Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off on September 15th, and recognizes the contributions made by the Hispanic and Latinx community to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
And while Hispanic Heritage Month is becoming more well-known, showing your support on social media can help raise further awareness.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with five ways to support Hispanic Heritage Month on social media in 2023 and beyond.
Table of Contents
What Is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the anniversaries of independence for Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
It also recognizes Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16th, Chile’s on September 18th, and Belize’s on September 21st.
What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino, Latine, or Latinx?
Language is ever-evolving and the term Hispanic is used to describe many groups of people. That being said, here’s a breakdown of individual preferences to consider:
Hispanic is defined as relating to Spain, or Spanish-speaking countries. The word was first widely popularized through its use in the U.S. Census of 1970. It typically classifies people based on language.
Latino refers to the geographical location of a person’s country of origin or their ancestors, typically with cultural ties to Latin America.
Latinx and Latine are gender-neutral forms of the word Latino or Latina.
Hispanic Heritage Month encompasses many different communities, making it a big task when choosing how to respectfully honor and support it as a brand.
Nevertheless, it’s important to understand the nuances of these terms in order to thoughtfully show up.
Want to know more? This quick video covers all the details:
Why Brands Should Support Hispanic Heritage Month
While you never need to wait for a dedicated month to get involved, using Hispanic Heritage Month as an opportunity to get educated, celebrate the community, and encourage inclusivity is a great first step.
However, embracing Hispanic Heritage Month should go beyond just "checking a box." Think about how you can be inclusive in your marketing campaigns, influencer partnerships, and speaker lineups year-round.
TIP: For help on building a more inclusive marketing strategy, watch our free session with strategist Sonia Thompson, here.
How Brands Can Support Hispanic Heritage Month on Social Media
Here are five ways you can support Hispanic Heritage Month on social media in 2023:
Plan Ahead and Research
Educate Your Audience
Support Hispanic and Latinx Businesses
Amplify Hispanic and Latinx Creatives
Be Inclusive Year-round
#1: Plan Ahead and Research
Before you jump into creating content for Hispanic Heritage Month on social media, spend time educating yourself (and your team) on its history and the community.
Here are a few educational resources to reference as a starting point:
Listen
Read
Article: Hispanic Heritage Month gets justifiable criticism, but it’s still worth celebrating
Article: 8 Afro Latinos Who Made Important Contributions to US History
Watch
#2: Educate Your Audience
Well-crafted, researched posts go a long way in building trust between you and your followers — especially if this is your first time supporting Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fashion photographer and graphic artist, Valheria Rocha, crafted a collage of Walter Mercado — a Puerto Rican astrologer and TV personality — as reflected on the Netflix documentary, Mucho Mucho Amor, which is based on Walter’s life:
By creating a graphic herself, Valheria promotes her brand while also sharing the importance of learning about Hispanic and Latinx Queer leaders.
TIP: Steer clear of sweeping statements of allyship. Focus on providing resources and using your platform to amplify Hispanic and Latinx voices.
#3: Support Hispanic and Latinx Businesses
Creating a resource or infographic of businesses and creators you support during Hispanic Heritage Month is a great asset to share with your followers.
This Instagram Guide by @weallgrowlatina highlights various businesses to support — from skincare to florists, and more:
The result? Tons of engagement with over 7K likes and hundreds of comments.
TIP: The Shop Latinx Marketplace is a great resource for sourcing businesses to support, buy from, and work with.
#4: Amplify Hispanic and Latinx Creatives
Social media lets creatives share their content and message to the masses.
And if you want to support Hispanic Heritage Month on social media this year, consider using your platform to amplify or feature their voices.
It can be as simple as a series on Instagram Stories spotlighting talented artists, a carousel collection of your favorite content creators, or a video series that includes Hispanic and Latinx creatives.
Draw inspo from bookstagram creator Cielo who shared an array of Latine horror to kick off her followers' spooky season TBR:
#5: Be Inclusive Year-round
If you want to take part in Hispanic Heritage Month, be prepared to act.
The work has to come first and foremost from your brand internally in order to sustainably nurture relationships with your audience externally.
Whether that means continued self-education, donating to nonprofit organizations, or auditing your marketing efforts to ensure they represent the diverse communities you serve — allyship is a 24/7 gig.
Just remember that your efforts to uplift and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on social media shouldn’t end with a calendar month.
Think of this as your jumping point into shining light on Hispanic and Latinx communities throughout the year.
Ready to plan and schedule your social media posts and videos? Later makes it easy — get started today (for free)!
