Tomorrow is a national day of thanksgiving. It’s a very good thing that our society has designated one official day of giving thanks. In the hustle and bustle of families, running a farm, growing and raising the products you grow and raise, perhaps another career or job, it’s a good thing to have a national holiday that reminds us to feel gratitude for our blessings.
But there’s much more to thanks giving than just a day with family and friends eating good food. First of all, there are a range of words used to describe this emotional state. Gratitude, thanks, thankfulness, appreciation and even just enjoyment. They describe the continuum of intensity of this emotional state of feeling gratitude.
Second, the gratitude or appreciation you feel, does a great deal both for you, and for the receiver of the emotion. This fact has tremendous implications, discussed below.
Third, gratitude is a mental habit that few of us cultivate nearly enough given the benefits above.
So, whether you feel extreme gratitude or just enjoyment of something or someone, you improve your heart's rhythmic functioning, and change your body’s chemistry. The range of intensity doesn’t matter. Appreciation is gratitude is thankfulness is enjoyment—they all do your body good. This is important when you realize the potential for using this to your benefit. Having a bad day? Are you down in the dumps? Have you ever experienced depression—small or large? Consciously setting out to find something that you appreciate can change not only your attitude but your brain chemistry.
When you are feeling gratitude, negative feelings cannot exist in you. Gratitude and negative emotions are mutually exclusive! You cannot be angry, resentful, envious or unhappy when you feel gratitude. Gratitude is also the only emotion that cannot be read in a human face. All the others are expressed by facial expressions. But, though gratitude is not visible on your face, it can be measured by psycho-physiological effects.
So, here’s something that can make big changes in your life for little input. And the other side of it is that it can make big changes for others. When genuine appreciation is expressed to another person, the same amazing attitude adjustments and physiologic changes occur in them. Think of the implications for members of your family or for your customers—actual and potential. More than a “Thank you,” try genuinely telling them how much you appreciate them. Ah, ha! It’s a feel-good strategy and a business strategy, too!
And lastly today, here’s my reminder for you in this season, starting with tomorrow’s holiday. Develop the habit of gratitude. There are two sides of it. One side is the things you are personally glad for in your life. The other side is to the people around you. For the personal side, start your day with writing down three to five things you’re glad are in your life. They can be big or small. It’s not the magnitude, but the emotion. I can tell you from personal experience what a difference it makes.
For the other side, expressing gratitude to the people in your life, try keeping a 3 X 5” card handy and jot down things that you’re please about. At the end of each day, if you have not already expressed your appreciation, don’t go to bed without it. No one can NOT respond positively to appreciation.
For both personal and the outward things you’re appreciative of, try these sentence beginnings.
“I’m glad…..”
“I really appreciate…”
“I love it that…..”
“Thank goodness for…”
“Isn’t ___________ nice to have in my life.”
“I enjoy….”
Then say thank you and mean it.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Add-On’s and Accessories
Your possible customers can buy a (goat, emu, horse, alpaca, llama, chicken, berries, fiber, art work—fill in what you sell) in a lot of places. Some of them might even be better quality than what you have for sale. Or at least as good. The challenge for your marketing is to stand out from all the rest and convince them to buy from you when they have all those choices.
If you’ve attended one of my marketing workshops, been reading my my books or my blogs for very long, you know there are lots of ways to set yourself apart from the other people selling your kind of product. But here’s another take on one good way. Give them an add-on. Point out the accessories.
Have you see the i-Phone ads lately? Now, there’s lots an i-Phone can do, but it’s the aps they talk about…the fun stuff. That’s where the excitement is. “There’s an ap for that!” What ap can you talk about for your animal or product you offer? Can you take them to shows or teach them to show? Can you provide a free breeding? Will you teach them to milk, make cheese or soap? Can you offer free shearing?
“You can get a _______________ almost anywhere, but where else can you get this free __________ with your new __________?”
