Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter

(click here for directory of past newsletters)

April 4, 2006

This month's newsletter is about Corporate and Group Events, that one little "guaranteed" part of our agritourism income.

Guaranteed? You bet. With most of our seasonal activities, if we get rained out, we lose sales. But with the group business, not only do you not lose sales-the sales are guaranteed and paid up front.

This month, I'm asking you to do a lot more than just read along. I need your participation. And you need to participate.

First, I'm asking you to sign up for my teleseminar, "Harvest Dollars Through Group & Corporate Events".

We'll meet live, on the phone, next Monday night, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. CST. (Click here to register now).

As you can see in the news brief below, we'll talk about the specifics of setting up and marketing corporate events, and then we'll "open the mikes" as they say so that everyone can share. I encourage you to sign up now, and join us next Monday night.

Secondly, I am asking everyone who currently does group events to take a few minutes to help us all learn more about this part of the agritourism business by participating in a simple survey. Everyone who participates in the survey will receive a complete copy of the results. Click here to take survey.

Corporate & Group Events
Bring Guaranteed Income

Are you currently hosting groups at your farm?

I feel quite strongly that the group market business- corporate picnics, family reunions, conventions, birthday parties, and weddings-can bring big results to your bottom line.

If you are not currently providing events, why not? You probably already have the infrastructure to make this happen. Sure, it will take more employees, but group events bring guaranteed returns.

Guaranteed? With most of our other seasonal activities, if we get a rain out, we lose sales. But with the group business, not only do you not lose sales-the sales are guaranteed and paid up front.

• Find out how to set up guaranteed income for your business...
• how to price events, select activities, hire the right caterer...
• how to develop a contract that is fair and equitable...
• and how to design and market your group services.

To sign up for Monday Night's Teleseminar, "Harvest $$$ Through Group and Corporate Events," April 10, at 7:00 p.m., CST, Click here.

Online Reservation Service
for Farm and Ranch Lodging

Does your website allow the visitors to find out immediately whether you have a room available?

If not, you are probably losing business.

In the Bed and Breakfast industry, it has been proven that the majority (from 80 – 90%) of room bookings now come from online sales.

For those of you that are now offering farm and ranch lodging, I just learned about a great reservations website that will allow your guests to book online, 24 hours a day. No doubt there are others also providing this service, but the idea is something that I encourage you to check it out.

The company is found at www.webervations.com. You provide a link from your site so guests can immediately see if rooms are available for the date they want. I understand that the charge is just $80.00 a year, which certainly sounds like a good investment for the lodging component of your business.

Press Releases From the Farm- Survey

Good luck with your media efforts. Even if you don’t feel the need to learn more about writing press releases and working with the media, I’d love to hear more about what you are doing in this important area of your marketing program.

This week we developed a short survey specifically to learn more about the success or failure of farms in obtaining media attention. Everyone who participates in the survey will receive a copy of the results.

Please click here to take short survey on Your Press Relations. (Survey #2, "Press Releases from the Farm.")