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quilloftheclouds · 5 years ago

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Novel Prep Tag

Tagged by @ahowlinwolf! I don’t usually do tag games, but this one was fun and it happens to align with the new wip I’m working on~

Rules: answer the questions and then tag as many writers as there are questions answered (or as many as you can) to spread the positivity! Even if these questions are not explicitly brought up in the novel, they are still good to keep in mind when writing.

Tagging @livvywrites @tenacious-scripturient @abalonetea @aslanwrites @surroundedbypearls @ditzysworld @h-faith-marr-writeblr and @ardawyn! Only a few, because I’m not quite sure who’s open to tag games or not. Feel free to ignore!

I’ll be doing this one for Two Witches Woven, since I just starting writing the first draft about a week ago! It’s the second book in the One Siren’s Soul series! (I don’t yet have an introduction up, but I’m working on that now.)

FIRST LOOK

1. Describe your novel in 1-2 sentences (elevator pitch).

The Diluculo's crew sets off to return the magical Siren's Soul to its true guardians, their voyage drawing the attention of a rather peculiar pirate captain as it leads them directly into the heart of siren territory. But that’s not all that hinders them: war rides on the tides, and it’s quickly coming in.

2. How long do you plan for your novel to be? (Is it a novella, single book, book series, etc.)

This is book two of a trilogy! If you’re curious about the first book, check out the introduction post for One Siren’s Soul here~

3. What is your novel’s aesthetic?

This book focuses a bit more on the Forest sirens than the first one did, but a lot is still the same.

Storm clouds churning with violet lightning and swells of foam seething waves below; sunlight filtering down through calm water and pillars of giant kelp, shoals of fish glittering between; a massive ship with black wood, gold and gemstone dragons, and amber, ribbed sails; a room of secrets locked behind a black door; the clash of blades and smell of gunpowder and taste of blood; mist-like green magic whirling chaotically; glowing eyes and fanged snarls and slick scales and wing-like fins; and a world of endless stars.

4. What other stories inspire your novel?

Quite a darn lot! Of course, the major inspiration from movies was probably Pirates of the Caribbean. There’s also Avatar: The Last Airbender in there and How to Train Your Dragon and LOTS of Peter Pan and just. Lots.

But mostly it was inspired by my personal experience living on the coast and fishing/kayaking/hiking, and from my uni courses! Lots of marine biology and other science! And honestly. So much of my ideas are from music. Heck. Ah. Like, this song in particular was stuck on the wip playlist since the start, and for more epic stuff, all of the PotC soundtrack and epic instrumentals like this and this.

5. Share 3+ images that give a feel for your novel.

I wanted to include some ships and piratey stuff too but... only three. Auughh.

MAIN CHARACTER

6. Who is your protagonist?

Celestine, Dione, Caelin, Lá Lúa, and [spoiler] all have perspectives! But Celestine is kinda the main main character.

7. Who is their closest ally?

Uhhhh Phoenix? Maybe? Also someone Celestine doesn’t even remember~

8. Who is their enemy?

Technically the British Royal Navy! Although, Captain Ryans and Rose are pretty close to being the main antagonists.

9. What do they want more than anything?

Celestine just wants to live peacefully for once! Really! To stop having people chasing them for the bounty on their head, have plenty of time and materials for their machine building, maybe possibly get away with a bit of thievery. Is that so much to ask for?

Also! In this book, the main goal is getting a magical artifact called the Siren’s Soul back to the sirens who were supposed to be guarding it!

10. Why can’t they have it?

BECAUSE PEOPLE KEEP CHASING THEM AND BEING ANNOYING (and also there’s some magic chaos going on that prevents it).

11. What do they wrongly believe about themselves?

Aww. Celestine believes that she’s bad luck. Everyone she’s come close to in the past have come to severe harm or have lost their lives, so she’s rather frightened of getting close to anyone new. Hence the belief that she wants to live in isolation, which is... really not true. Nor is it what she needs.

12. Draw your protagonist! (Or share a description)

nnnmmmmm don’t feel like writing a physical description. Have an art instead:

PLOT POINTS

13. What is the internal conflict?

There’s. A lot! But as I said above, that belief that she’s bad luck versus several people getting close to her (and her desire to get close to them even though she’s trying to convince herself that’s not a thing). Celestine also has severe PTSD and has plenty of guilt towards her mother’s death, and her hydrophobia is especially prominent as an internal obstacle to what she wants to do.

14. What is the external conflict?

THERE’S A WHOLE HECKIN’ WAR? Between sirens and humans? And Celestine’s caught right in the middle of it. Oops. Also the selfishness and greed of humans when it comes to gaining magic from the sirens, and both parties being rife with fear and misunderstanding.

15. What is the worst thing that could happen to your protagonist?

Celestine really just does not want to lose someone else she’s close to. Being responsible for that would be the worst, though. c:<

16. What secret will be revealed that changes the course of the story?

Someone’s not wholly human.

17. Do you know how it ends?

Yeppers.

BITS AND BOBS

18. What is the theme?

Lost years, healing from trauma, family being more than blood and home being more than place. The consequences of aging/time passing and the inability to return to what once was, but learning to live with the current. (Haha puns. c;)

19. What is a recurring symbol?

LIGHTNING. Zappy zap. You’ll learn why soon.

