Analysis: halfway through the year, here's what's most important Outshinery customers

Key trends driving alcohol consumer engagement in 2024

Jill Barth

Future-proof

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As summer gets ready to wind down, our team took a look back at the first half of 2024 to find out what you—our customers and audience—have been into this year. And as a bonus: our creative director pinpointed the top-selling Lifestyle Images of 2024, so feast your eyes!

These are Outshinery's most-read stories of 2024, paired with the most popular Lifestyle Images so far this year

We look for insightful and actionable content tailored specifically for wineries, breweries, and distilleries aiming to elevate brand presence in a competitive market. This year has presented unique challenges and opportunities within the beverage industry.

Judging by readership analytics, the most important themes for Outshinery customers are:

How to communicate and differentiate brand identity
What are the most effective marketing and ad strategies
Trends in product presentation and packaging
How beverage brands can foster a customer-centric approach
Best ways to optimize a solid digital presence
Where to get practical examples of sales success in our industry

Keeping that in mind, here are the stories that hit home so far:

1. Standing out in the vodka market: secrets to compelling branding and packaging

In the competitive world of spirits, making your vodka brand memorable is paramount. This article delves into effective differentiation strategies, emphasizing the importance of creative branding, unique packaging, and strong emotional connections with consumers.

It also highlights the growing significance of sustainability and innovative flavors in capturing market attention.

4 tall bottles of premium vodka photographed by Outshinery on a light purple background — Pro tip: Capturing clear liquids in photographs compellingly is a genuine challenge. Choosing a 3D solution, on the other hand, offers superior clarity and visual appeal.

2. The intricacies of booze bottle sizes

Understanding the impact of bottle size on consumer perception and market positioning is crucial. This article explores how different sizes—whether it's a hefty premium bottle or a distinctively shaped craft container—affect brand image and appeal.

It offers practical insights into selecting the right bottle size to enhance your product's market positioning.

sparkling wine bottle, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and small Australian sparkling Shiraz on blue background — Pro tip: Large-format wine bottles, like the impressive 15L Nebuchadnezzar, highlight a significant benefit of product visualization services: the ability to create picture-perfect images without the need for physical samples.

3. 8 Best practices for creating effective wine ads

Targeted at wineries, this piece outlines eight vital practices to create compelling wine advertisements. From focusing on storytelling to leveraging high-quality visuals and understanding consumer behavior, the article provides a comprehensive guide to crafting ads that resonate and convert.

example of a winery Facebook ad featuring a white wine bottle next to a roasted turkey — Pro tip: Studies show that wine and food pairings attract consumers, but crafting these pairings is often tedious. Outshinery streamlines this by providing pre-designed dish scenes that complement wine, allowing for digital insertion of your bottle. This approach is quick and cost-effective.

4. Crafting distinct whiskey identities

Whiskey brands face the dual challenge of standing out while maintaining authenticity. This article examines innovative branding and packaging ideas tailored to whiskey, offering strategies to build a unique identity that captures the essence of the spirit.

3 premium bourbon whisky bottles on a light blue background — Pro tip: Competing in the spirits market frequently requires the use of intricately designed custom bottles, complete with embossing and unique branding features. It's crucial to highlight these distinctive elements in your product photography. Not only do they enhance visual appeal, but they also aid in brand recognition.

5. 8 Innovative marketing ideas for wineries

For wineries looking to break through the noise, this article presents eight creative marketing ideas. From interactive tasting experiences to leveraging digital content, it provides fresh perspectives on engaging customers and boosting sales.

front and back views of a Pinot Noir bottle and rose wine on a red background — Pro tip: Consider getting both front and back Product Shots. In recent years, it has become increasingly necessary to include high-quality images of both the front and back for product listings across various retail stores, marketplaces, and distribution channels.

6. Wine bottle sizes and their names: all you need to know

Navigating the various wine bottle sizes can be perplexing. This informative guide explains the names and uses of different bottle sizes, helping winemakers choose the perfect fit for their wines and enhancing the overall consumer experience.

empty wine glass bottles lined up against a purple background

Special mention: Optimizing photos for brand impact

Outshinery’s latest guide provides an in-depth look at mastering e-commerce images for direct-to-consumer brands. It focuses on optimizing product photos to maximize brand impact and drive online sales, a must-read for any business aiming to thrive in the digital marketplace.

Pro tip: Ensuring the use of high-quality visuals, tailored to the display channel, becomes increasingly critical as our screens grow more sophisticated. In the example provided, the image on the left was saved with the appropriate settings, unlike the one on the right, leading to a superior visual experience.

In conclusion

Each of these articles underscores Outshinery’s commitment to providing valuable, actionable insights that help beverage brands stand out in a crowded market. By following the best practices and innovative ideas shared, you can ensure your brand remains not just visible but memorable to consumers.

Build brand trust by highlighting label details

Enhance your marketing with premium packshots from Outshinery. Our advanced technology delivers high-quality visuals, helping your products stand out in a competitive market. Perfect for e-commerce, promotions, or social media, Outshinery's Product Shots elevate your brand and attract more customers.

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Top takeaways

Emphasize unique identity: Creative branding and packaging are essential for differentiation in a saturated market.
Understand consumer preferences: Different bottle sizes can significantly impact perception; choose wisely to enhance market positioning.
Leverage storytelling in ads: Compelling narratives and high-quality visuals are key to creating effective wine advertisements that resonate with consumers.
Cultivate authenticity: Whiskey brands should focus on cultivating a distinct identity that reflects their heritage and values.
Adopt innovative marketing strategies: Interactive experiences and digital engagement can set wineries apart and drive customer interest.
Master Visual Presentation: High-quality product imagery is critical for online sales success, underscoring the importance of professional photos for brand impact.

Advanced perspectives for beverage brands