Advice for Your First Market
In our years of market experience, we have learned to plan for the best and worst, and then bank on something in between. Here are some expert tips from Phoebe, the founder of elSage Designs and Valley Made Market, as well as advice from the local maker community for participating in your first market.
Collect emails for your mailing list. This is how I get the most sign ups!
— Nellys of Cocoa Loves Grey
Don't forget food & water!
— Leeann of Arrows Aim Greenhouse & Supply Co.
Stay positive and friendly, even if sales are a bummer. Keep showing up! Building a business takes time.
— Andrea of MW Soapworks
1.
Have a plan for selling out of certain products (can you take pre-orders to ship, deliver, or have people pick up in the future?)
Important: always ask for prepayment to secure the transaction, and get the customer’s email & phone information so that you can get in touch if needed.
Big plastic tubs and a folding hand truck make packing & unpacking much easier and weatherproof
— Irene of Chroma Rex
Think of it as a learning day, rather than a selling day. Take time to meet other vendors.
— Dan of fillerfogg design
2.
Have a plan for having too much product: if sales are slower than expected, are you able to run a Sunday special or a BOGO deal?
Drink a lot of water! Also, a power bank and backups for your backups for taking payments
— Diana of Barn Cat Creations
Have more business cards than you think you'll need!
— Sage of Touch of Grayce
If you can pack the car the night before and it will be safe overnight, do it.
— Lily of Ida Loves Dresses
3.
Markets are a great time to interface with hundreds of potential customers. Do you have a text or email newsletter sign-up with you? (Text & email are more predictable ways of reaching your customers than social media). You could have folks follow you, but we lean towards collecting direct contact information whenever possible so that we can connect outside the algorithms.
Give yourself plenty of time for setup! Situations may arise when vou need to rearrange things and no one likes to feel rushed! Also, bring bandaids.
— Liz of Spiral Square Designs
Do a practice set up at home and take pictures before you pack the car.
— Cora of Cora’s Resin Studio
Arrive early and Give yourself enough time to set up!
— Amy of Shed Studio Designs
4.
Remember business cards, menus, pamphlets or any other promo items that you use. Are you stacked with shows or do you have a brick & mortar? Have a leaflet for where people can find you next.
Drink water, take time to breathe, try to be relaxed and have fun meeting new friends.
— Jamie of Aqualescent
Talk to your neighbors! Community over competition.
— Kari of Mae Botanicals
Photo of Tori Tornado by Sig Photography