Introduction – The Fastest Wins the Feed
Gary Vee says it all the time: “The quicker you react, the better you do.”
In 2025, speed is the hidden edge in pub marketing. The venue that posts in real time — during the match, during the band’s first song, during the laugh at quiz night — wins attention while others wait. This article shows how pubs can apply Gary’s “speed beats perfection” mindset to their social media.
Why Speed Matters
- 74% of TikTok and Instagram engagement happens within 24 hours of posting (Hootsuite, 2024).
- Reactive posts tied to trending events get 3–5× more shares (Sprout Social, 2024).
- In hospitality, live posts during matches and gigs drive higher footfall same-day (CGA Strategy, 2024).
Being first makes you visible. Being late makes you invisible.
Step 1: Post While It’s Happening
Gary calls it “day trading attention.” Don’t wait until tomorrow.
- Film the first goal celebration.
- Capture the quiz tiebreaker moment.
- Go live as the band starts their set.
The buzz fades fast. Post in the moment.
Step 2: Use News & Trends Immediately
When something breaks, ride it instantly.
- Local team wins? Post within 10 minutes.
- Big meme trend? Recreate it tonight with staff.
- Viral sound? Pair it with a clip of pints pouring before it dies out.
Speed = relevance.
Step 3: Make It Easy for Staff
You can’t catch every moment yourself. Train your staff:
- Assign one per shift to grab 3 clips.
- Make it part of the rota.
- Encourage speed over polish — post first, tidy later.
Step 4: Don’t Fear Imperfection
Gary says: “Perfection is just insecurity with makeup on.”
- A shaky video of fans singing is better than nothing.
- A blurry food shot in the moment beats silence.
- The speed of posting matters more than the aesthetics.
Step 5: Automate Where Possible
Not every post has to be manual.
- Pre-schedule evergreen content (offers, menus).
- Keep “speed slots” open for live moments.
- Blend automation + reaction for a balanced feed.
Case Study – Match Day Marketing
A pub filmed a last-minute Sunderland winner and posted within 3 minutes.
- Video hit 20k local views.
- Comments filled with “Where is this pub?”
- Next match = standing room only.
If they’d waited until next day? Dead content.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overthinking captions — speed > cleverness.
- Waiting for a professional photo.
- Posting hours after the moment passes.
Want to learn how to react like Gary Vee without burning out?
👉 Try The Gary Vee Pub Marketing GPT — your free AI coach.
Speed is a pillar of Gary’s philosophy. For the full playbook →
👉 Gary Vee Social Media Marketing for Pubs: The Ultimate 2025 Guide
And if you’d rather automate the basics →
👉 Check out SmartPubTools
Conclusion – Speed Wins the Pub Game
Gary’s message is clear: done beats perfect.
For pubs, that means the first to post the goal, the song, the laugh, or the cheer wins attention — and customers. The slow ones get left behind.