20. Where is the story set? (Share a description!)

I haven’t really decided on a specific place yet, but it takes place on an alternate Earth during the Golden Age of Piracy! The first book was in the Northern Atlantic off the coast of New Acadia (modern day Nova Scotia), but I think the second book (this one) will take place in the Caribbean!

21. Do you have any images or scenes in your mind already?

Ooohhohhh yeah.

22. What excited you about this story?

I mean. Captain Xuân being my favourite character. Is a thing. They make a major appearance in this book. Also just! All sorts of new siren worldbuilding I get to reveal and cool magic stuff!

23. Tell us about your usual writing method!

I have a basic bullet point outline I’m working from, though I often stray from it. I write in order, and if I get stuck, I often find just writing the dialogue like a script is much easier, so I do that and skip parts I can’t write at that time and return to them later!

I have to basically always be listening to music while doing anything ever, so. It doesn’t always have to follow the theme or similar emotions to what I’m writing, but it can help with the mood if it does match!

#tag games #novel prep tag #tww #two witches woven #i'm actually pretty pleased with some of this stuff #that elevator pitch especially #and the themes?#neat

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hellyeahomeland · 5 years ago

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“The English Teacher” | Directed by Michael Cuesta, Cinematography by Giorgio Scali

Sara: Not really related to this image specifically, but this week’s episode was directed by Michael Cuesta, whom you may remember as the directing executive producer for the show’s first two seasons. He directed some of the best episodes of the show: the pilot, “The Weekend,” “Marine One,” “The Choice.” I was really, really happy to see that they brought him back for the penultimate episode. That feels fitting and so, so right.

Related to this image specifically, opening on an image of Carrie literally split in half in the frame feels symbolic. She’s being pulled in two competing directions, her loyalty to Saul fighting with her desire to prevent a nuclear war.

Gail: When the episode first started I wondered if she had escaped custody and was standing and waiting to have a passport photo taken like Brody in “The Choice” (again, a Michael Cuesta episode). (My tin foil hat has been all over the place lately!) But then it occurred to me that it’s actually the mirror of the opening shot of Carrie in the first episode this season. The close-ups of Carrie in both scenes have a lot in common, especially that we can only see half of her face. In episode one, the other half of the frame was black and here, the other half is white. I think Sara was right when she pointed out in last week’s Director’s Chair about the transition images at the end of “Designated Driver.” Carrie’s life has always been somewhere in between the black and white.

Ashley: The way this carefully pans down across her face, only to find that she is actually cuffed to the chair, is pretty well-done. We’ve seen her in cuffs too many times this season, and trapped in other ways more often than that.

Sara: This image of Carrie watching the suicide bomb footage on TV really calls to mind the visuals in the opening credits of a young Carrie watching war and terror play out on a television screen.

Ashley: How many times has Carrie seen something awful and life-altering on television? She was in this position in season five when she saw Quinn in the gas chamber. Shocking and devastating and just kinda the life of Carrie Mathison, tbh.

Gail: I agree with both of you, this is a great callback to Carrie in the credits and Carrie in “New Normal.” Carrie’s unconventional methods often come at a high price and this scene is another reminder of that. (And how amazing is Chris Bauer, who plays Carrie’s lawyer?! Sara, he’s even giving you some sweet ‘stache!)

Sara: Love the mustache.

Sara: Tag yourself I’m Wellington.

Ashley: We are all Wellington.

Gail: Pretty sure I’ve been Saul all week trying to get my kids to do their e-learning. I’m tagging my son as Zabel and my daughter as Hayes. My husband is full-on Wellington, knowing I’m right but refusing to get involved.

Ashley: The sharp difference between Zabel’s terrible beard and Saul’s luscious beard is one of the best things this show has offered us.

Gail: I love that Saul’s body language tells a story too. He can hardly bring himself to look at Zabel, let alone face him.

Sara: John Zabel is a real fuckin’ slime ball and Hugh Dancy has been so, so good in this role. You can tell he must relish getting to play this evil character, going up against these actors and actors that he’s known so intimately, though entirely offscreen, the last ten years.

Sara: I love this detail of Saul moving one of his books back just a millimeter or so. It really emphasizes how meticulous he is and also begs the question if he’s going to realize Carrie had them all splayed out on his living room floor. Does he keep them in a specific order?

Ashley: I WAS WONDERING THE SAME THING. And I’m surprised he has so many of them — he was looking at one volume specifically, so I initially was wondering if his commie shelf was just to hide that particular book.

Gail: No small detail seems to escape Saul’s attention. Such a small movement, but it says so much about who Saul is. And yes, Ashley, some of those books were just decoys! Carrie figured that out as she was sorting the books, which is also a great detail about who Saul is. Saul’s red book collection of asset communication is also his hobby. As Carrie says, the best lies have to have truth in them.

Sara: Ben Savage as young Mandy Patinkin is some of the most inspired casting ever. I know he’s already played a young Mandy Patinkin, but I am still in awe. The flat bill cap was an excellent detail. #hat

Gail: I love how he is wearing a trademark Saul plaid shirt, too!

