Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast

Have you thought much about the fact that you need to sell your product THREE times before someone can use it at home? I don’t share this to be depressing because sometimes one sounds like enough! And if it sounds like more work, it’s just the reality of breaking down the process that’s already happening and being intentional with your marketing and sales plans to leverage your brand strategy foundations. I’m talking about first selling into a retail buyer, then selling at shelf once you’re there to get into somebody’s cart, and then selling from their fridge or pantry or snack bin to get it on the plate or in a lunchbox or wherever it ends up getting eaten. And then as part of that, delighting people so that they want to buy it again and again. We don’t want it to get lost in the back of their pantry. So, our three steps of intentional marketing and sales include: Get ON shelf Get IN the cart Get OUT of the pantry, fridge, snack drawer, etc. First, getting ON the shelf, you have to create a compelling story that your brand and product line is going to make a positive contribution to the retailer’s and buyer’s goals. Once you’ve completed your brand strategy you’ll actually have a differentiated strategy (beyond your product tasting delicious) to help that retailer see why you are going to add to incremental sales as part of them bringing you in. Next, we are getting INTO the cart. And that means standing out on either the shelf or through your online listing. We talk through multiple ways to do this so that you’ll grab attention and engage them to flip over the package or click on more pictures as they seek to learn more. Last but certainly not least…getting the product OUT of the pantry or fridge. This is a very under-discussed topic in my view is the conversation around promoting in-home use so they won’t forget they have the product and will actually enjoy using it. The LAST thing we want is for it to get stuck in the back of the pantry or fridge until past the expiration date. I share an example of a website that sent me a post-purchase email that did a great job engaging me with a product I purchased and inviting me to reorder. Sometimes I forget to re-order brands I know and love so it was appreciated. One caveat, if you’re selling on your company’s website you can skip that first gatekeeper step that you have with retail or some aggregate online sales platforms, but the concepts are still really good to think through to be intentional about each step of the journey from buyer to breakfast table! If you’ve already completed your brand strategy, that can influence each step of the way. We need to think about selling in your products to get them on shelf or on the website, then popping off the shelf/website so that they can get it into carts. And finally, we want to remember how we can stay top of mind in the pantry so that your brand will actually get invited back to their table. Whether it be a lunch table at school, a fancy dinner table…whatever kind of table your product and your brand is positioned for we want to get them there and delight them and have them invite you to join them on a regular basis, leading to increased purchase frequency and velocity. To recap what you’ll learn in this episode: 1) a brief overview of each of these three steps with ideas to be intentional with your own brand along the way 2) an easy-to-implement breakdown to make these complex topics easier to work through piece by piece while staying integrated and bringing your brand to life. 3) an example of a well-done email I got to remind me what I had sitting in my pantry waiting for me to enjoy! 4) ways we can work together on creating your brand strategy to position your brand to stand out, including a 60-minute Brand Strategy Session, my self-paced program + mini Mastermind called Brand Strategy Streamlined™, a more in-depth 4-week 1:1 process called Brand Strategy Playbook, and a Live small group Course option (please...

In almost every client meeting or strategy session I hear food business owners relay concern over how many things are competing for their attention -- and how exhausting it can be. Some share they are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, and some just feel like they are being forced to wear too many hats at the same time every. single. day...and are searching for ways to stay positive about the business they love. Recognizing the power of focus is a good start, but not as easy as just saying, "stay focused," right?! With your brand strategy and business plan in mind, you can use this episode to think about ways to protect your focus and ultimately your time, energy, and ability to get the right things done on a day-to-day and annual basis to reach your goals. In this episode I share some useful tips (not all are what you might expect to hear on a food business podcast!) and ways to help maintain focus on what's important now and next so that you can activate your brand strategy and reach your Vision & Goals. -- How documenting your Brand Strategy provides clarity and cohesiveness, which leads to having confidence to prioritize plans. --The myth of multitasking and why splitting your attention can get in the way of aligned action and sticking to your strategy. --Why prioritizing the 8 Strategic Imperatives is a good first step to setting priorities that will keep you focused. -- What focus and consistency have to do with building a strong brand. --Why your Purpose, or WHY, can pull you back if you hit hard times or lose focus. -- What I've learned about ADHD & ADD and focus and why hyperfocus can be a superpower. --How understanding the Executive Functions, or admin areas of your brain, can help you identify your individual opportunities to build focus . --A nudge to embrace your team's diverse-thinking brains as a way to strengthen to your Brand Strategy Activation plans. Resources --Ep84: Why Being Consistent Isn't Boring...It's Brand Building! —Brand Checkup Scorecard Plus, monthly emails with tips and resources —Real Food Brands Marketing Round Table Facebook group (Free) —Brand Strategy Streamlined self-paced program + Monthly Q&A calls –Let’s connect on Instagram As always, please reach out to me with any feedback, questions, or to book a strategy call. You can contact me here. Thanks for listening, now let’s go shake up shopping carts! Katie www.RealFoodBrands.com

