How to Sell Compost

Selling compost creates monetary benefit and educational value. Hearing about environmentally sound growing practices regarding the application of compost benefits growers and the earth. Compost often has higher nutrient values than the materials it replaces, such as peat moss, fungicides, top dressings and fertilizers. Informing the buying public of these advantages is worthy of focus and customer instruction. Novel selling markets are available to creative producers who always look for new methods to inform the public of compost benefits and appealing savings.

Invest in marketing a high-quality product by employing optimum production and storage procedures. Do not allow finished compost to sit in water or be piled too high. Keep your product in top condition.

Test your compost in a laboratory so that you can tout the advantages of your product factually. Local agricultural extension offices will assist you in this procedure.

Examine the customers' requirements and application situations; market to these situations.

Read trade journals and continuously educate yourself about sales trends.

Interact with potential buyers and sell the virtues of your compost product. This may include trade shows, telephone conversations and advertising in local papers. Disseminate information concerning your location and provide education on the advantages of your product.

Create a brand identification; this will increase the value of the compost product and establish it with meaning in the customer's mind.

Register your product with the state department of agriculture . Obtain a seal of testing assurance from the U.S. Composting Council. (See Reference 1.)

Keep freight costs low by planning deliveries with larger vehicles. Coordinate deliveries to optimize use of larger vehicles. Transportation costs should stay within a 50 miles area for bulk sales and 200 miles for bagged products.

Speak at association events and community forums. Be alert to other opportunities to elevate your product. Donations to public events will produce acceptance and positive associations with your brand. Receiving recognition from a third party becomes impartial advertising to the buying public that money can't buy. Focus on educational opportunities to the public; demonstrate the benefits of your compost whenever possible.

Provide quantity discounts; loss leader pricing involves giving away an amount of product with a set value of purchase; an example is a free bag with every $50 purchase.

Send news releases to local papers to inform the public of any changes in personnel, product or other adjustments to your business format.

Keep product quality high; use quality control measures.

Make certain the service is always exceptional.

Analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of your business plan and product.