With winter quickly approaching, farmers market vendors have the opportunity to provide their customers with new, seasonal agriculture options. Farmers markets greatly help increase local economic development in rural and urban areas, while most importantly increasing farm income to small producers in the area.
In this post, we’ll offer farmers market tips that will help your business increase revenue during the winter months. Running a winter farmers market business requires hard work, but with these tips it may be your best season yet!
1. Hire the Right People
In order to maintain the success of your farmers market business, hire an experienced market manager who’s focus will be ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly. One of the most imperative farmers market tips to follow is to make customer service a priority. By hiring a well-trained market manager who is personable and knowledgeable about the products you’re selling, your customers will be well taken care of when they visit your business.
2. Increase Online Marketing Efforts
Put emphasis on your farmers market online as the winter season begins. Ensure that customers head your way by keeping them up-to-date on your hours, offerings and location. Your winter farmers market will likely be different from other times of the year, so make sure to promote current specials on your website and social media profiles. By
advertising your farmers market online, you may be able to reach new customers that don’t typically frequent farmers market, while engaging existing patrons.
3. Choose a Strategic Location
Setting up your market in a central location provides ample space to grow, as well as room for additional amenities that will
increase customer satisfaction. Make sure that your farmers market location is easily accessible to customers. They’ll appreciate the convenience when they are ready to do their shopping!
4. Connect with Customers
Running a farmers market business requires developing relationships with customers. Many of these
recurring customers visit farmers markets on a weekly basis, and become valued regulars.
Building these relationships is a great strategy, and you can do this by sharing recipes, providing new produce samples and offering gardening tips. These are all beneficial ways to bond with your consistent customers. Having knowledge of the produce and other items you sell will show your customers that you are a business that they can depend on!
5. Apply for Additional Working Capital
If you’re in need of extra funding to run your business during this transitional period, consider applying for working capital from a lender. At Fora Financial, we’ve supplied hundreds of farming related businesses with
our small business loan product. By receiving working capital from us, these businesses were able to purchase inventory, pay employees and have the cash flow they needed. As your business moves towards the winter season, start strong by having the financing you need to flourish.
Now that you’ve learned these farmers market tips, you’re ready to tackle another season. Remember to show appreciation towards your local community who support your small business. Without their loyalty, it would be difficult to grow your farmers market. Just because the warmer weather months are over, doesn’t mean that your business can’t continue to be profitable. With these tips and some determination, your winter farmers market will be a huge success!
Editor’s Note: This post was updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in November 2016.