The Real Food Brands Podcast is BACK and I'm so glad you're here. The topic of doing the right things at the right time is always a good concept to keep top of mind, and in this episode, you'll hear me (Katie Mleziva, your food brand strategist) talk about: Resources to continue positioning your food brand to stand out. --Brand Checkup Scorecard (Free) --Ep 68: Turn Your Marketing Plan Into a Consumer Connection Plan --Real Food Brands Marketing Round Table Facebook group (Free) --Brand Strategy Streamlined self-paced program --Let's connect on Instagram If you have questions or ideas for future show topics (interviews are by invitation, but feel free to share those ideas as well) please send an email to Katie@RealFoodBrands.com. Thanks for listening, now let's go shake up shopping carts! www.RealFoodBrands.com

Have you ever noticed something in your business isn’t working as you planned, or as it once did? Sometimes things that made sense just aren't a good fit anymore. We spend so much time and energy trying to keep pushing forward that it can be hard to step back and admit when things aren’t working the way we want them to—and decide what to do about it. Today on Episode 111 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, Host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva talks through what to do when something in your business is out of alignment, and what she’s doing about that in her own business to make an adjustment. In This Episode: Resources: The Real Food Brands Podcast Index by TopicDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

Have you ever thought about the difference between content and copy? And how each works differently to connect with your reader depending on if you’re talking about a website, social media, ads, packaging, etc? Today on Episode 110 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, Host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva has a conversation with Celsea Jenkins, the owner of Grassfed Copy about the art and science to writing great copy that converts people from readers to taking an action. Celsea shares Katie’s passion for health and wellness – and clear messaging – and the episode highlights their shared enthusiasm! Listen to hear Celsea’s six copywriting tips to help your food brand stand out. In This Episode: Resources: Grassfed Copy websiteGuju Kitchen copy example Ep #104: What Is a Brand Positioning Statement?The Real Food Brands Podcast Index by TopicDownload Your Free Brand Strategy Checkup (and get notified about the LIVE Q&A session!)Brand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

Sometimes you need to let yourself dream and think big. Instead of letting other people tell you how things work and why you can’t do something, it can pay off to look at things from a new perspective. It helps, of course, to have a great story, which is something that brand strategy work can really help with. Today on Episode 109 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, Host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva sits down with Monique and Chevalo Wilsondebriano, owners of Recipe for Retail and the Charleston Gourmet Burger Company. We’ll learn how thinking BIG took them from a backyard BBQ...to a food business idea...to a product...to a brand that’s on the shelves of Whole Foods, World Market, Costco, Wal-Mart, and more...to winning QVC’s Choice Food Award. In This Episode: Resources: Charleston Gourmet Burger CompanyRecipe for RetailThe Real Food Brands Podcast Index by TopicDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

As you’re working to build your food business or farm, brand strategy and brand development may seem like something that can wait for later. The thing is, brand strategy work goes far beyond your logo or fonts or colors. When you’ve done the work to create your brand’s North Star, it serves as the guide and the glue for everything you do on the front AND back end of your business. It helps you make decisions that will deliver a consistent, cohesive, and relevant experience to your consumers. More importantly, it can help them know how to talk about your brand to others and drive better word-of-mouth marketing. Today on Episode 108 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, Host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva builds on the last episode and offers three additional tips based on a presentation she recently shared with the cohort of the Food Finance Institute’s food business accelerator program. This is a two-part series because Katie wants you to be able to really consider the tips she’s sharing and think about how they apply to your natural food business or farm. In This Episode: Resources: Ep #68: Turn Your Marketing Plan into a Consumer Connection PlanThe Real Food Brands Podcast Index by TopicDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

