Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter- July 2007

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On-Site Visits Pay Off in New Business Growth!

Are you not sure what direction to take your farm?

Are you wanting to expand your outdoor attractions and not sure where to place them or what to do?

Are you stumped as to how to expand your marketing program without breaking the bank?

Many of you know that I conduct on-site visits to farms to help you explore these and other questions.

Farm consultations can take place at any time of year. Before I come out, I have you complete a survey so that I already know something about your farm, and you can tell me the specific questions you hope to have answered.

When I visit your farm, we'll walk the farm, discuss your current ideas, meet the family players, and perhaps discuss any obstacles for growth.

A consultation lasts about a day, allowing me to see firsthand your layout, farm facilities and to meet the family.

Afterwards, I will provide you with a comprehensive written report with specific steps and recommendations to grow your business. I am also available to my consultation clients for a full year following the visit to review and discuss implementation.

If your business is in need of an outside look - let agritourism coach Jane Eckert come to provide assistance. I've completed nearly 60 on site visits, and if you would like references, please let me know.

Please contact me for more information, or to schedule a visit:
email: Jane
Call: 314-862-6288

March 2008

Jane Eckert, CEO Eckert AgriMarketing, St. Louis, Missouri

Every basic marketing book I've ever read since college states: "20% of our customers provide 80% of our revenue." The challenge, of course, is knowing who are those 20%, and what can I do to keep them returning to my business.

In my workshops on how to get your best customers to come back more frequently, we always talk about "loyalty cards." Those simple, little business card size punchcards that give your best customer a reason to return, again and again.

The offers are simple and designed by you. For instance,

"Buy 9 Dozen Donuts and get the 10th Dozen for FREE!".

"Purchase $100.00 of products at the Garden Center and get $10.00 FREE on your next purchase."

Most of us are carrying some type of these cards in our wallets now. The little extra something it gives to us, in turn makes us more loyal to that business. And the fact is, when a customer is more loyal, their annual spending is much greater than a first time customer.

It's easy to prepare a loyalty card program:

You decide the offer. Remember FREE is a powerful word.
Design the offer on the size of a business card. This makes it easy for the customer to keep and find them in their wallets.
Put an expiration date on the offer. Maybe it's for the full season or perhaps a shorter period.
Develop a method to record the sales, such as a punch mark or a cashier's initial in the purchase space.
Remember both sides of the card can be a selling space so be sure and ask for their name, address and email on the back of the card. These are your best customers and you want to know them by name.

Loyalty cards are just one of twenty five marketing strategies that I discuss in my book Fresh Grown Promotions. Now is the time to come up with these ideas and get your cards ready. Good marketing can never take the winter off.