Why Farmers Market Customers Should Become Your Online Followers
The farmers market is an incredible place to showcase your products, meet customers face-to-face, and build relationships. But your interactions shouldn’t stop when the market ends. By encouraging market-goers to follow your farm on social media, join your email list, or visit your website, you can stay connected to them year-round and build a loyal customer base.
Getting people to follow you from the farmers market allows you to share updates about your farm, promote your products, and remind customers to come back for more. Whether you sell direct-to-consumer (DTC), offer CSA memberships, or simply want to grow your community, a strong online presence is key to turning one-time customers into lifelong supporters.
Here’s how to encourage farmers market shoppers to follow you after they leave your stand.
1. Make Your Social Media Presence Easy to Find
If you want customers to follow you online, the first step is to make it as easy as possible for them to find you. Use clear, visible signage to display your social media handles, website, and email sign-up information at your booth.
Here are a few tips:
• Use a Chalkboard or Poster: Write your Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok handle on a chalkboard or poster and place it where customers can see it while browsing.
• Add QR Codes: Print QR codes that link directly to your social media pages or website. Customers can scan them with their phones for instant access.
• Include Your Handles on Packaging: Print your social media information on your produce bags, boxes, or product labels so customers see it when they get home.
Make sure your social media usernames are consistent across platforms, easy to remember, and reflective of your farm’s brand. For example, @SunnyMeadowFarm is much easier to find than something like @sunny_farm1234.
2. Engage Customers with a Call-to-Action (CTA)
When interacting with customers at the farmers market, don’t be shy about inviting them to follow you online. A simple, friendly call-to-action (CTA) can make all the difference.
For example:
• “Follow us on Instagram for updates on what’s fresh next week!”
• “Sign up for our email list to get recipes and special offers.”
• “Scan this QR code to follow us on Facebook—we post behind-the-scenes farm updates every week!”
Make sure your CTA is specific and highlights the value of following you. Let customers know what they’ll gain by staying connected, whether it’s recipes, seasonal availability updates, or a closer look at farm life.
3. Offer Incentives to Follow You
People love a good deal or freebie, and offering an incentive is a great way to encourage customers to follow you online.
Here are a few ideas:
• Discounts: Offer a small discount, like 5% off their purchase, if they follow you on Instagram or Facebook while at your booth.
• Free Samples: Hand out a free sample of your produce or a value-added product (like jam or honey) in exchange for a social media follow.
• Giveaways: Host a giveaway for a farm box, CSA membership, or gift basket. Customers can enter by following you online and tagging a friend.
These small gestures not only encourage people to follow you but also create a sense of excitement and goodwill around your farm.
4. Highlight Your Online Content
Customers are more likely to follow you if they know what kind of content they can expect. Use your time at the farmers market to show off the value of your online presence.
For example:
• Talk About Recipes: If you regularly post recipes, mention it to customers. “If you’re wondering how to cook those beets, we’ve got a great roasted beet salad recipe on Instagram!”
• Share Farm Stories: Let customers know you post behind-the-scenes videos or updates about life on the farm. “Follow us to see how we grow and harvest these heirloom tomatoes.”
• Promote Educational Content: If you share tips on growing, storing, or cooking food, highlight that. “We’re sharing tips on how to store fresh greens longer—check it out on Facebook!”
When customers know your content aligns with their interests, they’re more likely to follow you and stay engaged.
5. Collect Email Addresses at Your Booth
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to stay connected to your customers. At the farmers market, set up a simple sign-up sheet or tablet where customers can join your email list.
Tips for collecting emails:
• Offer a Clear Benefit: Let customers know what they’ll receive by signing up, such as weekly updates on what’s fresh, recipes, or special offers.
• Use a QR Code: Make it easy for tech-savvy customers by offering a QR code that links directly to your sign-up form.
• Run a Contest: Incentivize sign-ups by hosting a drawing for a free product or discount.
Once you have their email addresses, send regular newsletters with updates, recipes, and reminders to visit your stand. Email is an excellent tool for nurturing relationships and driving repeat business.
6. Build Personal Connections
One of the biggest advantages of farmers markets is the opportunity to connect with customers face-to-face. Use these interactions to build trust and excitement about your farm. When customers feel a personal connection to you, they’re more likely to follow you online and support your farm long-term.
For example, take a moment to chat about your growing practices, share the story behind your farm, or recommend a recipe for their produce. By creating a positive and memorable experience, you’ll encourage customers to stay connected even after they leave the market.
7. Share Your Farmers Market Experience Online
Your social media followers love seeing your farmers market setup, so be sure to share photos, videos, and stories from the market. When you post about being at the farmers market, tag the market’s social media account and use relevant hashtags like #FarmersMarket or #LocalFood.
This not only attracts more attention to your farm but also encourages current market-goers to connect with you online. Plus, tagging the market can help you get reposted on their accounts, reaching even more potential customers.
Final Thoughts
Getting people to follow you from the farmers market is all about creating connections and making it easy for customers to stay in touch. By sharing your social media handles, offering incentives, and highlighting the value of your online content, you can grow your farm’s online community and keep customers engaged long after the market ends.
At Leprendo, we believe in helping farmers build lasting relationships with their customers through smart marketing strategies and meaningful connections. Ready to grow your online following? Let’s make it happen together.