So what add-on can you offer your possible customer? How about a book on taking care of the animal? How about a piece of equipment or tool they’ll need? How about a book on how to market once they have a barn full of animals? How about a 100 year commitment for mentoring them? (Now you and I know you won’t be around for 100 years, but doesn’t that sound better than a lifetime guarantee of mentoring? What about a small booklet of recipes? Can you offer a class? Or something else? You’re only limited by your imagination.
Think about when you got your first_________. What were some of the things you desperately needed or wanted in that first year? Tell them they’re going to get that and why it makes life easier for them when they buy from you. Even if everyone reading this today followed this advice, chances are good that there’d still be no duplication and you’d all be showcasing your own uniqueness. And that is just one of the ways you can attract more customers to your own farm business.
If you’ve attended one of my marketing workshops, been reading my my books or my blogs for very long, you know there are lots of ways to set yourself apart from the other people selling your kind of product. But here’s another take on one good way. Give them an add-on. Point out the accessories.
Have you see the i-Phone ads lately? Now, there’s lots an i-Phone can do, but it’s the aps they talk about…the fun stuff. That’s where the excitement is. “There’s an ap for that!” What ap can you talk about for your animal or product you offer? Can you take them to shows or teach them to show? Can you provide a free breeding? Will you teach them to milk, make cheese or soap? Can you offer free shearing?
“You can get a _______________ almost anywhere, but where else can you get this free __________ with your new __________?”
So what add-on can you offer your possible customer? How about a book on taking care of the animal? How about a piece of equipment or tool they’ll need? How about a book on how to market once they have a barn full of animals? How about a 100 year commitment for mentoring them? (Now you and I know you won’t be around for 100 years, but doesn’t that sound better than a lifetime guarantee of mentoring? What about a small booklet of recipes? Can you offer a class? Or something else? You’re only limited by your imagination.
Think about when you got your first_________. What were some of the things you desperately needed or wanted in that first year? Tell them they’re going to get that and why it makes life easier for them when they buy from you. Even if everyone reading this today followed this advice, chances are good that there’d still be no duplication and you’d all be showcasing your own uniqueness. And that is just one of the ways you can attract more customers to your own farm business.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Copywriting
One of the main skills to learn in copywriting (besides making it fun and interesting to read) is to make it clear. Another word for this is ‘concise’. Making your ads or brochures hard to read or confusing loses readers faster than any other copywriting mistake!
How do you make it concise? Sometimes it’s just easier to give you some example of language that is not concise. See these examples.
“Comprehensive community building naturally lends itself to a return on investment rationale that can be modeled, drawing on existing practice.”
“A factor constraining the flow of resources to CCi’s is that funders most often resort to targeting or categorical requirements in grant making to ensure accountability.”
“We’re leveraging out assets and establishing strategic alliances to create a robust knowledge center, one with a customer-rated business structure using market-leading technologies to maximize our human system.”
If you can decipher what those sentences actually mean, then you are either very remarkable or very motivated.
Remember, your potential customer isn’t very motivated. The sentences above might get through in a grant proposal or a business report where the reader, as part of his job, HAS to read them. But the customer you’re trying to catch does NOT have to read your ad or your brochure. If it’s the least bit hard to understand, he just quits. No matter how great your product, he’ll never find out because your copywriting missed its purpose—to catch and keep his attention.
Simple rules for doing that?
1. Use the simplest words you can. No big words. No jargon.
2. Make short sentences. If there’s an “and” or an “or” or a “but” in it, make it two sentences.
3. Make paragraphs short and give it plenty of white space (double space between paragraphs.)
4. Don’t use two words where one is perfectly understandable. In the last example above, for instance, ‘human system’ just means people. So say people.
5. Don’t forget the main point of your business—it’s about the customer. If it’s about you and your stuff then it’s a hobby. If you have a BUSINESS, then it’s gotta be about the customer. So quit talking about yourself and your products and address the customer’s needs, wants, and what he hopes for if he buys your product. Customer first, you come second! “How to get better nutrition from our spectacular blueberries (goat’s milk, lean meat, etc).” His hope first, how to get it second (from you and your stuff).
Your customer doesn’t have to read your ads so your job is to make is fun and easy to read. You do it by remembering the five rules above.
