About Pub Marketing Unplugged: Stories, Strategies & Smart Tools
Running a pub or restaurant has never been tougher. Margins are thin, competition is fierce, and marketing moves at the speed of TikTok. But here’s the good news: the secret to filling your venue isn’t endless discounts or complicated campaigns — it’s smart, story-driven marketing.
Pub Marketing Unplugged is your weekly guide to making hospitality marketing simple, profitable, and even fun. Hosted by Shaun, a pub landlord and SaaS founder who’s blended years of front-line experience with modern marketing strategies, this show breaks down exactly what works in 2025.
Each episode turns timeless ideas from legends like David Ogilvy, Gary Vaynerchuk, Alex Hormozi, and Seth Godin into practical steps any landlord, bar manager, or restaurateur can use. From crafting headlines that sell beer, to building loyalty with storytelling, to harnessing AI tools like SmartPubTools — you’ll walk away with proven strategies to grow footfall, increase spend per head, and build a brand your community loves.
Expect:
Actionable episodes (10–20 minutes) you can listen to before opening the bar.
Real examples from pubs, restaurants, and hospitality campaigns.
Content frameworks adapted from the world’s top marketers — made pub-friendly.
Tools and resources to save time and boost your bottom line.
This isn’t theory. It’s practical marketing, spoken in a language publicans understand. No jargon, no hype — just the strategies that fill tables and sell pints.
Subscribe now and join the landlords who are turning marketing from a headache into their biggest advantage.
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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Ad templates on tap → smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
12 Sept 2025
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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Automate your pub marketing: smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
11 Sept 2025
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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Automate your pub marketing: smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
10 Sept 2025
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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Automate pub comms: smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
10 Sept 2025
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.
10 Sept 2025
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.
9 Sept 2025
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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 AI-powered marketing tool: smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
9 Sept 2025
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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Try the tool → smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
8 Sept 2025
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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Automate your pub social media with AI: smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
5 Sept 2025
🎙 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 (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Try the 5-word content generator free at smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
4 Sept 2025
Star Pubs Honest Review (2025): What No One Tells You
Thinking about running a Star Pub in 2025? Here’s the full breakdown — from contracts to pros and cons — so you can decide if the Star Pubs model works for you.
In this review we cover: ✅ What Star Pubs actually offers (stock, menus, training, marketing) ✅ The managed pub model vs tenanted pubs ✅ Pros (investment, stability, marketing support) ❌ Cons (less independence, lower margins, corporate pressure) 💡 How to make the most of a Star Pubs deal
We’ll also show how SmartPubTools helps landlords boost profits inside managed systems — by filling pubs on quiz nights, match days, karaoke, and Sunday roasts with automated AI-powered marketing.
📚 Read the full guide: smartpubtools.com/blog (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 🍻 Try SmartPubTools free: smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
3 Sept 2025
$100M Offers for Pubs & Restaurants (2025)
Most pubs think discounts are the only way to pull in punters. But in 2025, the winners won’t be the cheapest — they’ll be the ones offering irresistible value.
In this episode, we break down Alex Hormozi’s legendary $100M Offers framework and show how it applies directly to pubs and restaurants. You’ll learn how to uncover your customers’ true dream outcomes — from families craving stress-free Sunday roasts to young adults hunting for unforgettable social nights.
We’ll cover value stacking (bundling high-perceived-value, low-cost extras), and how to use scarcity, urgency, and exclusivity to turn a casual “maybe” into a definite “yes.” And we’ll reveal how SmartPubTools can automate these strategies, so every offer you make feels fresh, compelling, and impossible to ignore.
If you’ve ever thought, “How do I make deals customers can’t refuse?” — this is your playbook.
👉 Full breakdown at smartpubtools.com/blog (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Try SmartPubTools free at smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
3 Sept 2025
5 Words to Fill Any Pub
Could five simple words be all it takes to pack your pub? In this episode, we uncover the magic behind SmartPubTools’ signature framework: type (or speak) just five words, and get a fully optimised, share-worthy social post that actually drives footfall.
We’ll explore why most pub marketing fails (hint: “Quiz Night Tuesday 7pm” isn’t persuasion, it’s a notice) and how AI expands your five-word prompt into banter-rich, personality-driven content that your regulars share, tag, and comment on. From quiz nights to karaoke, match days to Sunday roasts — we’ll show how this system turns your events into unmissable moments.
You’ll also hear real before-and-after landlord stories that prove why five words + SmartPubTools can outperform entire marketing campaigns.
