The Market That Keeps Getting Merrier
A look at how strategic influencer marketing, strong community engagement, and meaningful partnerships helped the Minneapolis Christkindl Market achieve significant growth in its second season.
How Strategic Social & Community-First Marketing Made for Meaningful Growth at the Minneapolis Christkindl Market.
The Minneapolis Christkindl Market returned for its second season bigger, brighter, and more beloved than ever! And the growth we saw over the course of the season told a powerful story.
Building on the momentum of the previous year, the goal for year two was to expand awareness, deepen community engagement, and position the Market as a can’t-miss holiday tradition for both locals and visitors alike. Through a thoughtful mix of influencer strategy, community management, and intentional partnerships, the Minneapolis Christkindl Market didn’t just grow…it flourished!
Let the Holiday Buzz Begin
To gain the most awareness possible at the start of the market, we leaned into a strategic influencer approach by hosting a festive Media Night, inviting local creators to experience the Market at its most magical. The focus was on collaborative, feel-good content that captured the twinkling lights, cozy bites, and festive energy guests love. This strategy paid off in a big way over the course of the season, generating over 428,187 impressions from influencer collaborations alone and creating online excitement that carried throughout the entirety of the 2025 Market’s run.
Community Management That Makes an Impact
Community management played an essential role in the success of the Market’s second season. Social media became a place to show off their personality as a festive, welcoming experience that is deeply rooted in local pride.
By actively resharing guest-generated content, spotlighting local vendors, artists, and performers, and keeping conversations flowing through thoughtful replies and giveaways, the Market’s channels felt dynamic and alive throughout the entirety of the season. This consistent, authentic engagement encouraged guests to join the conversation, share their own experiences, and come back for more, helping the Market achieve a milestone of 10,000 Instagram followers (and counting!)
Partnerships with a Purpose
Fostering strategic partnerships is something we at Beloved Social find deeply valuable to experienced-based brands like this. They allow us to expand reach and awareness for clients while staying rooted in community and shared values.
For the 2025 Market, we managed collaborations like the Viking River Cruise Giveaway to grow excitement and expand our reach to new audiences. We also put on events such as Dog Day with Ruff Start Rescue that reinforced the Market’s inclusive, family-friendly spirit. These partnerships felt natural to the brand and celebratory of the season, enhancing the guest experience while strengthening the Market’s role as a gathering place for the Minneapolis community.
A Season of Meaningful Growth
The Minneapolis Christkindl Market’s second season was one marked by growth. Not just in size, but in impact. Physically, the Market expanded it’s footprint by 20%, creating room for more vendors, more experiences, and more opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. That on-site growth was matched by digital momentum, with the Market reaching 10,000 followers on Instagram and continuing to climb. Online performance followed suit over the course of the season, generating over 3 million organic impressions and over 75,000 organic moments of engagement throughout the season.
This growth didn’t happen by accident. Beloved Social’s work focused on building genuine excitement before opening day, maintaining consistent storytelling throughout the season, and amplifying what makes the Market special. By pairing influencer-led moments with community-driven content and strategic partnerships, the Market maintained a consistent presence while still feeling authentic and accessible. The result was growth that felt natural, sustained, and meaningful, turning seasonal visitors into returning guests and reinforcing the Minneapolis Christkindl Market as a holiday tradition that continues to grow year after year!
Client Success Story: Launching Stock & Bond
From influencer buzz to community engagement, see how a smart social media strategy, authentic content, and “always-on” community management helped Stock & Bond not just fill tables, but build a brand that sticks.
How we helped turn a brand launch into a Minneapolis steakhouse staple.
When Stock & Bond opened its doors, the mission was clear: this wasn’t just about filling tables for a night. The goal was to establish the restaurant as a premier dining destination in Minneapolis, create lasting brand loyalty, and deliver an experience that resonates long after the last course is served. Social media was a huge part of that strategy, but not in the “let’s post pretty pics” kind of way. This was all about real results.
The Secret Ingredient: Strategy
We kicked things off by working with the client and their partners to create a rock-solid strategy for launching the Stock & Bond brand. From the very beginning, every element, from high-quality content to paid ads and traditional PR, was designed to work together to get people talking and coming through the door. Every post had a clear purpose, every partnership was intentional, and every campaign focused on driving real results.
Once the restaurant opened, we used a strong influencer presence to help amplify the excitement. In just six months, influencers who collaborated with the brand generated over 750,000 impressions, extending the buzz and keeping Stock & Bond top-of-mind for diners across Minneapolis.
But the content wasn’t just eye candy. Every organic post told a story about Stock & Bond’s elevated yet approachable vibe. We made sure to balance branded content with UGC, so their feed felt authentic, not staged. The results? Over 1 million impressions from our owned content channels and nearly 7,500 moments of engagement. Proof that people weren’t just scrolling, they were interacting.
Community Management: Your Digital Concierge
At Stock & Bond, social media isn’t just marketing… it’s service. Think of it as a digital host stand that’s always on, ready to help guests with everything from reservations to menu questions. Our team aimed to respond to comments, messages, and tags within 24 hours, giving guests quick answers and a personal touch that made them feel seen and valued.
We also made sure to reshare guest content regularly. Photos and videos from diners didn’t just fill the feed, they built community! Every Story share gave people a sense of inclusion and showed off the authentic vibe of Stock & Bond. With over 68,000 video views, it’s clear that guests were actively engaging with the Stock & Bond experience.
But we didn’t stop there. Engaging with the local scene, such as liking, commenting, and connecting with nearby businesses and creators, helped Stock & Bond feel approachable and genuinely part of the Minneapolis community.
Going Beyond The Dinner Table
At Beloved Social, we’re not just about filling a restaurant for one night. We help build brands that stick. By combining intentional content, influencer partnerships, community engagement, and a little bit of fun, Stock & Bond was established as not only a new restaurant, but a Minneapolis destination.
At the end of the day, we’re proud not just to book a table, but to fuel a brand for lasting success.