Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show Marketing Meeting 2009

1. Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock ShowMarketing Meeting 2009

2. 2008 National Champs! GO GATORS!

3. THE SALE • On the last day of the fair, all market animals will be sold at auction. • Each animal will sell individually. • Livestock buyers will purchase the whole lot of animals at market price.

4. Cont. • Local businesses will participate in an auction and pay the difference between their bid price and the market price given by the meat buyer.

5. Example Market price is $.50 per pound. XYZ Construction service bought the animal at auction for $3 per pound. XYZ construction would be responsible for paying $2.50/ lb. for the animal, a tax deductible donation, and the meat buyer would pay the other $.50/lb.

6. WHY SOLICIT A BUYER? • Although every animal will sell, you need to try to have a buyer when you come to the fair. • Exhibitors that are prepared with buyers, will hopefully see a higher profit margin.

7. BUYERS • There is a limit set on the number of buyers for an individual – 3 BUYERS • NO BUYER WILL BE BILLED FOR LESS THAN $100.

8. ADD-ONS • Any individual that wants to contribute to an individual exhibitor, without being considered a buyer can add-on. • Add-on’s must be collected on Sale day in the form of cash, check, or credit card • No ADD-ON CONTRIBUTORS WILL BE BILLED!

9. Friends of 4-H and FFA • This organization collects thousands of dollars from hundreds of businesses around our county. • Friends purchases animals and sometimes adds across the board increases to the exhibitors sale prices. • Don’t rely on Friends of 4-H & FFA.

10. Recruiting a Buyer

11. MAKING CONTACT WITH LETTERS • Writing letters is a good way to contact a potential buyer. • If you can write a neat and legible letter, a hand written letter can add a personal touch. • A computer generated letter can communicate professionalism to the prospective buyer.

12. Letter Writing (Cont.) • Include important information in the letter. • Fair dates including the sale and buyers luncheon. • Inform the potential buyer on how the sale is conducted and give an example

13. Letters (cont.) • If you are grouping 2-3 buyers, explain it and give them an opportunity to contribute. • Some businesses get hundreds of letters. • Try to contact some buyers that are new to the fair.

14. VISITING A BUYER • Making a personal visit is sometimes very effective • Make an appointment. • Develop a presentation for the buyer. Include pictures, record book information, or information about your group of buyers.

15. Visit (Cont.) • Rehearse your presentation. • Be relaxed, friendly, confident, and courteous. • Thank the buyer for their time and for listening to your presentation.

16. AFTER THE SALE • Help your buyer get the most out of their advertising dollar. • Plaques and pictures for the office wall are a nice gesture. • Have a thank you advertisement placed in the local newspaper.

17. CONT. • Write a thank you letter after the sale. • Checks will not be issued until this is done. • Talk to your buyer, and ask them what method of advertisement they would prefer.

18. Cont. • Don’t be stingy about spending money for your buyer. After all, if it weren’t for them, you wouldn’t have anything.

19. Please visit Website • - Http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu • Youth Fair • Schedule • Important Dates • *Fair Set up- Saturday, March 21, 2009 • 8:00 am – until • $5.00 Lunch

20. GOOD LUCK!