Gail: Another shot of a character with only half of their face shown. This time it’s a young Saul who already has his fair share of secrets.

Ashley: Spoiler alert, she doesn’t shoot him.

Sara: IJLTP.

Gail: We don’t get this close-up shot in this scene until Saul drops his facade and asks her if she’s reading between the lines... He wants to pull a fast one on the useful idiots in the Oval Office and wants her help to do it (ugh, Tasneem agrees!). From a distance, we see Saul in his office somewhere in the West Wing, playing the part of National Security Advisor, but as the camera moves in for this close-up, we see Saul as who he really is: the smart and strategic spy.

Sara: There were quite a few extreme close-ups of Saul this week. What does it mean in an episode where we learn more about his heroic past than potentially at any other time this series? For me this really put into perspective how much we don’t know about Saul. Carrie alludes to snippets he’s revealed over the years, but even she--presumably his closest confidante--doesn’t know. Saul is the opposite of an open book, pun intended.

Ashley: Let’s crack his spine open and see if there’s a note.

Sara: This slow push on Carrie as the judge reads the list of charges against her is devastating, and not just for Carrie. It is for the audience too, because we know the truth. It goes without saying that Claire is magnificent here.

Ashley: Listening to all of the things Carrie Mathison is being charged with — specifically because we know the character, we have known her for a long time — is painful. For Claire, who has lived in Carrie’s skin for so long, it must have been torture.

Gail: Carrie’s lawyer is dressed in red, white and blue while Carrie is dressed for a funeral. I’m sure neither is a coincidence.

Sara: I do not like the context of this shot, but I love the shot itself. IDNLTCOTSBILTSI.

Sara: Linus being the only one in a room full of military brass and West Wing staff who understands that something’s fishy here is a very “of course” moment. I love how they’re framed in shadows here. In a way, he and Saul have both been running a “shadow” government all season, working in the background, out of sight.

Gail: Saul has his own circle of trust now and Wellington’s circle is only bumping up against it, no Venn diagrams here. Saul is playing his cards close to the vest, knowing he is on borrowed time. (See what I did there?)

Sara: I loved the payoff of the Carrie/Jenna relationship this week. Jenna coming to the realization that Quinn did before--nothing is worth the damage they cause--plays like a terrible déjà vu moment. Carrie just sits there, silent, as Jenna walks out. As staff writer Jonathan Redding said, “She was never going to become another Carrie. She can’t make Carrie’s trades.”

Gail: I think Carrie sits silently as Jenna walks out because she can’t argue with her. Carrie herself came to the same realization back in season four. Interestingly, as Jenna has her realization that nothing is worth the damage they do, Carrie is sitting at a dining room table, just like Quinn was when he had his realization in “Gerontion.” Except this time Carrie is the one who everyone thinks is guilty of a crime she didn’t commit. So. Many. Parallels.

Ashley: Putting Carrie at the dining room table is interesting — she’s surrounded by empty chairs. You can’t help but think of all the people she’s lost, and yet another person is walking away. She’s completely alone.

Sara: ICONIC MOMENT IN TELEVISION HISTORY.

Gail: Did Carrie swipe a pair of Saul’s glasses from his house? They look similar to asset Anna’s glasses as well. Not sure if that means anything, but it’s interesting.

Sara: Gail, you can read my tin foil hat theory on that in this week’s TCWTW.

Sara: I love love love this transition that reveals the teacher in the photo is the Russian translator. It’s inspired.

Gail: Me too! I also love that she is in focus while everyone else is not, which adds importance to her character as well. The first shot of her mirrors the photo of The English Teacher. We don’t see her full face until she talks to Saul directly in this scene, a small detail that reveals who her character is important to.

Ashley: Her shoulders are squared, head cocked, listening — the contrast from the girl she was in the photo is evident even from behind.

Gail: Usually when a character is having an important moment, you see their face and reaction on camera, not the back of their head. Breaking that rule with Anna over and over again throughout the course of this scene is extremely effective. She’s a faceless, non-threatening fly on the wall and surely not the high-ranking Kremlin (and presumably male) official they are worried about.

Sara: The framing of these characters in this shot is amazing. Anna stands in the camera’s focus, head tilted ever so slightly. The other men don’t even notice. You can see how she’s been such an effective asset. Hidden in plain sight.

Sara: Kusnetsov’s book is Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. This is the last novel Dickens ever wrote, which is fitting here.

Gail: According to Wikipedia, the book explores the conflict between doing what society expects and the idea of being true to oneself. When you set that concept against Andrei’s role as a double agent, the theme takes on new meaning.

Ashley: Nerds.

Gail: Saul doesn’t yet know how important Anna is, but Michael Cuesta and Giorgio Scali are giving the audience a subtle clue here. By shooting Anna from a low angle it alludes that her character is powerful and has influence, something Saul will come to realize shortly.

Sara: We all agree that it was 100% intentional to cast an actress to play young Anna that looks just enough like Claire Danes to make you think, right? I don’t mean that Carrie is the lovechild of Saul and Anna (the timelines don’t match!). More that Saul has a type, no?

