Crofters' Music Bar Arran

We got nominated for an two awards! It's nice to see the hard work of the last few months beginning to pay off.  

As we work on our new website and marketing, we've decided to tell our story and share our journey thus far as we embark on the next chapter.

Ealána was away at a two-day conference about the West Coast Waters 2020 tourism initiative and the role that Crofters is going to play in that.

Cams and Ealána talk about an advertorial in a supplier catalogue that talks of doing what you love, and putting love into what you do. We also get interrupted with a cold call and get onto talking about ad targeting. Oh, and if you're looking for cheaper energy, let us know and we'll give them your number! 😂

We had some media training with Sarah of Hot Tin Roof, a PR firm working out of Edinburgh. It was a very worthwhile couple of hours in Glasgow and we learned a lot about consolidating our message and how to put the business forward to social and traditional media in the best possible way.

Ealána puts out a call to industry experts to engage with us at Crofters' and get some dialogue going to help small businesses to share information and do some networking on our podcast.

It's been an interesting week. Ealána's been super busy and it's been a challenging couple of weeks. It shows her grit and determination as a business owner that she got through and not only managed to give the appearance that all was well, but for the restaurant actually to flourish. Making these podcasts gives an incredible insight into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making a successful night for customers. It's quite inspirational actually, and we hope that that comes through in the podcast, even if it's just a little. 

We would dearly love some feedback on what we're doing on our social media and with our podcast. If you have ideas or suggestions, get in touch through our Facebook Page or Twitter. 

It would also mean the world to us if you would subscribe to the show if you haven't already and give us a rating on iTunes. And a review would be doubly welcome – two worlds? Why not! 

Thanks for your ears, and keep coming back! 

In our first podcast of the year we talked about how Christmas was for us and, in particular, what a superb job our head chef did on new year's eve. He really showed our diners what he's capable of and why he's a two-star Michelin rosette chef. 

Cams talked about the social media podcasts he's been listening to and boring his wife with as they drove around Belgium and Luxembourg on their Christmas hols. 

Ealána and Cams talk about social media and the role that it plays in a modern business. We're looking for recommendations of industry related blogs, Instagram feeds and Facebook pages to engage with and learn from. We'll start - Ealána talked about this Kent-based restaurant and how she finds their Instagram feed inspiring: 

The Small Holding on Instagram

Check out Megan and Innis from their last gig in Crofters'

Megan and Innis

The branding company we've hired is BrandF

Our financial advisers are at The FD Centre

And Nicola, our marketing hire runs Almanac Marketing

In today's weekly roundup, Ealana talks about Christmas and what the plans are in Crofters' for the festive season.