No product will continuously sell itself! Plan to periodically re-evaluate how well-aligned the product you create is to the expectations of customers.
- Ask your customers how you could improve.
- Look at what your competition is doing. https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/participants
- Familiarize yourself with the differences between compost, soil amendments and fertilizers and be sure your messaging is specific to your purpose.
- Review the updates to the specifications on the US Composting Council website. https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/HowUseCompost
Keep up with your professional certification. USCC offers certifications in operations (Certified Compost Operations Manager-producing the product) and allied roles (Certified Compost Professional-sales, marketing etc.) Doing what it takes to become certified and maintaining what is new in your expertise area will ensure you are providing your customers with the latest information.
Send your employees to mentoring and educational courses.
- https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/MentorYoungProfessionals
- https://www.compostfoundation.org/Education/COTC
Consider how you are reaching out to discover and capture new markets.
- Attend the US Composting Council conference and listen to previous years’ recordings.
- Attend allied industry conferences: public works, plant associations, etc.
- American Society of Landscape Architects chapters in your area
- Landscape Contractor Associations in your region
- Nursery associations in your area
- Sports Turf associations (golf course, sports fields etc.)
Also look into how you can educate your customers to set realistic expectations. A well-educated customer is an enthusiastically returning customer.
Compost is earthy gold!