need help with 4H letter to buyers

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frostback

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This is the part I really have problems with. If I was good with words I would not work in a barn or tractor. Does anyone have samples of prospect buyer letters they would be willing to send me? I did not copy the one last year and have a hard time asking people for money. Thanks
 

mick rems

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Mar 14, 2011
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ill send u some of mine. they vary year to year. i try to focus on something else that i do with the cattle industry. last yr i focused on my breeding herd. this year im focusing on the competitions i've done with the ag industry. other years ive done the shows i do, but that ususally ends up as a brag fest. which i hate doing also. i really dont even ask for money. but i've had a lot of new buyers come to our auction, and then they bought animals or something.
 

rf21970

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Mar 10, 2010
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Middle TN
As a member of the "buyers committee" for our show, we make personal visits. I assume you are talking about finding sponsors for your own individual project rather than the whole county or area you are competing in. Either way, as a former exhibitor, now father of exhibitors and sponsor, I would personally be more inclined to support your project from a face to face solicitation rather than a "canned" letter showing up in the mail. Go visit your prospects if at all possible and save the letter writing for the thank you notes to those that support you.
 

DL

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frostback said:
This is the part I really have problems with. If I was good with words I would not work in a barn or tractor. Does anyone have samples of prospect buyer letters they would be willing to send me? I did not copy the one last year and have a hard time asking people for money. Thanks

I am confused - why are you writing the letters? Isn't that something your daughter should be doing?
 

mick rems

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Mar 14, 2011
Messages
139
rf21970 said:
As a member of the "buyers committee" for our show, we make personal visits. I assume you are talking about finding sponsors for your own individual project rather than the whole county or area you are competing in. Either way, as a former exhibitor, now father of exhibitors and sponsor, I would personally be more inclined to support your project from a face to face solicitation rather than a "canned" letter showing up in the mail. Go visit your prospects if at all possible and save the letter writing for the thank you notes to those that support you.

um i actually do both. i hand deliver most of the letters. there are some that still get mailed, because of how many i send out. my mom helps run my grandpas dairy farm so there's a lot of business the family has. also some are quite a bit distance for me to get to, especially when i didnt have my liscense and relied heavily on either my bike or my mom. but the super important ones, those that i do more business with solely, the places we get our feed and addittives from, and other past buyers especially get hand delivered. as well as others that are in our county. but the mailing list is prolly 45 people/ businesses. and i only have 10 days to do everything, however its really only 4 days, to deliver and mail.
 

frostback

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Colorado
DL said:
frostback said:
This is the part I really have problems with. If I was good with words I would not work in a barn or tractor. Does anyone have samples of prospect buyer letters they would be willing to send me? I did not copy the one last year and have a hard time asking people for money. Thanks

I am confused - why are you writing the letters? Isn't that something your daughter should be doing?

Sorry your confused I guess I need to word things differently. As far as my 15 year old daughter I asked her about them and she said she doesn't want to do them, her choice, but my 11 year old son wants to and asked for help. Just to fill you in on something that is none of your business he is up at 6 and feeds his calves and gets the barn ready, then feeds the hunting dogs and clean the kennels. Then at 7 I go out and HELP rinse, hes 11 I dint want him around 1200lb animals by himself. He checks on them through out the day. Then at night he turns them out.  Is that all right with you? Or should I send him out there by himself?
 

DL

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Jan 29, 2007
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3,622
frostback said:
DL said:
frostback said:
This is the part I really have problems with. If I was good with words I would not work in a barn or tractor. Does anyone have samples of prospect buyer letters they would be willing to send me? I did not copy the one last year and have a hard time asking people for money. Thanks

I am confused - why are you writing the letters? Isn't that something your daughter should be doing?

Sorry your confused I guess I need to word things differently.

Yeah - that would have helped - not sure why you are so testy, simple question about a youth project - good luck to your son - hope he does well with his calf
 

Glorifying Pastures

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May 1, 2012
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Pine River, WI
My son hand write the letters, we won't let him do it on the computer then print them all not personable enough (my opinion), then we will drive him every where and he must hand deliver and personally ask the potential buyer to attend the auction and if willing to place a bid. He also shares with them want he has learned though out the year with him animals.  We have found the potential buyers are app to appear at the action and place a bid by asking them personally then thru the mail. His letter contains what he is selling and what he has learned, along with what he is going to do with the money received from the buyer. Actually, that is what is on the agenda next. Happy trails. Good luck to your son, the letters can be hard, because you are asking for money. 
 

