Lessons in Marketing from Snoop Dogg & Wine Labels

When I really got serious about studying branding, it was the end of year 1 of my MBA.?I was bartending, managing, and serving at the Melting Pot in Madison, WI.

Our largest bar/liquor representative was a friend who'd seen me through 3 GM positions in the Wisconsin Dells.?We had gutted and redesigned, or created completely new wine lists and cocktail menus several times.

We worked hard to make each other shine.?Greg told me, “If you truly want to understand marketing, read wine labels.”

I thought he was joking - but it was Greg - AND he wasn't! So, I started reading wine labels. O M G !

Stories sell. Stories create Brands.

Even when the wine is shitty, if the label and story are great...?We can't help ourselves.?We have to check it out!

We want to be part of the story. We don't want to be left out.?

The photo above features Snoop in the center. The other labels are the?"Infamous Insiders"?Just people that like Cali red, bought into the concept, and earned enough rewards to get 2 bottles with their own mug on the label.?

Those are winners from the Halloween "Put your costume on a custom label" Contest.?

Community. Novelty. Fun. Whimsy. Being an Outlaw.?

Or, all of the above. Which appeals to you??

What Snoop has done with 19Crimes is create an entire insider community. 19Crimes is an experience. An ongoing, evolving story. Check out the website here.

What's your favorite wine? Do you know the story? I'm challenging you to start reading the labels. Emotional connection, story, understanding, and context - this is what sells and earns loyalty.?

And, brevity.?I'm attaching the verbiage from Snoop's label below. Can you tell your story in a way to creates lifelong loyalty in 75 words??

Do you know the story behind?Amy's Kitchen??Bombas? or?Spanx?

Compelling stories, whether they belong to the founder, customers, employees; the stories are memorable and endearing. We want to know more. We want to be inspired and entertained.?We want to be a part of the story. An insider.

What is your Origin Story? Do you have a Mission Story? Client Stories??

Now, more than ever, stories are what draw us in, pique our curiosity, and create opportunities.

Gather your stories around you like precious pearls.?

Ask your friends and clients what your stories are, sometimes we are too close to be aware.?

Is there an upcoming 19Crimes Urban Legend Label coming out with my mug? You first! I'll share mine, if you share yours.

Angela

19 Crimes Cali red

19 crimes tells the true story of rulebreakers who beat the odds, overcame adversity, and went on to become folk heroes in their society

This spirit lives on today through innovators and culture creators like Cali's own Snoop Dogg

A leader in contemporary pop culture Snoop embodies the timeless values of the 19 crimes rogues who came before him

To learn more about this space please visit us at?19crimes.com??

#StoryTellingMarketing #InsiderCommunity #InnovativeBranding

Angela?calls herself The “Accidental Entrepreneur,” having moved to the?Bay Area?with her shiny new MBA and dreams of being a CMO. Instead, she helps entrepreneurs and organizations strategize using LinkedIn as the centerpiece of their Digital Business Development machine.?She is an expert in?Business Development, Professional Branding, Visibility & Optimization on LinkedIn.?Without a website, she built her entire vibrant business using free LinkedIn!?She is a former High School Rodeo champion and?lives in Marin where the hiking is fabulous, and?she?is still a crazy Green Bay Packer fan.?