Want me to critique one of your ads or a few paragraphs of your flyer or brochure? Send it to me Friday, Saturday or Sunday (only till the 15th) and I’ll give you a quick edit for the above principles! Free!
Now if you ever have a need for obfuscating (baffling, befuddling, bewildering), in something you write, check out this fun site: http://www.1728.com/buzzword.htm
One of the main skills to learn in copywriting (besides making it fun and interesting to read) is to make it clear. Another word for this is ‘concise’. Making your ads or brochures hard to read or confusing loses readers faster than any other copywriting mistake!
How do you make it concise? Sometimes it’s just easier to give you some example of language that is not concise. See these examples.
“Comprehensive community building naturally lends itself to a return on investment rationale that can be modeled, drawing on existing practice.”
“A factor constraining the flow of resources to CCi’s is that funders most often resort to targeting or categorical requirements in grant making to ensure accountability.”
“We’re leveraging out assets and establishing strategic alliances to create a robust knowledge center, one with a customer-rated business structure using market-leading technologies to maximize our human system.”
If you can decipher what those sentences actually mean, then you are either very remarkable or very motivated.
Remember, your potential customer isn’t very motivated. The sentences above might get through in a grant proposal or a business report where the reader, as part of his job, HAS to read them. But the customer you’re trying to catch does NOT have to read your ad or your brochure. If it’s the least bit hard to understand, he just quits. No matter how great your product, he’ll never find out because your copywriting missed its purpose—to catch and keep his attention.
Simple rules for doing that?
1. Use the simplest words you can. No big words. No jargon.
2. Make short sentences. If there’s an “and” or an “or” or a “but” in it, make it two sentences.
3. Make paragraphs short and give it plenty of white space (double space between paragraphs.)
4. Don’t use two words where one is perfectly understandable. In the last example above, for instance, ‘human system’ just means people. So say people.
5. Don’t forget the main point of your business—it’s about the customer. If it’s about you and your stuff then it’s a hobby. If you have a BUSINESS, then it’s gotta be about the customer. So quit talking about yourself and your products and address the customer’s needs, wants, and what he hopes for if he buys your product. Customer first, you come second! “How to get better nutrition from our spectacular blueberries (goat’s milk, lean meat, etc).” His hope first, how to get it second (from you and your stuff).
Your customer doesn’t have to read your ads so your job is to make is fun and easy to read. You do it by remembering the five rules above.
Want me to critique one of your ads or a few paragraphs of your flyer or brochure? Send it to me Friday, Saturday or Sunday (only till the 15th) and I’ll give you a quick edit for the above principles! Free!
Now if you ever have a need for obfuscating (baffling, befuddling, bewildering), in something you write, check out this fun site: http://www.1728.com/buzzword.htm
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Closing Ideas for the Customer who Wants to ‘Think About It’
Today I want to talk to you about how to handle the person at your farm who finally ends up saying, “I want to think about it.” You’ve all heard that. As a consumer yourself, you’ve probably even used it. And you know that it’s usually a way of avoiding saying no. But you’re better off if you get the “no” today so you can concentrate on your next “Yes.” However, there might be a “yes” from this person, too. So I want to give you a script to help him decide for sure if he’s a “yes” or a “no.”
Before you use any of this dialogue, you MUST put it into your own words and practice the words so they roll off your tongue. Be sure you put in the places you ask for a response. Those are critical.
Here’s the possible script:
“Great! What I’ve found is that people want to think it over in order to be sure they’re making the right decision for them, either a yes or a no. Is that right for you, too?” You must get an answer here.
“If I’m reading you right, and I think I am, your objective is to be sure you make the right decision for your family (retirement, health, business goals, lifestyle wishes) regardless of whether you think about it for two minutes or two months. Isn’t that right?” You must get a response here, too.
“The experts agree that making accurate decisions is done best when you have accurate information and the necessary facts—before the process gets clouded with other issues or the information gets confused. With that in mind, could we think it over together for a few minutes to be sure you make the decision that’s right for you?” Get an answer. You might get a no, here, which frees you to concentrate on other customers or projects. If so, consider it a successful dialogue. But if you get a conditional yes to continue the dialogue, here’s what comes next.
