Podcast Summary: Baking it Down with Sugar Cookie Marketing 🍪

Episode 216: "Take a Stab at a Cookie Collab" Release Date: June 17, 2025

In Episode 216 of Baking it Down with Sugar Cookie Marketing, hosts Heather and Corey Miracle delve into the art of cookie collaborations, exploring their significance, historical context within the Sugar Cookie Marketing (SCM) community, and providing actionable insights for bakers looking to enhance their marketing strategies through collaborative efforts.

1. Introduction to Cookie Collabs

The episode kicks off with Heather and Corey sharing personal anecdotes about their recent beach trip, setting a relaxed and personable tone. Quickly transitioning from their vacation tales, they introduce the main topic: cookie collaborations within the SCM group.

Corey (00:35): “If you are a baker looking to grow your business, cookie collabs are a fantastic way to increase your reach and engagement.”

2. Understanding What a Cookie Collab Is

Heather and Corey define a cookie collab as a focused, day-long event where multiple bakers design cookies around a specific theme and share their creations on social media using a designated hashtag.

Heather (08:26): “A collab is a single hour in which a bunch of bakers get together to design a cookie based on a specific theme and post it to a specific social media profile using a certain hashtag.”

3. Historical Context: Collabs in SCM Community

Reflecting on their journey, the hosts recount past collabs initiated in 2020 and 2021, highlighting various successful themes such as the Susan Reed scam awareness and creative designs like cookie logos and Christmas in July.

Corey (05:03): “We created a Susan Reed collab to educate bakers about the scam, turning it into a community-wide awareness effort.”

Heather (07:28): “Themes like 'Last Cookie, First Cookie' and 'Pumpkin Patch' not only engaged our members but also showcased their evolving skills.”

4. Details of the Upcoming Collab Event

The primary focus of the episode is the announcement of an upcoming "Meet the Baker" collab scheduled for Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST. This event encourages participants to post personal photos alongside their cookies to humanize their brands and foster deeper connections with their audiences.

Corey (12:08): “We're inviting 75 bakers to participate, aiming for 75 genuine comments to boost engagement significantly.”

5. Reasons to Participate in a Collab

Heather presents a compelling list of 10 reasons why bakers should engage in cookie collabs, emphasizing benefits such as:

• Increased Engagement: Personal photos tend to receive higher interaction rates.

  Corey (14:30): “Posting a photo of yourself can perform far better than showcasing just your cookies.”

• Algorithm Boost: Enhanced visibility on platforms like Instagram through strategic hashtag use.

  Heather (16:36): “Engaging during the collab period can reset your Instagram algorithm, improving your content’s reach.”

• Content Generation: Provides fresh and varied content ideas for social media.

  Heather (25:32): “This is a great way to see photo shoot ideas and save them for future use.”

• Community Building: Strengthens relationships with fellow bakers and potential long-term collaborators.

  Heather (18:47): “Beyond marketing, it’s a fun way to discover like-minded bakers and build friendships.”

6. Tips for Successful Collab Participation

To maximize the benefits of the "Meet the Baker" collab, Heather and Corey offer practical tips:

• Timely Posting: Ensure your participation post goes live precisely at the designated time to maximize visibility.

  Corey (28:13): “Try to have your post up by 10 AM Eastern for maximum exposure.”

• Use the Correct Hashtag: Adhere strictly to the specified hashtag format to ensure your posts are tracked and engaged with appropriately.

  Heather (12:46): “Use the hashtag #SCMCollabBaker and avoid any typos to ensure visibility.”

• Engage Actively: Beyond liking, comment thoughtfully on other participants’ posts to foster genuine engagement.

  Corey (30:23): “Like and comment on posts with meaningful questions to drive trust and interaction.”

• Maintain Account Privacy Settings: Ensure your Instagram account is public during the collab to allow maximum reach and interaction.

  Heather (32:22): “If your account is private, the hashtag won’t be visible to others, negating the collab benefits.”

7. Future Collabs and Ongoing Initiatives

Looking ahead, Heather and Corey tease upcoming collabs such as the "Main Street Cookie Collab", which focuses on creating cookies featuring local business logos to strengthen community ties and potentially open revenue streams through corporate orders.

Corey (34:01): “The 'Main Street Collab' will allow you to highlight local businesses, which can lead to bulk orders and increased brand visibility.”

Additionally, the hosts discuss their midsummer membership sale, offering discounted rates on various SCM memberships and resources to support bakers in their business growth endeavors.

Heather (36:10): “The Cookie College is now available for $68 for a limited time, bundling multiple memberships for comprehensive support.”

8. Addressing Community Questions and Concerns

Throughout the episode, Heather and Corey address listener questions, providing actionable advice on topics such as pricing strategies and managing feelings of guilt associated with raising prices. They emphasize the importance of valuing one’s work appropriately to sustain and grow a baking business.

Heather (46:56): “You're doing the ethically wrong thing by undercharging. It’s time to raise your prices to keep your business afloat.”

Corey (49:32): “You need to remove feelings from pricing. Charge what you need to cover your costs and make a profit.”

9. Conclusion and Next Steps

Wrapping up, the hosts encourage bakers to participate in the upcoming collab and take advantage of the ongoing membership sale. They highlight the importance of community support and continuous learning through collaborative efforts.

Corey (54:50): “Collabs are a lot of fun and a great way to engage with your community. Don’t miss out on the upcoming events.”

Heather (61:05): “Join us next week for a pre-recorded episode as we continue to support and grow our baking community together.”

Key Takeaways:

• Cookie collabs are powerful tools for increasing social media engagement, building community, and enhancing brand visibility.
• Proper planning and execution, including timely posts and correct hashtag usage, are crucial for maximizing collab benefits.
• Participating in collabs not only boosts your online presence but also fosters meaningful connections with fellow bakers.
• Valuing your work appropriately through strategic pricing ensures the sustainability and growth of your baking business.

By embracing these strategies, bakers within the Sugar Cookie Marketing community can effectively elevate their businesses, reach new audiences, and maintain robust engagement in an ever-evolving digital landscape.