Sara: ...And in case we had any doubt that they’re drawing a parallel between Anna and Carrie, we have this transition. This episode is filled with loaded transitions.

Gail: Carrie in the center of the frame, caught in between the dark and light, is an ongoing theme this episode. We see it here again as she makes her way toward Saul’s library.

Sara: There are multiple pans over Saul’s giant collection of red books, most of the titles unreadable and blurred. But where do we land at the end? The camera holds on this book, A Woman’s Vengeance by James Payn. There is almost no info about this book on the internet, which leads me to believe it’s fake. Yet it’s in the public domain. Did they just like the title?

Gail: I read a little about it online. It was published originally in 1872, volume 2 of 3. I read an excerpt of it on Amazon, and the first chapter is titled “A Good Night’s Work.” Having this close-up shot of these books that follow our introduction to young Anna, Saul’s asset who is clearly a woman scorned, makes this book title (and the title to its first chapter) feel very fitting.

Sara: If the Wikipedia entry about The Secret Agent is any indication, this book is a doozy. Basically everyone suffers and dies at the end and an innocent person is accidentally killed.

Gail: That Wikipedia page is crazy! It also says that Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, loved this book and closely identified himself with the character of the “Professor”... which ties into Saul’s alias, Professor Rabinow. I live for this stuff--always a mark of a good production when the depth of the details matches the intensity of the show.

Sara: The phantom horizontal line on the seven.

Ashley: That is like the ONE thing that I, Ashley, actually noticed and mentioned first. Give me a shout-out, man, I mean, DAMN.

Sara: Shout out to Ashley, who noticed and mentioned this first!

Gail: Homeland always gives us the best bokeh. I love its use here. We have a window into Saul’s biggest secret, the details surrounding it are hazy to us at first, and we can’t see the full picture yet--just like this shot.

Sara: IJLTP.

Ashley: I love how old-school Carrie is — she’s so visual, and in her own way, just like Saul. She lays it all out and uses her hands to put it together.

Gail: Her bulletin board, highlighters and thread have been replaced by notecards and old carpet that I’d like to think Mira picked out, but the result is the same as we watch Carrie put all of the pieces together. It’s HIGH RED y’all.

Sara: “High red,” omg. I’m obsessed with the sequence of Carrie assembling the book timeline and figuring out Saul’s method of communication. For me it’s one of the all-time best Homeland scenes.

Sara: The editing in this scene is exquisite. The use of jump cuts adds to the tension and uncertainty as Carrie herself attempts to splice together these disparate clues into something greater, some sort of truth.

The scene is almost completely free of dialogue. Claire has to convey Carrie’s journey to the truth here through only her actions. I love the shots at ground level of her literally on hands and knees flipping through the books. There is a sense of desperation and urgency to it that is thrilling.

Sara: The Smile.

Gail: I see what you did there and I approve. IJLTP.

Ashley: I’m a little surprised that Carrie isn’t a bit more conflicted here.

Sara: Cutting Carrie and Saul together at the moment where their minds finally sync is … quite literal, actually, but it works. In these twin shots of Carrie and Saul I’m struck especially by how Saul is against a light background while Carrie is cloaked in darkness.

Gail: These back-to-back shots give the impression that Carrie and Saul are on opposite ends of the same book which rings very true to me. The black and white imagery continues here as Sara points out. We see Carrie just barely ahead of the darkness, looking toward the light.

Ashley: Mandy just does things with his face sometimes and it’s amazing to watch.

Sara: Another extreme close-up of Saul as he realizes that Carrie lied to him.

Gail: Saul’s line from earlier in the season rings in my ears here. “You are vulnerable to him in ways neither of us can imagine.” But to build on my thoughts on his earlier close-up shot, I think it’s an effective tool for us to get a window into what Saul is genuinely thinking and feeling at that moment. The massive implications of Carrie’s involvement in a play being run by Yevgeny are devastating and Saul realizes it in one stunning and heartbreaking moment.

Gail: Anna saving Saul’s life gives so much more weight and importance to who she is to Saul. He owes her his life and, thirty years later, his career, too.

Sara: There is something fantastical about this part of the flashback. The backdrop and extreme lighting looks sort of … fake? It almost looks like they’re on a film set. I’m interpreting this as a reflection of Saul’s memory: we all want to see ourselves as the hero in our movie of our lives.

Sara: Shout out to Gail for realizing this Charlotte Benson character was featured last season with Ivan.

Gail: I love a good easter egg and a good callback. Details like this and recurring characters like Scott Ryan give their world realism. I stan.

Ashley: This is such a terribly effective moment in the show. We haven’t seen Yevgeny at all in this episode, and yet he’s ever-present; closing on “kill Saul” is so fucking… ugh. Stupid Homeland.

Gail: All of Yevgeny’s shots in this scene are done with a steady camera, which gives the impression (illusion?) of his control of the situation. Have we had a scene where Yevgeny isn’t leaning? My God, he’s even leaning when on Zoom for Spies.

Sara: As Yevgeny reveals the full extent of his play--“Kill Saul”--the camera zooms in on him. Eventually he takes up almost the entire frame. It gives the feeling of stakes being continually raised. And he’s still got that trademark smirk and nonchalance, despite what he’s telling Carrie to do.

