Agriculture and farms
Digital marketing for farms and diversified rural businesses that brings people to the farm gate.
I help farms and agricultural businesses market what they have built beyond farming, from farm shops and glamping to wedding venues and direct sales, through Google Ads, Meta Ads and websites that take bookings and orders.
Farm and rural marketing
Marketing for the business beyond the farm
A diversified farm is really two businesses. One sells to merchants, processors and buyers who already know you. The other sells to the public, who do not, and that one needs marketing.
I work with farms and rural businesses as a freelance specialist. You deal with me directly, I keep the jargon out of it, and I judge success by bookings, orders and enquiries, not clicks.
Who this is for
The challenges
Why marketing a farm business is different
Three things I see with almost every farm and rural business.
Seasonal by nature
Pumpkins in October, lambing in spring, weddings booked a year ahead. Demand comes in short windows, so I plan budgets around your calendar and get campaigns live before the season starts, not halfway through it.
Off the beaten track
People will not pass your gate by chance. They need to find you online first, then find you on the map. I make sure you show up for searches in the towns you draw from, with directions, opening times and booking one tap away.
No time between jobs
Marketing gets done after the stock is fed, if at all. I take the campaigns, tracking and website updates off your list, and send a short report in plain English so you know what the money did.
Farm diversification
Marketing for farm diversification
A new venture on the farm is a big investment, and it only pays back if people know it is there. Each type of diversification is bought in a different way, so each needs its own approach.
How I market each type
- Farm shops and cafes: local search, Google Business Profile and Meta Ads that reach people within driving distance.
- Glamping and holiday lets: search and social campaigns that drive direct bookings, so you pay less commission to booking sites.
- Wedding and event venues: campaigns timed to when couples are looking, with enquiry forms that ask the right questions.
- Seasonal events: short, concentrated campaigns with online ticketing and tracking, for pumpkin patches, maize mazes and Christmas.
- Direct sales: Shopping and Meta campaigns for meat boxes, produce and online farm shops.
Changing farm support. As farm support payments change, income from diversification matters more than it used to. I treat it as a business in its own right, with its own targets and its own return to prove.
How I help
Digital marketing services for farms and rural businesses
Most farm businesses start with one of these and add others as results come in.
Google Ads
Search campaigns for people looking for a farm shop, a place to stay or a venue near them, targeted by area and season.
Meta Ads
Facebook and Instagram campaigns that show the place, the produce and the experience to families and couples nearby.
Website design
A site that shows what you offer, takes bookings or orders, and is easy for you to update when the season changes.
Consultancy
Advice before you spend: how to market a new venture, what it is likely to cost and what return to aim for.
"I can't recommend Rob at Ascend Digital highly enough. Rob is incredibly responsive and quick to help with anything you need. He goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly."
R Bunting, Meller Speakman
FAQ
Marketing for farms and farm diversification: common questions
How do I market a farm diversification business?
Start with who the customer is and how they will find you. For most farm shops, glamping sites and venues, that means a clear website, a complete Google Business Profile, and paid search or social aimed at the area you draw from. I usually recommend one channel first and add others once it is paying for itself.
Do you work with agricultural suppliers as well as farms?
Yes. I work with farms that sell to the public and with businesses that sell to farmers, such as seed, agronomy and machinery suppliers. The two need different marketing, and I will tell you which approach fits.
How much should a farm business spend on marketing?
It depends on the venture and the season. A farm shop might start with a few hundred pounds a month on local ads, while a wedding venue or glamping site will usually need more in the months when people book. I work backwards from what a booking or customer is worth. [Add your minimum monthly ad budget, if you have one.]
Can you help reduce what I pay to booking sites?
Yes. Booking sites are useful for being found, but the commission adds up. A good website with direct booking, supported by search and social ads, moves more of those bookings to you. It rarely replaces the booking sites completely, and I will be honest about what is realistic.
When should seasonal campaigns start?
Earlier than most people expect. Tickets for autumn and Christmas events sell in the weeks before, and wedding and holiday bookings are made months ahead. I plan the year with you so campaigns are live when people start looking.
Do I need a new website?
Not always. If your current site loads quickly, works on a phone and lets people book, order or enquire easily, I will work with it. If it does not, fixing or rebuilding it comes before spending on ads.
Get in touch
Let's talk about your marketing.
Choose whichever is easiest. I’ll tell you honestly where I can help.
Send me a message
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