“Actually there are really only four questions you need to ask yourself and you’ve already answered three of them. ‘Do you like her?’ pause…’Do you want her in your herd?’ pause…’Can you afford her?’ pause…So the only question remaining is ’When do you want to start enjoying the benefits (better health, building your business, the rural lifestyle)?’ With this in mind, doesn’t it make sense to start enjoying those benefits sooner rather than later?”
I’ve sort of slanted this dialogue toward someone looking to buy animals, but the ideas above can be tailored to a customer for any product. Rewrite it in your own words (and practice it) and see if you don’t get more customers saying “YES!”
Before you use any of this dialogue, you MUST put it into your own words and practice the words so they roll off your tongue. Be sure you put in the places you ask for a response. Those are critical.
Here’s the possible script:
“Great! What I’ve found is that people want to think it over in order to be sure they’re making the right decision for them, either a yes or a no. Is that right for you, too?” You must get an answer here.
“If I’m reading you right, and I think I am, your objective is to be sure you make the right decision for your family (retirement, health, business goals, lifestyle wishes) regardless of whether you think about it for two minutes or two months. Isn’t that right?” You must get a response here, too.
“The experts agree that making accurate decisions is done best when you have accurate information and the necessary facts—before the process gets clouded with other issues or the information gets confused. With that in mind, could we think it over together for a few minutes to be sure you make the decision that’s right for you?” Get an answer. You might get a no, here, which frees you to concentrate on other customers or projects. If so, consider it a successful dialogue. But if you get a conditional yes to continue the dialogue, here’s what comes next.
“Actually there are really only four questions you need to ask yourself and you’ve already answered three of them. ‘Do you like her?’ pause…’Do you want her in your herd?’ pause…’Can you afford her?’ pause…So the only question remaining is ’When do you want to start enjoying the benefits (better health, building your business, the rural lifestyle)?’ With this in mind, doesn’t it make sense to start enjoying those benefits sooner rather than later?”
I’ve sort of slanted this dialogue toward someone looking to buy animals, but the ideas above can be tailored to a customer for any product. Rewrite it in your own words (and practice it) and see if you don’t get more customers saying “YES!”
Monday, November 2, 2009
Marketing Research
First of all, welcome to the new people who now get this blog in their email. You can read old issues either at http://marketingwithellie.blogspot.com/ or at the home page for the yahoo group http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/elliesblogupdate/
Some recent blogs have especially important information right now when we’re all dealing with economic woes! Check it out and let me know what YOU think! I enjoy hearing from readers!
A little review:
When I use the word marketing, it has a broad meaning that I would like you to remember.
It’s any activity that ultimately connects the producer with the user of a product for the benefit of both.
Yes, it includes your ads. Yes, it includes how you interact with the guy at your farm. Yes, it includes the events you attend and those you put on. But it also includes a lot of other things too. Goal- setting, a marketing plan, your volunteering in your community, when you talk about what your business does for others, how you treat your staff or volunteers, the books you read or the classes/seminars you attend. It includes the places you take your baby animals or examples of your products or the demonstrations you put on. Marketing is BIG! Marketing is on-going and consistent and includes every interpersonal interaction you have and most of the not personal interactions, too. Don’t get lost in just the ads you do now and then. Start looking at the bigger picture.
Ok, here are some interesting numbers I ran into about market research that may help you in figuring out how to target your “right” customers.
64% of women say they are financially independent—but how do they define financially independent?
47% say it means they are not dependent on the man in their life for money
23% say it means they live debt free
17% say it means they can buy what they want without having to worry about money
13% say it means they can stay at home and not work if they don’t want to.
Which group are you trying to sell to? How are you going to reach her?
In the group of Americans age 12 to age 75, 83% say newspapers still matter for getting news and more than half of those think newspapers will be around in ten years.
29% say websites are more important for them
18% say newspapers are most important
16% say online newspapers are most important
How are you using any on these media to reach your customers?
