Recently we where contacted by Tractor Joe about our ideas on marketing. They have a great post here if you'd like to read it https://www.tractorjoe.com/market-your-farm. They list ideas such as:
Increase Sales Direct From The Farm
Selling From Farmers Market
Sell Direct To Restaurants
Try The Internet
Look For Ways To Increase Google Reviews
Use PPC With Google Adwords
Build And Optimize A Mailing List
Always Update Your Website Regularly
Give The Customer Several Ways To Communicate With You
Let Local Media Know About Your Farm
Use The Post Office System
Utilize Local Organizations
Have Yourself Listed On Localharvest.org
Churches
Wellness Centers, Gyms, And Even Yoga Studios Are Potential Clients
Established A Yelp Listing Online
Use Facebook Advertising And Boosted Posts
Sell To Chefs
Workplaces
List Of Everyone's Mailing Address In The Neighborhood
Use Your Farmer Markets Stand For Advertising
Billboards At Coffee Shops
To read more in-depth on these topics go to the Tractor Joe post.
Aside from the ways listed how do you get your products out there?
We personally do most of these things. One thing we discovered recently though that has been huge for us is the use of Facebook groups that run on raffles such as this one Raffle the Country Bucket. This particular group offers an outlet for homemade/homegrown farmers market style products. The concept is for a group of people to share the total price of an item for a chance to win it. Along with this benefit you get your product out there and often people will contact you to buy directly becoming a faithful customer. Another benefit is catching great items for a fraction of the cost potentially saving you a lot of money if your that lucky winner. So if your short on funds its a bonus. Groups like this have been a game changer for my handmade business. In 1 months time I have nearly matched my income from my ridiculous job. You see I work 7 days a week, 365 days a year, starting at 230am along with running my farm and raising a family. All of these outlets are bringing me closer to my goal of quitting that job as it takes its toll on my family and farm as a whole. I don't want to get rich, I just dont want to get up at 230am very single day and be able to have a day off or be able to travel home more often. Besides what could be better than doing what you love and making a living at it right?!
Another avenue we have done is offer services, classes and have been guest speakers for business and ag groups.
I hope this jogs your thinker into gear and helps ramp up your business. We'd love to here your ideas too!