marketing spirits with social media - youtube
DESCRIPTION
Liquor companies are always trying to figure out how best to reach their target audience. Through my project, Better Cocktails at Home, I've built a cheap, sustainable content model that spirit companies can easily follow. High quality video production is what spirit brands, distillers, and distributors need to help tell their stories.TRANSCRIPT
Marketing Spirits withSocial Media
A look at YouTube andBetter Cocktails at Home
This is me. @briancjohnson
Aside from digital content,I happen to be good at making
cocktails.
After watching hundreds of terrible
(and a few good) cocktail videos, I decided to make my
own.
These guys rock.
Two goals were defined for this project:
Two goals were defined for this project:
1. Build a digital content project for my
professional portfolio.
Two goals were defined for this project:
2. Help sway the balance of evil cocktail videos towards good.
Then I did what everybody does with a creative project...
Kickstart that thing yo!
$$$$$$$$$$!
Turns out, people won’t give you money
if they don’t know who you are or you’re not giving them a physical
product.
So that failed. (Though my Dad pledged
$100.)
Thanks pop.
Still wanting to see if I could build a
good show, I spent the bare minimum to get decent equipment to
start filming.
Camera
Microphone
Home Depot Clamp Lights
Next up was the set. My set had to be simple because my
carpentry skills are 1/100 of my cocktail
skills.
Basic wood bar and some small shelves on the wall for
decoration.
With the set and equipment ready, I
needed to decide on my distribution.
A Facebook page made sense. I don’t post often, usually 1-2
times a week.
There is a good cocktail community on Twitter, so I spend a fair amount of time
there.
YouTube is where it is at. YouTube is now a very viable content source with the new
channel structure.
I don’t maintain a website, currently. Maybe in the
future.
The single most important thing I did was to set a
production schedule.
1 video/week, every Friday.No more, no less.
I cared only about two metrics.
YouTube SubscribersYouTube Views
My first year goals:
250 Subscribers25,000 views
With that, we started filming cocktails.
And Better Cocktails at Home was born.
5 Things to Note
1. It’s hard to have a family, a full-time job,
and a YouTube show.
5 Things to Note
2. Developing a visual style and production processes are the key to speed.
5 Things to Note
3. You will make video production mistakes.
5 Things to Note
4. You will improve. In all aspects.
5 Things to Note
5. YouTube is the future of visual content.
We produced 50 videos in one year.
We produced 50 videos in one year.
And started to build a strong audience.
Goal: 250 subscribers
Goal: 250 subscribers
Actual: 285 subscribers
Goal: 25,000 views
Goal: 25,000 views
Actual: 14,077 views
We made one goal, but missed the other.
In the world of YouTube, I’ll take subscribers over
views.
With spirits and cocktails, the interactive and visual nature of YouTube make it a perfect fit for
brands.
What does year two of Better Cocktails at Home look like?
Goal: 1,000 subscribers
Goal: 75,000 views
Goal: 1,000 subscribers
Goal: 75,000 views
And 100 of the best cocktail videos out
there.
Connect with me for questions and comments.
Or check out the Better Cocktails at Home social media channels.