72% of Americans say they know a lot about the environmental issues of today. In 2007 that number was 65%.
78% say we need a balance between economic growth and protecting the environment.
55% of those believe it’s more important to protect the environment. In 2007 that number was 69%.
32% of Americans believe they are doing enough for the environment.
70% of Americans believe that companies are NOT being responsible enough.
In spite of the economy, most Americans are still willing to pay more for green alternatives.
How are you showcasing the “green” nature of what you grow, raise or create?
Some recent blogs have especially important information right now when we’re all dealing with economic woes! Check it out and let me know what YOU think! I enjoy hearing from readers!
A little review:
When I use the word marketing, it has a broad meaning that I would like you to remember.
It’s any activity that ultimately connects the producer with the user of a product for the benefit of both.
Yes, it includes your ads. Yes, it includes how you interact with the guy at your farm. Yes, it includes the events you attend and those you put on. But it also includes a lot of other things too. Goal- setting, a marketing plan, your volunteering in your community, when you talk about what your business does for others, how you treat your staff or volunteers, the books you read or the classes/seminars you attend. It includes the places you take your baby animals or examples of your products or the demonstrations you put on. Marketing is BIG! Marketing is on-going and consistent and includes every interpersonal interaction you have and most of the not personal interactions, too. Don’t get lost in just the ads you do now and then. Start looking at the bigger picture.
Ok, here are some interesting numbers I ran into about market research that may help you in figuring out how to target your “right” customers.
64% of women say they are financially independent—but how do they define financially independent?
47% say it means they are not dependent on the man in their life for money
23% say it means they live debt free
17% say it means they can buy what they want without having to worry about money
13% say it means they can stay at home and not work if they don’t want to.
Which group are you trying to sell to? How are you going to reach her?
In the group of Americans age 12 to age 75, 83% say newspapers still matter for getting news and more than half of those think newspapers will be around in ten years.
29% say websites are more important for them
18% say newspapers are most important
16% say online newspapers are most important
How are you using any on these media to reach your customers?
72% of Americans say they know a lot about the environmental issues of today. In 2007 that number was 65%.
78% say we need a balance between economic growth and protecting the environment.
55% of those believe it’s more important to protect the environment. In 2007 that number was 69%.
32% of Americans believe they are doing enough for the environment.
70% of Americans believe that companies are NOT being responsible enough.
In spite of the economy, most Americans are still willing to pay more for green alternatives.
How are you showcasing the “green” nature of what you grow, raise or create?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
How to sell it once they get to your farm
I recently heard a story about a three person partnership (raising animals) that was going great guns, selling animals right and left. Then the partner responsible for all the selling died and the other two didn't sell any animals anymore.
So what is it that makes some people so good at it and others struggle? I teach workshops on how, I write books about it and I write these blogs to make the mystery of it all diminish. There are lots of components. The first part of the equation is to get them to your farm. That's a biggie, of course, and it includes goals, copywriting, where to put your ads, how to advertise, how to put the customer first..
Once they're at your farm, tho, I hear from many of you that they're not going home with an animal or product you make. So from the perspective of that last part of the marketing equation (sending them home with something they bought) I thought I'd narrow it down to just one thing you can do differently that would make a huge difference.
When they come to your farm, who's doing most of the talking? If it's you, STOP! Your job is to talk only enough to get them talking about themselves!
Well, ok, let me back up a little. First, you better be in a good mood and smiling. This is fun stuff about which you're passionate, right? If not, you're simply in the wrong business. Smiling tells these people you like them. Not a perpetual fake grin, either, but a genuine smile now and then. You DO like them, right? Find some things you have in common. Chit chat. Compliment something. Then the job is to get them talking.
Yes, you can answer questions. But your job is to get acquainted with them and find out how you can SERVE them. Customer SERVICE. Forget selling. Remember service. Ask them all about themselves. Use questions that give you long answers. That's how you'll find out what they need or want.
And one more biggie. Look into their eyes and listen to what they say. It's not your job to be figuring out your next response. It's your job to really pay attention and the best way to do that is to make eye contact and HEAR what they are telling you.
