Building Repeat Beef Customers

Direct beef businesses are often built one household at a time. A customer who understands the process and enjoys the experience may return year after year and recommend the farm to others.

Make ordering easy

Customers should be able to quickly understand what is available, approximate cost, how to reserve it and when it will be ready.

Be consistent

Keep records of previous orders when practical. Knowing that a returning customer usually buys a half beef or prefers certain processing options can make the next order easier.

Communicate throughout the year

You do not need to constantly advertise. Occasional updates about calving, pasture, haying, finishing or upcoming processing dates can help customers stay connected to the farm behind their food.

Answer difficult questions clearly

Customers may ask about grain, implants, vaccines, antibiotics, dewormers, feedlots, slaughter or animal welfare.

A factual answer builds more trust than avoiding a subject because it does not fit a fashionable marketing message.

Transparency is a competitive advantage. Customers buying directly have an opportunity to understand the production story that is often invisible in conventional retail.

Ask customers to reserve early

If you know your approximate annual processing schedule, give previous customers an opportunity to reserve before processing dates fill.

Keep the relationship human

Farm-direct beef is not only a transaction. The ability to know who raised the animal and ask questions is part of what makes direct purchasing different.