Sara: Meanwhile, the camera stays mostly the same distance away from Carrie but pans in semi-circles around her, back and forth, back and forth. It’s an interesting choice as she comes to the realization of what Yevgeny is suggesting. The camera is almost like the wheels spinning in her head as she understands the full scope of the choice she must make.

Gail: As Carrie and Yevgeny go back and forth, each one trying to figure out what the other one knows, the shots start to go back and forth as well, mimicking their dance. In film and television production, there is a term called the 180 degree rule. What it means is that there is an imaginary line running through a scene, from side to side, with respect to the camera. The rule of thumb is that the camera should never cross the line because it causes the viewer to feel disoriented and confused. But when used effectively, we get the powerful effect that it had here in this scene. We (the audience) feel the same disorientation as Carrie, the same unsteadiness that is reflected in the handheld camera that shoots her. As I mentioned above, when we see Yevgeny on the computer screen, he is centered, steady and in control. Quite a contrast between the two.

Ashley: I repeat… stupid Homeland.

Ashley: We’ve seen so much darkness in this episode, mostly related to Saul — Carrie, for her part, has been pretty much in bright spaces. Despite everything that’s happened to her, I believe that this is the darkest point in her life.

Sara: Carrie hurriedly walks out of this vast, empty mansion as the lights dim behind her. The weight and horror of this decision is splayed across her face. The darkness follows her. The question now as we head into this final chapter: can she outrun it? Or will it finally catch up to her?

Gail: Staying just ahead of the darkness and trying to find the light. Here Carrie is again living somewhere in between.

#let's crack his spine open and see if there's a note #zoom for spies #we need alt titles for these now i guess?#homeland #homelandedit #in the director's chair #the english teacher #*#by: sara #by: gail #by: ashley #michael cuesta

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minnievirizarry · 7 years ago

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The Complete Guide to Social Media for Restaurants & Bars

With more than 200 million posts tagged #food and 23 million with #drinks, food and beverage photos are easily some of the most popular types of content on Instagram. It’s very likely that your customers are posting with or without your interaction.

When 88% of people are influenced by reviews and online comments, having an intentional digital strategy is important to your restaurant or bar.

Lunch with @leland11, because @bluestonelanecoffee has a new autumn menu, and it's my fave spot for coffee and lunch. 😋☕️

A post shared by Patrick Janelle (@aguynamedpatrick) on Nov 29, 2016 at 2:28pm PST

In this guide to social media for restaurants and bars, we’ll discuss:

What you’re missing out on if you’re not on social media

Setting up your profiles for success

Creating relevant posts

Using location-based advertising

Next-level marketing strategies

Analyzing all of your work

Can You Afford to Not Be on Social Media?

According to our Q3 2016 Sprout Social Index, 75% of people purchased a product because they saw it on social media. Of that percentage, 60.7% need to see a post 2-4 times from the company before making a purchase.

If you’re not visibly active on social media, then you’re missing out on a large customer base.

Fill out All of Your Profiles

If you’re just getting started on your social media accounts, make sure pertinent information like your hours and contact information can be easily accessed on your profile. The less clicks it takes to find out about your bar, the better.

Milwaukee-based Camp Bar has multiple locations that they squeeze into their Twitter bio.

Multi-location Buffalo Wild Wings uses the limited Instagram bio space to speak directly to their customer. Wings are part of their name and a big customer draw. It makes sense to have the meal featured prominently in their bio and in their photos.

Facebook Pages offer an easy way to input your information, including opening hours, address, messaging options and popular times to visit. The Publican’s Facebook Page showcases its busiest hours. This can be incredibly helpful for those who are unfamiliar with the restaurant.

There are many other attributes of Facebook Pages that you should take advantage of:

Add a Book Now button if you accept reservations

Upload your menu

Add cuisine type

Add services like “Good for Kids,” “Good for Groups” and “Take Out”

Allow Reviews (and remember to respond to them)

If you need more information on how to set up your Facebook Business Page, check out our complete guide and walkthrough.

Set up Multiple Locations on Facebook

If you have multiple locations, Facebook makes it easy for you to add all the addresses. While it may be a pain to set up in the beginning, the benefit is that the closest locations will pop up for your customers. If you have numerous locations, consider uploading a spreadsheet to Facebook instead. You can use this to your advantage later by creating location-based Facebook ads.

Think of the main Page as the umbrella Page, as demonstrated by the Revelator Coffee Page below.

Each location is able to have its own subpage linked to the main one like this Birmingham location. Depending on your social media marketing strategy, you can have the individual locations handle their own posting.

This can benefit you in a few ways:

You can reshare from location Pages to the main Page. This means less time is needed to curate branded content.

It’s easier to promote location-specific menu specials.

Customers can post location-specific reviews. It can be a pain to navigate negative customer feedback. If locations are readily available for the customer, then you won’t need to decipher which bar had slower service than normal.

While establishing location-based Facebook Pages can have its advantages, there are downsides to managing multiple Pages.

You have more Pages to pay attention to. Luckily, our Smart Inbox helps you manage messages all in one location.

