Homestead mailing list

[Tim Oppenheim <timopp AT mac.com>]

Lynn,

You are selling a premium product to a discerning clientele...so all  
you have to do is find the discerning clientele . : )  Even in the  
most rural places there is always somebody. Start with Doctors and  
Bankers .Call, ask for fax numbers ( if you don't like to call on  
people personally ) Make a flyer of your products and fax ( use eFax  
if you have to or Winfax and your modem) to your most likely targets.  
Charge a premium, explain the benefits, say your products will be  
available for inspection at their location ( or a neutral location,  
or a particular day at the farmers market ) Have a fax back order  
form or a not interested check box. Show up at the appointed space,  
look the part of the hippy, organic, super farmer. Have change or  
take checks. Make sure you enclose another order form or your card  
with all orders and keep going.

Keeps expanding your target list. Always ask your customers if they  
know anyone that would be interested in the worlds best produce.  
Don't sell, educate your customers on the benefits of local organic  
produce. Repetition is key, keep faxing and getting the message out.  
You want the crowd to gather before you ever get there. Think and be  
premium always ( give no questions asked refunds, don't offer junk,  
never compete price wise with the grocery stores) Always remember  
that your greatest asset is your customer list. Start with one and  
keep building.

I hope that helps

Tim



On Jun 26, 2006, at 8:45 PM, Lynn Wigglesworth wrote:

> There are no urban centers anywhere near here. There is someone  
> running a
> CSA (the 'shares' you mentioned), and she seems to be doing OK on a  
> fairly
> small scale (8-10 customers). That's something I'm looking into, along
> with some kind of farmer coop, selling to restaurants or even having a
> year-round store selling all local foods.
>
> Lynn Wigglesworth
> Peasant Farmer
> Tioga County, PA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "WILLIAM" <billymegab AT yahoo.com>
> To: <homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 4:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [Homestead] Harpie visit
>
>
> Hi Lynn
>
>   One way I've heard that works in selling organic food is to sell  
> shares
> to people (usually city folk) for a regular stream of whatever you
> produce.  Are you close enough to an urban centre for that to work??
>
>
>
>
>
> Lynn Wigglesworth <lynnw AT chilitech.net> wrote:
>   Hi Bev (and all my old friends whom I haven't talked to in a long  
> time);
> Your son went into the military, didn't he? How's he doing? And your
> daughter moved in with some guy you didn't like? Did that work out?  
> I'm
> glad that you and Ron are finally getting to take trips together.
>
> I NEED a business partner...a salesman (er, person...but I'd prefer  
> a man
> :-)) with a head for business. I'm divorced now...my ex couldn't  
> stand the
> fresh air and sunshine of country life any more so he moved back to  
> the
> city and I divorced him. I'm trying (still) to make the farm into a
> business. Now I depend on succeeding, or I'll have to go out and get a
> REAL job (ack!). The beef business is doing well, but the market  
> garden
> part isn't. I can grow wonderful heirloom vegetables, but can't  
> sell 'em.
> We started a new Farmers' Market, but it's not up to speed yet with
> attracting customers..and I need a lot of steady customers to make a
> living farming.
>
> Lynn Wigglesworth
> Peasant Farmer
> Tioga County, PA
>
>
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