Tell your story Tell your story
Tell your story Tell your story
Your product comes from somewhere. From the clay of the polder, from a fruit orchard behind the dike, from the waters of the Oosterschelde. That story makes the difference between buying something and experiencing it. On this page you will find everything to tell the story of your company and the Bevelanden: at the counter, on your menu and online.
Why a story? Why a story?
Visitors seek more than just a product. They want to know where it comes from, who makes it and what makes it special. A good story makes guests remember your company, tell it on to others and come back. And the great thing is: you already have that story. It’s in your work, your region and your season. The only thing that matters is making it visible.
From fact to story From fact to story
The first step is small. Take a fact about your company and ask yourself: what makes this different from the rest?
FactWe grow apples.
StoryOur apples grow in the salty sea wind, on clay that was once the seabed centuries ago.
Three questions can help you get started. What do your guests see, smell, or taste that they can’t find anywhere else? What would you tell a friend who is visiting for the first time? And what do you know about your product that your customer doesn’t already know?
Always stay true to the truth. A story doesn’t have to be grand to make an impression. Real details, like the name of the grower, last week’s weather, or the reason you started in the first place, work better than beautiful words.
Hang on to the seasons Hang on to the seasons
Each season has its own theme in the Bevelanden. Use it as a backdrop for your story; together we strengthen each other.
Bloesem (April and May)
Tell us about the beginning: the first bloom, the new planting, the spring in your company. What starts for you in these months?
Water (June to August)
De Bevelanden It is surrounded by water. What does your company have to do with water? Think of fish and shellfish, salty flavors, dykes, creeks or the summer at the Oosterschelde.
Flavour (september en oktober)
The harvest season. Tell us about your products, your suppliers, and the people who make them. What dish, combination, or product do you associate with autumn?
Heritage and culture (November and December)
Winter is the time for stories from the past. What is the history of your building, your village, or your craft? What tradition do you keep alive?
One story, three forms One story, three forms
You don't tell your story the same way everywhere. Therefore, work it out in three forms:
In 30 seconds
For when someone walks in or asks what you do. Two or three sentences: who you are, what you make and what makes it special here.
In 2 minutes
For a conversation at the table or at the counter. Here there is room for an anecdote, a seasonal detail or the history of your company.
In a social media post
Short, personal and with a photo. Start with what you see or do, not with what you sell. End with an invitation to come by.
Download the “My Story in Three Forms” worksheet below and start working on your own story.
Create content with AI Create content with AI
Short on time? With an AI tool like ChatGPT, you can quickly create a first draft of your text. Copy the prompt, fill in the data in brackets, and then modify the result in your own words. Always check that everything is correct: the AI doesn't know your company like you do.
Prompt Flower
I have a [type of business] De Bevelanden in [place] in Zeeland. Write a short, personal social media post of up to 80 words about the spring at our company. Use this information: [what happens to you in the spring]. Write in the third person, warm and simple, without excessive words. End with an invitation to come and visit.
Prompt Water
I have a [type of business] De Bevelanden in [place] in Zeeland. Write a short, personal social media post of up to 80 words about the summer and the water around our business. Use this information: [what your business is about with water]. Write in the first person, warm and simple, without excessive words. End with an invitation to come and visit.
Prompt Taste
I have a [type of business] De Bevelanden in [place] in Zeeland. Write a short, personal social media post of up to 80 words about autumn, the harvest time at or around our business. Use this information: [what your business has to do with the harvest time and the flavors that can be tasted then]. Write in the third person, warm and simple, without excessive words. End with an invitation to come and visit.
Prompt Heritage and Culture
I have a [type of business] De Bevelanden in [place] in Zeeland. Write a short, personal social media post of up to 80 words about the history or tradition of our company or village. Use this information: [the story of the past]. Write in the first person, warm and simple, without excessive words. End with an invitation to come and visit.
Tell it in your case too Tell it in your case too
A story works best if your guests encounter it everywhere. Add a sentence to your menu when serving a dish with a local product. Hang a sign at your stall or in your shop with a few words about where the product comes from. And bring your staff along: if they know the story, they’ll tell it too. A brief explanation at the start of the season is often enough.
A good time to tell your story is when a guest asks a question, is undecided between two products, or tries something out. A less good time is when it’s busy or when someone wants to leave quickly. Then a menu board or a menu card is your best storyteller.
Continuing to learn and participating Continuing to learn and participating
Course in Hospitality Management of the Bevelanden
Would you like to get involved in this together with other entrepreneurs? In the Gastheerschap course, you will work out your own story and learn how to let your guests experience the Bevelanden. More information can be found here. the page about hosting.
Share your tip or story Would you like to join us?
Do you know of a special place, activity, local product or story that more people should discover? Share your tip with us. This way, we can continue to collect De Bevelanden and make new stories and experiences visible together.
Do you have any other ideas or questions about how to get involved? We would of course also be happy to hear them.