Developing Marketing Plans for Direct-to-Customer Enterprises

This program will teach owners and operators of direct-to-customer businesses such as roadside farm stands, community supported agriculture enterprises, farmers’ market vendors and managers how to successfully develop a marketing plan. Participants will gain knowledge and skills about the components of business proposition and the importance of the Four P’s of marketing: learn how to conduct market research and analysis for local, regional, and national markets of their products and services; how to develop a detailed SWOT analysis matrix and how to use Mississippi MarketMaker to register food businesses; gain knowledge and skills on integrating social networks in promoting their businesses; and how to help other direct-to-customer enterprises prepare, implement, and monitor marketing plans for their businesses. For more information contact Dr. Ben Posadas at: ben.posadas@msstate.edu