November 2021

In the twenty months since the first UK lockdown, new behaviours have been formed around online shopping. This is particularly true of older e-commerce converts who would not have shopped online without the pandemic and who are likely, to some extent, to continue doing so.  Just as shopping habits have irrevocably changed, so must your marketing.  Why not try the following:

Update your 'Abandoned Basket' message - Automated emails reminding shoppers of what they left behind are a  mainstay of e-commerce - and a bonus marketing opportunity!  This is your chance to reassure potential customers with information about your product guarantee, eco-credentials. or tempt them with a time-limited offer.

Take Part in a Twitter Hour - a Twitter hour is a regular time slot that is allocated to a specific topic. You can join in the conversation by adding the relevant hashtag or account name to your tweet to join the conversation. With hundreds of 'Hours', there is bound to be one suitable for your business e.g. #UKGiftAM, #WeddingHour & #EquineHour.

Team Up - with so many people wishing to support local businesses, why not team up with like-minded companies in your area and put together a #ShopLocal Christmas Gift Guide on Instagram or Facebook?

Show Off! - 70% of British Christmas shoppers say they are open to purchasing from retailers they haven’t bought from before so, whether it's a 5-star review on Trip Advisor, a glowing recommendation on Trust Pilot or an award your product has won, shout about it on your website and give folk an extra reason to buy from you.

Be Seen and Heard! - If you use a PR company, they will already have been working hard to feature your product in Christmas shopping guides in glossy magazines (if not, you need a new agency!!!).  If you want to be proactive, then search for #PRRequest on Twitter for influencers looking to collaborate.  

If you're still to make a start on your own Christmas shopping, take a look at the Scene & Herd Christmas Shopping Guide.  Whether you're looking to support local makers, are looking for something that has been creatively repurposed or are looking for foodie gifts, we have some great ideas!

Click to download our Christmas Shopping Guide

News

The AgriScot Silage Competition is making a welcome return to the ‘live’ calendar, with organisers now calling for entries across the classes.  The deadline for submission of silage analysis entries to the AgriScot silage competition is 17:00 on Wednesday 1st December 2021.  Put the date in your diary: AgriScot, 9th February 2022!  Read more...

The Scottish Government consultation on agricultural transition in Scotland closes on 17 November 2021.  Read more...

OnFARM Podcast
We worked with the Luing Cattle Society to produce two podcasts for them.  In the first episode, Monty met first-generation farmer Giles Henry to learn how the Luing breed is meeting profitability and sustainability challenges head-on.  The second episode took us to Tebay services and farm shop in Westmorland to meet farm manager Bob Day and head of butchery David Morland.

Anna had a farmhouse kitchen blether with three brilliant women working in the rural sector: Amy Geddes, a 4th-generation farmer at Wester Braikie Farm near Arbroath; Aylett Roan who farms at Barnbarrock farm in Dumfries and Galloway, and Lois Newton, an associate in the land and rural department at Gillespie Macandrew who kindly supported this episode.

To coincide with the climate summit in Glasgow, we produced an episode about Scottish farming's response to COP26 with SAOS chairman John Hutcheson, and Emma Patterson-Taylor, SAOS's climate change and sustainability manager.

Our most recent episode was to share the exciting news that the OnFARM family is expanding!  In January 2022, we launch the OnFARM Academy, offering training programmes and modules for all aspects of rural life and business.

You can catch up on all OnFARM episodes here: podfollow.com/onfarm

December dates for your social promotions:

1 - 24 - Advent - why not create a digital advent calendar showcasing your products and/or staff?

4 - Small Business Saturday - Now in its ninth year, Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and support small businesses in their communities.  Get involved by using #SmallBusinessSaturday online and check out the website for more info.https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/

21 - Winter Solstice/Shortest Day

Get in touch if you need help with any aspect of your digital marketing.

‍