Having a Successful National Alpaca Farm Day September 02 2016

 

Having a Successful National Alpaca Farm Day
Sept 24-25,2016 
In this issue...
Tips for a successful Farm Day
* Top suggestions for Farm Day sales 

National Alpaca Farm Days video
 
Did You See National Alpaca Farm Days Video?
 
It's brilliant!
Congratulations to the Alpaca Owners Association (AOA) on a great ad!

*** 
National Alpaca Farm Days is Saturday, Sunday, September 24-25, 2016
 
NAFD is an excellent opportunity to show off your farm to the public. It's also an ideal time to get visits from those prospects who have been thinking about alpacas and would like to learn more, get a feel for the lifestyle and see if they want to proceed with getting into alpacas!


What does it take to have a successfull farm day?
 
We have been in alpacas as farmers, shearers, retailers and wholesalers since 2001. On our farm and in chatting with my many other farms over the years we've dicovered there are just a few, but very key components to a success farm day. 

1. People have to know about it!
 
Make sure your on every list possible. The best bang is to be listed on your local community events calendar. Your local alpaca association is hopefully encouraging members to post flyers all over, in the paper, perhaps radio or even TV. We have repeatedly been told that our Preferred Retailers Map continues to drive prospects to member farms. We promote that list online and to a 30,000 member mailing list of alpaca lovers to encourage visits to member farms.

Alpaca holding sign fb6996c4 dced 4b18 a7f8 0b9ae41d9d8e grande

If you have a list of propects, they surely should get a personal invitation.  You might even draft some of the more established prospects to "volunteer" to help! 
 
2. Your selling the lifestyle as much as the alpacas.
 
Your farm should look idyllic. Clean, pretty, happy and workable.
Your prospects want to live the lifestyle and that lifestyle is beautiful, peaceful, simple and easy to understand.

  


We once had a guy who quietly stood in the pasture for 90 minutes during a crazy-busy 300+ visitor open house. When I finally got to talk to him he said. "It's just so beautiful here. The alpacas are so warm to just watch." Yeah, he gets it! :) 
 
3. Your prospects want to see the value.
 
This is where the products come in. For us, we immediately offered products when we started our first farm.  Though alpacas have tremendous value to the heart and soul, its SMART to show off the fantastic products which come from alpaca fiber!
 
For normal farm visits, the last stop should always be the products store, room, closet, chest or table. There is a thriving alpaca products market that continues to expand! The industry is HEALTHY and USA markets continue to grow in sales (even in this market!) of both imported and AMERICAN grown alpaca fiber!
 
That final stop at the products area is also the great way to wrap up a visit while earning farm income from thankful visitors who now LOVE alpacas and want to wear it, show it off and remember their wonderful day.
 
You owe it to them to have a selection of items!  
 
One last thought... many of your visitors will keep you in mind for Christmas season sales. Make that EASY for them but having flyers and getting them on a mailing list. Perhaps offer a fun prize drawing as this frequently gets many more people to sign up. 
 
Do you have any great experiences or tips which could help your fellow alpaca breeder with their Farm Day?  

Please help by sharing your ideas and stories on our Farm Day BLOG:
 
Have a Great Farm Day!
 

 
 
 
No Minimums! 
 
 
We heard you!
 
We have dropped the minimum items requirements on all orders!**
(** Wholesale orders are only for established retailers. )

* Buy 1 or more of any item, no minimum.
* Test/Try out any single item.
* Any items can be returned until next april!
 
Still, we encourage you to "Go Large" with our early order incentives:
 
* Have product available when you need it. Many sell out later.
* SEO marketing on our Retailers Map - it Works!
* 6-month "Financing" on your $750+ order.
* Discounts for larger orders.
* No-hassle returns on any items, until next april.
 
Don't run out of product this season! 
Buy Large and return what does not sell.
 

 
 
Top Suggestions for Farm Day Sales
 
We've been at this for a while and talk with many alpaca stores about what works, what doesn't and which products are the best for open farm events.
 
With every product we make or find the first thought is always, "Will this do well in farm stores?"
 
