Simple, clear steps that every restaurant can follow.
Get discovered by hungry locals. Ads, SEO, and local search put you where diners are already looking.
Keep the conversation going with friendly, timely AI follow-ups until they’re ready to book.
Convert interest into reservations and orders with easy booking, payments, and reminders.
Turn happy guests into 5★ reviews, referrals, and loyal regulars — on autopilot.
20+ years of marketing strategy and automation experience — helping restaurants and businesses attract, nurture, and retain more customers.
20+ years of marketing strategy and automation experience — helping restaurants and businesses attract, nurture, and retain more customers.
I didn’t start in a boardroom. I started in restaurants.
From managing hospitality events and working behind the scenes to serving 400+ guests at America’s Incredible Pizza Company, I learned first-hand what it takes to keep seats filled and customers happy.
What I also saw: great restaurants struggling — not because of their food or service, but because marketing felt overwhelming, expensive, and out of reach.
That’s why I created Automate The Journey: a system to help restaurants attract, nurture, and retain customers using automation and AI — without adding more to your already full plate.
I didn’t start in a boardroom. I started in restaurants.
From managing hospitality events and working behind the scenes to serving 400+ guests at America’s Incredible Pizza Company, I learned first-hand what it takes to keep seats filled and customers happy.
What I also saw: great restaurants struggling — not because of their food or service, but because marketing felt overwhelming, expensive, and out of reach.
That’s why I created Automate The Journey: a system to help restaurants attract, nurture, and retain customers using automation and AI — without adding more to your already full plate.
I’ve lived the restaurant grind — this isn’t a cookie-cutter agency playbook.
Tech + human touch, so guests feel valued.
20 years of testing, refining, and delivering results.
Hi, I’m Tim Hershberger.
I’m a marketer, strategist, and problem-solver — but most importantly, I’m someone who believes small restaurants deserve the same chance to thrive as big franchises.
When I’m not building growth systems, you’ll find me with my family in Florida, or exploring the local restaurant scene for inspiration.
• Honesty & Transparency — no jargon, no smoke and mirrors.
• Fast Results That Matter — bums in seats, orders placed.
• Fair Pricing & Clear ROI — you always know what you’re getting.
I’ve lived the restaurant grind — this isn’t a cookie-cutter agency playbook.
Tech + human touch, so guests feel valued.
20 years of testing, refining, and delivering results.
Hi, I’m Tim Hershberger.
I’m a marketer, strategist, and problem-solver — but most importantly, I’m someone who believes small restaurants deserve the same chance to thrive as big franchises.
When I’m not building growth systems, you’ll find me with my family in Florida, or exploring the local restaurant scene for inspiration.
Honesty & Transparency — no jargon, no smoke and mirrors.
Fast Results That Matter — bums in seats, orders placed.
Fair Pricing & Clear ROI — you always know what you’re getting.
Spring 2025 brings new opportunities, evolving consumer behaviors, and breakthrough marketing trends that businesses must embrace to stay competitive. As a marketing strategist with 15+ years in hospitality, entertainment, and e-commerce, I’ve helped brands navigate industry shifts, leverage automation, and implement data-driven growth strategies.
This guide explores the top marketing trends for 2025 that CEOs, marketing directors, and HR leaders must implement now to drive revenue, engagement, and retention.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept—it’s a necessity. Businesses using AI-driven customer insights are seeing:
40% higher email engagement (Salesforce).
2X conversion rates from AI-personalized campaigns.
88% of customers prefer brands that offer personalized experiences (Epsilon).
An e-commerce company I worked with used AI-powered email segmentation based on real-time consumer behavior, including:
✔️ Browsing history
✔️ Purchase frequency
✔️ Live engagement data
Results?
📈 40% increase in retention
📩 20% improvement in email open rates
💰 Doubling of conversion rates
AI eliminated the guesswork, ensuring customers received the right message at the right time.
Actionable Steps:
✔️ Implement AI-driven email segmentation for better targeting.
✔️ Use machine learning algorithms to predict buying behavior.
✔️ A/B test AI-optimized subject lines & messaging.