Brand strategy work is something that is second nature for big brands, but not as common for small brands. There’s so much to do when you’re wearing all the hats that it can seem like something you’ll get to “next.” While big brands have access to brand managers and agencies, we can help even the score by providing streamlined versions of the concepts they use to focus on the key parts of the process to help you build a brand that stands out no matter who you’re lined up next to. Today on Episode 107 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, Host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva shares a presentation she recently shared with the cohort of a food business accelerator program. This is a two-part series because Katie wants you to be able to really consider the tips she’s sharing and think about how they apply to your food business or farm. In This Episode: Resources: Ep #104: What Is a Brand Positioning Statement? Ep #106: How Riemer Family Farm is Growing a Regenerative Brand Ep #91: The 3-Step Brand Strategy Streamlined Process Ep #83: Understanding the Difference Between Features & BenefitsThe Real Food Brands Podcast Index by TopicDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

A common approach for food and farm businesses is to think about offering a great product rather than building a strong brand. The thinking is that if a product is good enough, taste will ultimately win and of course, people will buy. While this is understandable as you perfect your craft, great taste and quality are expected these days so we don’t want your products to be seen as an interchangeable commodity. There’s so much more to your food brand’s story, so let's uncover it! Today on Episode 106 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva talks to Jen and Bryce Riemer, and Anastasia Wolf-Flasch, all of Riemer Family Farm, about their journey to define a brand strategy that invites people into a story of caring for and renewing the land through a multi-generation farming business. In This Episode: Resources: Riemer Family FarmThe Stockman Grass FarmerKiss the GroundSacred CowThe Real Food Brands Podcast Index by TopicDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

With over 100 episodes of the podcast now available, we thought it would be a good time to go back and highlight some of the great content you may have missed to help you find the right resources at the right time for your food business. To help, we’ve put together a list of some of our best episodes organized around the Brand Strategy Streamlined process: Define/Refine, Align, and Activate (and a few other categories to help you really navigate the topics...100+ episodes is a lot of content!). Today on Episode 105 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva highlights this new resource along with can’t-miss episodes from the podcast archives and a few tips at the end for your own content repurposing efforts. In This Episode: Resources: The Real Food Brands Podcast Index by TopicDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

If you want to understand brand positioning, think of Kia, Volvo, and Tesla. Sure, all three are car companies but they’re each very different brands with their own unique, loyal audience, product benefits, and customer experience. All of these factors combined for each brand create a very different offer for each and attract different groups of people as loyal fans of their brand. Today on Episode 104 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva goes into detail about how to write a brand positioning statement and how to know if yours is strong enough to make your brand stand out. In This Episode: Resources: Ep #58: Getting to Know Your Consumers as Real People with Britta Schell Ep #65: [Brand Strategy Series] Setting Your Food Business Apart Step 2: Identifying Your Ideal Consumer Blog post: How to Identify Your Ideal AudienceThe Real Food Brands Marketing Round TableBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

We’ve been through a lot of changes in the past few years, and as a result, consumer behaviors are shifting. But as a food business owner how do you know what changes are temporary and what changes are here to stay? And how can you meet the evolving needs of your consumers? In Episode 103 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva sits down with Sarah Marion, the Director of Syndicated Research at Murphy Research. Sarah shares how consumers have shifted attitudes and behaviors related to food, fitness, and mindset over the past few years of pandemic-living as well as considerations for food business owners who want to meet these changing needs. In This Episode: Resources: Information on The State of Our Health Study from Murphy ResearchConnect with Sarah on LinkedInThe Real Food Brands Marketing Round TableBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

Have you thought about the difference between brand story and brand history? While your brand history can certainly be a part of your brand story, the history is about the past and the story is about the future, and what you’re inviting people to be a part of. Today on episode 102 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva shares her guidance on writing a brand story and sharing brand history for your food business, plus 3 tips to make your brand story more compelling to create a lasting connection with your audience. In This Episode: Resources: Ep #74: From a Good Product to a Great Brand Ep #83: Understanding the Difference Between Features & BenefitsThe Real Food Brands Marketing Round TableBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

