How to Make Your First Day at an Artisan Market Go Seamlessly
While selling on Etsy can be nice since it’s basically a virtual artisan market, have you ever considered selling your goods at an actual artisan market?
In fact, that could actually be pretty fun! Just think about it for a moment: being a vendor at an artisan market is an exciting opportunity to showcase your products, connect with customers, and establish your brand presence.
You can’t do that with e-commerce; besides, having your local community back up your business just feels nice, too. But of course, this is a market, meaning that there may be some hustle, some bustle, and lots of chit-chat.
It can all be overwhelming because, well, this is a first impression—so you really need to make it count. If you don’t know what you’re doing, this can deter customers, and no one wants to deal with that!
That’s why making this feel as comfortable as possible is super important. With that said, here’s exactly what you can do to make this all go seamlessly!
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Gather Up Your Essential Supplies
While there might be a chance you might forget something, you’ll still want to try to avoid it at all costs.
So it’s really going to help if you make a checklist of essential supplies you’ll need for a successful day at the market. This will give you the chance to really think about what’s needed and what you might not have even thought about before.
You might need to look into wireless credit card terminals to make fast payments (as some customers tend to be in a hurry); you’ll need your basic supplies like tables, chairs, tablecloths, signage, pricing labels, packaging materials, and cash handling equipment (because not everyone uses the card as some only carry cash).
Basically, you need to have everything and beyond because you just can’t really predict what might be needed. Of course, you can’t forget to pack what you’ll need to ensure comfort for the day, too!
You Need an Eye-Catching Display
Just think of the perspective of a customer; there are so many booths surrounding them, and while they might quickly look at a booth, that’s not usually enough to make them want to come over.
Just keep in mind that your booth’s visual presentation plays a crucial role in attracting customers and showcasing your products effectively. It’s really going to help if you just invest in attractive signage, display fixtures, and decorations that reflect your brand aesthetic and draw attention to your booth.
Don’t go the generic route, either. In fact, feel free to look at Pinterest; there are plenty of artisan markets there that are filled with inspiration.
Pinterest can also help you get ideas on how to arrange your products, which can make them look visually appealing. So, just look online for some inspiration, and don’t be generic about this either!
Know How to Engage with the Customers
This shouldn’t come as a surprise at all, but interacting with customers is one of the most valuable aspects of selling at an artisan market.
It’s obvious, but you need to be friendly, approachable, and enthusiastic about your products, and be prepared to answer questions and provide product recommendations.
What’s really going to help is to offer samples or even some type of demonstration!
