One of the reasons people become
involved with beekeeping is so that they can market the
honey. Many beekeepers chose to sell their honey to a
local market.
Beekeepers who choose a local market for their honey
typically sell their product to friends, family members,
and neighbors. They typically set up a roadside stand to
display their product, selling the honey produced in
their hives along side berries, apples, and vegetables
that they have grown in their gardens. If they produce a
quality product their honey may start to appear in
stalls at farmers markets. Some small honey producers
will gain enough local credit to sell their honey at
local grocery stores. Beekeepers that sell their
products locally typically only a few active bee hives.
The key to a successful local marketing technique is to
provide the customers with a quality product and good
customer relation skills. Beekeepers that market their
honey typically enjoy face to face contact with their
customers. Often the sale of the honey has as much to do
with friendship as it does with the product.
Beekeepers that sell their honey locally should take an
active interest in their product. They should make sure
that their display is kept clean. They should spend a
significant amount of time designing the package.
Bottles that are filled with honey should be made of
clear plastic and glass. The bottle should be
attractive, something that will catch a customer's eye.
Glued on the bottle should be a label. The label be
clear an easy to read. Clearly printed on the label
should be the type of product, honey, and the name of
the beekeeper who produced the honey. The bottle of
honey should be something that the customer will want to
display on the their kitchen counter or table.
If you are a beekeeper that is planning on marketing
your honey at a roadside stand you should make sure that
they have a sign that can be easily read by drivers. In
large letters the sign should read Honey for Sale. The
sign should be eye catching, but simple. If the sign is
to complex, drivers won't be able to read it. Try to
keep shade over your road side stand, a comfortable
customer is one who is more likely to take their time
and spend some their money purchasing your product.
Keep an eye on the honey you are selling. If you notice
that one of the bottles on honey is stating to
crystallize immediately replace it with a fresh bottle.
Many beekeepers claim that setting up a hive near their
roadside stand helps attract customer interest.
Successful beekeepers pass out literature that gives
customers insight to the art of beekeeping seems to
increase sales. Handing out cards that have recipes that
use honey gives customers an idea about how they can use
the honey they are purchasing. Many beekeepers encourage
handing out free samples and promote spending time
getting to know potential customers.
When you are pricing your honey make sure you consider
the demands on your time and the cost of all the
products you are using to turn your honey into a
marketable commodity.