Word & Mouth Blog

Where food, hospitality, branding, and human behavior all crash into each other. I write about restaurants, wine, placemaking, customer experience, and the small details that make people talk about a business long after they leave.

For even more snarky takes on marketing, pop culture, branding, and the internet, visit my Substack, Burnt Popcorn & Branding: Substack

A mix of hospitality, branding, customer psychology, hospitality culture, and internet behavior from someone who’s worked behind the scenes in marketing long enough to know what feels authentic and what feels painfully forced.
Yes. Especially if your marketing currently sounds like ChatGPT wrote it.
No LinkedIn thought leadership energy here. Just strategy, storytelling, and occasional side-eye toward trends, Chat-GPT written branding advice, and “disruptive” ideas that all look the same.
People in marketing, hospitality, branding, retail, wine, or anyone who secretly judges restaurants by their menu design before reading the food list.

Shana Bull 6/1/21 Shana Bull 6/1/21

Wines to enjoy while watching the movie Cruella

Top Picks for wines to drink while watching the movie Cruella from Disney. The live-action Disney movie starring Emma Stone is a fun take on the movie 101 Dalmatians, featuring a favorite Disney villain. Set in the 70’s in London, the music, the makeup, and the fashion is fun to watch for anyone. This movie is best enjoyed with crumpets and a glass of wine.

Shana Bull 6/4/20 Shana Bull 6/4/20

Please Don't Say "I Don't See Color"

It’s very problematic to POC/gay friends/trans/etc for white cis-gendered people to say this. I know because I have heard marginalized groups talk about this many times before the past week. ⁣And right now, they are literally asking us to see them and hear them. ⁣

Shana Bull 5/13/20 Shana Bull 5/13/20

Going From Selling Wine In-Person to Selling Wine Online Is No Easy Task

In the latest in my video interview series, Pivotal - a Focus on Digital Marketing, I talked to Hannah, the Assistant Manager, Marketing & eCommerce at Bottle Barn. The Santa Rosa brick & mortar wine, beer, and spirits retailer started their eCommerce website just a few years earlier, but the COVID-19 Pandemic made it a greater focus for the 30-Year-Old business.

Shana Bull 3/27/19 Shana Bull 3/27/19

That One Time When My Toddler's School Closed Down Indefinitely...

I know I’m going to trust my gut as a parent much more now when it comes to his health, safety, and education.

Shana Bull 3/22/19 Shana Bull 3/22/19

Recipe for Instagram Class - Santa Rosa Workshop

Yes, having gorgeous photos is important to Instagram - but trust me, it isn’t the ONLY thing that connects you with potential customers through social media. I will provide you with simple tricks that will grow your community on Instagram, get people engaged with YOUR BRAND and get them to purchase.

Shana Bull 12/17/18 Shana Bull 12/17/18

Roundup of My Favorite Sonoma County Articles of 2018

A roundup of my personal favorite articles I have written this past year about wine, food, social media, music and mom life in Sonoma County.

Shana Bull 6/29/18 Shana Bull 6/29/18

Summertime Treats with Clover Sonoma Ice Cream

From ice cream floats, to grilled peaches with ice cream and honey, to dessert pizzas topped with a scoop of Clover Sonoma Ice Cream, there are so many out of the carton ways to enjoy ice cream this summer.

Shana Bull 5/16/18 Shana Bull 5/16/18

I Bought a Toddler Leash for My Child. Yes I am THAT Mom

I broke down and bought a toddler leash/safety harness for my child. I care about toddler safety, and I love being social, so it makes sense for me.

Shana Bull 1/29/18 Shana Bull 1/29/18

Staycation in Santa Rosa

My husband and I took a Staycation in Downtown Santa Rosa at the Astro Motel, and enjoyed life without the toddler for a night.

Shana Bull 11/20/17 Shana Bull 11/20/17

Two Questions: Marketing Your Business After the Wine Country Fires

Questions from Small Business Owners on how to marketing your business after the Sonoma and Napa Fires. My answer: Be as transparent and empathetic as possible.

Shana Bull 11/17/17 Shana Bull 11/17/17

Sonoma Family Meal Takes Off After the Sonoma Fires

Shana Bull 10/16/17 Shana Bull 10/16/17

Update As the Sonoma Fire Is Almost Contained

Several fires are currently burning in Sonoma County and Napa County in both urban and rural areas. The fires are mainly in eastern Sonoma County – parts of Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa.

Thousands of Businesses, Farms, Wineries, Vineyards, and Homes have been destroyed, but the Wine County Community is STRONG.

Shana Bull 9/27/17 Shana Bull 9/27/17

What Hotels Need to Know about Social Media Marketing

Social Media Marketing is essential to hotels. It allows you to continue the relationship after the guest leaves, or start one even before they book a trip to your location. Here are some tips for the travel industry on how to connect through social media.