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MARKETING TIPS

Marketing should always be a number one consideration. It you are considering going into the business of raising quail or you are already in the business, you have one major objective to make a profit. The love of working with quails and pride and pleasure of producing a top bird certainly contribute to success, but unless you market your product for a profit, your love, pride, and pleasure will be short-lived.

Many producers contract a year or two ahead for the sale of their birds or eggs. Such contracts are excellent, but usually come only to those who have proved they will provide the quality bird desired. If you expect customers to return, you must provide what they want, or else convince them they have a need for what you have produced.

Ending the production year with mature birds on hand, other than selected breeders, is not desirable. You cannot justify the expense of carrying these birds over to next season. Too many producers are losing money because of failure to market all of their birds.

Here are some suggestions to assist you with marketing.

• Become a member of any poultry producers association, especially in your area. You can make many valuable contacts with both producers and customers. This organization will help you in many ways, one of which is marketing. Always attend their meetings and you’ll make some profitable contacts.
• Advertise, advertise, and advertise some more. It does not cost it pays. Be certain the ads are attractive, clear, and concise. An ad or brochure that looks sloppy will not gain sales; seek local printers’ advice and assistance.
• Keep a neat farm. A prospective customer judges you by the appearance of your farm.
• Sell yourself. Make the first impression a good one. Know the business thoroughly. Show interest in the customer and answer all questions with enthusiasm.
• Present the prospective customer with advantages you offer, but do not run down fellow competitors to do this. You don’t build yourself up by tearing others down.
• Make every attempt to have a satisfied customer. Tell the customer what you offer and then be sure to provide this and just a little more. If you give a little more than is expected, your customer of today will return and bring new customers.
• Never force a customer to accept birds not wanted. Even though there may be a prior agreement, if the customer does not feel you have produced what is desired, it is best not to force the issue. Accept the refusal gracefully, and if the customer is worth keeping, attempt to produce what is wanted next time. Locate someone else who would be satisfied with the birds that were refused.
• Everyone does not desire the same type of bird; what one refuses another may want. If you receive two consecutive refusals from a prospective customer and are satisfied you have produced a desirable bird, you may be dealing with bargain hunters.
• Produce a good bird and demand a good price with a clear conscience. Don’t give a prospective buyer the impression you are apologizing for your asking price; let the customer feel an apology is due for paying so little.
• Always be honest with customers. Lies may sell a few birds, but they do not tend to build future business. Your reputation gets around; be sure it’s a good one.

A thought: “Every time you undersell your product, you are setting its future price.”

The above tips were taken from msstate.edu, picture from lakecumberlandgamebirds.com.

Other tips listed are:

• Breeding Stock
• Managing Breeders
• Egg Care and Incubation
• Brooding
• Growout
• Preventing Disease Outbreaks
• Quail Diseases and Parasites
• Feeding Bobwhite Quail
• Cannibalism
• Feathering
• Handling Quail

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Training and seminars:

TLRC Building
#103 J. Abad Santos cor. Lopez Jaena Sts.,
Little Baguio, San Juan, Metro Manila
Tel: (02) 727-6205
Web: www.tlrc.gov.ph

• Downloads
• Raising Quails (Pugo)
• Quail Raising and Tips
• Business and Skill Courses – April 2008
• Duck Raising Business Guide