12 Craft Brewery Marketing Tips To Sell Better This Year

As of 2019, there were 7,480 Independent craft brewers in the United States, up from 6,464 craft breweries in 2018. That means standing out with your marketing as a brewery is more important than ever.

There are no signs of slowing down this growth, and in fact, most have expanded into Hard Seltzer, Kombuch, and Tea.

Most Craft Breweries don't have the big budgets that the major brands do, which means you need to be strategic and nimble with your marketing.

Keep reading to learn 12 Craft Brewery Marketing Tips To Sell Better This Year.

First, what makes you unique? One of the best ways to stand out is to double down on what makes your brand different. That can be using local or favorite artists on Instagram or being known for throwing significant events.

Remember, your customers are people with values and preferences. They are looking for brands that resonate with them, and when they find that special connection with you, it's a testament to your brand's significance. When they understand what makes you unique, they'll eagerly share your brand with others, emphasizing that special point that drew them in.

If you don't have an obvious thing that helps you stand out, focus on finding one.  It's going to be your secret weapon.

Next, if you aren't already, start posting good content on social media! Whether you're blogging about beer or creating unique posts that tie into marketing campaigns, social media is your friend.

Social media offers a unique opportunity to connect with your customers on a personal level. It's not just about promoting your beer, but about building relationships and becoming a trusted friend in their social media feeds.

It's also a great way for people to share and repost your content for their friends to see.

If you have the capital, expanding your business with custom merchandise is a huge advertising tool. You could focus on essentials that people use, like bottle openers, or you could venture into the swag world.

T-shirts, hats, etc., with the company logo and some other elements of your branding. This can be an easy add-on sell to your super fans.

Focus on who your core customers are and build merchandise around that. Start small with one or two items, and then experiment with "limited edition" runs.

Displaying your product in a busy retail aisle includes considering the experience you want your audience to have. Using creative custom packaging is one of the key ways to differentiate yourself and attract people to your brand.

Identifying your ideal audience can help you target your packaging to create the greatest impact on your consumer. Your beer's packaging will stand out more productively if you know your target customers and what they seek.

This article from Packing Digest underscores the dynamic nature of target audiences and the importance of aligning your packaging message with their evolving needs. The ability to identify and adapt to your target audience is the cornerstone of a successful campaign.

Next, giving back is always a great way to show your love for your community. Goodwill travels far with customers. They love purchasing from a brand that is giving back.

Volunteering your staff for an event, giving away beer at a party, or sponsoring food drives. Focus on where you can impact and how it ties into your brand.

Now, think about how many events are happening around your hometown—parties, concerts, clubs, etc. Sponsoring an event can lead to a huge boost in sales.

You can start by focusing on events that tie directly into your brand, and then you can expand into new territory. Try bringing something new to your city that has never been there.

By sponsoring an event, you create an opportunity for potential customers to experience your product or service. This initial interaction can lead to increased brand recognition and, ultimately, customer loyalty, with individuals more likely to repurchase your product in the future.

It's critical that you monitor review sites. Beer is only as good as its critics say it is, so you'll want to check out Yelp and other review sites.

Start by sharing positive reviews online as social proof to customers. The funnier the review, the better.

If there are negative reviews, try directly responding to them about how you could solve the issue. As people read through the reviews, they will see and appreciate your response to the problem.

Next, get people in the know. Creating an online newsletter is an extremely cost-effective solution to expanding your reach. Include inside news about what your company is doing.

By bringing people inside the inner workings, you'll excite them about every new beer you release. They're not just here for the beer; they're here for the story.

Including a coupon in some, if not all, of your newsletters is a great idea. This will get people interested and coming back for more.

The online landscape has changed a lot over the years, but influencer marketing is here to stay. Finding a tastemaker or someone outside your category is a great way to expand your reach.

Yes, there are costs associated with it, but compare them to a traditional marketing campaign. It might be more cost-effective in the long run.

By building a relationship with an influencer who has a relationship with their fans, you can get directly to them without the hard sell.

Before you do, be sure to look up the rules and best practices.

Next is one of the most important elements of organic marketing, SEO. In your local area, you compete every time someone searches for a craft beer - especially if you sell in your own building.

Be sure to create a Google My Business Account to improve search results. This can help you control what is shown to customers and ensure that your business information is correct.

Then, you should look into optimizing your website. It should have a simple-to-navigate interface and allow visitors to discover more information about your brand and your beer.

The best website has a low bounce rate because customers look around before leaving.

Now, create a customer loyalty program. This is a no-brainer for most if not all, breweries. By doing so, you encourage customers to keep coming back for more.

There are many loyalty programs, but start by focusing on your customer base. Think about what gives them the most value and start there. This could be a punch card or coupon-earning style.

You can always change your approach later.

Finally, find some industry publications to post in. There are a number of publications worth writing about that get circulated to potential customers.

You could try targeting business professionals, focusing on what makes your brand unique, and targeting other small business owners.

What you don't need is other breweries to read about you, so choose your publications carefully. Find something that can tie into your brand or is beer-focused.

Bennett is a premier packaging and retail displays manufacturing company striving to protect and promote our clients' products with customized corrugated solutions. When you work with us, you’re part of the family. We will partner with you every step of the way.

With our fully integrated design-to-delivery process, we can be the single supplier source. We are an award-winning manufacturer of virtually anything corrugate. We offer everything from plain brown shipping boxes to sophisticated, high-graphic printed point-of-purchase displays and everything in between.

Contact Bennett today about Craft Beer Packaging