Behind the Smoke: Media in Hospitality - Shawn Walchef - Defining Hospitality - Episode #198

What role does media play in hospitality? This episode welcomes media expert and Owner of Cali BBQ, Shawn Walchef. Shawn discusses his journey from creating award-winning barbecue restaurants in San Diego to building a successful media platform. He shares insights on the importance of hospitality, storytelling, and the role of time in perfecting one's craft. Shawn also offers practical advice on leveraging digital media to build and grow a business, emphasizing the need to create consistent content and the power of being a curious and compassionate host. This episode is a must-watch for those looking to embrace their media presence.

Takeaways: 

• Every business should think of itself as a media company. Start by creating long-form content, such as a podcast or YouTube channel, to share your story and connect with your audience.
• If you’re starting a podcast, commit to a regular schedule. For example, publishing every week without fail can build discipline and ensure you develop a reliable content stream.
• Leverage multiple social media platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to share your content. Different platforms allow you to reach different segments of your audience.
• Curiosity is a driving force in hospitality. Engage with people by asking questions and showing genuine interest in their stories. This approach can deepen relationships and loyalty.
• Adopt a mindset of rapid experimentation. Try new technologies and media quickly. If you fail, you’ll learn faster and can adjust your strategies accordingly.
• Find your "anchor tenant" or main partner that can lend credibility to your initiatives and help you attract more opportunities and partnerships.
• Listen to your audience and adjust your content strategy based on their feedback. This responsiveness can foster loyalty and better meet the needs of your listeners or viewers.

Quote of the Show:

“ The better that we get at our craft, the deeper the connections we make, both at our restaurants in real life, in our community, and online.” - Shawn Walchef

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/ 
• Website: https://betheshow.media/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnpwalchef/ 

Shout Outs:

• 0:41 - Toast https://pos.toasttab.com/ 
• 0:42 - Entrepreneur Media https://www.entrepreneur.com/ 
• 3:20 - Canterbury Tales https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canterbury_Tales 
• 7:21 - Rado https://www.linkedin.com/in/radoivanov/ 
• 7:23 - Marriott https://www.marriott.com/default.mi 
• 9:39 - The Harvest https://www.amazon.com/Harvest-Bulgarian-Wealthy-Jolla-California/dp/1593302312 
• 21:06 - YPO https://www.ypo.org/ 
• 22:49 - Entrepreneurs’ Organization https://eonetwork.org/ 
• 28:15 - Pennsylvania State University https://www.psu.edu/ 
• 32:59 - Malcolm Gladwell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Gladwell 
• 33:17 - The Beatles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles 
• 34:31 - Bo Burlingham https://boburlingham.com/about-bo/ 
• 34:34 - Small Giants