More Pages mean a greater likelihood that posts veer off-brand. You can prevent this from happening by establishing a brand voice and educating community managers about it.

Create Relevant Posts

Engagement vs. Promotional Posts

In the same Sprout Index, research discovered the most annoying action brands make on social media is too many promotional posts. What do promotional posts look like? They’re the in-your-face marketing that you encounter on a daily basis.

Most promotional posts talk about discounts or a specific product. It’s the equivalent of the party guest who only talks about themselves. But if that person began conversations with questions, listened to other guests and made new connections, then you wouldn’t mind a bit of boasting every now and then.

Want the best Bacon Cheese fries you’ve ever tasted for only a $1.99? Just say the magic word (Hint: the magic word is Sriracha). At participating locations, for a limited time.

A post shared by Wendy's 🍔 (@wendys) on Dec 2, 2016 at 11:16am PST

The epitome of having a competitive fire within. 1/2 Price #WingTuesdays. See link in bio for details.

A post shared by Buffalo Wild Wings (@bwwings) on Dec 20, 2016 at 1:11pm PST

Promotional posts don’t need to be blatant marketing. Incorporate action shots or product placement in a way that is visually attractive to your customers. The best photos or videos can get your customer momentarily imagining themselves at your business.

"Mind if I hang with you guys?" -miniature coffee press To see the entire ornament collection, visit sbux.co/holidayornaments

A post shared by Starbucks Coffee ☕ (@starbucks) on Dec 7, 2016 at 10:30am PST

It's a Candy Cane Crunch kinda day. 🍩❤🍩❤ (📸: @kimhoeltje)

A post shared by dunkindonuts (@dunkindonuts) on Dec 18, 2016 at 5:08am PST

You don't need a passport to spend New Year's in the tropics. Reserve your ticket and come toast another year! 🍍(Link in bio) • • • ➖

A post shared by Three Dots and a Dash (@threedotsandadash) on Dec 20, 2016 at 7:32pm PST

Approach social media like you would a group of strangers at a party. Sprinkle tidbits about yourself while mostly engaging with other people. Engagement posts focus the conversation on your customers.

Here are a few ideas to begin a conversation:

Ask a question

Solicit customer opinions on new products

Incorporate user-generated content into your strategy

What are you brewing this fine morning?

— Blue Bottle Coffee (@bluebottleroast) July 23, 2016

Donut you just love the holidays? #⛄️ #🍩 (📸: @erica.terry )

A post shared by Glazed and Infused Doughnuts (@goglazed) on Dec 14, 2016 at 6:00am PST

Post at Optimal Times for Your Restaurant

It’s important to know the best times to post to social media, but make sure you understand your core audience first. Take time to analyze your current stores’ traffic to know when to best reach your customers.

For example, if your bar doesn’t open until 8 p.m., then posting about mixed drinks at 9 a.m. won’t work very well. This is why it’s important to work with time ranges instead one specific set time. See our data on consumer goods brands best times to post on Instagram:

Alternatively, you can post content that’s easily digested (no pun intended) at any point of the day. Examples of this type of content include staff features, interior and exterior shots, general food items (excluding alcoholic drinks) and behind-the-scenes company updates.

Pro tip: Street Treats on the menu in first class on @delta domestic flights. 🌤🛩💺🥂🍦(pic via @rps_slime)

A post shared by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (@jenisicecreams) on Jan 3, 2017 at 6:46pm PST

Yes, we are ready. @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/W883fis5Dp

— Top Pot Doughnuts (@Toppot) January 2, 2017

Any favorite songs come to mind? 🎶 (💭 : @akaMikeG) pic.twitter.com/sq5RHt1Y1c

— Five Guys (@Five_Guys) December 28, 2016

Because social network timelines are more algorithmic, we highly recommend a social media advertising strategy that pairs with your posted content. You can promote posts at a designated hour to ensure that your customers see the burger special before dinnertime.

What’s the point of posting a mouthwatering dinner photo if your customers don’t see it until the next morning?

Take Advantage of Location-Based Advertising

Location-based advertising allows you to control when people see your ads, oftentimes within a certain radius. On Facebook, you have the ability to target from specific business locations. When a customer walks by a location and happens to be browsing Facebook, they’ll be served up a Facebook Ad.

According to NinthDecimal’s Mobile Audience Insights Report (PDF),

Retail mobile ads performed best when served within 2-5 miles of a store—24% better than the average CTR.

Store visits increased 80% within the 1st day a mobile ad was served compared to average store visits.

Take Your Restaurant Social Media Pages to the Next Level

If you feel like you’ve got your digital strategy down but still need a little spunk in your posts, consider one of these advanced marketing strategies:

1. Pair up With Another Chef or Bartender for a Collaborative Meal

Collaborations work well in person and in digital form. Begin by picking a restaurant or bar that you would enjoy working with.

This time next week you could be enjoying the Hopewell Monday Night Dinner Series ! We will prepare a hearty four course menu & the beer-geniuses of @hopewellbrewing will pair their epic beer with each course! Limited tickets available, click link in profile before it's too late !

