Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The aim of a food directory is to help tourists easily find the relevant lo-
cations in the region. It may need to be developed as a phone app as well as
a hard-copy directory.
When compiling a food directory the following guidelines need to be
considered:
•
The directory is an opportunity to involve other organizations such as
the chamber of commerce, the local farmers' market, local restaurants
and information centres;
•
Set a timetable and keep to it. It will mean that you will have to follow up
businesses that have failed to meet deadlines, but keep to a timetable;
•
It is important to provide business that should be in the directory
with a simple form to fill in, so that the information is provided in the
format in which you require it to ensure the reader obtains consistent
information;
•
Many business owners will need a visit to build confidence and to have
the directory explained to them;
•
Aim to have the same space allocation for each member in the directory
so that they all feel they are taking an equal exposure;
•
Sell advertising space to fund the directory, as the tourist will expect it
for free;
•
Make sure the key providers of information have the directory. This in-
cludes libraries, petrol stations, information offices and cafés.
'How to' leaflets
'How to' leaflets could be inserted in a number of sections of this topic, but
apart from being a form of education, they are also a marketing tool and
hence we have decided to discuss them in this section of the topic.
One of the biggest downfalls in marketing is assuming the consumer
understands. This was illustrated to us in the northern part of the USA.
A farm retailer had a special on mangoes, yet these wonderful fruit were
not selling. When we analysed why they were not selling, we found that
his local consumers did not know how to peel the fruit and therefore
were resistant to purchasing them. What may be common sense to you
can be rare sense to someone else. Traditionally, 'how to' leaflets have
been the standard format for getting information across to consumers.
In today's world that information can also be communicated via a phone
app, QR or Microsoft code and YouTube; we advise using all these tools
to get information to consumers.
The rules in designing a 'How to' leaflet for consumers are as follows:
•
Keep the leaflet simple, the consumer is not a technical person and there-
fore use the language they would use. Pictures are more helpful than
words. Use short sentences and bullet points wherever possible;
•
Use words such as 'You' or 'Yours' rather than 'I' or 'We' when writing a
'how to' leaflet as it relates to the consumer better;
