Marketing Case Study:
Watusi Cafe & Coffee Bar
Marketing and social media for local cafe and coffee shop
You will see the slogan “It is what it is” plastered everywhere, from the mugs to the napkins, at Hilton Head Island’s famous eatery, Watusi Cafe. When you walk in the door, you will quickly understand it is a state of mind. It means letting go of your worries, relaxing your mind, and feeling at home. That is exactly what Watusi Cafe specializes in.
Since 2012, the cafe had been slowly growing as a small coffee and yogurt shop on Pope Avenue on Hilton Head Island. With local competition on the rise, the owners recognized that a revision to their brand and shift in menu offerings would be crucial to help Watusi Cafe differentiate itself from the other nearby cafes.
Rebranding a delicious, local favorite
Design a New Engaging Website
Our agency was approached to rebrand and jump-start Watusi Cafe’s marketing with a focus on designing a new website and managing social media advertising. Collaborating closely with the owner, our team designed a website inclusive of Watusi Cafe’s menus, new branding, and professional photography.
This rebranding effort extended into social media platforms, where we actively promoted Watusi Cafe’s core values:
Health-consciousness food options include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free.
The relaxed cafe atmosphere invites family and friends (and your dog) to gather together for a meal.
The focus on the environment by offering paper goods, rather than plastic materials and straws. The cafe also only uses the freshest, high-quality beans, certified organic, fair trade, and shade-grown coffee. Additionally, Watusi Cafe’s gift shop carries a full line of recycled and eco-friendly products.
Creating Additional Revenue Opportunities
To generate additional revenue all year round, we saw an opportunity to offer the cafe for rent during its closed time following lunch. We marketed the cafe’s comfortable, cozy interior and adjoining courtyard as a venue option for baby showers, banquets, and smaller intimate events.
With Watusi Cafe’s owners pleased with our results, our team was contracted to design a new website for their gift shop, Pelican’s Pouch, and retail store, Island Girl. We leveraged the traffic from each business to create a synergy of hungry cafe patrons and retail customers. Our digital marketing included:
Local targeted search marketing
Community Press, Publications, and Blog Articles
Social Media Marketing
Community “Best of” awards
Creative Content
Photography