372 Dealing with Dread: The Hidden Marketing Obstacle That's Keeping Farmers Stuck

Have you ever found yourself putting off the very marketing task that could help your farm grow? Writing the email. Launching the promotion. Recording the video. Raising your prices. Building the sales page. You know it needs to get done... but every time you think about it, you feel that heavy sense of dread. In this episode, I share a personal discovery that is challenging the the way I think about procrastination, marketing, and business growth. After catching myself avoiding two important projects this month, I realized something surprising: I wasn't avoiding the work. I was avoiding the story I was telling myself about the work. In this episode, we'll explore why your brain creates dread in the first place, why we often mistake uncertainty for difficulty, and why many farmers wrongly conclude they're "bad at marketing" when they're really just avoiding uncomfortable marketing tasks. Most importantly, I'll show you how to reinterpret dread -- not as a stop sign, but as a possible indicator that you're standing at the edge of growth. If you've been procrastinating on marketing, struggling to take action, or feeling stuck in your farm business, this episode will give you a completely new way to think about what's really holding you back. Helpful Links & Resources What email provider do I use? I recommend Kit.com -- it is easy to use, powerful, and getting better every year. It also integrates with most e-commerce providers and tools. Use my affiliate link! Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors: Local Line is my farm's preferred e-commerce platform for farmers. Are you looking for a new solution for your farm? I can't recommend it enough. Easy-to-use inventory management, great customer service, continuous improvement, and a culture dedicated to equipping farmers with marketing expertise. Local Line is offering a free premium feature for free for one year on top of your paid subscription. Claim your discount by signing up for a Local Line account today and using the coupon code: MDF2026. Head to my special affiliate link to get started: www.mydigitalfarmer.com/localline Farm Marketing School is my step-by-step membership program for direct-to-consumer farmers who are ready to treat marketing like a system, not a guessing game. Inside, you'll get plug-and-play projects, templates, monthly coaching, and a repeatable framework to help you grow your email list, run stronger promotions, and increase sales (whether you're a vegetable, meat, CSA, flower, dairy, microgreen, or value-added farm). Your investment is only $69/month. Over 15 marketing projects to choose from. Learn more and enroll at: www.mydigitalfarmer.com/fms Support the Podcast: Love the My Digital Farmer Podcast? Help me reach more farmer earbuds! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. ⭐️  Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts, because it helps other farmers find the show. Share this episode with a fellow farmer or small business owner. Or forward my weekly email about the show to a farmer! (Get on that email list here to get more marketing tips: www.mydigitalfarmer.com/subscribe)