A post shared by Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits (@bangbangpie) on Jan 2, 2017 at 4:40pm PST

2. Feature a Social Media Influencer

Take advantage of social media influencers by offering exclusive meals or curated experiences. One way to feature a takeover is to invite an influencer to showcase nearby experiences they enjoy. For example, if your restaurant is based in Denver, they can post about your food and other local attractions they enjoy.

And a Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating with a very traditional day of take out, movies, and #ElyxVodka 📸 @alifewortheating

A post shared by ABSOLUT ELYX (@absolutelyx) on Dec 25, 2016 at 12:27pm PST

Another way to work with influencers is to create a collaborative menu item or event. This can be especially useful for ingredient-oriented brands. For example, a BBQ sauce brand could work with someone to create a special recipe that becomes published on an influencer’s blog.

Make things easy on yourself this holiday season. @mantitlement gives chicken legs a generous glazing of Stubb’s Original #BBQ Sauce before turning up the slowcooker. #SlowcookerSunday

A post shared by Stubb's BBQ Sauce (@stubbsbbqsauce) on Dec 18, 2016 at 7:04pm PST

3. Go Live

Stream parties, game-day events and talk about new promotions on live video. This is also a great way to go behind the scenes on your bar. Set up a live Q&A with your chef or feature a mixologist who can show you how to mix a drink at home.

youtube

4. Create Spaces Specifically for Social Media

More Resources for Restaurants & Bars

How to Maximize Your Social Media Budget in a Pay to Play World

How to Measure the Value of Social Media

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in San Francisco is a very small space. However, lines for their cruffin are out the door every morning and the bakery has become a destination spot for Instagrammers.

From the neon sign to the tiled words “Holmes Sweet Home,” customers flock to the store just to prove they were there.

You can take a similar approach with uniquely tiled floors, wallpaper or other signage. Highlighting what makes you unique should be clear in your social promotion.

Our holmies @TheFryeCompany just moved to SF from New York. Instead of a knife set or a toaster, we're bringing over a truck-ton (real metric) of carbs this Tuesday (10/18). Come hungry. #TYBG #MeetOurMakers #FRYEFillmore

A post shared by Mr Holmes Bakehouse (@mrholmesbakehouse) on Oct 15, 2016 at 1:48pm PDT

Who lives in a 🍍 under the sea?

A post shared by Morgan Frazier 💗 (@morganfrazier10) on Jan 1, 2017 at 1:17pm PST

Analyze Your Strategy

All of the effort you place into creating content, maintaining your community and responding to reviews mean little without data to back it all up.

Sprout Social’s Group Reports allow you to connect multiple Facebook Pages, Instagram profiles and Twitter accounts to give you a high-level report on your company. This report can keep track of all of your locations without someone manually inputting data into a spreadsheet.

To get you started, here are some statistics you can track:

Branded hashtag use

Facebook check-ins

Geo-tagged photos or posts

The food and drink industry has an advantage on social media. The perfect slice of pizza or freshly baked bread being sliced open can cause a visceral, mouth-watering reaction in the viewer. The content is waiting for you in your restaurant.

Straight out of the oven – our #sourdough bread made with Øland wheat!

A post shared by noma (@nomacph) on Dec 16, 2016 at 5:49am PST

This post The Complete Guide to Social Media for Restaurants & Bars originally appeared on Sprout Social.

from SM Tips By Minnie https://sproutsocial.com/insights/bars-restaurants-social-media-guide/

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minnievirizarry · 8 years ago

Text

The Complete Guide to Social Media for Restaurants & Bars

When 88% of people are influenced by reviews and online comments, having an intentional digital strategy is important to your restaurant or bar.

Lunch with @leland11, because @bluestonelanecoffee has a new autumn menu, and it's my fave spot for coffee and lunch. 😋☕️

A photo posted by Patrick Janelle (@aguynamedpatrick) on Nov 29, 2016 at 2:28pm PST

In this guide to social media for restaurants and bars, we’ll discuss:

What you’re missing out on if you’re not on social media

Setting up your profiles for success

Creating relevant posts

Using location-based advertising

Next-level marketing strategies

Analyzing all of your work

Can You Afford to Not Be on Social Media?

If you’re not visibly active on social media, then you’re missing out on a large customer base.

Fill out All of Your Profiles

Milwaukee-based Camp Bar has multiple locations that they squeeze into their Twitter bio.

There are many other attributes of Facebook Pages that you should take advantage of:

Add a Book Now button if you accept reservations

Upload your menu

Add cuisine type

Add services like “Good for Kids,” “Good for Groups” and “Take Out”

Allow Reviews (and remember to respond to them)

If you need more information on how to set up your Facebook Business Page, check out our complete guide and walkthrough.

Set up Multiple Locations on Facebook

Think of the main Page as the umbrella Page, as demonstrated by the Revelator Coffee Page below.

This can benefit you in a few ways:

You can reshare from location Pages to the main Page. This means less time is needed to curate branded content.

It’s easier to promote location-specific menu specials.

While establishing location-based Facebook Pages can have its advantages, there are downsides to managing multiple Pages.

You have more Pages to pay attention to. Luckily, our Smart Inbox helps you manage messages all in one location.

