Off-line sales tips needed

[veggie boy]

Could do with some advice on this. As I sell veggie's I don't really need on-line marketing tips, but more of the traditional styles. I have ads in a couple of magazines and have been dropping leaflets through doors like there is no tomorrow and have appeared at markets and car boots just to get my name out there. Today I have even been giving out free samples.
AS all this is eating into my funds with limited returns I could do with some ideas that might just inspire me.

[marky9378]

Hi

I do not know if anything like this would work but why not offer a delivery service where your customers would get their weekly veggies delivered to their door.

This would work well with old age people as they find it hard to get around to do there shopping you might even get grants to do this work as you would be helping the old aged.

This is just a thought it might work or it might not. Marketing is a case of trial and error. Keep track of everything you do so you can look and see what works and what dont work.

[profitxchange]

I would agree delivering and/or driving around housing estates - sheltered accommodation etc with a well signwritten van might help.

Do you just do veggies? as you could offer a collection/delivery service for other foodstuffs, meat, eggs , bread etc and perhaps charges a £1 plus the cost.

I wish you well but many have failed at this so be honest with yourself if it does not come profitable soon.

[Maslins]

Have you been along to a few farmers markets?

Perhaps worth approaching local schools? What with Jamie Oliver's campaigns over the last few years perhaps there's scope to sell on a larger scale to schools?

[limeminds]

Delivery is a great idea but can be fairly costly, plan carefully - who will sell the produce while you do the rounds? How far will you deliver? When does it become unprofitable?
Schools, nursing homes, office canteens are all places you could look at getting larger orders. Also look at local shops who might want to source locally grown produce.

If you have some marketing budget left you could have some veggie recipes printed with your detail on to give out to potential customers instead of just a flyer.

Often with marketing products you need to be able to capture your audience to enable you to pitch. If you attend anymore markets setup a stall and cook some produce, make a soup and sell it whilst talking about your main veggie selling business.

The key thing is to capture why you are different from std supermarket produce what advice/service/quality can you provide?

Good luck with the business please feel free to PM me if you would like anymore info.

[homeexec]

I think you have forgotten the major sales channel these types of businesses typically make money from...public houses.

Speak with all pubs, restaurants, shops, even hotels in your area and see if you can better their current supply. The industry is struggling at the moment and I guarantee every business will be biting your hand off for large, consistent orders at a saving to themselves. You will have to deliver...but at least you know it's worth your while.

[colleen01]

I think online marketing is better because you wont get tired of delivering, and most of people nowadays use internet in ordering..

[stephendoyle]

mmmmm bit of mixed bag here and some good advice.

i think you need to revamp your business from the bottom up.

i say this with respect as your audience that you are targeting along with your strategies for marketing and sales should have been in place.

too many businesses try and find the market after setting up when a targeted hungry crowd wanting a solution would pay £££'s for a good service or product that they needed.

it's not good enough to be good in business you have to be extraordinary to win business and keep that business.

there are stacks of ways to do this but it means hitting the pain barrier and coming up with a way to make your business extraordinary.

for example - look and research your competitors, what can you offer different, what can you sell to them that you don't at the moment etc....

also look at your USP that you offer and make this stand out that makes you so different.

for help please feel free to pm me

regards and good luck
Stephen Doyle

[Calibre Designs]

I am wondering if you took any of the advice onboard given to you from members here and from the other forum? With what results?
Thanks
K

[veggie boy]

Yes I have taken on board the advice and tips everyone has given me and my business has increased. Mostly from promo's in the street to increase people's awareness, I changed my tack a little and started doing deliveries to order. I pushed the green side of my business, 80% of stock from local farms and running on bio diesel.
Unfortunately I have had a bit of a blow and have been diagnosed as having a major heart problem and will not be able to work for quite a while to come.
Thanks to everyone for the help and advice. It just goes to prove you can make a business work even in the current climate.