We’ve all heard it, and probably all said it to others too.
Your own town can seem so easy to get around, when it’s what you are accustomed to.
When I moved to the mountains of rural western North Carolina 20 years ago and asked for directions practically every day, the phrase I learned to cringe upon hearing was, “You can’t miss it.”
As soon as they said it, I knew I would. I was doomed.
If something was “a little bit down the road,” that meant it could be 1-5 miles. And a ‘fur piece’ (which means a far piece to those of you non-mountaineers) might even be 5-8 miles.
So when someone would put these phrases together and tell me, “It’s a big red barn a fur piece down the road and you can’t miss it,” well, then -
I knew I was really in trouble!
Seeing your community the way a first time visitor sees it is the key to providing clear directions to tourists. If they feel comfortable and safe, they stay around and invest in your community by purchasing meals, attending events, visiting stores and attractions, and staying a night or two in local hotels. Take a minute and invest in THEM by reading some great suggestions on “Writing Better Directions for Tourists.”
Collaborative Marketing on a seasonal basis can bring success to all rural businesses involved.
The Red Rooster Route is a marketing partnership of six local family farms that have banded together to create a new self-guided farm tour, offering adventures ranging from picking your own summer berries and vegetables, to learning about naturally grown foods. Visitors will even be able to enjoy trolley rides and hay mazes for kids. Tours will be available in both Summer and Fall seasons.
The struggling economy seems to be having a positive impact on agri-tourism and other rural businesses, as vacationers choose to vacation closer to home. In fact, agricultural tourism is emerging as one of the few success stories despite today’s economic challenges.
“I think the main reason for the boom is the economy,” Blake Brown, an extension agricultural economist at North Carolina State University, told Bickers. “People are finding that visiting farms provides a relatively cheap excursion close to home.”
You can read more here.
At the national level, we talk casually about billions and trillions of dollars.
And not too long ago, it was difficult to obtain small business loans for less than $250,000.00.
Which just goes to show, what a difference a few dollars can make in the lives of small business owners who want to better their lives.
Recently, fifty farmers in the western North Carolina mountains received funding to help them diversify their operations. A total of $225,000 was provided by the NC Tobacco Trust Commission and disbursed by Western North Carolina Agricultural Options in $3,000, $6,000, and $9,000 grants.
Since 2003, the Trust Fund Commission has supported WNC AgOptions, a N.C. Cooperative Extension program that provides resources to farmers diversifying or expanding their operations, particularly those transitioning from tobacco production.
Many of the farm recipients were seeking grants to add or expand related streams of income or stabliize year round employment. Grant recipients plan to transition farm land into U-Pick areas, expand existing herb and bee operations, or saw their own lumber to create outbuildings for agritourism activities.
You can read more about the creative business plans of these farms here.
In Loyalty Programs Engage Our Best Customers AgriMarketing consultant Jane Eckert discusses how farms can use special programs and coupons to reward loyal customers.
Jane quotes recent survey data that finds customers who are part of loyalty programs not only buy more, but are 70% more likely to promote you through word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing. You can read more about how to use Word-of-Mouth Marketing strategies here, here, and here.
The beautiful artwork pictured here to the left is ‘It’s Me, Mr. Adorable,’ an original pastel painting by artist Kay Gordon of Marshall, North Carolina.
