Top tips for alternative selling methods

Top tips for alternative selling

As much uncertainty still surrounds sheep sales later this summer and autumn, particularly larger, multi-breed sales such as Kelso and Builth Wells, it is highly likely a large number of members will be using alternative outlets to market their animals.

There are a number of online options available, including the full range of social media platforms, as well as dedicated sales websites such as www.sellmylivestock.co.uk, all of which can be used to good effect.

In addition, many auctioneers are likely to be maintaining private sales registers, with some also offering ‘online sales’ giving prospective buyers the opportunity to bid for animals from the comfort of their own home.

All of these options will rely on accurate and meaningful information being available to potential buyers. It is important to recognise the requirements of potential buyers and tailor advertising to suit the audience. Commercial ram buyers are unlikely to want to know about an animal’s pedigree, but may well want to know of any texelplus information available.

For those with significant numbers of commercial rams to sell an indication of price is advisable to avoid wasted time for both buyers and sellers, as is clear and concise information on animals available and any warranty or assurance offered by the vendor.

Images and video will be beneficial when using these online outlets, but pictures and videos should be of good quality and show animals in relatively close quarters rather than at long distance.

Again, it is important to understand what buyers will want to see and while side portraits of animals are a good way to give potential buyers an overview of animals, it will also be worthwhile focusing on particular attributes which may be of interest to some, including mouths, feet and leg structure and overall conformation, including gigots and shoulders.

Videos of animals can help potential buyers too, but again focus on both the whole animal and specific elements of the sheep. When using video, showing an animal’s locomotion can also be particularly beneficial.

Top Tips

• Plan early • Make contact with previous buyers • Consider all marketing options • Use photos and videos to illustrate advertising • Give texelplus information when available • Tailor advertising to target audience