Gotta market stall

[kenkew]

I've been asked to attend a new village market venture to help get it going, so I thought I'd do a walking stick stall.
  I'm supposed to be there for about 9hours so I'll take my tools and spend the day making even more sticks!
Anyone done a market before? Got any tips?

[kenkew]

[Trixiebelle]

Take the dog! Everyone loves a novelty on a stall!

I did the local craft festival in the summer and put Alfie in the chicken shed I was selling to attract attention! He very obligingly did chicken noises and smiled at passers-by!

Also be prepared to give something away free with your phone number & business card attached. Maybe a little wooden 'something-or-other'?

AND SMILE AT EVERYONE!!!!!!

[Froglegs]

You put the poor child in a.......... :o........do you hire him out to sweep chimneys. ;) ;D ;D

[OllieC]

Get a dancing bear! Everyone loves a dancing bear!

When I was a kid, my father had a sea vegetable company (dried seaweed for eating). We did a lot of the county show type things... He always got me selling & people liked a 10 year old that could tell them how to use each type of seaweed (IIRC, Tempura or soup were the main ways). So, to echo Trixie's comments, get a kid or a kid substitute, be funny, smile like an idiot...

If I'm buying anything from the maker, I want to see a bit of passion & enthusiasm. This can be hard when you've been on the go all day. At a farmers market, recently, I asked someone selling smoked Trout where it came from. "Scotland" came the reply. "Oh right, which bit?". "Dunno, we just buy it in & smoke it". "Right, well I think you should know", I think to myself as I walk away.

One tip - when I used to do door to door selling, we'd always try to get the person to hold whatever we were flogging. If you then try to take it back, you'll notice them pull it closer to themselves, and the brain has just said "this is yours, don't let it go". So, I would persuade anyone who is "just looking" to try one out & see how it feels. The more you get into people's hands, the more you'll sell.

[saddad]

If they don't leg it!
:-X

[petengade]

Alfie is your dog? and does chicken impersonations? I had an Alsation once that smiled also, then he would bite you.  ;D

[cleo]

so I'll take my tools and spend the day making even more sticks!

That`s a double edged sword as you might get folk just watching a craftsperson at work when what they should be doing is buying.

I agree about looking enthusiastic(not always easy,as I know!)-and you soon get to tell the difference between timewasters and genuine potential buyers.

Good Luck

[johnslottie]

After running a market for a short while, I'd say smile, be positive, think about presentation, and how easily people can see what you're selling. 

Consider your location,  catching people on the way in or out is often a good place. 

Get there early and don't rush to pack up.  The sales at the start and end of the day are often the difference between the successful and those that aren't.

Again although hard, pay attention to those that pass, and try not to obstruct the view/stall with where you stand as it will put people off having a look. 

Actual selling tips I'll leave to others!

[kenkew]

Ready for the off tomorrow. Biggest problem will be getting everything there!

[jennym]

Smile til your face aches. Get people to hold and touch things, lean out and offer. Not too many freebies if at all (you are there to make a living!).
Notices and signs - LOADS. Take spare card and felt pen. Display your products - think of height and width - can you use the containers you take upended to get height? Have you a tablecloth and tables? You may need clips for the cloth, and clips of some sort for the display notices, also bunjees.
Change, take at least £20 of small change. Don't underprice - you can always put your prices up, never down.
Talk to people - the strong silent type DON't sell anything. Smile (again).
Suggest uses for your product (gifts, something for the man or woman that has everything, something to make the old man smile, something you've always promised yourself, something no-one else has got, something made with pride by someone who cares, something a craftsman has made, something not made by mass production in the far east (but avoid negative comments except during long conversations). Something made from renewable sources? Smile, again!
Packaging - how are they going to get it home (you can wrap your products in newspaper) try not to give bags but people still do ask for them.
Don't be bamboozled into appearing at markets that are no good for you - ask other stallholders with similar lines where they go, ask directly how much they take on a good day or a bad day, most will tell you. Ask about dates, and times -I guess you may be busier coming up to Christmas. Smile and thank them.
Have something, even slips of paper with your contact details on to give out to people, give them out to as many as you can.
Best of luck Ken.
Jenny

[kenkew]

Some good stuff there. Much of it I wouldn't have thought of until it was too late, thanks.
This might only be a one off...will see how it goes. Weather should be dry so that's something. Going to do a practice  get-it-all-in-the-car in a mo!
I'll let you know how it goes, thanks for the advice to date.

[Emagggie]

Very good luck Ken. If BW and I can sell wedding dresses from a doorway in the Fulham road then I'm sure your superb sticks will sell themselves. ;)