Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter- July 2007

(click here for directory of past newsletters)

This year, hopefully, you all are asking your customers to sign up for your e-newsletter. This is absolutely the most effective, most cost efficient method to stay in touch with your best customers to get their return business again and again.

If you feel that you don't have time or talent to handle these communications yourself, Eckert AgriMarketing provides the service of writing and sending e-newsletters for a variety of farms, and we'd be happy to include you as a new client.

Don't let the writing or your limited time stop you from using this valuable marketing tool. Just contact us today and we'll explain exactly what we do, what we charge, and how effective and inexpensive e-newsletters can be to market your farm.

For help with creating your e-newsletters, updating your website, or creation of a new website representing your farm or ranch, please consider Eckert AgriMarketing's FarmWebDesign. We know your business, and have designed more than 70 farm and ranch websites.

Email us today, or call 314-862-6288.

I just received a new magazine, "Farmers' Market Today." The publishers say they plan to focus on what farmers' markets across the U.S. are doing to succeed.

Other content will include innovative strategies for direct selling and promotion, creative techniques to build your customer base, new tools and equipment, and opportunities to share/sound off on issues affecting small farmers and growers.

To sign up for a free subscription or to purchase advertising, visit the website: click here.

July 2007

As part of my on-site farm consultation service, I ask each farm to complete a survey. One of the questions is to tell me three things that they do well. Not surprisingly, in over 70 farm visits, every farm has listed one common response, "We have the best employees."

While I wouldn't expect you to say anything different-my question to you is "Do you really have the best employees?"

A farmtastic employee feels empowered to anticipate and respond to every customer and question.

A farmtastic employee sees the work that needs to be done without being asked.

A farmtastic employee knows the answers to all the questions. How do I cook this? When was it picked? What is the best variety for? How do I know it's ripe? Where is the restroom?

I'm not saying you don't have fantastic employees, but as we all know, it takes work and frequent coaching on your part to make this happen. You are now in the midst of your summer season and have many weeks to go. I challenge you to do the following:

Let your employees know that they are "empowered" to handle and respond to customer needs - even when you are not there.
Create a fun work environment so your employees will feel like part of a team that works together-not just folks "coming to a job."
Recognize employees when they do good. It's been proven that sincere recognition is appreciated even more than money.

I'm interested to know more about how you recruit, train and motivate your employees. If' you'd like to participate in a short farm marketing survey please click here. The information collected from this survey will be shared in a general way with the industry, and may be a topic for a future articles or marketing materials. Survey participants will be the first to receive a report.

Obtaining Liability Insurance

Obtaining liability insurance is a point of concern for most farms. Hardly a week goes by that I don't get a call or email from someone asking "Where can I get liability insurance for my farm?"

Since I've recently talked with two insurance carriers that are writing insurance coverage for agritourism farms, I thought I would pass these along. If you know of other insurance companies that write such policies, or you are insured by another company, please do let me know and I will be happy to pass the information on.

Here are the two companies I spoke with. Click on these links to see if they offer coverage in your state or area:

I know most of you are focused on fall, but I'm already starting to look forward to January, and the lush vegetation, sandy beaches and the beautiful blue waters of Hawaii!

Reservations are coming in now for our Hawaii Agritour 2008, and I hope that if you are considering joining us for the fascinating tour of Hawaii's best agritourism farms, you will contact me soon.

The tour begins on Friday, January 11, with three nights stay on Waikiki Beach at the beautiful Hotel Sheraton and visits to three of Oahu's agritourism attractions. Of course, you'll also have time for shopping and playing on the beach.

On Monday afternoon, we board the Pride of Hawaii for 8 days/7nights aboard this luxurious 14 NCL cruise ship with 12 international restaurants, 10 bars, live theater, swimming pools, and much, much more.

Our ship cruises at night, and will take us for several cities on four different islands, for a fascinating combination of fun and farm tours. In all, we'll visit 10 agritourism farms, and on three occasions we will stop for an hour-long Farm Stop classroom to learn directly from the owner/farmer.

To find out more about the Hawaii Agritour, January 11-22, visit the following links on this website.

Do it now, before you get caught up in the fall madness. All reservations must be received no later than September 15 to guarantee cabin availability. Any reservations after this date are subject to disappointment. Send me your reservation today for the Agritour of a lifetime!

Itinerary for 2008 Hawaii AgriTour

Descriptions of Each Farm Stop

Tour Brochure, Including Pricing

Tour Reservation Form