I’ve been attending a “To Market, To Market” class through my local Cornell Cooperative Extension office in Hamden. It’s a good opportunity to look at your existing products, a prototype product, or future products and see how to best market those items. It’s really been a lifeline for me. I’ve known for some time that I need to reevaluate my products and possibly let some (or all) of them go. I’ve also known for some time that I need to write a marketing plan and a business plan and this class has given me the push to do just that.
I’ve been spending a lot of time recently doing all these things: reevaluating products, working on plans, and still continuing to book classes, festivals, etc. Chicken Librarian really started from a class at the cooperative extension some 2 years ago. I attended a “Women in Agriculture” workshop and met the fabulous ladies of CCE and local business women. There were farmHers, growHers, shepHERds, and people like me who had an idea but no real plan. It was a catalyst for me to really start Chicken Librarian and figure out what my products were and what I wanted to do with my business. There were some growing pains and it took up until this past spring to really figure it out. I’m still learning but I think I have a good direction now.
So fast-forward to this year. I started booking classes, writing classes, blogging, selling at markets, attending workshops, and just generally trying to promote Chicken Librarian. But I felt like I was lacking a good, solid plan. I needed to stop and take inventory. And when I did I saw some things that just weren’t working: mostly the products I’m trying to sell. So when I learned about the To Market, To Market workshop, I knew it was something that I needed and could really participate in. When I attended the Women in Ag workshop I didn’t have a clear idea so I wasn’t able to fully utilize the information. I’m using it now, but 2 years ago not so much. Although I did meet some wonderful ladies (I’ll tell you all about them below).
I’ve been asking people for feedback and when I ran the numbers on what each product and class costs I realized that I need to let some things go. And I wouldn’t really have known that had I not attended the marketing workshop (it’s a series of 3 and we have 1 more class left, but last week’s class was really about evaluating and getting feedback). I spent the previous week running the numbers. I know how much each product and class costs me down to the labels I put on each item. I’m not doing bad–my profit margin is right where it should be but one thing I lack is promoting my items. I give a lot of things away but I don’t follow up and ask people to give feedback or share their experience via social media or a review here on the blog. I have a hard time self-promoting but the only way this is going to work is if I self promote. I think one of the hardest things for me is that I want to support other people via my social media so where is the line between sharing what I’m doing, promoting my business, and still supporting my peeps? That’s been hard for me.
I think it’s important to dive into these kinds of details and to know when something isn’t working. I’ve been struggling for far too long with trying to sell the products that I originally thought were a good idea. So I’ve decided to not restock the salves, balms, and photos. Instead I’ll continue to offer classes and I want to start selling kits. It will be a kind of ‘take this class in the comfort of your own home’. Or ‘you can’t make it to one of my classes? Well, never fear! I’ve got just the thing for you!’. I’ve priced the kits so there is room for maneuvering. I’ll start with beeswax food cover kits and see how it goes, rather than jumping in feet first with everything and then having a surplus of items just sitting.
I’ve also gotten much, much better about approaching people and letting them know who I am and what I do. Maybe it will lead to a partnership somehow. Or a class. Or even having my products in a new shop. And from the marketing class I’ve had some of my fellow business folk promoting my products. I need to get on promoting theirs (this past week has been filled with getting my next classes squared away, but now that they’re finalized I can get back to my schedule). But I’m very grateful for the promoting that everyone is doing on my behalf!
And while you’re in blog reading mode, go visit the fabulous ladies that I’ve met through these workshops. There’s Angela with Mountain View Dairy Farm. Elizabeth (you’ve heard about her here before I’m sure. She’s become a close friend over the past 2 years) from Elsewhere Farm. And Carla from the CCE, but wears many different hats. All of these ladies are entrepreneurs at heart and I stand to learn a lot from them.
I’m still working on my business plan and will continue to do that until it’s where I need it to be. I’ll also include a marketing plan and an ‘action’ plan, i.e. now you know what you’re selling, doing so how do you put this plan into action? I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be adding some classes to my repertoire in the near future and start promoting the kits (they aren’t quite ready yet, but should be by the weekend so if you are just dying for a kit, contact me and I’ll tell you all about them!). I feel good about the future of Chicken Librarian.
