FIRST-CLASS HONOURS CASE STUDY

Premium Spirits Brand: Local Market Growth Strategy

How a comprehensive social media audit uncovered hidden strengths, identified strategic gaps, and delivered an implementation-ready growth framework for a Devon-based craft distillery.

Premium Spirits / Hospitality
Devon, UK
12-Month Analysis
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
CLIENT OVERVIEW

The Client

A Devon-based craft spirits distillery producing premium rum at £29.95 per bottle. The brand built its identity around sustainability and local sourcing, targeting the local community and gift market.

Brand Values

Sustainability-focused with local sourcing commitment

Premium Positioning

£29.95 per bottle craft spirits

Target Market

Local/regional community and gift market

THE CHALLENGE

What Was Going Wrong

Despite producing a high-quality product with strong brand values, the client struggled to translate social media efforts into meaningful community growth.

  • Limited social media reach despite 12+ months of activity
  • Inconsistent posting schedule with no content strategy
  • Good product photography but disorganized feed presentation
  • Minimal engagement with followers despite active commenting
  • Identical content posted across all platforms
MY APPROACH

Comprehensive 12-Month Audit

A rigorous, data-driven methodology to uncover insights and build actionable strategy

Historical Analysis

12-month performance review across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

Engagement Benchmarking

Rates measured against industry standards and platform averages

Competitive Analysis

3 regional premium spirits brands analyzed for best practices

Sentiment Analysis

Audience interaction evaluation—positive vs. negative mentions

Content Evaluation

Quality, consistency, and visual identity assessment

Hashtag Review

Effectiveness analysis and optimization recommendations

Profile Optimization

Bio, highlights, and visual consistency assessment

Timing Analysis

Optimal posting times based on audience activity data

KEY FINDINGS

Data-Backed Discoveries

The audit revealed both critical gaps and hidden strengths that informed the strategy

Performance Gaps Identified

Posting Frequency 73% Below Average
Client: 3 posts/month Industry: 16-18 posts/month
Inconsistent visual identity and highlight thumbnails
Ineffective hashtag strategy—overuse on Instagram (#ASMR on rum posts), underutilization on Facebook
No engagement with comments despite active followers
Multi-part content posted separately, breaking user experience

Hidden Strengths Discovered

Engagement Rate 63% Above Benchmark
Client: 1.66% Top 25% Benchmark: 1.02%
Sentiment Score 9:1 Positive Ratio
90% Positive
High-quality product photography already available
Loyal core audience ready to engage more frequently
Strong brand values that resonate with target market
COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE

What Competitors Were Doing Right

Analysis of 3 regional premium spirits brands revealed key opportunities

4-6x More Frequent

Competitors posting 4-6x more frequently, maintaining consistent audience touchpoints

Visual Consistency

Successful brands using consistent visual themes and strategic content series

Influencer Partnerships

Industry leaders leveraging local influencer partnerships for authentic reach

Top Content Types

Best-performing: cocktail recipes, behind-the-scenes distillation, product showcases

STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

The Implementation Roadmap

Actionable strategies delivered for immediate implementation

Content Strategy Overhaul

  • Platform-specific approach (Instagram 18-34 vs. Facebook 24-44 demographics)
  • "Cocktail of the Week" series concept for consistent engagement
  • Structured 4 posts/week minimum schedule
  • 6pm optimal posting time based on analytics
  • 4-week content calendar template

Profile Optimization

  • Redesigned bio leading with brand values and product clarity
  • Consistent highlight thumbnail design system
  • Instagram carousel feature for multi-part storytelling
  • Visual grid planning for cohesive feed aesthetic

Community Building Framework

  • Comment engagement strategy to nurture high sentiment
  • 3 local food/drink influencers identified (18k, 14k, 7.8k followers)
  • Cross-platform customization using 4C's model
  • TikTok discontinuation recommended to focus resources

The 4C's Framework Applied

Consistency

4+ posts/week with predictable scheduling and content themes

Customization

Platform-specific content tailored to each audience demographic

Commitment

Active comment engagement to build authentic community relationships

Caution

Avoid off-brand content, ineffective hashtags, and platform spreading

THE OUTCOME

Results & Recognition

Strategy Adopted

Recommendations approved and adopted by brand leadership team for implementation

First-Class Honours

Work received first-class honours distinction (top academic grade)

Selected for Implementation

Chosen by university for direct client implementation—a rare distinction

Teaching Example

Framework now serves as teaching example for future marketing students

Project Impact

This comprehensive audit provided the client with clear, data-backed recommendations that were immediately implemented. The structured approach transformed their scattered social media activity into a strategic growth plan.

First-Class Honours

Key Takeaway

This case study demonstrates that high engagement rates mean little without consistent execution. The client had a strong foundation—loyal audience, quality content, positive sentiment—but lacked strategic structure. By providing data-driven insights and implementation-ready frameworks, I helped transform scattered social media activity into a cohesive growth strategy.

12

Months Analyzed

3

Platforms Audited

3

Competitors Analyzed

4

Week Calendar Delivered

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