For small aquaculture businesses, selling seafood today means more than harvesting a product, it means telling a story. Customers want to know who we are, how we farm, and why we do it. Social media has become one of the most powerful tools to share that story, but its effectiveness depends on honesty and authenticity.
In this talk, I will share how our farm has built trust and grown sales by leaning into transparency, highlighting both the challenges and successes of aquaculture. Rather than polished marketing, we’ve focused on showing real people, real work, and real values. This approach has helped us build a brand identity that resonates with customers who want to feel connected to the food they buy.
I’ll also discuss some of the practical lessons we’ve learned along the way: how to balance personal storytelling with professionalism, the importance of consistency, and how to translate online engagement into seafood sales. By focusing on authenticity and identity, aquaculture producers can not only market their products but also strengthen the reputation of Maine seafood as a whole.