Eckert AgriMarketing Newsletter

(click here for directory of past newsletters)

October 2006

Fall Season Reaps Big Rewards

What are three things you can do now-in the midst of all your fall activities-that will improve your sales next year?

1. Collect That Database of Customers!

I know you are running as fast as you can and don’t really need another thing “to do.” But this one is simple and will help improve sales for next year.

If you are not currently doing so – you need to start collecting the email addresses and addresses of your customers that would like to receive more frequent updates about what is happening at the farm.

It’s easy to do:

a. Create an easy sign – “If you’d like more information about our harvest calendar and events next year – sign up here!”
b. Designate a table near the check out (out of the way) for customers to sign up for your information.
Just ask the basics: email address and physical address. (Click here for a sample you can copy.)
c. Put a “subscribe” button on your website.

Collect these names and email addresses, and next spring, you'll be ready to contact your best customers with a newsletter, or better yet, an electronic newsletter--this is a sure-fire strategy to quick start your opening sales!

If you need help setting up your electronic newsletter, please give me a call!

2. Commit to Attend Winter Workshops or Conferences

It’s pretty basic, really: If you want to improve your business, improve the way you do business. Nothing is better than going to our winter meetings to network with other direct marketers and to hear what is working.

Commit yourself to attend a winter farm conference either at your state, regional or national level. You might even want to branch out and attend a state tourism conference or a local business workshop on planning, finance, marketing or whatever you want to know about.

Not only will you build your network of farm friends, more than likely you’ll recharge your batteries with new enthusiasm for the coming season.

Eckert AgriMarketing Survey Services

How about a Business/Pleasure Trip that lets you learn, while you relax---in Hawaii!

You’ve probably heard by now that I’m going to lead a special Aloha AgriTour to cruise the islands of Hawaii this coming January.

We’ll travel with farm friends aboard the Pride of Hawaii cruise ship, visit the 4 main islands, and see more than 14 fascinating Agritourism farm businesses nestled amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Of course, we’ll see most of the traditional sites as well, including Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, and Waikiki Beach, and we’ll go out to Paradise Cove for a special Hawaiian Luau. And you’ll have plenty of time to venture out on your own, or network with farm friends.

This is definitely going to be a fantastic trip! The tour begins when you arrive January 13, and you return to the mainland on January 23. It will be business. It will be a pleasure. What an AgriTour!

Act Now! Please give this your immediate attention, as we must have your reservations and deposit by October 27 to make all the arrangements for cabins, coaches, and hotel rooms.

I know it’s hectic now. You are working long, long hard hours. So why are you doing it?

Don’t you think you deserve a little reward--

-- Like sitting under a coconut tree on a balmy afternoon, listening to the waves lap against the volcanic sands?