Ok, folks, this info is about people skills. They come more easily to some personality types, but as you can see above, it's not rocket science. What it takes is some getting out of your own ego and putting the customer first. It includes shutting up if you've been the main talker. There will be time later to impart your encyclopedic knowledge. First get into service mode and listen. The irony is that you'll do a lot more selling when you quit trying to sell.
Don't give up on all the steps to get people to your farm, but once they're there, make it all about them!
"How did you hear about __________?"
"What kind of rural (livestock) experience have you had?"
"Why are you interested in _____________?"
"What brought you to this part of the world?"
"What are some of the activities you like doing with your family?"
"Tell me what you're looking for?"
"Tell me about your family (profession, vacation, philosophy, place, goals)."
Make up your own questions. You can do it!!!
Get them talking...they'll love you for it!
Good Selling wishes to you all!
Ellie
So what is it that makes some people so good at it and others struggle? I teach workshops on how, I write books about it and I write these blogs to make the mystery of it all diminish. There are lots of components. The first part of the equation is to get them to your farm. That's a biggie, of course, and it includes goals, copywriting, where to put your ads, how to advertise, how to put the customer first..
Once they're at your farm, tho, I hear from many of you that they're not going home with an animal or product you make. So from the perspective of that last part of the marketing equation (sending them home with something they bought) I thought I'd narrow it down to just one thing you can do differently that would make a huge difference.
When they come to your farm, who's doing most of the talking? If it's you, STOP! Your job is to talk only enough to get them talking about themselves!
Well, ok, let me back up a little. First, you better be in a good mood and smiling. This is fun stuff about which you're passionate, right? If not, you're simply in the wrong business. Smiling tells these people you like them. Not a perpetual fake grin, either, but a genuine smile now and then. You DO like them, right? Find some things you have in common. Chit chat. Compliment something. Then the job is to get them talking.
Yes, you can answer questions. But your job is to get acquainted with them and find out how you can SERVE them. Customer SERVICE. Forget selling. Remember service. Ask them all about themselves. Use questions that give you long answers. That's how you'll find out what they need or want.
And one more biggie. Look into their eyes and listen to what they say. It's not your job to be figuring out your next response. It's your job to really pay attention and the best way to do that is to make eye contact and HEAR what they are telling you.
Ok, folks, this info is about people skills. They come more easily to some personality types, but as you can see above, it's not rocket science. What it takes is some getting out of your own ego and putting the customer first. It includes shutting up if you've been the main talker. There will be time later to impart your encyclopedic knowledge. First get into service mode and listen. The irony is that you'll do a lot more selling when you quit trying to sell.
Don't give up on all the steps to get people to your farm, but once they're there, make it all about them!
"How did you hear about __________?"
"What kind of rural (livestock) experience have you had?"
"Why are you interested in _____________?"
"What brought you to this part of the world?"
"What are some of the activities you like doing with your family?"
"Tell me what you're looking for?"
"Tell me about your family (profession, vacation, philosophy, place, goals)."
Make up your own questions. You can do it!!!
Get them talking...they'll love you for it!
Good Selling wishes to you all!
Ellie
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Making Things Fun For Your Customers--Fun Sells!
What do you do that's fun when your customer shows up at your farm? Do they bring children? what do the kids get to do? The answers to those questions will be different for every farm, but you ought to have some good ideas that make it fun. Fun sells. Fun is memorable. No one gets enough fun in their life. If you add to their fun, they'll be more bonded to you, more obligated to you, more likely to buy from you and more likely to tell others about you.
So why don't you have some fun going on? Well, I know, you're busy. The animals take so much attention and work. Figuring out fun activities takes thinking about it and then making it happen. If you're like most people, the thinking part is the hardest. If somone just came in and said, "Why don't you do this to entertain and amaze your customers?" you'd probably get right to work on it. So I think the creativity of thinking it up, might be the sticking point.
