marketing

Getting Started in Coffee Branding

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It’s more than a logo.

To learn more about coffee branding, NCA members can access the on-demand webinar, “Getting Started in Coffee Branding.”

By Michael Wilson, Creative Director, Made Visible Studio

Branding is not some sort of black magic.

Rather, it is a methodic process by which an organization defines what makes them unique and how they are different from the competition.

A brand is a promise of an experience. It is up to you, the owner of the company, to decide and control what kind of experience that is going to be.

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Consumer Insights: Coffee Claims [Video]

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From sourcing to roasting, coffee companies can have a lot to say about their product. These messages can majorly influence consumer perception and behavior – but not necessarily in the ways you’d expect.

A new NCA Consumer Insights report (based on NCDT data) takes a closer look at coffee claims – which include general statements, perceptions, or things that people find motivating about coffee.

For example, said Cheryl Hung, VP of Research at Dig Insights, during a recent webinar: “What kind of equity does coffee have with consumers? Are there positive and negative associations with coffee among different demographics? Who perceives coffee in a negative light? And what can we say to persuade them from a marketing perspective, or via point of sale?”

Get more highlights in the video below – and to learn more, check out the webinar (on-demand playback free for members) or NCA market research:

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From Invisibility Towards Inclusivity: Building Diversity In the Coffee Industry

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Daiane Vital embracing her mother Vanilda de Souza Vital, south of Minal Geraris Brazil. Photo: Danielle Sereio

“The industry must do a better job at telling coffee’s history, beyond those who carried the bean throughout different parts of the world…”
– Phyllis Johnson, BD Imports, NCA Board Member

In the most recent issue, Roast Magazine published an insightful and important article by Phyllis Johnson, NCA board member and BD Imports president & co-founder.

“Strong Black Coffee, Why Aren’t African Americans More Prominent in The Coffee Industry?” features perspectives from 14 black coffee professionals.

The following is a summary of the original piece, with new reflections and an update from Johnson’s recent trip to Brazil during International Coffee Week.

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How to take Great #Coffee Photos for Instagram

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Snip20180305_7.pngPhoto: @tanitotoro via @peoplebrewcoffee

[Editor’s note: The NCA Next Generation Council is leading an NCA Instagram photo contest! Follow the National Coffee Association at @nationalcoffeeusa and tag us in your coffee photos with #NCAUSA for a chance to win agreat prize donated by Bunn. Deadline: March 15]

Instagram is a powerful platform for coffee businesses of sizes: the platform has a community of 800 million, with 500 users million using it every day (second only to Facebook, via Hootsuite). And with 80% of Instagrammers follow at least one business, it’s a great way to engage consumers.

There are a lot of great ways to use Instagram to showcase your brand, from promoting new products to sharing a glimpse into your company culture. And fortunately for our industry, coffee is particularly photogenic. But getting that perfect shot (espresso or otherwise) requires more effort behind the scenes than you think.

Over on the MistoBox blog, Melissa Hall reached out to some of the most talented coffee photographers for their top insta-tips on bringing out your coffee’s best side. (Be sure to check out their feeds for even more caffeinated inspiration – and follow the NCA at @nationalcoffeeusa.)

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How to Open a Coffee Shop: The Complete Guide

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By Sara Brown, Bond Street 

The full version of this post originally appeared on Bond Street

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How can a passionate affinity for coffee and a stirring desire to create something of your own manifest into a successful business?

If you’re overwhelmed by the multitude of initiatives associated with building a new business and are looking for a step-by-step guide that breaks down the everything you need to know about starting a coffee shop enterprise, you’ve come to the right place.

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Storytelling Through Content Strategy

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By David J. Verjano, Founder, Verjano Communications  – and NCA Coffee Summit 2016 speaker 

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Today we are more connected than ever thanks to technology and the internet. But with more connectivity inevitably comes more clutter. As a brand, the question then becomes, “How do we stand out from the crowd?”

The simple answer: Content.

Not just ordinary content, we’re talking unique, creative and captivating content; something that tells your story in a memorable and impactful way. That’s where having a content strategy comes in.

Whether you’re pushing this content via your website, social media or other channels, there needs to be a cohesive plan for telling your story. When done right, you will not only gain the attention of potential customers but keep them coming back for more. This is a brief breakdown on the factors to consider when creating your content strategy.

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3 Social Media Goals for Your Coffee Business – and How to Execute Them

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By Jenn Chen

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As we all know, goals are meaningless without actionable items.

In the new year, I want to…

“I want to be better at social media.”

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This statement covers so much ground that it will leave you overwhelmed.

What does being “better” at social media mean to you? I recommend first figuring out the goals you want to reach for social media and then creating the plan to get there. 

Businesses will often want to pick one of the below as a goal for social media:

  • Increase sales of product or services
  • Increase brand awareness
  • Increase business newsletter signups

Notice that all three of the above goals are worded in a way that make it easy to define metrics.

Let’s take each of these goals and create a simple, actionable plan.  Continue reading →