
Content Prompt: Shed light on the lesser-known but valuable tips, concepts, or strategies that can make a significant difference. To "illuminate the unknown," highlight these hidden gems, explaining their impact and how you help them apply it in your offer.
Mental Health Day
OCTOBER 10
On World Mental Health Day, encourage your audience to embrace the idea that mental health is as important as physical health. Share a series of small, manageable daily self-care practices that can positively impact mental wellness.
These practices could include mindfulness exercises, journaling prompts, relaxation techniques, or ways to incorporate more self-compassion into daily routines.
Highlight the benefits of consistency in practicing these small acts of self-care.
Encourage your audience to share their own self-care routines or their experiences with the practices you've recommended.
This content not only raises awareness about mental health but also provides actionable steps to improve it, aligning with the spirit of World Mental Health Day.
Fossil Day
OCTOBER 11
Content Prompt: On National Fossil Day, it's time to call out industry practices that have become outdated and irrelevant.
Help your audience modernize their approach.
Or, share your "rock-solid" tip for overcoming a common pain point.
OCTOBER 13
Storytelling Content Prompt: Shift the focus from fear of failure to embracing it as a valuable learning opportunity.
Share a personal or professional story of a failure or setback you've experienced and the lessons you've gained from it.
You can also use this day as inspiration to provide tips or strategies for reframing failure as a positive force for growth and innovation.
Use it to encourage your readers to adopt a growth mindset and view failures as stepping stones on their journey to achieving their goals.
OCTOBER 20
Content Prompt: On Information Overload Day, share a step-by-step guide on simplifying decision-making in your niche, a topic that is often considered complex. Break down the process into actionable and understandable steps, offering clarity and practical insights.
Storytelling Content Prompt: Take a complex aspect of your industry or message and simplify it with a metaphor from everyday life. For example: “Great design is like a refrigerator — you only notice when it’s not working.”
National Food Day
OCTOBER 24
On National Food Day, draw inspiration from the world of culinary delights to address the challenges in your niche.
Share metaphorical "recipes" for overcoming common pain points or obstacles.
For example, Create a "recipe" that includes ingredients (strategies, methods, tools), step-by-step instructions (actionable tips), and the expected positive outcomes (solutions or improvements).
Concept Ideas: a recipe for boosting sales or achieving better work-life balance.
OCTOBER 31
Storytelling Content Ideas:
The Haunted Idea
Share a story about the business idea, offer, or habit you kept putting off but couldn’t stop thinking about (like it was “haunting” you).
Relevant message: Persistent ideas are there for a reasonThe Pumpkin Carve
A metaphor: Just like carving a pumpkin, the messy part (scooping guts) is what makes space for the glow (the idea that shines).Relevant message: The hard, unglamorous work is what creates the breakthrough moments.
Throughout National I’m Just Me Because Month, celebrate the power of authenticity and individuality within your niche.
Share stories that highlight the unique aspects of your business and your personal journey as an entrepreneur.
Overcoming Challenges: Share a personal story of a difficult challenge or obstacle you faced in your business. Explain how you navigated through it, the lessons you learned, and how it shaped your authentic path to success.
What Makes You Unique: Highlight your unique selling points, values, or approaches that set you apart in your niche. Showcase how these distinctive qualities benefit your customers or clients. Need a hand writing? Here’s how to tell a story that shares your brand values.
National Women's Small Business Month
During National Women's Small Business Month, consider an Instagram Collaboration with a female-owned business that complements your niche or expertise.
Together, discuss topics that are relevant to both of your shared audiences.
For example, if you're a yoga teacher, team up with a breathwork coach to explore the benefits of combining yoga and breathwork for overall well-being.
Share insights, tips, and experiences that your audience can benefit from.
Behind The Content Ideas
Hey, I'm Cyndi Zaweski. With more than 15 years of experience as an award-winning journalist and content producer, and a digital marketing degree from Columbia University, I'm here to help transform your ideas into meaningful content. Together, we can build a brand you love and a community that loves it back. Get in touch.