ChristaCheatham

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Aug 8, 2011
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This is the second year I have done this with my steers. I write mine saying an overview of what I've done with my steer as far as showing. I then talk about what life lessons I have earned while showing this steer. I talk about what I want to do in college, other extracurricular activities and achievements I've done too.  I then close with what money I've invested in my steer for the year. Good luck on showing your steer!
 

bruiser

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Dec 28, 2009
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Illinois (God's country)
Our county fair auction is different than most. Each family asks companies we do business with to participate and most do. The sale committee sets the market price by averaging different bids on each specie. The buyers bid on each animal they want. The buyer or buyers as several bidders usually go together on each animal, have the option to keep the animal(they pay full bid price) or return the animal to the owner( they pay difference between bid price and daily posted price). Most buyers return the animal to the owner since our fair is in July and most participants will keep showing until our state fair in August. Our auction committee developed this type of sale because most of the buyers were reluctant to buy a large  animal and have it butchered.
 

vanridge

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Jan 26, 2011
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Manitoba, Canada
My son writes his own letters and usually includes, name, age, years in 4-H, what breed, what projects he's doing, what he plans on doing with the money, what he wants to do when he's older, what job he had in the club (pres, secretary etc) He'll usually add that if thy want to buy a delicious steak than to come to the fair and buy a 4-H steer;date time location. He doesn't ask them to specifically buy his, he usually just says something about supporting 4-H members. Sometimes we have to rewrite his thoughts a little can they can get a little random. This year we also added a picture of him so they remember who's who at the Fair.
 

breyfarm

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Oct 18, 2011
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116
Location
OH
frostback said:
DL said:
frostback said:
This is the part I really have problems with. If I was good with words I would not work in a barn or tractor. Does anyone have samples of prospect buyer letters they would be willing to send me? I did not copy the one last year and have a hard time asking people for money. Thanks

I am confused - why are you writing the letters? Isn't that something your daughter should be doing?

Sorry your confused I guess I need to word things differently. As far as my 15 year old daughter I asked her about them and she said she doesn't want to do them, her choice, but my 11 year old son wants to and asked for help. Just to fill you in on something that is none of your business he is up at 6 and feeds his calves and gets the barn ready, then feeds the hunting dogs and clean the kennels. Then at 7 I go out and HELP rinse, hes 11 I dint want him around 1200lb animals by himself. He checks on them through out the day. Then at night he turns them out.  Is that all right with you? Or should I send him out there by himself?
Not to burst your bubble lady but I had to write my own letters no matter how old I was. It doesn't have to be perfect, the people hes sending to will understand, and maybe he will learn a little by writing his own that way he can "work in a barn and tractor" and be be good at writing letters too. Granite 11 years old is young to write your own but a little proofreading from his parents and he will be all set. Instead your asking steer planet how to write a fuckin letter and gettin all sassy with everyone
 

frostback

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Colorado
I really doubt you got sat a table and told to write a letter with no other guidance or help. I only asked for some guildlines and what other include so I can let my boy read some and get a idea as to what to say. I never got sassy with anyone that actually offered help. Thanks to those who did.
 

chambero

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Feb 12, 2007
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Location
Texas
In my opinion, the best approach is to inform buyers of the date and time of the show, invite them to watch, and then mention the sale.  Invite them to support youth in your county, not specifically you.

Usually, our county level board sends out letters, not the kids. 

I do think buyers appreciate face to face invitations more.
 

kalend

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Jun 12, 2012
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Location
Canada
My club leader gives us invitations to our acheivment and our district show. We copy them and go personally to the potential buyer. It asks them for their support towards the local 4-H program. It's not harsh but it gets to the point.
 

Gators Rule

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Feb 28, 2011
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Florida
rf21970 said:
As a member of the "buyers committee" for our show, we make personal visits. I assume you are talking about finding sponsors for your own individual project rather than the whole county or area you are competing in. Either way, as a former exhibitor, now father of exhibitors and sponsor, I would personally be more inclined to support your project from a face to face solicitation rather than a "canned" letter showing up in the mail. Go visit your prospects if at all possible and save the letter writing for the thank you notes to those that support you.


