What “Bake More Pies” Taught Me About Marketing
When I walked into Bake More Pies, it didn’t feel like a typical office. It felt like a space built for ideas. From the neon sign that said “Don’t be shy, try some pie” to the open workstations and production studio, everything reflected creativity in action.
The experience was even more impactful because of Mike Curia, who led the presentation and tour. He made everything feel real. His insights were not just inspiring, but honest. He gave practical advice about applying for jobs, building experience, and what actually matters when entering the industry. It did not feel like a lecture. It felt like real guidance.
This field trip gave me specific lessons that I can actually apply in my future career.
Strategy Comes Before Content
One of the biggest things I learned is that strong marketing always starts with strategy.
During the presentation, they broke down how everything connects. Website improvements, content, and video strategy are not separate. They all support the same goal. For example, they talked about enhancing websites with features like personalization, subscriptions, upsells, and SEO-focused blogs. These are not random additions. They are designed to guide the customer journey and increase conversions.
This changed how I think about marketing. In my future role, I will not just focus on creating content. I will think about how each piece fits into a bigger system. If I am running social media, I will connect it back to website traffic, conversions, and user experience.
This also connects to experiential marketing. According to Amazon Ads, brands today need to create immersive experiences that make people feel connected, not just informed.
https://advertising.amazon.com/blog/experiential-marketing#2
https://advertising.amazon.com/blog/experiential-marketing#2
Video Strategy Needs to Match the Funnel
Another key takeaway was how they structured video strategy based on different stages of awareness.
They showed how content should change depending on where the audience is in the funnel:
Awareness: commercials that grab attention quickly
Consideration: influencer content that feels relatable and real
Decision: customer success stories that build trust
This was one of the most useful things I learned because it is something I can directly apply. In my future marketing role, especially in social media or production, I will think more intentionally about why I am creating a video, not just what it looks like.
For example, instead of just posting random content, I would plan:
Short, high-energy videos to attract new audiences
Behind-the-scenes or influencer-style content to build connection
Testimonials or results-based content to drive conversions
This also connects to how marketing performance is measured today. Nielsen’s focus on attention and outcomes shows that it is not enough for content to exist. It needs to actually capture attention and drive results.
https://www.themeasure.net/nielsen-moves-into-ad-outcomes-business-starting-with-attention/
https://www.themeasure.net/nielsen-moves-into-ad-outcomes-business-starting-with-attention/
Real-World Advice About Getting Hired
One of the most valuable parts of the experience was the advice about applying for jobs.
Mike Curia shared exactly what companies look for, and it made everything feel more clear and realistic. He emphasized things like:
Including certifications like Google Ads, HubSpot, and SEMrush
Showing real work, not just listing skills
Linking portfolios or projects
Keeping your online presence clean and professional
This stood out to me because it is something I can act on right now. I already have experience in social media and production, but this reminded me that how I present that experience matters just as much.
In my first marketing role, I want to stand out by not just saying what I can do, but showing it through real projects, content, and measurable results.
The Production Studio Made It Real for Me
The part that stood out to me the most personally was the video production studio.
I am really interested in production, so seeing a professional studio in a real agency environment was exciting. I have worked in studio spaces before, but I am always interested in seeing how different environments are set up. Every studio has a different layout, workflow, and energy, and that affects the type of content being created.
This experience made me even more interested in working in production and content creation in the future. It also showed me how production connects directly to marketing strategy, not just visuals.
Final Takeaway
This field trip showed me that marketing is not just about posting content or having creative ideas. It is about building a full system where strategy, content, and experience all work together.
What I will take with me the most is this: strong marketing is intentional. Every decision, from website design to video content to branding, has a purpose.
Seeing this in action at Bake More Pies made everything I am learning feel real. And more importantly, it showed me how I can apply these lessons in my own career.
AI tools were used to help brainstorm and organize ideas for this blog post.
