Farm owners often forget one of the most important tasks of any business: marketing themselves in order to gain new clientele. This is something that should not be overlooked, as a steady stream of customers is the lifeblood of your business. This is especially important early on, when you’re first getting onto your feet.
Use Local media
Local media is sometimes viewed as less important than more major outlets, and farmers sometimes neglect to use them as a marketing tool. This is a mistake, as local media can garner more customers than larger outlets in your area.
It is important to talk about purchasing space and time in these outlets, as it will likely be less costly than in other, larger publications.
Social media
Social media is the most effective and least expensive way to promote your business, allowing you to create a presence in the lives of your customers and clients. At the same time, it requires you to constantly create new and innovative content in order to remain relevant.
It is helpful to show your farm in a more personal way than you might in traditional media. Instagram could be used to offer a peek into your business, proving eco-friendly practices and the genuine nature of your operation.
Give Free Samples of Produce
Business owners don’t like to hear this, but there is much to be gained from giving away some of your produce for free. This allows customers to sample and enjoy your products ahead of time, before actually deciding to purchase. This is an especially useful marketing tool for those who are new to the area. It provides a way to introduce yourself and showcase the highlights of your work.
Industry-Oriented Marketing
At least a portion of your marketing efforts should go towards the farming community and the industry at large. This will allow you to create new business partnerships and opportunities. Sometimes, it’s enough just to appear on local farming events, mingling amid other farmers in your area.
What Makes You Unique?
When it comes to eco-friendly farms, they should market what makes them unique. There are countless farms out there, so you should showcase why you are better–or at least, different–from your competitors in the field. This mostly means showcasing what kinds of eco-friendly practices you employ.
Don’t hesitate to go into detail. Those who are interested in sustainable farms usually want to know the ins and outs of your farm, so they can decide if your produce is up to their standards. It can also be useful to compare and contrast your practices with the guidelines of government institutions working in the field.
Professional Help
There is always the question of whether to hire professionals, particularly when setting up your marketing strategy. This can sometimes be too pricey for a small farm to manage, and many small business owners hesitate to take the leap. Most of these tasks could be done quite effectively by the owners themselves.
It’s best to find a middle ground: use professionals for marketing tasks outside of your skill set, such as learning about your customers and quantifying the results of online campaigns.
Conclusion
A small farm must be marketed just like any other business. It should use both traditional local media for this goal, as well as more modern techniques like social media outreach.