6 Great Ways to Sell Homemade Yogurt
How to Sell Homemade Yogurt
1. Friends and family
You should start by selling your homemade yogurt to friends and family because they care about you. They would be happy to be your first customers and help you build that initial sales momentum every new business needs.
Besides providing words of encouragement, your friends and family can help you perfect your yogurt recipe by giving constructive criticism. Perhaps you can use this feedback to make even better yogurt. Who knows?
Selling to friends and family should feel casual. You can simply talk about your homemade yogurt during a family gathering, such as a birthday party, holiday celebration, or weekend picnic.
You can also host an official launch party for your yogurt business. Whatever you decide to do, remember to have fun and make some memories.
2. Farmers' markets
You should also sell your homemade yogurt at farmers’ markets because they are great places for promoting local and artisanal products. Customers often visit these markets to support local businesses. Therefore, you will align yourself with this ethos if you become a vendor.
Firstly, you must identify farmers' markets in your area and research their application processes. Be sure to read about any requirements regarding licenses and permits.¹
After getting these administrative tasks out of the way, you can move on to creating a visually appealing booth. Let your creativity run wild when choosing tablecloths and banners.
When the market is open, be sure to engage with customers by answering their questions and highlighting the extraordinary features of your yogurt. You can offer free samples to draw customers in and then talk about your unique story. Explain why you are so passionate about yogurt.
When the day is over, you should do some self-reflection. Analyze customers’ feedback and see whether you can make any improvements to the product itself or your marketing strategy. Don’t be afraid to try out a few things. Experimentation is often necessary for a new business to become successful.
3. Grocery stores
In addition, you should sell your homemade yogurt to grocery stores because they attract a wide range of customers, including those who may not regularly visit farmers' markets. You will make it convenient for customers to purchase your product. They can buy your yogurt along with other groceries they usually get when they go to the store.
To sell your homemade yogurt to grocery stores, you must first pick a few locations that you think would be a good fit. Consider factors such as the store's reputation, size, and customer base.
Next, determine each store’s policy on partnering with local food producers. You can ask questions either on the phone or in person. If you’re going to show up in person, then you might as well bring a few samples. Your goal is to secure a meeting with the person in charge of sourcing goods. You will give a sales pitch for your yogurt at this meeting.
Talk about your ingredients, production processes, and any special qualities that differentiate your yogurt from competitors. If the grocery store likes what you have, then move on to the next phase of the meeting: negotiation.
Talk about pricing, minimum order qualities, and delivery frequency. Hopefully, everyone can reach an agreement. If so, congratulations!
Now, you have to keep your end of the bargain so that you can maintain a good business relationship with the grocery store.
4. Online
Furthermore, you should sell your homemade yogurt on your own website because then, you will have complete control over your brand, product presentation, and customer experience. Your profit margins will most likely be higher since you will be selling directly to customers and not initially to retailers.
To start selling homemade yogurt on your own website, you need to first create a website (duh). This means that you need to register a domain name and pick an e-commerce platform to host your online yogurt shop.
Next, customize the website by creating captivating product pages filled with high-quality images and detailed descriptions.
Then, install a payment processing system and finalize shipping policies.
When everything is set up, you need to focus on getting customers to your online yogurt shop. Be sure to leverage social media and email marketing.
All of this requires patience and hard work. Just take it one step at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed.
5. Restaurants
You should sell your homemade yogurt to restaurants because they can feature the product in creative ways. Your yogurt can be a standalone item on the menu or used as an ingredient in other dishes.
Moreover, working with restaurants will allow you to gather valuable feedback. Chefs, servers, and customers can tell you what they think about the yogurt. This feedback can help you make your product even better.
To sell your homemade yogurt to restaurants, you must first identify a few restaurants that you think would be a good fit. Look at their menus to see how your yogurt can complement what the restaurants are already offering.
Then, go speak with the manager or restaurant owner. Introduce yourself, explain your product, and express your interest in collaborating with them. If the restaurant is interested, then you can discuss pricing and logistics.
Most importantly, maintain a good relationship with the restaurant. Deliver your yogurt as promised and promptly answer any questions.
6. Subscription service
Finally, you should sell your homemade yogurt as a subscription service because if successful, you will be able to create a reliable and predictable income stream for yourself. This is what happens when customers sign up for regular deliveries.
In addition, a subscription service will enable you to streamline production processes. Since you know exactly how much yogurt you need to produce, you can design systems to minimize waste and optimize freshness.
To create a subscription service, you should first finalize your subscription options. Decide whether you want to create one simple subscription for everyone or several tiers with different prices and delivery frequencies.
Next, you need to implement a subscription management system.² This software will allow customers to easily sign up and manage their subscriptions.
Then, promote your subscription service. You can utilize your website, social media platforms, and email marketing to do this.
Retain subscribers by providing great customer service. You must be there for your customers every step of the way.
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