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The Rural Voice, 1990-01, Page 28A NEW CONCEPT FOR HANDLING BALES AUG -A -BALE Verticle augers, gently and positively lift bales to mow level For further information call Rubob Manufacturing R.R. 3, Arthur, Ont. NOG 1A0 Shop Res. 519-848-3700 519-848-2884 ehd-•,:Seadeit, SAVINGS FORD Turbo Diesel Excellent Cash and Discount Financing Til January 31, 1990 (OAC) MODEL 7710 features: • 86 PTO hp • Exclusive Toad monitor option • Constant or sychromesh transmissions with dual power option • 4WD option Come test drive one at thses participating dealers: McGAVIN FARM SUPPLY Walton 527-0245/887-6365 LOGAN FORD Mitchell 348-8467 St. Marys 349-2180 CARTER'S FARM EQUIPMENT Hensall 263-3333 REAVIE FARM EQUIPMENT Lucknow 529-7995 WATSON FARM ENTERPRISES Mount Forest 323-2755 26 THE RURAL VOICE What it comes down to, adds Kim, is this: "Put yourself in the shoes of the customer." But the video will not replace the Comell's other promotional activities. Kim says their best results to date have come from a regular direct mail campaign. Ads placed in local news- papers and breeder publications help to fill out their mailing list. And it's important, Pat says, to choose the spe- cial edition or high-profile advertising supplement that's bound to attract most readers. In addition, effective advertising is not necessarily the most costly. A portable sign featuring the Cornell Farms name and logo, erected in a high -traffic area, was "one of the cheapest forms of advertising we've done," Pat says. "We figured that since we were renting land along the highway, what better way to get people to see the name?" Business promotion goes hand in hand with a few basic principles. Kim narrows them down to three steps: "First, you target your market. Then you produce a product to meet the needs of your market. And then you service your customers. It doesn't matter if you're selling cows or golf balls; those are the steps." Pat stresses that any promotional activity "only works as well as your follow-up. Every year we have repeat buyers, and I think the reason for that is service: you call them up to find out if they're satisfied. People like to know you guarantee your product." Kim agrees. If there's one rule when promoting your farm business, it's "Be what you say," he declares. "If you say that you follow up on your cattle, then do it! And if your animal hasn't been what you claimed it was, then do something about it." Attending breeder's shows and livestock sales can also be a wise move. As well as being educational, Pat says, shows and sales give them confidence. "We're doing research, planning our product, and although we're not marketing to our commer- cial clientele, we're letting our com- petitors know we're still in the game and we're playing at the same level they are. As you become more self- confident in presenting a professional image, you become more creative —