Below are our Top Ten Suggestions for your successful Farm Day sales. 
 
 
#1
 
Top Selling American Made Alpaca Socks
Superwarm, OutdoorAdventure and SlipperBootie Alpaca Socks since 2006.
A fantastic representative of the special characteristics of alpaca! 
 
 
 made in the usa alpaca socks usa made alpaca socks outdoor adventure grey usa made alpaca socks outdoor adventure cocoa alpaca socks made in USA Outdoor Adventure black slipper booties alpaca socks made in usa Made in the USA alpaca products alpaca store marketing material
 
#2
 
New Adventure Required Alpaca Hats
 
Adventure Required - Cousteau Alpaca Hat
 
Fashionable and functional, these hat come with a great story of how just one woman is making a difference in the lives of families in a remote village in Peru. There are 6 "Explorer" styles and many colors to choose from. 

#3
 
Cute Cotton "Alpaca Love" Ankle Socks
 
alpaca love ankle socks alpaca love ankle socks grey Fuzzy fun alpaca socks
 
Though cotton, these alpaca themed socks have been a huge hit! They offer a low price point, are something visitors can wear right away, and are cute as... an alpaca!
 
 
#4
 
PacaBuddies Plush Toys are the Perfect Souvenir!
 
These cute guys are one of our TOP sellers! They make an excellent farm visit souvenir and keep alpacas in the minds of your visitors for a long time to come.

Our personal PacaBuddies are great adventurers and their travels are freqeuntly seen on our Facebook Page.

 
 
New additions: Snowflake, Coco and Slate. 
16 different varieties in stock! 

PacaBuddies plush alpaca toys PacaBuddies alpaca toys plush
 
 
 
"These work great with farm visitors.", Jill, PA     
"Oh, my customers will love 'em", Bonnie, NY
"I can't wait until you get more in!", Judy, MI 
 
Many PacaBuddies plush toys to chose from.  
Very popular! Watch them fly out of your store!
#5
 
Adorable Alpaca Ornaments and Charms
 
wooden alpaca ornaments
 
These sold out very quickly last year!
 
Look on our cart. We offer a number of other charms which will work very well during Farm Day.
 
Just in! We've added to our Whimsical Alpaca line... these cute Whimsical Alpaca Necklace and Earring Charms!
 
Sold together or separately, these new charms should be a huge hit for the alpaca fans who visit your farm! 
 
#6
Popular Alpaca Felt Shoe Inserts(insoles)
 
Alpaca shoe inserts insoles alpaca insoles

Made by American alpaca farms from American alpaca fiber, the Choice Alpaca Inserts feature a patented layered construction for durability, comfort, moisture wicking and of course WARMTH. A stack of these at your Farm Day event will quickly "walk away". Leave our a pair of scissors so your visitors can size them right on the spot!
 
#7
 
Alpaca Plush Cushion - Little Odd Forest
 
Our new Handmade Little Odd Forest Alpaca Plush toys make an excellent alpaca lover gift. Two sizes of cushion plushes and even a pin brooch! 
 
#8
 
Alpaca Work/Play Alpaca Gloves
 
The American grown and made Alpaca Work/Play gloves and mittens are a big hit already! A simply elegant and functional product that shows off the amazing properties of alpaca!
 
#9
 
Alpaca Blanket Project - SIUSLAW Blanket Throw

Alpaca Blanket Project Throws and Scarves!
Nothing shows off the vibrant American Alpaca Industry better than these beautiful 100% Alpaca Throws and Scarves from the Alpaca Blanket Project.
YES, we bought out the 100% Alpaca products when we heard the mill was switching to an 80/20% (w/ Wool) blend!

We have a number of styles to choose from. 

Put one of these on a table and let people see and feel and watch their eyes light up!
 
#10
 
Jeremy Alpaca Scarf
 
The LUX line of products are high fashion, Western market oriented scarves and throws in professional commercial packaging. Selling in high end stores for 2x or 3x more expensive then YOU can now offer them, these items look and feel fantastic! 
 
You should expect good sales of these during Farm Days and many customers coming back for them as the Christmas shopping season starts.
 

