National Butchers Week 16th to 21st March 2009

The aim of National Butchers Week should be to attract new customers into butchers' shops. The Meat Trades Journal will be producing a pack that SFMTA will distribute with point of sale material to use during that week.

To get publicity in local newspaper you will need to think up a newsworthy story, think pictorially and let your local newspaper know when and where you are doing this.

This does not need to be an earth shattering idea. For example we think it could be any of the following:

Cooking off samples

Creating funky / bizarre recipes

Highlighting the link to local suppliers – get down on your farm

Feature your manufactured products

Make and link sausages in the front shop.

How about Strictly Come Linking with local celebrities

Feature a member of staff who has achieved a training award

Try an open air sizzle on a gas barbecue in the street

Tasting for own cured Scottish bacon

Create an unusual flavoured sausage / unusual pie combination

Rent a Kariokie machine and have a singing butcher serenade your customers

Give out burgers in canapés size tasters in the street

Offer to talk to local radio / schools/ young mums groups

Link in with a quality restaurant you are supplying

Cross sell with the local baker giving a voucher to be redeemed there for 4 rolls if you sell 340g bacon.

Vice versa buy six rolls at the bakers get 200g bacon free at the butchers. Do a deal.

Cookery demo -how to cook the perfect steak

If you are going to be doing anything newsworthy let your paper know and the Meat Trades Journal have a journalist ready and willing to send out good ideas stories. So if you have something contact:- Annie Lisk 01380 812383 Mobile: 07971 517284 [email protected]

SFMTA will be highlighting the unique attributes of shopping in the nation's craft butchers by providing your local newspaper with editorial copy. They might ask you to support local newspaper advertising.

If they do run a feature, make sure that you see what the editorial is going to say. (We had a recent haggis tasting feature sent to us that was not entirely complimentary about the advertisers!) If you need copy speak to us or go to www.craftbutchers.co.uk

It may see a long time until 16th March but that's just weeks on Monday! Act now.