Cats, Cousins and Customers – they're not just for Christmas!

Do you have an address book full of names that you only ever write to at Christmas? Perhaps you only hear from some relatives when you receive their annual 'Round Robin'? Apart from the fact that once a year is far too infrequent to keep you in the recipient's mind, December is such a busy time that any communication sent that month may be quickly forgotten about in the festive mayhem.

Back in the groove

So…..were you there? Did you have fun? After a long wait, the Royal Highland Show returned with gusto and what a weekend it was. My feet hurt, my back hurts and, if it could, I’m sure my liver would be hurting too! The perfect blend of work and pleasure, there’s no doubting that the Highland Show is a world-beating event and that most of us would be lost without it. Yes, they could maybe do with a few more loos in the new Members Pavilion (😉) but well done to the whole team for bringing us all together again and hosting a truly superb four days.

Life's Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom

I admit it – I can sometimes be a little materialistic! I love my neon pink leather sandals and my Volvo! But as well as the luxuries, there are certain things which, quite simply, make my life easier, more pleasurable, or save me time - and I thought I’d share them with you (in the hope that you might share your tips in return….??)

Do you love it or hate it?

Networking. The word brings me out in a cold sweat. The idea of sidling up to people I don’t know, and who already look happy in the conversation they are having, makes me feel awkward and rude. I even once went to a workshop which taught people how to sidle up in the most polite way possible. I still felt stupid!

What’s the hardest question you’ve ever been asked?

I’m hoping that this week you might be able to help us with a bit of research – and perhaps help out the farming/rural sector more generally at the same time. As many of you will know, farmers and land managers don’t always get an easy ride in the media and can sometimes wrongly be portrayed as the bad guys in certain circumstances – the climate change debate for example.

How much do you have?

Self-confidence. Some have it, some don’t and some of us are somewhere in between. We’ve all heard of Imposter Syndrome and we all know someone with far too much confidence – so how do we find that middle ground where we have the confidence to forge ahead with our goals and ambitions, all the time making sure that we aren’t being thought of as arrogant or rude?

Micro-Marketing Tips

We've put together a list of easy to implement, free or low-cost 'micro-marketing' tips: Update your Email Signature - When did you last change your email signature? Your business email signature is perfect for promoting your website, social media, podcast or changes to opening hours. Make the most of your Google Business Profile - more than a business listing, your free Business Profile lets you easily connect with customers across Google Search and Maps.

Doing the Heavy Lifting

Regular listeners to our OnFARM podcast will be aware that we have regularly covered agri-tourism in recent months. An episode recorded at the Scottish Agritourism / GoRural Scotland conference emphasised that agri-tourism is, in many cases, not actually a diversification from farming, but rather can be looked at as simply marketing farm produce in a different way. We have subsequently produced an episode focussing on farm-based attractions as days-out around Dundee and today’s (Monday 25th April) looks at farm tourism around Edinburgh. Future episodes will focus on Glasgow and Inverness.I write this little blog, however, not solely as a means to highlight the podcast. Rather, I would like to share my thoughts on the importance of agri-tourism businesses to our wider farming industry.

Could you be a TV star?

Born Mucky? This Farming Life? The Farmers' County Showdown? Which are your favourite rural tv shows? Since it was first broadcast in 1988, BBC One's flagship rural affairs series Countryfile remains the highest-rated factual programme on British television. Three decades later, the new kid on the rural block is Clarkson's Farm, featuring a year in the life of Britain's most unlikely farmer, Jeremy Clarkson set against a backdrop of unhelpful weather, unruly animals and an unexpected pandemic. The rise of unscripted entertainment in recent years has been staggering - our own OnFARM episodes rank in the top 2% of global podcasts - and whatever the reason for our ongoing love affair with the land and the people who make their living there, rural programmes look set to continue.

May we ask you for some help?

Whenever we write our weekly email updates, we focus on trying to help. I hope that, more often than not, we are able to do that. Sometimes we offer snippets of PR and marketing advice. Sometimes we recommend really useful books to read or podcasts to listen to. Sometimes we’ll give you an easy access list of important dates in the agricultural calendar. Today, however, I was wondering if we might ask for your help?

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