Priority Roadmap + Minimum Viable Checklist

Marketing as relationship-building, not just promotion

Farmers market marketing isn’t about chasing trends or algorithms.
It’s about building familiarity, trust, and habit, so your market becomes part of people’s weekly rhythm.

Every post should quietly answer this question:
“Does this feel welcoming, dependable, and worth returning to?”

That’s where community, warmth, and loyalty are built.

This order reflects where relationships grow most naturally for Maine markets:

1. Facebook – your digital town square
2. Instagram – visual storytelling + emotional connection
3. Google Business Profile – your front door and first impression
4. TikTok – optional storytelling and awareness

You are not trying to “be everywhere.”
You are trying to be consistently present and easy to find.

(These are starting points — not the goal line)

Everything below is the minimum that keeps your market visible and trustworthy.
As your capacity grows, posting more often on Facebook and Instagram is how you grow reach, recognition, and loyalty over time.

Think: start sustainable, then build toward great.

Facebook is where routine, reminders, and long-term loyalty are built.

Weekly minimum

• ✅ 2 posts/week
• Post #1 (mid-week): “This week at the market”
  Purpose: reinforce habit + anticipation
• Post #2 (1–2 days before): reminder + highlights
  Purpose: make people feel personally invited
• ✅ Facebook Event for EVERY market date
• Treat each market day like an open invitation
• Events:
• send automatic reminders
• show up in local feeds
• allow sharing and “Interested/Going” signals
• ✅ Respond to comments and messages
• This is where trust and loyalty compound.

Community mindset:
Facebook posts should read like a host checking in, not an ad shouting.

Important note on growth:
👉 These are minimums.
As time allows, aim to build toward:

• 3–5 posts/week during peak season
• more photos, recaps, shoutouts, and engagement posts
  Greater frequency = greater familiarity = stronger loyalty.

If you only do ONE thing this week:
Create the Facebook Event + post a clear, friendly reminder.

Instagram builds emotional connection and brand memory.

Weekly minimum

• ✅ Cross-post 1–2 Facebook posts
• ✅ Market-day Stories (3–6 frames)

Stories are especially powerful for:

• urgency
• atmosphere
• “wish I was there” energy

Community mindset:
Instagram should feel like being there with you.

Important note on growth:
👉 As capacity grows, increase frequency:

• 3–5 feed posts/week during peak season
• Stories every market day
• Occasional Reels for reach

More consistent posting = more discovery + stronger brand recall.

If you only do ONE thing on Instagram:
Market-day Stories. Every time.

Google is where new visitors decide whether to trust you.

Monthly minimum

• ✅ Accurate hours, dates, and location pin
• ✅ 2+ new photos/month (weekly in peak season)
• ✅ 1 update or event/month
• ✅ Respond to reviews

Community mindset:
Clear info + real photos = confidence + return visits.

If you only do ONE thing this month:
Upload new photos that show people, produce, and atmosphere.

Only do TikTok if:

• someone enjoys video
• consistency feels realistic

TikTok is about storytelling and warmth, not obligation.

Time-Based Reality Check (Minimums vs. Growth)

If you have 30 minutes/week

• Facebook: 1 post + Event
• Instagram: cross-post
• You’re maintaining visibility and trust

If you have 60 minutes/week

• Facebook: 2 posts + Event
• Instagram: cross-post + Stories
• You’re reinforcing habit and familiarity

If you have 2+ hours/week

• Facebook: 3–5 posts + Events
• Instagram: 3–5 posts + Stories + occasional Reels
• Google: weekly updates
• This is where audience growth accelerates

(How loyalty actually forms)

Strong market posts do three things:

1. Confirm the routine
2. Highlight shared values
3. Extend a warm invitation

Weekly “This Week at the Market” Template

Opening (warm hook):
Another great market week ahead 💛

Essentials:
📅 Date | ⏰ Time | 📍 Location

Highlights (choose 3):

• What’s fresh or in season
• A familiar vendor or product
• An experience (music, kids, demos, food access)

Close (loyalty-forward):
Hope to see familiar faces, and new ones too.

Growth Reminder (This Belongs in the Guide)

The goal is not to stay at minimums forever.

Minimums:

• keep you visible
• prevent confusion
• maintain trust

Growth frequency:

• grows your audience
• deepens loyalty
• keeps your market top-of-mind

Markets that post more consistently on Facebook and Instagram:

• see higher return attendance
• get more shares and word-of-mouth
• feel more “alive” week to week

Bottom Line

Your marketing doesn’t need to be flashy.
It needs to be reliable, welcoming, and human.

Consistency builds trust.
Frequency builds familiarity.
Familiarity builds loyalty.

Find Your Next Step With These Links

Creating Content