PERFECTLY stated!!!    I'm "aged" now, but when I was in 4H and FFA, my dad always made me call and set appointments with business owners.  I would then go and do a presentation, and discuss the business aspects of purchasing a steer or paying an add-on.  There is something about an 11 to 18 yr old calling and setting an appt and then discussing tax and advertising benefits with a business owner.    Fast forward to today. I would safely say that 75 percent of my success in business is due to my days in 4H and FFA....and can be directly attributed to my dad requiring a shy11 yr old boy to pick up the telephone and set appointments with business owners.  Today, I'm an insurance agent in FL, and I'm so thankful I took advantage of 4H and FFA.  Don't short change your opportunity by sending letters!!!  Pick up the darn phone and set appointments....and then give a presentation!

BTW, each year I buy 5 to 7 steers and pigs of kids who follow my advise of appointments at two different county fairs.  Gotta give back!!!
 

Gators Rule

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Also....FROM A BUYER'S PERSPECTIVE:

NEVER type a thank you letter or introductory letter!!    If my financial assistance isn't worth a kid sitting down and handwriting a letter, then don't bother with sending me a letter.  I do not care if a child has poor handwriting.  That makes it even more important the letter be handwritten.  Do not hand write a letter and make color photocopies either.  I use erasers to see if a pencil written letter is "forged".....and I can feel the letters when an ink pen was used.

I'm not beating anyone up...but buyers are often taken for granted.  I have been on both ends of the situation.  show the buyers a little more respect because I will promise you they can find ways to get more bang for their advertising dollars. My animals routinely out performed the grand champions on sell night because I went the extra mile.  Today I buy because there were men and women who purchased my projects, and they never received short cut letters of gratitude.  Go the extra mile....and reap the rewards!    (clapping)
 

Gators Rule

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Florida
Glorifying Pastures said:
My son hand write the letters, we won't let him do it on the computer then print them all not personable enough (my opinion), then we will drive him every where and he must hand deliver and personally ask the potential buyer to attend the auction and if willing to place a bid. He also shares with them want he has learned though out the year with him animals.  We have found the potential buyers are app to appear at the action and place a bid by asking them personally then thru the mail. His letter contains what he is selling and what he has learned, along with what he is going to do with the money received from the buyer. Actually, that is what is on the agenda next. Happy trails. Good luck to your son, the letters can be hard, because you are asking for money.   


(clapping)
 

firesweepranch

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Jun 17, 2010
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SW MO
My 10 year old daughter wrote 15 letters this year. I assisted her with her wording, but she wrote her own thoughts by hand and basically copied it to each one, changing them a bit. She put things in there about her project, what she learned, what she plans on doing with the money, and what she wants to be when she grows up.  We also included a picture of her with her steer at one of the shows she went to, and how he placed so far that year. She hand delivered them to all the people she could (feed store, vet, local businesses). Our fair they just sell the ribbon (premium sale), so I think she ended up with about $300 total after the add on's. She actually did a better job than the 15 year old, but the 15 year old has a part time job at the vet clinic so she was very busy this year at fair time!

Good Luck, that always seems like the hard part is writing the letters and getting the 4-H award folders done!!!!
 

vc

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Jul 24, 2007
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So-Cal
We get allot of computer generated letters anymore, put then the amount of effort that goes into them has increased, some of these letters are 2 or 3 pages long. It seems that the written letters come from the younger exhibitors, the creative letters come from the older ones. There are over 200 exhibitors at our county fair, we receive maybe 6 or 7 letters each year, my boss receives anywhere from 20 to 40 letters each year, but he buys 2-3 beef, 2 hogs, and a veal for his family and has bought and donated back to the scholarship fund as many as 8 hogs, 2 beef and 5 lambs on top of what he takes home. We live in a large county it could take some of the kids over an hour oneway just to get to our office so we see some kids from the town our office is in but that is about it.

I do not know when it started, it was going on when my boys started, the buyers receive a gift from the exhibitor right at the auction, once the animal is back in the pen here comes the exhibitor with anything from a hand made craft and a thank-you card to a gift basket full of BBQ supplies, seasonings, cook book and libations, most the gifts are somewhere in between, a pig wind chime, lamb oven mitt and dish towels, a book of Cattle in America, things like that. I have had to use the wagon to haul my bosses bounty back to his car. It kind of works out, you go thank your buyer personally, shake their hand, and give them their gift, most kids will send a letter as well after the fair.



 
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