Live shopping is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, reshaping how customers buy online.
📊 Key Stats:
30% of shoppers prefer live shopping to traditional e-commerce (Forrester).
Live events drive 10x higher engagement than standard video ads.
Brands using influencer-led live shopping see conversion rates 3x higher.
At Hammer Made, we launched a livestream shopping event with influencers. Customers engaged in real-time, asked questions and purchased instantly.
💡 Results:
✔️ 15% increase in sales
✔️ Stronger brand loyalty & community engagement
✔️ Reduced return rates from better product understanding
Why It Works:
✔️ Builds urgency & FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
✔️ Provides real-time engagement & product education.
✔️ Creates trust through direct interactions.
🚀 Actionable Steps:
✔️ Host live shopping events on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
✔️ Collaborate with influencers to increase reach.
✔️ Offer exclusive livestream discounts to drive conversions.
Consumers no longer trust overly polished, generic marketing. They want real stories, Transparency, and social responsibility.
📊 Key Stats:
88% of customers trust brands that emphasize authenticity (Stackla).
68% of Millennials & Gen Z prioritize sustainability (Nielsen).
A hospitality brand I worked with highlighted its sustainability efforts, including:
✔️ Eco-friendly practices in sourcing & operations
✔️ Genuine social impact initiatives
✔️ Behind-the-scenes content showing ethical business practices
📈 Results:
✔️ Higher brand loyalty & repeat customers
✔️ Stronger engagement on social platforms
✔️ Increased word-of-mouth marketing
Why It Works:
✔️ Consumers spot fake sustainability claims—authenticity wins.
✔️ Transparency builds lasting trust & retention.
✔️ Ethical businesses outperform competitors in long-term growth.
🚀 Actionable Steps:
✔️ Feature real sustainability efforts (not just “green” branding).
✔️ Be transparent about sourcing, labor practices, and initiatives.
✔️ Use social media & email to share your brand’s authentic story.
AI isn’t just for e-commerce—it’s transforming service-based businesses by improving personalization, efficiency, and customer engagement.
📊 Key Stats:
72% of customers expect brands to personalize service (McKinsey).
AI-powered services can reduce costs by 30%, improving satisfaction (Gartner).
A home service company I worked with recently implemented an AI-powered dynamic Sales Pipeline by customizing their CRM, providing frontline teams with:
✔️ Real-time customer preferences & history
✔️ Automated appointment scheduling
✔️ Personalized service recommendations
📈 Results:
✔️ Faster response times & fewer missed appointments
✔️ Higher repeat business & customer satisfaction
✔️ Automated follow-ups leading to increased referrals
🚀 Actionable Steps:
✔️ Adopt AI-powered CRM systems to improve service.
✔️ Use chatbots for quick responses & appointment booking.
✔️ Leverage customer data to anticipate needs & personalize service.
One-size-fits-all marketing no longer works. Businesses using advanced customer segmentation outperform competitors by delivering highly relevant experiences.
📊 Key Stats:
Personalized marketing increases conversions by 80% (Epsilon).
Companies using segmentation see 3X higher engagement rates.
At a large Entertainment Center, we implemented customer segmentation based on:
✔️ Past spending habits & frequency
✔️ Demographic & geographic data
✔️ Customer engagement behavior
📈 Results:
✔️ 70% increase in group bookings
✔️ Higher retention & upsell success
✔️ More targeted & effective promotional campaigns
🚀 Actionable Steps:
✔️ Use AI to segment customers by behavior & preferences.
✔️ Automate personalized follow-up campaigns based on activity.
✔️ A/B test offers & messaging to improve engagement.
✔️ Embrace AI-powered personalization to improve customer retention.
✔️ Leverage live shopping to drive engagement & real-time sales.
✔️ Make authenticity a priority to build trust & long-term loyalty.
✔️ Adopt AI-driven service solutions for better efficiency & satisfaction.
✔️ Use advanced segmentation to maximize marketing ROI.
Let’s talk about how to implement these trends in your business.
Copyright 2025. Automate the Journey. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2025. Automate the Journey. All Rights Reserved.