Successful brands use content calendars to plan messaging for the month, including social posts, video, tasting room events and others. Below you'll find ideas to help you plan your promotional calendar while leaving room for sharing the fun, energy and personality of your brand in real-time. Seems like a daunting task? Market Your Craft's Social Guide is updated monthly, with over 60+ timely and topical ideas for your team's content calendar.
#NationalHotChocolateDay | The terms “hot chocolate” and “hot cocoa” are often used interchangeably. Hot chocolate is made from ground chocolate which contains cocoa butter and mixed with warm milk. Why debate: discuss how to achieve chocolate flavor in your craft beverage. Photo by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels
#BlackHistoryMonth | Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Respect: if you have a track record of support for racial equality and justice… Read More »Freedom Day, Black History Month
It is believed by many that if a groundhog sees his shadow there will then be six more weeks of winter. Consider: thematic Groundhog Day specials in the tasting room; movie night featuring the classic 1993 Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell; promote higher ABV “warmers” in a tasting flight. Photo from the… Read More »Groundhog Day
In the 1960s, Florence Rappaport of New York created Ice Cream for Breakfast Day as a way to chase away cabin fever for her six children stuck inside the house. The annual celebration caught on as her children grew and shared it on their travels. Consider: promote beer and wine floats; ice cream sundaes with… Read More »Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
#SuperBowlLIV | “The Big Game” as it has come to be called by non-sponsors (you can’t advertise the “Super Bowl” if you’re not an official partner). One of the biggest annual sporting events in the United States, the Super Bowl is the championship game of the NFL. Pairings: pepperoni pizza and IPAs, Bourbon and spicy… Read More »The Big Game
It’s estimated that 14 million people call into work sick the day after The Big Game. Consider: opening up early (if allowed) and offer a hearty brunch, mimosas (or beermosas) or other non-football related activity. Note: best not to talk about hangover “cures” or even acknowledge that people may have over-indulged. Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels
#RandomActsOfKindness | Originating in New Zealand, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded upon the powerful belief in kindness and dedicated to providing resources and tools that encourage acts of kindness. Consider: a buy-your-friend-a-drink board in the tasting room where customers pre-pay for a drink that can be redeemed… Read More »Random Acts of Kindness Day
#NationalDrinkWineDay, #DrinkWineDay | For wineries, an excellent time to celebrate the winemaker(s), tasting room staff and everyone involved in the process of bringing fine wine to the American table. Moderate drinkers of wine have lower risks of liver disease, type II diabetes, certain kinds of cancers, heart attack and stroke. It also can reduce the… Read More »Global Drink Wine Day
While the Aztecs and Mayans are given much of the credit for introducing chocolate to the world, original forms were quite bitter. When it eventually reached Europe, it was mainly used for medicinal purposes until they started adding mint, cinnamon and other spices to make it more palatable. Over time, sugar was then added and… Read More »Chocolate Mint Day
Presidents’ Day, or George Washington’s birthday, is a public holiday in all states except DE, GA, IA, IN, KS, KY, LA, NC, NM, RI, WI. While most businesses have a regular schedule (except for the Post Office), some schools close for that entire week for a mid-winter recess. Consider: special hours or drink specials for… Read More »Presidents’ Day
Millions of Americans suffer from auto-immune diseases like Celiac, limiting them to foods made without wheat, corn or rice. Not to be confused with a gluten-free diet, where only grains and products containing gluten are eliminated. Consider: breweries and distilleries can educate their customers on the difference between grain-free mash bills and gluten-free products. Photo… Read More »Grain-Free Day
#NationalMargaritaDay, #MargaritaDay | A margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice often served with salt on the rim of the glass. The drink is served shaken with ice (on the rocks), blended with ice (frozen margarita), or without ice (straight up). Did you know: you can substitute white wine for… Read More »Margarita Day
#WorldBartenderDay | Similar to National Bartender Day recognized on December 6, World Bartender Day aims to help customers appreciate the service and varied skillset of their favorite local bartenders. Consider: recognizing your tasting room team overall for their service to your customers. Note: if you recognize bartenders elsewhere make sure you’re recognizing the state minimum… Read More »World Bartender Day
Pairing: nutty Sherry or Tawny port; Cabernet Sauvignon or Petite Syrah; Stouts (dark chocolate) or IPAs (medium chocolate); or a light Scotch. Photo by Susanne Jutzeler from Pexels
A common snack for tasting room guests, Pistachios are not only delicious but offer loads of health benefits including high amounts of nutrients, antioxidants and proteins in addition to possibly lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Consider: bowls of pistachios for visitors who purchase a taster flight or other beverage. Photo by Mehran B from Pexels
#EveryoneLovesKahlua | Kahlua is the #1 selling coffee-flavored liqueur worldwide. With origins in Veracruz, Mexico, the drink contains rum, sugar, vanilla bean, and arabica coffee and is a popular mixer in cocktail drinks. Consider: for establishments that carry Kahlua, introduce a special drink recipe; discuss beverages in your portfolio with Mexican origin or inspiration; try… Read More »Kahlua Day
The word “strawberry” is believed to derive from “stray” or “strew,” for the fruit’s tendency to propagate promiscuously. Strawberries are the fifth most consumed fresh fruit in the U.S., after bananas, apples, oranges and grapes. Like raspberries and blackberries, strawberries are in the same subfamily as roses. None are true berries. The Guinness World Record… Read More »Strawberry Day
Mardi Gras marks the end of the Carnival season, a period observed by many Roman Catholics that starts at Epiphany on January 6 and ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Since Mardi Gras is the last day before lent (a solemn period observed by prayer, repentance, fasting, and moderation), it is often associated with… Read More »Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras
Did you know: it takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was introduced in 1928? Consider: adding peanut butter flavor to beer and whiskey; seasonal or special releases; why you don’t see many wines with peanut butter flavor. Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
A Moscow mule is a cocktail made with vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice, garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. It is a type of buck, therefore sometimes called a vodka buck. The Moscow mule is popularly served in a copper mug, which takes on the cold temperature of the liquid. Recipe:… Read More »Moscow Mule Day
#IrishWhiskeyDay | The March 3rd date was chosen because of the significance of the number 3 to Irish Whiskey: 3 styles of Irish Whiskey (Single Grain, Single Malt, Single Pot Still), Irish Whiskey must be matured for 3 years before it may be called a whiskey and there is a tradition of Irish Whiskey being… Read More »Irish Whiskey Day
Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1973 to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. Consider: promoting can sales (if available) and outdoor activities (#PackInPackOut) if consistent with your brand story. Photo by Rory Loader
A 24-hour, global respite from technology, highlighting the value of disconnecting from digital devices to connect with ourselves, our loved ones and our communities in real-time. Did you know: the project is associated with the Jewish Sabbath, adapting the ritual of carving out one day per week to unwind, unplug, relax, reflect, get outdoors and… Read More »Day of Unplugging
#EmployeeAppreciationDay | Originally celebrated in 1995 with the purpose of strengthening the bond between employer and employee. Consider: drink specials for industry workers; owners and managers serving normal tasting room staff as a show of appreciation. Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels
It is an anise-flavored spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium ("grand wormwood"), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. Absinthe traditionally has a natural green color, but may also be colorless. Consider: if you serve absinthe, perhaps specials or thematic drink promotions; or edutainment… Read More »Absinthe Day
