Workshop Description
Ag-X Mini: Selling Your Product in the Off-Season
September 19 & 20, 2024, 5:30pm-7 pm
Location: DEIC, 201 Duncan St., Ashland, VA 23005
Cost: Free
Overview:
Ag-X Mini: Selling Your Product in the Off-Season is a comprehensive two-part workshop designed to equip participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to maintain and grow their sales during the winter months when traditional farmer’s markets are no longer available. This program is tailored for agricultural producers, food artisans, and other small-scale vendors who rely on seasonal markets for their primary sales.
Session 1: Identifying Alternative Sales Channels
(Part 1 – September 19, 5:30pm – 7pm)
In the first session, participants will begin to explore various alternative sales and distribution channels to sustain their business during the off-season. Topics covered will include:
- Online Marketplaces: Understanding the benefits of e-commerce platforms, choosing the right one for your products, and setting up an online store. This will include a detailed guide on creating product listings, managing inventory, and handling online payments.
- Retail Partnerships: Learning how to approach and negotiate with local grocery stores, specialty shops, and restaurants to carry your products. We will discuss the best practices for presenting your products to potential retail partners, including creating professional pitch materials and samples.
- Direct Sales: Utilizing social media platforms and email marketing to reach out to existing customers for direct sales. This session will cover building a robust email list, crafting engaging content, and running successful direct sales campaigns.
Session 2: Identifying Alternative Sales Channels
(Part 2 – September 20, 5:30pm -7pm)
The second session will continue to delve into alternative sales channels and expand on the strategies discussed in the first session. Additional topics will include:
- Pop-Up Events: Organizing and participating in winter fairs, holiday markets, and other seasonal events. Participants will learn how to identify the best events to attend, prepare for a successful pop-up, and maximize sales during these events.
- Digital Marketing: Utilizing advanced digital marketing techniques to maintain customer engagement and drive online sales. This will include an introduction to digital advertising, SEO for your online store, and advanced social media strategies.
- Logistics and Fulfillment: Best practices for packaging, shipping, and handling to ensure product quality and customer satisfaction. We will cover cost-effective shipping solutions, managing returns, and ensuring timely delivery.
- Collaborations and Networking: Building relationships with other producers and businesses to create mutually beneficial opportunities. This includes co-marketing efforts, bundle deals, and joint events to expand reach and customer base.
- Customer Retention: Developing strategies for maintaining customer loyalty and encouraging repeat purchases during the off-season. This session will focus on creating loyalty programs, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining regular communication with customers.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is ideal for farmers, food producers, and small business owners who rely on seasonal sales channels and are looking to expand their reach during the off-season. Whether you are just starting or looking to refine your existing strategies, this program will provide valuable insights and practical tools to boost your sales year-round.
About the Instructors:
Jett Odle
Jett Odle is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader, best known as the co-founder of Rivers Edge Coffee Company. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Jett has played a pivotal role in transforming a simple idea into a thriving market leader in the highly competitive Richmond, VA coffee industry.
Jett’s journey into the world of coffee began with a deep passion for the art and science of crafting the perfect cup of joe. Armed with a keen sense of business acumen and a thirst for innovation, he embarked on a mission to bring his coffee dreams to life. In partnership with his brother, he co-founded Rivers Edge Coffee Company in 2018, where he has been one of the driving forces behind its remarkable success.
Jett Odle is also a passionate advocate for community development and sustainable agriculture. In recent years, he has expanded his focus to support the growth of the Richmond area’s local food system as he recognizes the importance of promoting local agriculture and ag-entrepreneurs. He has actively engaged with farmers, artisans, and food producers, offering mentorship and guidance as they endeavor to develop new products and access new markets. Jett’s dedication to fostering a resilient and thriving local food ecosystem not only demonstrates his commitment to the community but also showcases his ability to drive positive change beyond the business world.
Glen Sink
As an entrepreneur, founder and owner of for-profit enterprises and a leader in non-profit venues, Glen has helped varied businesses in the areas of startup structure, value proposition establishment, customer, personnel and stakeholder discovery, resource procurement and operations. Glen provides creative and development assistance, personnel, stakeholder and market expertise to rural and agribusiness entities, main street enterprises, educational events, government and the medical arena to profitably grow and serve their communities.
Glen’s coaching focuses on behavioral networking, education and entrepreneur development to achieve the vision of growing a sustainable enterprise. His approach guides individuals through enterprise and product creation, development and marketing in both private and non-profit roles building stakeholder value at each touchpoint.
Danny Adams, Owner – Ashland Feed Store
Danny grew up in Beaverdam, VA. He graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1979. He continued his formal education at Carson-Newman College where he earned a BA in Biology/Education. During his teenage years he worked at the Ashland Feed Store with the previous owner, Everett Williamson. It was during this time that his love for agriculture developed into a compass of where he wanted to focus his career. After spending 17 years employed by Southern States Cooperative, he purchased the Ashland Feed Store in 2005. Danny has a great staff at the store and he enjoys very much serving the agricultural community. He also operates a cattle farm just west of Ashland, Virginia.19