The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-01-23
CUSTOMERS FOR
FARM PRODUCE
Most Satisfactory Way Is to
Write to Friends and ReIa-
tiveS Seeking Trade.
PROPER BUSINESS METHODS
Newspaper Advertising, Circulars and
Bulletin Boards Helpful to Farmer
in Securing Purchasers-Sta-
tionery Helps.

For producers who wish to market
by parcel post the most satisfactory
way Of finding customers is to write
to friends, relatives or acquaintance
in cities, seeking their trade. Pur-
chasers, on the other hand, often ctn
locate reliable producers by correspond
ence with friends, relatives or ac-
quaintances in the country. More than
rs per cent of the produce being mar
keted by parcel post in a number OF
cities in which investigations have
been made is sent by persons who OBJ
tanned their customers through friends,
relatives or acquaintance, according
to specialists of the bureau of mar
kets, United States department of ag-
riculture.
This method Of establishing busi-
ness relationship is especially recon-
mended for the general farmer who
has limited amount Of produce.
Those who wish to market great deal
Of produce by parcel post may find it
necessary to obtain customers by per-
sonally soliciting strangers or through
advertising in newspapers and by 9TH
er means.
Information received from persons
who have advertised farm produce for
sale indicates that usually advertising
is not profitable for the general farm
err, but often gives satisfactory results
to the producer who specializes in some
product that can be shipped through
out the year. Advertisements should
be short. and should give a description
Of the goods, with the prices, and the
name and address of the person ad-
vertising. In some cities the Sunday
edition of a newspaper gives better re-
suits than the daily edition. The per-
son who advertises must offer prod
uct that is wanted by the persons who
read the paper at the time the prod
uct is advertised, in the places where
the paper has circulation. In other
words, he must know what to adver-
tise. when to advertise, and where to
advertise.
Must Use Circulars Carefully.
Form letters, circulars or cards sent
to a selected list Of persons have been
suggested often as means of obtaining
customers or<produce by parcel post.
The cost of obtaining customers by
circularizing is often great, and unless
the names of persons to whom the cir
culars are sent are selected very care
fully this method of obtaining GUS
toners cannot be especially recon-
mended.
Customers may be obtained by max
ing a personal canvass in a selected
neighborhood in city. The neighbor-
hood should be one which is not sup
piled with a great many markets or
green grocery stores in order that the
competition may not be as keen as it
would be in neighborhood that has
excellent marketing facilities. A SUI
burban district of homes with good in
comes offers a good field in which to
solicit trade. In many such districts
the delivery service of the groceries is
not as satisfactory as in the city.
If a producers farm is on or near
much-traveled road an attractive
farm bulletin board placed conspicu:-
ously near the road is help to both
producer and consumer in making
business contact. Many city jewellers
now travel far out into the country by
automobile, and this fact can be turned
to account in securing customers by
using bulletin board. This method
will be especially useful on clean, we'll
kept farms. The statements on the
board should give the articles for sale,
together with their prices, delivered to
the purchasers door by parcel post.
and the main items should be in letter.
ing large enough to be read quickly.
Stationery a Help.
If a farmer expects to develop a
business of selling produce to strang-
ers he will find it advisable to have