Helping Farmers Make Money with Charlotte Smith
“I teach my clients to set one afternoon aside each week and get out in public and meet people. Don't stop that. Don't try to rely on just gathering people from the internet.”
A life spent outdoors as a farmer can be deeply rewarding. But it can also be financially precarious. No one knows this better than today’s guest, Charlotte Smith, a marketing and mindset coach for farmers, who, at age 14, watched their fifth-generation family farm go bankrupt and lose everything.
After swearing off farming as a young adult, Charlotte found herself drawn back into a world of outdoor work upon having children. She realized that she wanted them to experience the same freedoms she did growing up on a farm in the Oregon countryside and that she was willing to do whatever it took to make that a reality.
In today’s conversation with Charlotte, we learn about the strategies she used to ensure her farm would be profitable and how her results attracted the attention of other farmers leading to her work as a marketing and mindset coach.
She reflects on how her background in communications and marketing gave her the skills she needed to succeed in farming before elaborating on the needs of her clients and how she is helping each of them turn their farms into profitable businesses.
We also learn about Charlotte’s book, Farm Marketing from the Heart, the effort that went into writing it, and why she is so grateful to her past self for producing it.
For all of Charlotte’s perceptive insights, be sure to tune in to this comprehensive conversation on coaching, marketing, and how to succeed as a farmer!
Here’s a sneak peek of what we discuss:
Hear about Charlotte’s pastoral upbringing on a beautiful farm in Oregon.
How her family’s farm tragically went bankrupt when she was a teen.
Her commitment to distancing herself from farming as a young adult.
How having kids inspired her to return to farming.
The strategy Charlotte used to prioritize profitability when she went back to farming.
How Charlotte became a marketing and mindset coach for farmers.
An overview of the diverse demographics that make up Charlotte’s clients.
Charlotte’s approach to finding the right people for her program.
What Charlotte charges for different coaching offerings and what they include.
Why her top priority is keeping her coaching accessible to all farmers.
How Charlotte helps her clients build their email list.
Charlotte’s second offering; a coach certification program.
An overview of her team and how they support her in her business.
Charlotte’s book, Farm Marketing from the Heart, and its impact as a marketing tool.
joy: the luxury of creating pockets of time to do nothing
Hustle: ChatGPT
Resources:
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