E-farming, a new business model or an old revisited idea?
In today’s market, it seems there are hundreds of opportunities to build a business from scratch that can produce staggering figures. These businesses, as many advertisements claim, are feasible even for those without skills, who know nothing, and have never done anything special. Most of the time, these are accompanied by promotions of courses that tell you all you need to do is follow the protocol, act as instructed, and pay a sum that is ridiculous compared to the true value of the course. These points can clearly arouse suspicion and even make one think that the only people making money are those promoting these courses. At the same time, it could also be that important opportunities are being missed. This is why today I want to talk to you about e-farming and its potential.
Is it a revolutionary concept?
Absolutely not.
E-farming is based on creating email lists and affiliating with large companies.
In this context, e-farming refers to the cultivation and management of an effective email list to promote products and services related to the agricultural and agri-food sector. This approach is based on the idea that a well-maintained and segmented email list is an incredibly valuable resource for direct marketing. The similarity with sowing, cultivating, and harvesting in agricultural fields is evident. What escapes people who approach this digital business is that being a farmer is very, very difficult.
Let’s look together at the points to focus on to start and set up this business.
First of all, you need to create the mailing list.
First and foremost, it is essential to clearly identify your target audience.
Who are the people most interested in the products and services you want to promote?
What are their needs, desires, and buying behaviors?
To build your list, you can use various techniques such as offering valuable content in exchange for subscription (lead magnet), using subscription forms on your website, promoting your list on social media, or collaborating with influencers in the sector.
Of course, it is crucial to respect privacy and email marketing laws, such as the GDPR in Europe. Ensure that your subscribers have given their explicit consent to receive your emails.
This is the first and only step to get started.
Depending on the country, there are different tools and techniques as well as different laws.
At the same time, without a list, nothing happens.
Once the list building is underway, nurturing is necessary.
What does this mean?
Just like a farmer, once you’ve acquired land, you need to start sowing and taking care, from the beginning, of the plants that will one day grow lush.
Therefore, provide useful and interesting content that meets the needs and interests of your audience. This can include advice on the theme, industry news, product reviews, etc.”
It’s not enough.
You must maintain regular contact with your list, but without being intrusive.
Balance is the key to maintaining the interest and trust of your subscribers.
While doing this, you can use analytical tools to better understand your subscribers and segment your list based on specific interests, purchasing behaviors, or other criteria. This will allow you to personalize your communications and increase the effectiveness of your email campaigns.
These first two points must be carried forward with tenacity, consistency, and without getting discouraged if the initial results are null or almost scarce.
The next question is “what do I sell?”
Wrong question.
The correct question is “who are the right partners?”
Therefore, look for companies that offer quality products or services that align with the interests of your audience. The affiliation should be a win-win relationship, where both partners benefit.
The right brands mean high probabilities of making significant sales.
At the same time, be transparent about the fact that the content is sponsored or affiliated.
Always maintain a high standard of honesty and integrity.
For every sale, small or large, you must track the performance of your affiliate campaigns and make regular adjustments to improve their effectiveness.
The possibilities for development, once you have set up the system, are immense and constantly evolving.
Always stay up-to-date and, above all, try to initiate strategic partnerships with industry influencers who may be interested in having a second stream of income.
You can also consider becoming an influencer yourself by reviewing products, without selling anything, but continuing to grow your list and increasing your authority.
My final consideration on e-farming is as follows.
It’s not easy, it takes a lot of time, and it’s not at all suitable for beginners or those who want to quickly make money.
If you want to build success in the medium to long term, then it becomes a winning and productive action with great and important results.
I can state this with certainty considering that with my company we have been building our precious list of contacts for over sixteen years.
Author: Koan Bogiatto
Koan Bogiatto has explored approximately 123 countries around the world and, after living in Italy, Spain and then in the USA, Florida. He is the only Italian to have received the prestigious Green Card for Extraordinary Achievement and Outstanding Individual from the U.S. Government, in the fields of education and coaching. In the past Koan has served as a consultant for eBay, INA Assitalia, Wind, 21st Century, Alviero Martini, Politecnico di Torino, IUM Monaco, Sai, De’Longhi Group, and Il Sole 24 Ore. “He is the founder of several successful companies in various fields, including coaching, education, real estate, and cryptocurrency trading, to name a few.”
