The Great Marketing Feast: What Every Brand Should Bring to the Table
November is the season of gathering…around tables, around traditions, and around the things (and people) that matter most. It’s also a time when brands, nonprofits, and event organizers are gearing up for one of the busiest and most emotional stretches of the year.
So, what if we thought about marketing like Thanksgiving dinner? Every campaign, event, or launch is a feast, and what you bring to the table determines whether your audience leaves satisfied, inspired, or still hungry for more.
Here’s what every brand should bring to the table this fall to serve up something worth remembering.
The Main Course: Your Message
Every Thanksgiving table needs a showstopper. That golden turkey that anchors the entire meal. In marketing, that’s your core message.
Your message is the thing your audience gathers around. It’s not your tagline or your latest offer; it’s the why behind what you do. For nonprofits, that’s your mission told through human stories. For brands, it’s your purpose told through product and personality.
Pro tip: Don’t let your main course get dry. Keep your messaging fresh by connecting it to the moment — seasonal relevance, emotion, or storytelling.
The Sides: Your Channels and Campaigns
Just like every guest has a favorite side dish, every audience member connects through different channels. Some love your social media “sweet potatoes” (I know I do), others crave a hearty helping of email content, or a well-seasoned event experience.
The sides make the meal memorable, but they need to complement the main dish, not distract from it.
- Social content should echo your message visually and emotionally.
- Email campaigns should deepen the relationship.
- Events should bring your brand to life. The warm, in-person “bite” that leaves a lasting taste.
Pro tip: Don’t overload the table. Focus on a few well-executed sides instead of spreading your resources thin across too many platforms.
The Dessert: Your Community
Dessert is what everyone sticks around for, the sweetness that lingers long after dinner. In marketing, that’s your community.
The people who share your posts, attend your events, donate to your cause, or cheer on your brand. They’re the ones who make your marketing meaningful. And they want to feel seen, valued, and appreciated.
- Celebrate your supporters publicly.
- Spotlight real people in your campaigns.
- Encourage user-generated content and testimonials.
Pro tip: Community isn’t an afterthought, it’s the “dessert cart” that keeps people coming back for seconds.
The Leftovers: Repurpose and Reuse
Just like the best part of Thanksgiving is the next-day leftovers, smart marketers know that great content doesn’t end after one serving.
Repurpose what you create:
- Turn event photos into highlight reels.
- Repackage quotes or stats into social posts.
- Transform long blogs into bite-sized email or video content.
Pro tip: When you plan your campaign, think ahead about how every piece of content can feed multiple channels. (Make your life easier).
The Secret Ingredient: Heart
The best meals — and the best marketing — are made with heart. It’s not about being the loudest brand in the room; it’s about being the one that makes people feel something.
This season, focus less on selling and more on storytelling. Lead with gratitude, show up authentically, and remind your audience why they chose to gather around your table in the first place. <3
Final Bite
Great marketing isn’t about having the most elaborate spread — it’s about balance, connection, and flavor that lasts. As you head into the holiday season, ask yourself:
- What’s the main course of our message?
- Which “sides” are worth serving this quarter?
- How can we make space for community at the table?
Because the best marketing, like the best Thanksgiving dinner, isn’t just consumed. It’s experienced, shared, and remembered long after the plates are cleared 🙂