Last Saturday I sold for the first time at a maker's market//artisan fair. It was so much fun! So much work...but so much fun. Once I had everything there and set up - ready to go, it was really just about talking to people about my products and enjoying the atmosphere. It's so nice to share my creations in real life and have some face to face contact with potential customers...instead of just through my online shop.
I got to walk around a bit (since I had my little sister there helping me) and met a lot of lovely people and other vendors. My husband showed up later after he got off work, which was wonderful! He's so supportive and encouraging.
I got to walk around a bit (since I had my little sister there helping me) and met a lot of lovely people and other vendors. My husband showed up later after he got off work, which was wonderful! He's so supportive and encouraging.
So, I just wanted to share a few photos of my booth set up, along with a few things I learned from being a first-time vendor. I definitely learned a lot as I went throughout the day and feel like I will be way more prepared next time around.
+ People love to sample and love things that they can take with them (i.e.: flyers/stickers/business cards/etc). Making those things easily accessible & easily seen for your customers or potential customers is important.
+ If you do have samples or candles, have them already open for the customer to smell or try. It's more inviting and people will feel more comfortable sampling it, if it's already open for them.
+ Having a little flyer or postcard with extra information about your products & mission is great. It lets people know more about your story and gives them something to take home that will remind them about your products and your business. I just basically took some paragraphs from my About Page & Home Page of my website and put it onto a half page flyer with some nice photos and my contact info. People seemed to really like it!
+ Make sure you have a sign with your business name & what you're selling. I used an old window frame from an antique store and made a kind of simple but pretty sign that is consistent with my website and packaging. It just lets visitors know right away who you are and what they can find at your booth. Plus, if you put a logo on it, that will really help people to remember you!
+ Most people, I found, liked to just look around at my products on their own, and I just told them to let me know if they had questions. I did always make sure to say a sincere & friendly "hello" or "how are you" so I didn't seem rude. If customers feel like you're trying really hard to sell them something, they might not feel comfortable looking around that long. You can feel out a person, if they seem chatty, then talk them up! If not, just let them come to you.
+ Even if someone who seemed interested doesn't buy anything that day, they can find you online or see you at the next fair! I got a few online sales from people I met that day.
+ Make sure your prices are evident. Either price each item or make a sign with a list of prices nearby the items. People don't like asking "how much is this?" You can also lose sales that way.
+ Keep your products high. I noticed that the few products I had down on lower shelves or tables (lower than my main table height) didn't get that much attention or sales. Visitors go for what they can easily see.
+ Keep your products organized or categorized, similar to your website or online shop. This may not work for all types of vendors, but since I had my beauty products and candles, I just separated everything into how I have it in my Etsy shop. I made signs for "Cleanse," "Moisturize," "Heal", "Soy Candles", etc. It gives customers somewhere to start and may help them find what they are looking for much easier.
+ Be nice and friendly with your fellow vendors. Go visit their booths and ask about their products & creations. Introduce yourself, swap business cards, and maybe even trade products (I got a few products that way)! I learned a lot from talking to other vendors and found out about other market opportunities and just had some great conversations in general. Making connections is the best (and most fun) part of the whole thing, so don't stay cooped up in your booth the whole time!
+ HAVE FUN. Don't fret about sales, they will come to you. And even if you don't sell that much, you'll learn something and be even more prepared for the next time.
The STOCKMARKET was a wonderful event! It is the second one they've had and it's only getting bigger. If you're in or around Central California on September 12 (the next event), it is definitely worth checking out - as a visitor or a vendor! They had about 60 vendors, great food trucks, mimosas, beer, live music, places to sit and hang out and indoor and outdoor areas.
My little sis and I all ready for the day. PS: that's a Mara Hoffman dress I'm wearing! Got it on Rent the Runway. If you haven't checked that website out, do it!!
Until next time. xoxo
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