More Pages mean a greater likelihood that posts veer off-brand. You can prevent this from happening by establishing a brand voice and educating community managers about it.

Create Relevant Posts

Engagement vs. Promotional Posts

Want the best Bacon Cheese fries you’ve ever tasted for only a $1.99? Just say the magic word (Hint: the magic word is Sriracha). At participating locations, for a limited time.

A photo posted by Wendy's 🍔 (@wendys) on Dec 2, 2016 at 11:16am PST

The epitome of having a competitive fire within. 1/2 Price #WingTuesdays. See link in bio for details.

A photo posted by Buffalo Wild Wings (@bwwings) on Dec 20, 2016 at 1:11pm PST

"Mind if I hang with you guys?" -miniature coffee press To see the entire ornament collection, visit sbux.co/holidayornaments

A photo posted by Starbucks Coffee ☕ (@starbucks) on Dec 7, 2016 at 10:30am PST

It's a Candy Cane Crunch kinda day. 🍩❤🍩❤ (📸: @kimhoeltje)

A photo posted by dunkindonuts (@dunkindonuts) on Dec 18, 2016 at 5:08am PST

You don't need a passport to spend New Year's in the tropics. Reserve your ticket and come toast another year! 🍍(Link in bio) • • • ➖

A photo posted by Three Dots and a Dash (@threedotsandadash) on Dec 20, 2016 at 7:32pm PST

Here are a few ideas to begin a conversation:

Ask a question

Solicit customer opinions on new products

Incorporate user-generated content into your strategy

What are you brewing this fine morning?

— Blue Bottle Coffee (@bluebottleroast) July 23, 2016

Donut you just love the holidays? #⛄️ #🍩 (📸: @erica.terry )

A photo posted by Glazed & Infused Doughnuts (@goglazed) on Dec 14, 2016 at 6:00am PST

Post at Optimal Times for Your Restaurant

Pro tip: Street Treats on the menu in first class on @delta domestic flights. 🌤🛩💺🥂🍦(pic via @rps_slime)

A photo posted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (@jenisicecreams) on Jan 3, 2017 at 6:46pm PST

Yes, we are ready. @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/W883fis5Dp

— Top Pot Doughnuts (@Toppot) January 2, 2017

Any favorite songs come to mind? 🎶 (💭 : @akaMikeG) pic.twitter.com/sq5RHt1Y1c

— Five Guys (@Five_Guys) December 28, 2016

What’s the point of posting a mouthwatering dinner photo if your customers don’t see it until the next morning?

Take Advantage of Location-Based Advertising

According to NinthDecimal’s Mobile Audience Insights Report (PDF),

Retail mobile ads performed best when served within 2-5 miles of a store—24% better than the average CTR.

Store visits increased 80% within the 1st day a mobile ad was served compared to average store visits.

Take Your Restaurant Social Media Pages to the Next Level

If you feel like you’ve got your digital strategy down but still need a little spunk in your posts, consider one of these advanced marketing strategies:

1. Pair up With Another Chef or Bartender for a Collaborative Meal

Collaborations work well in person and in digital form. Begin by picking a restaurant or bar that you would enjoy working with.

A photo posted by Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits (@bangbangpie) on Jan 2, 2017 at 4:40pm PST

2. Feature a Social Media Influencer

And a Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating with a very traditional day of take out, movies, and #ElyxVodka 📸 @alifewortheating

A photo posted by ABSOLUT ELYX (@absolutelyx) on Dec 25, 2016 at 12:27pm PST

Make things easy on yourself this holiday season. @mantitlement gives chicken legs a generous glazing of Stubb’s Original #BBQ Sauce before turning up the slowcooker. #SlowcookerSunday

A photo posted by Stubb's BBQ Sauce (@stubbsbbqsauce) on Dec 18, 2016 at 7:04pm PST

3. Go Live

4. Create Spaces Specifically for Social Media

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in San Francisco is a very small space. However, lines for their cruffin are out the door every morning and the bakery has become a destination spot for Instagrammers. From the neon sign to the tiled words “Holmes Sweet Home,” customers flock to the store just to prove they were there.

You can take a similar approach with uniquely tiled floors, wallpaper or other signage. Highlighting what makes you unique should be clear in your social promotion.

A photo posted by Mr Holmes Bakehouse (@mrholmesbakehouse) on Oct 15, 2016 at 1:48pm PDT

Who lives in a 🍍 under the sea?

A photo posted by Morgan Frazier 💗 (@morganfrazier10) on Jan 1, 2017 at 1:17pm PST

Analyze Your Strategy

All of the effort you place into creating content, maintaining your community and responding to reviews mean little without data to back it all up.

To get you started, here are some statistics you can track:

Branded hashtag use

Facebook check-ins

Geo-tagged photos or posts

Straight out of the oven – our #sourdough bread made with Øland wheat!

A video posted by noma (@nomacph) on Dec 16, 2016 at 5:49am PST

This post The Complete Guide to Social Media for Restaurants & Bars originally appeared on Sprout Social.

from SM Tips By Minnie http://sproutsocial.com/insights/bars-restaurants-social-media-guide/

0 notes