Marketing Rocket Fuel: Hospitality Secrets Every Business Should Steal
Inspired by the insights which Alan Armstrong of Spaceman Hospitality Marketing, shared in a cracking Hangout session. Let’s get one thing straight—marketing isn’t just a department.
It’s your brand’s voice, your vibe, your lifeblood. So why do so many businesses treat it like a tick-box exercise squeezed between budget reviews and coffee breaks? Time to wake up and take a page from hospitality’s playbook, where marketing is about creating experiences, not just pushing products.
Hospitality brands get people. They know how to build connections that turn one-time customers into lifelong fans. And guess what? Those same principles can take your business, no matter the industry, from good to absolutely smashing. Here’s what Alan Armstrong, the mastermind behind Spaceman Hospitality Marketing, had to say about it in his recent Purple Story Hangout session—distilled into 4 lessons every business leader needs to know.
Lesson 1: Know Thy Customer
We’ve all heard it a million times—"know your customer." But seriously, this goes beyond slapping their name on an email. It’s about getting inside their heads. What’s their deal? What problems keep them up at night? Alan swears by this in his hospitality work, where every campaign is custom-built with laser precision. No broad strokes or wishy-washy messaging. Stop imagining your customer as some faceless figure. Build a detailed profile, know their world, and then speak their language. You can even give them a name! Hospitality operators are pros at this—living and breathing customer insights so they can deliver what matters most.
Lesson 2: Be the Heart of Your Community
Hospitality brands don’t just serve meals; they bring people together. They sponsor local teams, throw events, and give back to their community. Why aren’t you doing the same? Whether you’re in B2B, tech, or retail, becoming part of your community makes you more than a service provider—it makes you indispensable. Sponsor a local cause, host events, or even just engage meaningfully in online spaces. Community loyalty isn’t built overnight, but once it’s there, your customers will keep coming back.
Lesson 3: Data Is Your BFF
Data freak you out? It shouldn’t. In hospitality, data is gold. It tells you who’s walking through your doors, what they want, and what’ll get them back. Alan’s all about using CRM systems, surveys, and feedback tools to really understand the customer. So use the data at your fingertips to guide your marketing strategy. What’s working? What isn’t? Pivot when you need to. Adapt, adjust, and repeat.
Lesson 4: Give People a Reason to Engage
Hospitality knows how to get people through the door—killer events, special offers, you name it. Whatever your business, the same rules apply. You’ve got to give people a reason to engage with your brand. Launch exclusive content, offer limited-time deals, or host webinars that actually solve a problem. Make it compelling. And if it’s not relevant to your customers, don’t waste time on it. The world doesn’t need another pointless “National Whatever Day” post.
Final Thought: Keep Showing Up
Consistency is key. Hospitality brands don’t rely on one-off promotions—they plan a full year of activities to keep the momentum going. You should too. Build a marketing calendar, stick to it, and make sure your audience knows you’re here to stay. And whatever you do—don’t be boring.
Take these lessons from hospitality and apply them wherever you are. Be bold, be personal, and build relationships that last. The marketing playbook isn’t rocket science—but it does need to be out of this world.
Written by Verity Mills
Purple Story Teller
In collaboration with Alan Armstrong (Spaceman marketing)
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