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.
Intended to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices. Consider: reminding customers of the privacy practices surrounding your newsletter, loyalty program or other channels for collecting/storing transactional data.
A brandy-based cocktail consisting of cognac, crème de cacao, and cream that became popular during the early 20th century. Sweet pairing: a cardamom shortbread torte or flourless shortbread with apple pie preserves (and if you have that in your wheelhouse, you’re in a different league!). Photo by Anthony Shkraba from Pexels
#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
#WorldNutellaDay | Nutella is a brand of sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread. Nutella is manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero and was first introduced in 1964, although its first iteration dates to 1963. Pairing: Ruby Port; hazelnut- or peanut butter-inspired Porters and Stouts; or even a Nutella-whiskey cocktail (an Islay Scotch also works nicely). Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
The National Girls and Women in Sports Day is an annual day of observance held during the first week of February to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and honor the progress and continuing struggle for equality for women in sports. Again, respect: if you… Read More »Girls and Women in Sports Day
Fettuccine Alfredo or fettuccine al burro is an Italian pasta dish of fresh fettuccine tossed with butter and Parmesan cheese. As the cheese melts, it emulsifies the liquids to form a smooth and rich sauce coating the pasta. Pairing: from Italy, consider Barbera, an off-dry Vouvray or Riesling, or a Pinot Bianco. Otherwise a full-bodied… Read More »Fettuccine Alfredo Day
Considering Americans consume over 23 pounds of pizza per person each year, it’s no wonder that 17% of all restaurants are pizzerias. It’s thought that Gennaro Lombardi opened the first pizzeria in the United States in 1895 (in New York City). Pairing: pepperoni pizza with IPA; margherita and Pale Ale; Hawaiian and fruit beer; mushroom… Read More »Pizza Day
Celebrates friendships that were developed through the Internet. Consider: a general shout-out to fans and followers on your social media channels; drink or merchandise promotions; or a low-key event in your tasting room. Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
Tortellini are ring-shaped pasta originally from the Italian region of Emilia, traditionally stuffed with a mix of meat, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, egg and nutmeg and served in capon broth. Pairing: Red Zinfandel and Sangiovese. Photo by Harry Dona from Pexels
#ValentinesDay | Primarily a commercial celebration of love and romance tied to various accounts of Saint Valentine’s martyrdom around AD 269 and Geoffrey Chaucer’s literature in the 14th century. Not a public holiday. Pairing: oysters and Irish Stout; Camembert fondue with champagne or a dry Chablis; steak and a spicy, woody Bourbon; and of course,… Read More »Valentine’s Day
Almonds are one of the most heart-healthy foods on the market, packed with vitamin E, magnesium and fiber. Did you know: 80% of the world’s almonds are grown in California. Consider: promoting any almond-inspired seasonal beverages; offering a special cheese, meat and almond tray to guests in your tasting room. Photo by Irina Iriser 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
#OpenThatBottleNight | Coined by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher – the husband-wife team that wrote a column called “Tastings” in the Wall Street Journal from 1998-2009 – this is the day to symbolically open a bottle you’ve been storing for a special occasion. Photo by Markus Spiske temporausch.com from Pexels
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
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
#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
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 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
