Pub Marketing Unplugged: Stories, Strategies & Smart Tools | Podcast on RSS.com

Pub Marketing Unplugged: Stories, Strategies & Smart Tools

Pub Marketing Unplugged: Stories, Strategies & Smart Tools

by shaun mcmanus

Entrepreneurship Marketing

Season 1

Pub Staff Performance Management for Success

Running a pub is more than pulling pints — it’s about managing people. Too many landlords fall into the trap of only addressing staff performance when problems boil over. That reactive approach wastes talent, drives turnover, and stalls growth. A smarter way is the Performance Management Cycle: Plan → Coach → Review. By setting clear expectations, tailoring coaching styles (think Hersey & Blanchard’s Situational Leadership II), and recognising good performance, landlords can build a culture of continuous improvement. The result? Motivated staff, stronger service, and a more profitable pub.

Beyond Pints: How Personal Development Plans Keep Pubs Thriving

Staff turnover is draining pubs of time, money, and talent — but there’s a smarter fix than discounts or constant hiring. Personal Development Plans (PDPs) give landlords and staff a roadmap for growth, built around three simple questions: Where am I now? Where do I want to be? How can I get there? By investing in PDPs, pubs create engaged teams, better customer service, and stronger profits.

Beyond the Boost: Facebook & Instagram Ads Done Right for Pubs

Most landlords waste money hitting “boost” on a blurry pint photo and hoping punters show up. The result? 3 likes — usually from your mum, your bar manager, and one random bloke. This episode is your Beyond the Boost playbook: how to stop wasting budget and start running Facebook & Instagram ads that actually sell pints, seats, and roasts. We’ll cover: 🍻 Why boosting is dead in 2025. 📍 How to target locals within 2 miles — not the whole city. ⚽ Templates that fill quiz nights, match days, and roast slots. 📊 Real ROI case studies (£75 → £1,200+ sales). 🎯 How to track bookings, not likes. If you’ve ever sworn ads don’t work for pubs — this will change your mind. 👉 Full Pub Ads Playbook → smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 Ad templates on tap → smartpubtools.net

The Pub Marketing Playbook: 2025 Strategies for Success

Most pubs don’t fail because of the beer — they fail because of silence online. In this episode, we dive into The Pub Marketing Playbook 2025, a no-fluff guide to filling seats, selling pints, and keeping punters coming back. You’ll learn why the old chalkboard post — “Quiz Night Tuesday 7pm” — just doesn’t cut it anymore, and how SmartPubTools’ 20 campaign frameworks can transform your pub’s marketing in minutes. We cover: 🍻 Quick digital wins (Google Business, 5-word social posts). 🎤 Event-led strategies (quiz nights, matchdays, karaoke, roasts). 🎯 Loyalty & retention (birthday pints, VIP passes, WhatsApp groups). 🤝 Community-driven marketing (local legends, photo walls, seasonal events). Whether you’re a landlord fighting to stay afloat or a pub group ready to scale, this Playbook gives you practical, banter-packed strategies to thrive in 2025’s attention economy. 👉 Full guide → smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 Try the tool → smartpubtools.net

Implementing Change in Pubs: A Landlord’s Step-by-Step Guide

Great ideas don’t make pubs thrive — great implementation does. In this episode, we break down the exact steps every landlord can follow to make changes stick. You’ll learn: Why SMART objectives are the backbone of pub improvements. How the RACI model stops “everyone’s responsible” chaos. The role of staff training and cheat sheets in reducing fear. Why piloting changes beats “big bang” rollouts. How to celebrate quick wins and embed lasting improvements. Real case studies of pubs that nailed change (and those that flopped). 👉 Full written guide: smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 Automate your pub marketing: smartpubtools.net

Overcoming Resistance to Change in Pubs: Turning Fear into Buy-In

Why do pub staff resist change — and how do you get them on board? Most pushback isn’t laziness. It’s fear, uncertainty, or poor communication. In this episode, we’ll explore: The 5 biggest barriers to change in pubs (fear of incompetence, loss of control, ripple effects, bad timing, poor comms). The psychology of resistance (loss aversion, social proof, change fatigue). Frameworks like Kotter, ADKAR, and Lewin for turning resistance into support. Real pub case studies: fails and wins. A landlord toolkit for spotting resistance early and flipping it into buy-in. 👉 Full written guide: smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 Automate your pub marketing: smartpubtools.net

Stakeholder Mapping for Pubs: Who Really Decides If Change Sticks

Every change in a pub affects more than just the landlord. Staff, regulars, breweries, landlords, even the council — they’re all stakeholders. Ignore them, and changes flop. Involve them, and changes thrive. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to use the Power/Interest Grid in a pub context. Why landlords and breweries sit in “high power, high interest.” Why staff and regulars need clear communication. How to tailor your message for suppliers vs regulars vs council. Real pub case studies of stakeholder fails (and wins). 👉 Full written guide: smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 Automate pub comms: smartpubtools.net

Unlock Your Pubs Superpower - Pub Negotiation

Every pint pulled in your pub is the result of a deal — with breweries, landlords, or staff. But too often, negotiations turn into conflict instead of collaboration. In this episode, we cover: How to negotiate with breweries on price hikes. How to consult staff on rota disputes without losing trust. How to prepare for landlord rent reviews with data and BATNA. The difference between distributive and integrative bargaining. Real case studies of pubs that saved thousands through better negotiation. 👉 Full written guide: smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 AI-powered marketing tool: smartpubtools.net

Change Management for Pubs: How to Make Changes That Actually Stick

Running a pub means constant change — new menus, rota systems, refurbishments, supplier contracts. But here’s the problem: most changes fail before the first pint is even poured. In this video, we break down the exact steps landlords and pub managers can use to make change stick without losing staff morale or upsetting regulars. You’ll learn: How Lewin’s “Unfreeze–Change–Refreeze” model works in a pub. How Kotter’s 8 Steps stop stock control chaos. How ADKAR cuts rota disputes by up to 70%. The real barriers to change in pubs (and how to smash them). How Kaizen & 5S improve cellars, bars, and kitchens daily. Why communication with regulars is the secret weapon for smooth change. 👉 Full written guide + templates: smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 Automate your pub social media with AI: smartpubtools.net

🎙 The Pub as a Media Company: Gary Vee’s Marketing Blueprint

Most landlords think they run a pub. Gary Vee would say you’re running a media company with a bar attached. In this episode, we unpack the Gary Vee blueprint for pubs and restaurants in 2025 — how to capture attention, turn everyday pub life into content, and build a loyal audience that keeps coming back. You’ll learn: 🎥 How to treat every quiz night, Sunday roast, and karaoke session as content gold. 🗓 Why a simple publishing schedule beats “posting when you remember.” 🌟 How staff and regulars can become the characters of your pub’s media story. 💸 How to monetise attention with sponsorships, merch, and partnerships. This isn’t about fancy cameras or polished ads — it’s about volume, banter, and documenting the life of your pub. Done right, your local doesn’t just serve pints — it owns attention in the community. 👉 Full playbook at smartpubtools.com/blog 👉 Try the 5-word content generator free at smartpubtools.net

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