Marketing Aquaculture Products — 1

Sending a press release to the local news paper,
or better yet, invite the press by getting on the
phone and speaking with a local-scene reporter.
Try to get the reporter interested in doing a
personal-interest piece on your operation and
product. A great strategy to directly promote
an event (or directly market your product)
reach customers and enter into new markets
is off ered by social networking. For example,
you can promote your product and the event
at the grocer’s by creating a free post in the
Farm & Garden section of the on-line resource
Craig’slist. Th is is an ever-growing and well respected
free resource, and is a very simple tool
to use and update.
Another way to approach grocery stores is
through their state grocery association. Th ese
groups have yearly or bi-annual meetings and
trade shows. At the very least, get a membership
to receive their trade publication and
other mailings. If you have the money in your
marketing budget, consider a booth or table
at the meeting or convention. Th is is a way
to get your product and operation in front of
those grocers not necessarily vested in always
working through buyers and distributors, and
especially to identify the independents, small
chains and co-ops interested in local and highquality
specialty products. Also, if you want
to market to grocery stores, go out of your way
to talk with the managers, get their trade news
and otherwise understand their business and
business trends.
Marketing Aquaculture Products — 35