Comments From Readers:
"Thank you so much for all the marketing advice you’ve been SO
kind to share!!! While I have horses and a mini donkey, what I’m
marketing are my woodcarvings. You’ve given me many ideas I
hadn’t thought of, and also gave my confidence and motivation a
boost!"
"We decided that new buyers should get the two books we feel are
critical to success - Norm Evans' Alpaca Field Manual and
Growing Your Rural Business. Lot's of folks focus on the
care and feeding side and forget the business side. You can't
make it without realizing that this is not about hugging your
alpaca every day. Yes that's great - but newbies really need a
kick right at the beginning, into thinking like business owners.
It took me YEARS to get that. Hopefully your book will help them
start off right."
"Ellie’s newsletters (now book) are great! I know how to raise quality alpacas, and how to make some pretty nice
products which I’m proud of, but marketing was at the bottom of the list of my abilities (before subscribing to the
newsletters on marketing). I needed Ellie’s help in setting and fulfilling goals. I knew the importance of setting
goals, but her approach to goal setting and meeting the goals is unique and it has helped me to solidify my
projected path in the alpaca business.
"Explanations of the difference between features and benefits opened my eyes. I’m learning how to write advertising
that will interest the customer by emphasizing the benefits of a product, not just the features.
I find a definite attitude of positive thinking throughout the letters which creates a “can do” mentality in my reading
experience. I’ve only received the first 13 issues and can hardly wait to receive more! I’d recommend this
information to anyone needing to increase their knowledge of marketing, whatever his or her end- product may be."
Joanne Smith
Airport Alpacas
Alpacas and Alpaca Products Made with Pride in the USA
Sylvania, Ohio and Englewood Florida
http://www.alpacanation.com/airportalpacas.asp
"When I started Gold Star Alpacas – New England’s Only Professional Alpaca Herd Sitting Service – I knew I
needed to promote my fledgling company in a way that stood out from all the many alpaca businesses that had
alpacas for sale. Because you see – I don’t own any alpacas! (If I owned alpacas, how could I leave to herd-sit for
other alpaca farmers?)
"I bought a copy of Ellie’s book and while the whole book is wonderful, for me the best thing was the part on how to
write good advertising copy – how to appeal to what my customer actually wants, not just make a boring list of the
stuff I do. A year and a half later, I’ve hired my first apprentice herd-sitter and I’ve added many new
services - including Camelidynamics training, and safe, sane, efficient Shearing, and Gold Star Alpacas is going gangbusters! A big Thanks to Ellie!!!"
Christy Hemenway
"New England's Only Professional Alpaca Herd Sitter"
207-449-1121
www.goldstaralpacas.com
"Growing Your Rural Business is a great way for anyone to get started, not only has it done wonderful things for my
goat business, it is a great tool to use in ALL aspects of your life. Just getting started? Need a boost out of a rut?
Then you have found the right book. If you want new ideas, new opportunities and excitement this is a must have
book.
"One of my favorite tools is the way Ellie explains visual planning and the Lollipop wheel, these tools along with “bite
size pieces” meaning taking small steps, will not only help you reach your bulls eye goal, it can be applied
anywhere in your life. Not only does she take you step by step the whole way through, she makes it enjoyable
reading along the way. Ellie’s book has really given me a positive way to look at my business and my life."
Sharyle Martin
Tumbleweed Ranch—Simply Nubians
Eastern Washington
"With our farm being a part of Agri-Tourism, I found Growing Your Rural Business' information on Word of Mouth
Marketing very interesting and tailored to our on-farm business (farm tours, seasonal store and website).
"We give tours to groups of from 1 - 60 people. We show a "fun" and informative 15 minute video and then visit
the pens. We end up back in the store where visitors can browse through products and informative posters. We
try to make each visit a memorable one.
"After reading your message, I see that I need to focus more than I have been on people's positive reactions to
our farm tour and presenting them to my "future" customers.
"Thanks for your guidance and making me really "think" about the details."
Click
here for more comments from readers...