👉 Try it yourself at smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net) 👉 Read the full guide at smartpubtools.com/blog (http://smartpubtools.com/blog)
2 Sept 2025
Funnel Secrets for Pubs & Restaurants 2025
Every pint poured is a chance to win a regular. But most landlords and managers treat marketing like a megaphone — shout once, hope people turn up. The truth? Your pub doesn’t need more one-night stands, it needs a funnel that turns strangers into loyal faces behind the bar.
In this episode, we reveal the Funnel Secrets for 2025 that pubs and restaurants can’t afford to ignore. From the “5-Word Hook” that gets first-timers through the door, to AI-powered remarketing that keeps them coming back, you’ll hear the exact steps SmartPubTools uses to transform casual visitors into die-hard regulars.
Expect punchy examples (quiz night funnels, match day upsells, roast day loyalty loops) and no-nonsense strategies you can steal tonight.
👉 Full blog + frameworks: smartpubtools.com/blog (http://smartpubtools.com/blog) 👉 Try the tool free: smartpubtools.net (http://smartpubtools.net)
31 Aug 2025
5 Words To Fill Your Pub
5 Words Could Fill Your Pub Tonight.
With SmartPubTools, you just say (or type) five words—like “Quiz Night Tonight”—and our AI turns it into a scroll-stopping post that bakes in weather, sports fixtures, and humour. Result? Busy seats, buzz, and more takings.
https://smartpubtools.net (https://smartpubtools.net) read more https://smartpubtools.com/?p=514 (https://smartpubtools.com/?p=514)
This video shows you exactly how it works in under 60 seconds.
—
⏭ Want a packed pub? Try it yourself:
• Start your 7-day free trial: [yourlandingpage.net (http://yourlandingpage.net)]
🤝 Founders’ Club Offer — First 100 pubs only:
• £199/year (45% off)
• £349 for 2 years (55% off)
(Once 100 spots are gone, prices double.)
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Keywords: pub marketing, AI for pubs, social media for pubs, pub promotion, quiz night marketing, SmartPubTools
—
Tags/Hashtags (in description or YouTube tags):
#PubMarketing #SmartPubTools #QuizNight #AIcontent #PubSocialMedia
31 Aug 2025
Why Storytelling Works Better Than Discounts in Pub Marketing
Discounts fill seats for a night. Stories fill pubs for years.
In this episode of Pub Marketing Unplugged, we break down why storytelling is the most powerful marketing tool a pub or restaurant can use in 2025. Inspired by David Ogilvy’s timeless philosophy, we explore how landlords and hospitality owners can move beyond price-cutting gimmicks and build loyalty through authentic stories.
https://smartpubtools.net (https://smartpubtools.net) read more https://smartpubtools.com/?p=514 (https://smartpubtools.com/?p=514)
Here’s what you’ll take away from today’s episode:
Why discounts train customers to value you less.
The psychology of storytelling and why people remember stories over prices.
Real pub examples of stories that built loyalty and boosted sales.
A step-by-step storytelling framework you can use right away.
Story angles you can apply instantly: history, staff, customers, food, and events.
👉 Read the full blog post here: Why Storytelling Works Better Than Discounts in Pub Marketing
👉 Try our free Gary Vee Pub Marketing GPT here: Gary Vee Pub Marketing GPT (https://chatgpt.com/g/g-68a9b67befe0819199d66ddb7e742142-gary-vee-pub-marketing-gpt)
👉 Discover how AI can transform your pub marketing: SmartPubTools (https://smartpubtools.net)
By the end of this episode, you’ll see why storytelling is more profitable than constant promotions — and how to use it to attract not just more customers, but the right customers who keep coming back.
26 Aug 2025
Headlines That Sell Beer: How Ogilvy’s Rules Boost Pub Marketing
In this episode of Pub Marketing Unplugged, we explore one of the simplest but most powerful tools in hospitality marketing: the headline.
David Ogilvy once said: “On average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy.” In other words, if your headline flops, the rest of your message doesn’t matter.
For pubs and restaurants in 2025, headlines aren’t just for newspapers — they’re on your chalkboards, your Facebook events, your posters, and even your Instagram captions. The right line can turn a slow Tuesday into a packed quiz night.
Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode:
Why headlines matter more than discounts.
The psychology behind attention-grabbing phrases.
Real pub-tested examples of winning headlines.
How to adapt Ogilvy’s timeless rules to modern social media.
20+ headline formulas you can steal for your next campaign.
Whether you’re running a quiz, a match-day promotion, or a live band night, your headline is your first impression. Get it right, and customers stop scrolling and start showing up.
Subscribe to the podcast for more weekly episodes on practical pub marketing. And don’t forget — you can grab our free Gary Vee Pub Marketing GPT to guide you step by step.
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