ABC – Always Be Closing – an old sales axiom – and one that I have heard often.  I agree to a certain extent – but I like to change it to ABS – Always Be Selling.  In every facet of your business you need to be aware that you are selling.  That is crucial.  And with that goes the idea that everyone in your organization is a salesperson for your company – at some level.

Relationships are key!  People buy from who they know and trust. You must work hard to be the person they know, and you have to give them reasons to trust you.

Timing is everything.  People will not buy from you all the time.  But at the right time, they will buy anything from you.  They have to be in the ‘buying time zone’.

It takes more than one offer to make a sale.  By that I mean you have to stay in touch, repeat the offer, whether that means multiple ads, mailings, flyers, emails, or plain old asking for the sale directly.

Hard work is the most important factor in any marketing campaign.  It is not usually the most creative, nor the most glitzy or spectacular  marketing, not even the best copywriting (althought copy is extremely important) that in the long run gives the best results.  What does give results is consistent long term action.  Get your message out there, again, and again, and again. — And then again.

Testing is vital.  This is the most under utilized tool that any marketer has, and one that can have the greatest impact in any marketing campaign.  And it is not hard, it just takes a little know-how and some diligence – but the pay-off is well worth it.

Many of these ideas you have heard before.  In the coming days I will give you strategies that will incorporate many of these principles.  We will also take time to delve deeper into these principles to learn why they work, and how you can make them work better for your business.

CANADIAN AGRI-MARKETING ASSOCIATION ALBERTA CHAPTER REACTIVATED

Source: Canadian Agri-Marketing Association news release

The Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA) is pleased to invite you and your collegues to attend an upcoming meeting in Olds, AB. The CAMA Alberta Chapter has been inactive for a few years and the CAMA National Committee is organizing the following meeting to rebuild enthusiasm in the Alberta Chapter. There is no charge to attend this meeting, however, we do require pre-registration by April 1.

To help us spread the word about this meeting and CAMA, please forward this email to those you feel would benefit from CAMA. To learn more about the benefits of CAMA, visit our website at www.cama.org.

With your help, we look forward to rebuilding the Alberta CAMA Chapter and seeing you at the following meeting:

“Old MacDonald has a Blog” – Social Media in Agriculture Marketing
Guest Speaker – Steve Warme, Woodruff Sweitzer

We’ll examine some of the latest tools and techniques being used for social media marketing today, what is currently happening in the agricultural world online and how best to harness current and emerging tools.

Steve Warme is the vice-president of account services with Woodruff Sweitzer Calgary where he propels results-oriented communications projects and strategies for clients. Steve has extensive experience in digital marketing strategy and execution. Prior to joining Woodruff Sweitzer, Steve was an account director at Rare Method, an advertising firm that specializes in integrated marketing programs and online media buying. Before this, Steve was program director at interactive marketing powerhouse, Critical Mass, where he was responsible for overseeing the development and deployment of results-based marketing programs for Dell and Mercedes Benz U.S.A.

Tour of Innovation BioFuel Technology Centre (Optional)
A tour will be offered of the Olds College School of Innovation BioFuel Technology Centre. Learn how they have made Alberta’s first ASTM standard Bio-Diesel and have distributed it to a group of farm partners in the area.

The tour will begin at the Faculty Centre at 3:00pm.

Meeting Details

Date: Monday, April 6, 2009
Location: Faculty Club, Olds College, Olds, AB (see the attached map)

Tour of Innovation BioFuel Technology Centre: 3:00pm (Optional)
Networking: 4:00 pm (Cash bar and hors d’oeuvres)
CAMA Chapter Overview: 4:30 pm
Guest Speaker: 5:00 pm
Networking: 5:30 pm

This event will be paid for and hosted by the National Committee of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association.

To register and for more information, contact Mary Thornley — by email: camaont@bmts.com or telephone: (519) 389-6552 before April 1, 2009.