Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter

(click here for directory of past newsletters)

July 2005

Thank you for the many responses to my e-newsletter last month where I reflected on a saying from my dad that I should “listen more and talk less.” Your stories and comments underline how much we can still learn from the messages our parents gave us to “chew on” till we understood them.

The one that has come to mind this month was a favorite of my dad’s brother, Curt Eckert. Uncle Curt ended every conversation with: “Keep smiling!”

He always had a kind word for everyone, he was a good listener, and he asked questions that made you feel like he was really listening. But the most memorable characteristic about him was that he always wore a smile on his face.

No matter how his day was going or what was on his mind, you always felt that you were his entire focus when you were with him.

Uncle Curt came to mind this week as I was reading a couple of articles printed in the hospitality industry about the value of “smiling” to our customers. Sometimes our thoughts about “marketing” get so focused on spending our dollars the right way, picking the right size ad, or choosing the right colors on our billboards; we simply forget one of the most essential, no cost approaches to make our customers feel good – a genuine smile.

A welcome greeting and a smile by our employees can often do far more to build our repeat business than any advertising we create. Customers who are greeted with a sincere smile will usually be more loyal and spend more money because they feel they are among friends. If we, as the farm owners, smile and greet customers by name, and make that a priority for our employees, the rewards can be great.

Have you ever noticed when you smile and say a kind word to a grumpy person that their face actually changes? Often, you will even get a smile in return.

Try it yourself, and then ask your employees to do the same. It will make your day go easier, and will certainly make your customers feel good about their visit.

I know the weather is hot, hot, hot everywhere - so keep your cool, and Keep Smiling!

Jane

P.S. If you have one of those favorite family sayings from your grandparents or parents that sometimes ring in your ears - please send them to me. I'm sure there are more lessons to be learned from our elders, and I'd be happy to share them.

USA Today- Even Tots Log On to the Net

A couple of weeks ago, USA Today's "Snapshots" provided information stating that "there were 58.3 million children enrolled in grades 12 and under in 2003; 91% used computers, and 59% used the Internet." And these figures were for two years ago!

The graph with the story showed that 67% of nursery school children, and 80% of Kindergarten children used computers; while 23% and 32%, respectively, used the Internet!

Stocking Up for Your Fall Season

In the heat of July, a lot of us are already thinking about our fall season.

If you need extra produce, Halloween specialty items, private label products, cider, food goods, country candies and specialty items, please be sure to check out our friends on the Buyer's Guide directory on our website.

Eckert AgriMarketing's Buyers Guide

New Features at Eckert AgriMarketing.com

If you would like to quickly check the news headlines that affect Agritourism around the country, stop by the Eckert AgriMarketing home page. I have software searching the Internet, and these news stories are updated at least weekly to keep you in touch with the news that affects agritourism and farm direct marketing. Click here to go directly to the Agritourism News page.

We also have many articles on our website with tips and ideas to help you make your business more successful, and now we've added previous newsletters, in case you've missed one, or just want to look back. Click here to read my articles and newsletters.