After episode 100, Katie’s daughter suggested that she “start over,” and it only seemed fitting that episode 101 should be a brand strategy 101—an intro-level class, so to speak. Today on episode 101 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva goes over the five W’s of how Brand Strategy can help you go from making a great product to building a strong brand that is well-positioned to stand out: WHAT, WHERE, WHO, WHEN & WHY. In This Episode: not Resources: Ep #64: [Brand Strategy Series] Setting Your Food Business Apart Step 1: The Competitive Snapshot Ep #65: [Brand Strategy Series] Setting Your Food Business Apart Step 2: Identifying Your Ideal Consumer Ep #66: [Brand Strategy Series] Setting Your Food Business Apart Step 3: Company StrategyThe Real Food Brands Marketing Round TableBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

When we launched the podcast in March 2018, we didn’t know exactly what the future would hold but we took a leap. It’s been a steady build over the past few years and we’re so thankful for all our listeners and guests who have made this show an enriching and rewarding experience as we work collectively to help more people get access to real food. Today on episode 100 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva reflects on one hundred episodes, shares her motivation behind working with food business owners 1:1 as well as by building a community, and announces a giveaway to celebrate the milestone. In This Episode: Resources: The Highwomen: Crowded TableThe Real Food Brands Marketing Round TableBrand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

For a food and beverage business, it can be a big benefit to choose to go slow to go fast. While that may sound counterintuitive, taking a little time to plan can increase efficiency and help you accelerate more rapidly because you’ve got the clarity and confidence to know what to do next. Today on episode 99 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva explains why starting with strategy can help your tactics come together. In This Episode: Resources: Brand Strategy Streamlined Course Details Ep #64: [Brand Strategy Series] Setting Your Food Business Apart Step 1: The Competitive Snapshot Ep #65: [Brand Strategy Series] Setting Your Food Business Apart Step 2: Identifying Your Ideal Consumer Ep #66: [Brand Strategy Series] Setting Your Food Business Apart Step 3: Company StrategyDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

Podcasts have exploded in popularity, and being a guest on one can be a big boost for both your brand and your credibility. But what kind of show are you looking for? How do you reach out? And how do you make it a success once you get a YES? Today on the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva shares how to make the right pitch, and what to do once you’re booked for an appearance. In This Episode: before Resources: Brand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsAsk a Question on VideoAsk Podcast Ep #61: Lessons From an Uphill Climb Podcast Ep #91. The 3-Step Brand Strategy Streamlined ProcessDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

While Katie loves her 1:1 work with clients, she’s become increasingly aware that her impact is limited by the number of hours in the day. At the same time, while the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast can help you piece together the process, there’s space for something in between the two—a self-guided but structured resource to help you create a strong brand strategy for your food business. Today on the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva introduces her solution – her new self-paced brand strategy course, Brand Strategy Streamlined™. In This Episode: Resources: Brand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsAnswer Podcast Survey Podcast Ep #91. The 3-Step Brand Strategy Streamlined ProcessDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

Most of us are in the food and bev business because, in some way, we want to make a positive impact on how people eat. Most of us also have a Vision for the impact we want to make but might not know exactly how to accomplish this big dream. You may have heard the old phrase “a vision without a plan is just a dream.” Today on the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva shares her simple (but not always easy) 5-step process for accelerating towards making your vision a reality. In This Episode: Resources: Brand Strategy Streamlined Course DetailsThe Good Food CFO Podcast EpisodeBig Hairy Audacious GoalsDownload Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupBook a 60-minute 1-on-1 Brand Strategy session with KatieConnect with Katie on Instagram

Selling direct to consumer can create new sales opportunities for your food brand, but it can still be hard to stand out with the marketplace as crowded as it is. Today on the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva sits down with Adam Pollack, Head of Content at Rodeo CPG, who has some practical tips for how to set up your DTC eCommerce website and what metrics you should be looking at along the way. In This Episode: Resources: Get Your Free Brand Strategy CheckupReal Food Brands Marketing Roundtable Facebook GroupConnect with Katie on InstagramJumpstart by Rodeo CPG: The Playbook for Launching CPG Brands The Components of a Strong DTC Site For Your CPG BrandThe Rodeo CPG GlossaryConnect with Adam on LinkedIn