Presented by Tom Funk, Sr. Consultant, Lean Edge Marketing
Amazon is the biggest online selling platform in the US -- and still growing rapidly. Over half of sales on Amazon are by third-party "Marketplace" sellers. We'll outline how you can get started on Amazon's Seller Central platform, and we'll share tactics for growing sales if you're already on Amazon. We'll cover: (1) What makes a successful Amazon product -- and how to optimize your product listings; (2) Advantages and pitfalls of having your items warehoused and fulfilled by Amazon (FBA); (3) Knowing Amazon's fees and driving profitable growth; and (4) Managing the impacts of Covid-19 on your Amazon operation.

May 13, 2020 - Optimizing your E-Commerce Strategy
Presented by Bud Reed, Partner, Lean Edge Marketing
You might think that once you’ve built or upgraded your e-commerce website, your job is done. But in fact, you are just starting what can be a bewildering journey to market your products online. You will need to consider:
1. Conversion Rate Optimization: Making sure that once a visitor finally reaches your product page, they hit the “buy” button and complete the purchase
2. Search Engine Optimization: How to make your site “findable” among all of the others on the web
3. Paid Search: How to advertise on search-engine results pages to drive traffic to your site
4. Measuring Results: Using Google Analytics to guide you in how to spend your money most effectively

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets continues to work with Vermont’s Federal Delegation to ensure information about economic relief is available to Vermont’s Food and Agriculture community. Find answers to frequently asked questions below. For more information, review the Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act. We encourage you to speak to a lender or service provider to understand the options available to your business.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has received inquiries about the requirements for licensing, registration, and labeling for farms that are shifting away from wholesale sales to institutions and restaurants and toward retail and direct to consumer markets. Find answers to frequently asked questions.

The dairy marketing assessment was specifically directed to evaluate “the viability of increasing the consumption of Vermont dairy products in major metropolitan markets in New England and the Northeast,” with
particular focus given to consumer trends in dairy consumption; market viability of production characteristics, value added products, and Vermont source-identification or branding (e.g. “Made in Vermont”); and funding sources and policy incentives that could help support effective strategies.