In farming, small details can make a big difference. The impact, for example, of planting a seed a half inch deep versus two inches deep is not trivial.
In making connections with people who can help you find and secure land, your self-introduction is more vital than farmers often realize. That one minute can have long-lasting impacts.
This is because when you are meeting someone, first impressions matter.
In his book, The 10% Entrepreneur, Patrick J. McGinnis writes that when he first started trying to create new side businesses, he had a problem with his self-introductions:
“Before I got my story straight, I tended to rely on a rambling laundry list of activities and aspirations that confused just about everyone, including me. I learned through experience that the image you project to the world is very much how other people will see you.”
When was the last time you thought carefully about your self-introduction?
What is the image you project to the world? Can you tell someone in a clear and compelling way who you are and what your farmland needs are?
If you can, you will make them open to whatever else you have to say. And the more people you talk to who are intrigued, interested, and inspired by you, the larger your network of supportive people will be.
On the other hand, not being able to introduce yourself well could plant a seed of doubt in the listener’s mind about you and whether they should invest their time, energy, and reputation in your search.
So be prepared. Have a good self-introduction ready to go.
Does that sound hard? If so, let us help you.
During our Land Access 101 workshop at McHenry County College last December, Nathan shared a new resource from Illinois FarmLink that described how to create a good and memorable self-introduction. Below we are providing the basics of that resource in an updated way.
Of course, the best way to have a good self-introduction is to practice it. Our team at Illinois FarmLink is happy to listen to your self-introduction and give you feedback. Reach out for an advising session today. (And by the way, these principles all apply to farmland owners looking for farmers, too.)
Self-Introduction Elements:
Length: Aim for 1 minute (if you can do it in 45 seconds, even better)
1. Who You Are
Your name & who you are as it relates to farming and farmland
2. Farm Business and Farm Search Basics
The basics of your farming operation – what do you grow? how do you grow?
3. Inspire Right-Brain Confidence
The right hemisphere of our brain focuses on logical and analytical functions. Somewhere, somehow your introduction should instill confidence in the right brain of the person you are talking to about your expertise, skill, experience, or some combination of the above.
What one or two facts would communicate that you know what you are doing? Length of time farming? Growth of farm business over time? Demand for your crops? Numbers and details go a long way.
4. Appeal to the Heart
Many people make decisions based on facts AND how things resonate with their heart.
Work on being able to explain the why – why do you farm? Why do you farm the way you do? Is there a personal connection to it?
5. Next Steps
What’s your need, issue, or situation around farmland?
What are the most fundamental criteria of your land search – location (county, city, radius from a place), acreage, infrastructure, land arrangement sought, timeline, etc. Provide enough to give them some specificity.
How can they help you?
EXAMPLE INTRODUCTION
Hi. I’m Delaney Smith, and I own and operate The Sky is Falling Farm in Nirvana, Illinois. I raise chickens and turkeys outside on five acres of pasture. I have eight years of experience in poultry farming, and since I started my own business, my flock has grown from 300 birds to 2,500 and I still can’t meet all of the demand.
I started farming because I saw so many kids with diet-related health problems when I was a pediatric nurse. I love being able to help families eat well. And I feel healthy and happy being outside with my birds. It reminds me of being with my grandmother on her farm.
My lease will end next fall, and I’m looking to buy a property in Utopian County with 5-10 acres of hay or pasture along with a house and a well. If there was fencing, that would be a big bonus. My lender and I agree that I am now financially ready to farm full-time, which I’m super excited about. I’d appreciate it if you could pass along any opportunities you hear about.
And a final note – your self-introduction should be something you can modify as you need to, depending on your audience.
Good luck and please let us know how we can help you.