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.
Why social media marketing won't work for your business without a social media plan
Social media marketing won't work for your business without a social media plan to ensure you’re creating content with a purpose; this is how you can quickly create a social media plan.
The reason why Instagram prioritizes Reels: short-form videos are search engines.
The REAL reason why Instagram is focused on Reels is that short-form videos (IMO) are the best search engines. Teenagers use videos within Tiktok to search for the things they care about, and Instagram wants those viewers. Short-form videos provide that information in easy-to-understand, quick bites versus longer YouTube videos or blog posts - so more viewers mean more $$ for digital ads.
Link Tree - Wait, Is It Better Than a Website Landing Page?
Is linktree actually better for SEO than a website landing page?
8 proven steps to take one idea and turn it into ten social media posts
Being able to quickly take your most important ideas and turn them into content is important for any social media marketer. Especially those looking for content creation for beginners, or small business owners who have a lack of time, or resources (I understand because that's me also).
Reflecting on Two Years Since My Anal Cancer Diagnosis: Pivoting my Business
I found out I had anal cancer two years ago this week, and my life and business have pivoted to focus on more of the values I hold true.
4 Steps to Create Social Media Captions that Capture Attention & Build Trust
When creating social media captions, it's important to keep four things in mind: a hook (get to the point), a description or story, a sentence on why it matters, and end your post with a call to action.
On Social Media: Don't share content that isn't yours (without getting permission)
When it comes to social media, one of the cardinal rules is not to share content that isn't yours. This includes things like photos, videos, and quotes. Not only is it plagiarism, but it can also be a violation of copyright law. If you're sharing someone else's content without asking them first, you can get into a lot of trouble and have to pay fines or even have your account taken away for violating social media community guidelines.
5 Tips on How to Write Engaging FAQ Answers Your Target Audience Will Love
Listen to your customers and create a FAQ document you can refer back to when planning ahead to create content for your website or social media. This way you can establish yourself as an authority figure in your industry or niche, and have a list of copy & paste content ready to go.
7 Social Media Scheduling Tools to Post Content
By using a social media scheduling tool, you can take the headache out of having to remember to post on social media every day. With most scheduling tools, all you need to do is create your content in advance and set a schedule for when you want it to go live.
Spring Clean Your Marketing Posts of the Week
It’s time to spring clean your marketing, social media, and your mindset. Here are some articles and tips
Social Media Marketing World Trends - My 2022 Experience
Social Media Marketing World 2022 had so many great insights, but I did notice a few social media trends that I will be putting into practice even more with my own social platforms and with clients.
How to Create Instagram Reel Transitions to Create More Entertaining Videos
Instagram Reels Transitions make your short-form videos for Instagram & TikTok more engaging & fun for your target audience.
Changes to Instagram’s Feed is Coming - What Does This Mean for Social Media Marketers?
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram announced that the social media platform will be updating the Instagram feed and this means social media marketers need to pay attention to how Instagram users interact with the feed - in three different ways. Engaging, fun and educational social media content (*cough* videos) will still be key to connecting and growing on social media.
Facebook and Instagram Are Down - Here is What To Do
Tips for what to do when Facebook and Instagram are Down.
Instagram Reels & Growing Your Instagram Page
The big social media story of the week is that Instagram has finally revealed that they are “no longer a photo-sharing app.” The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri meant to tweet is that Instagram is no longer JUST a photo-sharing platform. They are moving towards where their customers are looking for - video, especially Instagram Reels to grow your Instagram Page.
My Favorite Non-Music Instagram Reels Ideas For Hospitality & Wine Marketers
For marketers that have business accounts without access to good music (yes, royalty-free music is there, but tbh it is pretty meh) there are two things you can do when it comes to creating Instagram Reels for wine social media marketers.
Live Your Values as a Marketer
Great modern marketers are defined, perhaps more than anything, by their resiliency and agility.
They stay on their toes, ready to pivot and adjust amid constantly changing conditions. They have the ambition and openness to try new things, never boxing themselves in. They stay motivated and optimistic even in the face of enormous challenges and setbacks.
Shana Bull embodies so many of these qualities.
Use Canva for Branding Your Social Media Marketing Efforts
One of my favorite tools to help to keep my branding simple—on my website and social media accounts—is CANVA Pro. I create shareable quotes that match my brand style and personality -- and fits my Instagram feed colors.
5 Ways to Use the Instagram Save Folder Feature
The Instagram Save Feature is super useful for social media marketers. Here are 5 ways to use the Instagram Save Folder to create content and engage with your target audience.
10 Ideas For Instagram Reels For Wine Businesses
There are many ways to utilize Instagram Reels for wine businesses to create short-form social media videos that are fun, showcase the wine, and go behind the scenes to create brand awareness + trust with your wine-loving audience.