Let me help. First of all, if you can watch web videos on your computer, take a look at this fun project done by Volkswagon. See if it gives you any ideas for fun at your farm. And below, I'll make some suggestions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivg56TX9kWI&feature=player_embedded
I'd make it a point to always have a bottle baby that potential customers and give a bottle to. If you can go elaborate, make a bridge that goes over some part of your farm, even if it only goes up to an animal viewing platform or across the driveway. What games make sense at your farm? Scavenger hunt? Pin the tail on the goat (or whatever you raise) on a barn wall? Hop scotch? This time of year, bobbing for apples, All of the above tied into what you have for sale.
What if you had customers ride around in a dog cart, goat cart, horse and buggy or on a segway? What if they got to witness a birth? I know, you can't plan those things, but wouldn't it be memorable. Maybe you could videotape a birth and show to visitors.
Maybe if they have any art talent at all (or maybe if they don't) they get to draw something on a barn wall. Or paint, or collage--somthing that becomes at least semi permanent at your farm. What if your customer got to feed the animals in the pasture or though a fence so they get actual hands on the animal. Do you give demonstrations? For fiber producers, there are those fiber arts you can demo. For milk producers, you can demo cheese or soap making. Maybe they need to see how you make your special relish from the produce you grow. Maybe they pick strawberries and your serve fresh ice cream for them to go on top of.
Have a contest--get creative. Have a table with gold paint and dried manure (the berries) and have them create gold plated "nuggets" in a fancy bottle. With a label with (among other clever ideas) your farm name and phone number. Have a drawing. Be sure you get their name and contact info because you're going to call them in a few days and remind them, you're the lady with the __________________ fun activity or idea they just did.
Are you getting any ideas? These are not the end of all ideas, by any means. Tell me what fun things you come up with! The more outrageous they are the more fun they're likely to be. Fun Sells! Get people talking about your farm and the fun they had there!
So why don't you have some fun going on? Well, I know, you're busy. The animals take so much attention and work. Figuring out fun activities takes thinking about it and then making it happen. If you're like most people, the thinking part is the hardest. If somone just came in and said, "Why don't you do this to entertain and amaze your customers?" you'd probably get right to work on it. So I think the creativity of thinking it up, might be the sticking point.
Let me help. First of all, if you can watch web videos on your computer, take a look at this fun project done by Volkswagon. See if it gives you any ideas for fun at your farm. And below, I'll make some suggestions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivg56TX9kWI&feature=player_embedded
I'd make it a point to always have a bottle baby that potential customers and give a bottle to. If you can go elaborate, make a bridge that goes over some part of your farm, even if it only goes up to an animal viewing platform or across the driveway. What games make sense at your farm? Scavenger hunt? Pin the tail on the goat (or whatever you raise) on a barn wall? Hop scotch? This time of year, bobbing for apples, All of the above tied into what you have for sale.
What if you had customers ride around in a dog cart, goat cart, horse and buggy or on a segway? What if they got to witness a birth? I know, you can't plan those things, but wouldn't it be memorable. Maybe you could videotape a birth and show to visitors.
Maybe if they have any art talent at all (or maybe if they don't) they get to draw something on a barn wall. Or paint, or collage--somthing that becomes at least semi permanent at your farm. What if your customer got to feed the animals in the pasture or though a fence so they get actual hands on the animal. Do you give demonstrations? For fiber producers, there are those fiber arts you can demo. For milk producers, you can demo cheese or soap making. Maybe they need to see how you make your special relish from the produce you grow. Maybe they pick strawberries and your serve fresh ice cream for them to go on top of.
Have a contest--get creative. Have a table with gold paint and dried manure (the berries) and have them create gold plated "nuggets" in a fancy bottle. With a label with (among other clever ideas) your farm name and phone number. Have a drawing. Be sure you get their name and contact info because you're going to call them in a few days and remind them, you're the lady with the __________________ fun activity or idea they just did.
Are you getting any ideas? These are not the end of all ideas, by any means. Tell me what fun things you come up with! The more outrageous they are the more fun they're likely to be. Fun Sells! Get people talking about your farm and the fun they had there!
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