2025 Valentine’s Day Social Content Worth Mentioning
As a content strategist and copy-focused creative director, I have a lot of mantras I repeat about creative (see: think on the lateral, write off the subject, kill the babies, etc etc). But I also have a few gripes, too.
The biggest one? I hate—haaaaate—low-hanging fruit content, like the obligatory happy-whatever-holiday graphic.
(I’m proud to say that anyone who’s ever been on one of my content teams also feels this way, and also preaches it from the hilltops. You’re welcome.)
But today? Today, I’m talking about some badass Valentine’s content that deserves to be made, and better yet, shouted out. So let’s take a look.
Bloomington, MN Police Department
My sister sent me this from the Bloomington PD Instagram, and I cracked up. We’re a cop’s kids, so maybe this is our special type of humor, but in my opinion, this does exactly what social content is supposed to do: be totally unique, entertain, be true to the brand, show humanity…I could probably keep going but to be honest, I’m drinking a martini in an airport bar at the moment and trust me, you don’t want me to keep running with a list.
Innyway. This is one of those examples of a ‘boring’ or ‘serious’ industry using social media in the right way—it makes these guys approachable, human, and aware…which is something police departments need more and more of.
Hannah Phillips
Maybe I’m biased because Hannah’s my crazy-talented friend (not to be confused with a crazy, talented friend, #punctuationmatters), but the way she leveraged thee shit out of a Valentine’s opportunity makes her my hero.
And also I just want you all to commission art from her, mmmkay?
Also, this post about how to pose for a boudoir shoot was brilliant. Why? Because this is something tons of women probably want to do, but are terrified of actually making it happen. Hannah’s instructions are so easy to follow and make the whole thing seem so accessible.
CAVA
How to do a trend right.
What I love about this is that it’s so utterly sharable, and you know there’s plenty of wild CAVA fans who go there with friends and want to send something like this as a hint. This is built to leverage that whole “Instagram knows most interaction happens in DMs” stuff in a way that’s not an automated, “Text me [keyword] and I’ll send you the link to everything I want you to buy from me!” (Which I can’t stand, btw. Apparently I’m very opinionated about Instagram in general.)
Fake News Network
I had to throw this one in here, because we think of Valentine’s Day as a strictly female thing…but this is what the guys are sending each other. I love how it tears apart traditional gift-giving ads.
And yes, it’s a parody account made for entertainment and not necessarily to sell anything…but I think service-based businesses in particular could take note. How can you think on the lateral and make something that feels unobtainable within reach?
I could see divorce attorneys using this (in a similar vein to the police post above) or maybe even CPA firms around tax time. You’ve got to be brave, but that’s what good social’s all about, isn’t it?
Ready to ban boring content yet?
Good. Because honestly, I’d love to see all those low-hanging-fruit business posts banished from my feed. And if you need some help brainstorming or ideating how to turn your content ship around, you can always feel free to reach out and chat.