What do you struggle with when it comes to your homestead or business? Every one of you has a business even if you don’t know it. Got a blog? That’s your business regardless of whether you make money from it or not. Got a homestead? That’s your business no matter how big or small it is. How do you need support? Can I do something to help you? Let me know! Is there anything else you want to know about my little business? I’m pretty much an open book so I’ll pretty much answer any questions that you have.
Elizabeth Kaden
Wonderful post! By the way, I am going to need more salve, or a class/kit on how to make it myself. š
chickenlibrarian
Thanks! I’m really enjoying the class and learning lots. And I know where you can buy some more salve…or take a class…or buy a kit š
Tracy
Great to learn what is going on and your plans, Kristin! It sounds like you are really wrapping your head around what you need to do and the direction you need to go. That is awesome! Taking the business plan course sounds like it was the right thing to do.
Being a one-lady show definitely will keep you challenged and busy. But, you can do it. Remember to say yes to yourself first. (It’s the ol ‘ “fill your own well first” advice.) And saying no to others will be okay, too. Pace yourself. š
I am also looking forward to your kits and seeing what they look like! I was actually telling my husband about it and he thought it was a brilliant idea. He said something like: that sounds like something her type of followers would be interested in because they are probably people who like to do things themselves. Smart idea.
I agree! š
My husband and I are also talking about a future business, maybe market gardening. He’s been researching products and has some ideas. I would certainly love to own my own business again. I never reached the profit levels I needed in the past, so… Anyhow. I’d also love to monetize my blog site (I love blogging), but I am very hesitant. Truth is, I am annoyed when I go to a website for something I want (a recipe, a how-to, a story) and there are so many ads that it either locks up my computer or steals from the reading experience. There is a homesteading blogger with posts I really like to read, but her website is so packed with ads, I hardly go there anymore. I just end up frustrated when I do.
Wow, sorry to ramble… Your post got me excited! LOL! So keep us posted and let us know your updates. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
chickenlibrarian
I’m really excited about the kits! I’m trying to wholesale a few right now and then I’ll start posting them on the blog. I just need to take some pictures. That’s always the story! But I do feel good about them. I love everything about them.
I hear ya about the ads on the website. I’m trying to avoid that if at all possible, although I do think you can do it in such a way that it doesn’t take away from the reading experience. I would suggest you find some examples of what you like (and don’t like) and try to mimic those blogs. For example, I’ve seen ads in the sidebar of blogs so it isn’t obtrusive but you can see the ads. I HATE the pop up ads. Those are the ones that kill your computer and your experience. I’ve also heard about people bartering for a product with the ad company owner. So for example, you want some chickens so you contact a chicken breeder and you put an ad on your site in exchange for chickens. I’m not really sure how it works, but it’s a thought.
As for a future business, I say go for it. Do your homework and then just keep plugging away. My little business isn’t profitable yet. But I’m always working on it and keep trying to see what works. I hope to one day have it contribute back to the homestead. I love the classes. They’re a lot of fun. And taking these free courses via the cooperative extension certainly helps!
And it’s easy getting burned out. I crashed this weekend but I feel better now. I have to start saying no to some extra things and just focus on my little business. All the other things can wait. And I need to say yes to self care! Thank you for the reminder on doing that!!
Shugunna Alexander
Sounds like you’re working your plan now, you’ve narrowed down what wotks and how you’re going to move forward. It’s also great that you have a core group of friends that are helping you push your dreams; good, honest support is a major part of your business’s success.
You also sound like you are passionate in what you’re doing, which also makes a world of difference. I visited your friend’s links, nice post my friend.
chickenlibrarian
Thank you Shugunna! I appreciate your kind words and visiting my friends! Having that core group of people is definitely important and Iām lucky enough to have them in real life and also via the internet. People like you make all the difference in the world. Thank you for always being so supportive
Shugunna Alexander
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