MARKETING

IT'S TIME TO PREPARE CUSTOMER FLIERS

We all know that winter is the time to develop next year's marketing plans. One of the pieces of the marketing puzzle is a customer brochure. (Hand-out)

Audrey Bankes, a successful (retired) grower from Cross Plains, has discovered the "do's and don'ts" of customer brochures. In a recent phone conversation, she offered WBGA the following tips.

A COMPUTER allows you to change and re-arrange your brochure as you type. Each year you can improve upon the original. You can change recipes, add or delete information, etc. Computer programs now contain thousands of art pictures that you can insert into your brochure (berries, plants, etc.) A computer-developed piece is attractive and professional looking.

CHANGE THE COLOR OF YOUR BROCHURE each year. You and your customers won't get confused about which brochure you're distributing.

PUT THE YEAR IN BOLD ON THE FRONT of your brochure. This assures the customer that they are getting a "new" brochure.

DEVELOP A FARM LOGO and use it on the cover of your brochure. You can also use the logo on your farm signs and newspaper ads. The customer will associate you logo with your farm products.

INCLUDE RECIPES IN YOUR BROCHURE. The Department of Ag. has distributed a grower brochure including recipes at the State Fair every year. The WBGA booth usually distributes about 10,000 of them to fair-goers. This year, the listing brochure did not include recipes and WBGA distributed less than 300! People love good berry recipes. Audrey says you can repeat "old favorites" every few years. She also advises to include a low fat/sugar berry recipe along with a "sinful" berry dessert "for the bridge club." To find Recipes for your brochures click here.

INCLUDE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: In addition to being good tasting, Wisconsin berries are good for you. Berries are high in potassium, calcium and phosphorus and they contain almost no sodium, no saturated fats, no cholesterol and are very low in calories.

3/4 CUP OF BERRIES CONTAIN:

ON THE LAST PAGE INCLUDE your farm information: a small location map; if necessary, directions to your farm; your address; berry hotline number; and web site address.

WEB ADDRESS: If you don't have a web-site, give it serious thought. Growers that have web page are reporting a large number of "hits". You can show a map to your farm, interesting photos, special events and recipes. You can update picking hours and prices daily. A web address reduces the load on your berry hotline.