1.6 Marketing and Messaging Do's and Don'ts for the Food and Beverage Industry

In this episode, Ashley breaks down the most common marketing mistakes she sees food and beverage businesses making—and more importantly, what to do instead. From coffee shops to restaurants, she covers why just posting pretty pictures isn't enough, how to be honest about promotions without being manipulative, and why making basic information hard to find is costing you customers. This isn't about following some cookie-cutter marketing playbook; it's about creating content that actually connects with people and drives them to your business.Key Takeaways:Stop posting photos of food and drinks without context, tell people what they're looking at, what's in it, and what it tastes like, especially for unfamiliar itemsBe honest about your promotions instead of using manipulative language. People love supporting local businesses and saving money, so just say that's what you're doingMake essential information (hours, location, menu, pricing, allergen info) easily accessible on both your website and social mediaUse your marketing to set proper expectations and attract the right customers. If you're charging premium prices, let people know upfrontFocus on what makes you different from every other coffee shop or restaurant, your unique value proposition should be woven into your written content, not just plastered everywhereTimestamps:[00:00 - 00:41] - Introduction to the Do Good Business Podcast and episode overview[02:55 - 05:17] - First major mistake: posting food/drink photos without context or descriptions[05:33 - 07:27] - How to approach promotions and sales honestly without manipulation[07:28 - 10:22] - Making essential business information easily accessible (hours, location, pricing, allergen info)[10:23 - 11:33] - Why food and beverage experiences are emotional and how to differentiate yourself[11:34 - 14:51] - The importance of written content and descriptive storytelling to make people want to visit[14:52 - 15:17] - Closing thoughts and call to action for episode feedbackHave questions or topics you'd love to hear about? I want to hear from you! This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. There are millions of ways to grow a business, and I'm here to help you find what works best for you.⁠ashleydreager.com⁠⁠Instagram⁠ Get in touch: ⁠FREEBIE! Client Journey Mapping Workbook⁠Want me to help with your marketing? Fill out ⁠this form⁠ and I'll reach out!