Listen Up!
Sab talks about the lessons learned during her solo travel to Tamarindo, Costa Rica as a black woman. And she shares that she recently was introduced to plant-based Magic Mushrooms - Psilocybin.
I literally jumped out of bed and threw whatever on — sorry for the slip ..LOL
My Freshman Year homecoming in college
Homecoming is more than a football game… homecoming to HBCU alum & #HBCU adjacent; it’s black fellowship, camaraderie, black joy, black families, black unity, and loving memories of why we choose the HBCU life. I felt like I belonged when I stepped foot on campus. I too was captivated by the experience, as a freshman on campus. That’s where I was introduced to the sorority that I would eventfully become a life-long member of, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. #skeewee
However, this year -- unfortunately, homecoming festivities at most schools have been canceled because of the pandemic.
This will be ripe for virtual and drive-thru events -- I am looking forward to seeing how brands will work to insert themselves into the homecoming experience this year. How they will connect to their customers during Covid-19. How will brands evolve your emotional state to connect their products to you the consumer? Making the brand live in the life of that person.
It’s a feat that this marketing professional is looking forward to experiencing. Will the majorettes perform virtually on the field? Will the bands play to an empty stadium, that feeds off the crowd energy.
Image via VinePair.com
“Never Waste a Good Crisis" ~ Winston Churchill
You're in the F&B (food & beverage) business.
Traffic is consistent, your wine club has a vast selection of flavorful Beaujolaises and Champagnes; with imports from all over the world. Business sales are in the black; consumers consistently patronize your brick & mortar, patrons trust you and your business staff. For all intents purposes, you are a successful business -- things are relatively good!
Then the unforeseeable grapples the entire world -- a global pandemic; its official name coined COVID-19 or Coronavirus. 'Ish has hit the proverbial fan! Hotspot cities globally have declared Shelter-In-Place & Stay-At-Home mandates. Non-essential businesses are legally required to close its doors, thus making sit-in tabling - not an option. However, if your business is considered essential -- you need to pivot your brick & mortar strategy, that is now relying on off-premise business (Take-Out or Delivery Only).
Phew! Alcohol purchase is still considered essential… now your "wine business" is deemed essential for take-out and delivery (Off-Premise).
Next, you and your team get creative to circumvent the stunted On-Premise traffic and engage in strategic marketing efforts in the midst of a current crisis and uncertain times.
CREATIVE WAYS TO APPROACH ON-PREMISE WINE SALES W/O ON-PREMISE WINE SALES CAPABILITIES -- TO STAY IN BUSINESS
Businesses need to assess and dig deeper into their consumer insights DAILY! Because this is an extreme pivot and your business has to adapt to this new normal because people still want to consume alcohol (According to the market research firm Nielsen, alcoholic beverage sales shot up 55%). Behavior is shifting and this the opportune time for marketers to leverage, capitalize, and take advantage of this moment (defining who their brand is).
...digging more into the digital landscape of e-commerce -- amid COVID-19
…and I had planned to send this to stand out!
I had an interview with 31000ft Agency ✈️ last week, that went well — and I want to showcase to them my creativity and to stand out as a prospect. This is what I would like to send to them; to amplify my interest in the agency and aspirations of securing a second-round interview. (I did draw this)
Doing too much?
Doing enough — you need to stand out!
Cool idea, Sab!
Wait until you get the second interview, Sab!
It’s a strategist role. I’m a right-brain person — I enjoy being creative. It’s an agency, that’s why I thought storyboard. Also, if you’re a creative you understand the storyboard nod.
I reached out to a creative friend of mine to get their thoughts — when I shared with him the agency, he shared his word-of-mouth thoughts on the agency. Phew… the power of word of mouth.
Let me know your thoughts!
UPDATE: I did not get the role — they deduced that after interviewing multiple people — they were looking for something specific from everyone :-/ — with no clear… nevermind.
This past weekend I “volunteered” w/ Eden Hill Vineyard out of Celina, Texas — I was at the Sherman, Texas Stroll on the Square! …and while I am in my job search journey, I never miss an opportunity to hone my marketing aptitude!
I was given less than 24-hours of info notice about the wines that I would need to talk about — heck; less than 5 hours actually to sample, learn the history, nuances, and wine notes! (We’re selling wine!)
I enjoyed the fast pace and patience-testing of this event — we were given a college student volunteer, that I truly enjoyed teaching her lessons about people, wine networking, bottle opening and strategic networking overall @ wine events.
My TIPS I gleaned from volunteering:
Passion Talking About Wine (when you have a passion
Love for Communications & Marketing
Appreciation for Presentation
Leader — taking the lead (I am focused on what I want, and I’m not timid about expressing It) — when my volunteer partner commented “Sab, (using the 70’s idiom of… ) “it’s you’re way or nothing at all” no… NO — I have a specific way that I’d like something done, and unless we can collaboratively come up with a better way — I want it done this way. Taking the lead isn’t always meant to be popular. Presentation is important
Impressions — meeting new people
Thank you Eden Hill Winery