We have many more products online. All are designed for alpaca farm sales. Your specific farm day plans may find other items we offer to be a good fit.
Please take a look at our Full Collection for your special mix.


 
 
 
 
Login to your account on ChoiceAlpacaProducts.com
to see prices and order. New customers can Create Account easily.
 
***
 
Are You on the MAP? Market your farm with us.
Free alpaca business marketing on the MAP
 
We’ve been heavily marketing The Map on Social Media, all to promote alpaca and the businesses that ARE alpaca! 
 
Search “alpaca retailer” on Google and you’ll see:
 
alpaca retailer on the map
 
Or try Microsoft’s BING search engine:
 
alpaca retailer on BING search engine
 
If you're a Preferred Choice Alpaca Retailer, your business is being promoted now through our Perferred Alpaca Retailer Map.  Get ready for visit requests!
 
Choice Alpaca Preferred Retailers have made at least one $750+ purchase of Choice Alpaca Products. If you're not in, place your order now (details)! 
alpaca shopping spree
 
alpaca farm visit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
***
Promoting alpaca to 1000s - $100 Contest
We will again this year be conducting a National Alpaca Farm Days nationwide promotion campaign to get more visitors to your farm!
 
The $100 prize contest encourages "promoting alpaca" on social media to bring visitors to your alpaca farm. We anticipate a 50,000 person campaign reach for NAFD weekend! 
 
Choice Alpaca Preferred Retailers on The MAP are being promoted as we encourage farm visitors to take an "Alpaca Selfie" when they visit to win the $100 prize and other prizes. 
 
If you're a Preferred Choice Alpaca Retailer, your business is already being promoted through our Perferred Alpaca Retailer Map.  Search Google, Yahoo or BING to see your farm listed at the top of the search engines for terms like:
* Alpaca Retailer
* Alpaca Stores
* Alpaca Farm Store
Get ready for visitors!
 
Choice Alpaca Preferred Retailers have made at least one $750+ purchase of Choice Alpaca Products. If you're not in, place your qualifying order now (details). We finance $750 orders over 6-months!
 
Watch for the national alpaca promotion contest message to be announced in early September.

We encourage you to enter the sweepstakes too! Promote Alpaca on social media while "plugging" your business.
Let's promote alpaca together!
alpaca shopping spree
Alpaca selfie promotion contest shopping spree



Financing?
 Many stores do it, repeatedly! 

We want to grow with you!
 
Multiple retailers have asked about a financing program that would allow a large purchase ($750+) to be spread over time
 
This program is only available to existing customers making at least 1 prior purchase (aka, "credit established"). 
 
The "financing" is super simple: 6 even automated monthly charges against a credit card on file. There is a small $30 fee to setup the financing arrangement, but this is more then offset by free shipping.
 
Already have an order financed with us but want more product? No Problem! You can do it again! We'll combine the old balance with a new $750+ order and re-do the 6-month installment window. It's a great way to make sure you don't RUN OUT of products. And note, we have that no-problem/no-hassle until April return policy... so you're never "stuck" with anything.  We're successful when you're successful!
 
Just click the
Custom Payment Method After Order Placed
option online with your online order. Please leave a note in the comments while checking out. We will follow up afterwards to request the 1st installment. Subsequent installments occur on the 10th of each month.
 Contact Brian with any questions. 
 
"Go Large" with your next order!
* Get free shipping ($750+ orders)
* Be listed on our SEO marketed retailers map!
* No hassle returns for anything that doesn't sell!
 
 
Highlights:
  1. Tips to a successful farm day
  2. Top suggestions for farm day product sales
  3. 6-month financing available
  4. Free shipping on orders $750+ (discounted international shipping too)
  5. Free marketing on our Alpaca Retailers Map
  6. Don't run out or miss out when we sell out! Buy LARGE! We offer no hassle, no problem returns until NEXT APRIL if anything doesn't sell!
 
 
Choice Alpaca Products
P. O. Box 8598
La Jolla, CA 92038
www.ChoiceAlpacaProducts.com 
info@choicealpacaproducts.com * 877-787-3592
Facebook.com/choicealpacaproducts