So, you’re selling at a market and naturally you want your day to go as smoothly as possible. Having an easy market day makes the whole market experience so much better, whether you make good sales or not.
Let’s face it, market days can be awesome. They’re a chance to show off your amazing products and meet cool people, but let’s be real, they can also be a tad stressful. You don’t want to show up and realise you forgot essential stuff, or trip over your display while trying to explain why your jams are the jammiest!
Fear not, fellow crafter/entrepreneur/hustler! We at Pedddle have got your back. Here we detail the 3 things you need to know for an easy market day.
3 things you need to know for an easy market day
- Make sure you prepare
- Practice first
- Use a checklist!
Let’s explore these points in more detail.
1. Preparation is key!
There’s a reason this old adage is said so often. Fail to prepare and you’re preparing to fail, as they say!
Scout out the market – Before committing to sell at a market, take the time to visit it first. Observe the other stalls: are they similar to yours? Do you think your stall would fit in well? This step is crucial to reduce stress and avoid last-minute surprises. Doing a ‘dry run’ of the market will help you understand the layout of it, the parking situation, and other logistical details.
Also, prepare your social media and email marketing in advance to promote your presence at the market. Tell your followers, make a market post with all details (time, date, venue & postcode) of the markets that you’re selling at, pin it to your Instagram grid and send it our in an email to your entire mailing list.
Ensuring your loyal followers know exactly where you’re selling at will make it easy for them to visit you – and buy from you – also making for an easy market day, if your customers are already following you around to buy from you!
If you’re a Pedddle member, get your market listed on Pedddle and check in for everyone to see.
2. Practice makes perfect
Rehearse your stall setup, sales pitch, and the use of your card reader. Set it up at home and test out all your equipment. If you’re using lighting, make sure you have spare bulbs or that your batteries work. Whether you’re transitioning between seasons or returning from a break, it’s important to set up quickly and confidently.
Some traders might wing it, but the most successful stallholders will meticulously plan their stall composition and merchandising.
Take photos of your setup at a distance to evaluate and improve it. See what you can spot easily at a distance, or if you need to amend your layout.
Practice your customer interactions and have a few conversation starters ready. Patter can win customers around sometimes – and most people like a chat. Be prepared for questions about your products and materials used.
Familiarise yourself with your card reader and have backup plans in case of technical issues – QR codes are very useful for creating a quick invoice to be paid. You definitely don’t want to be losing a customer over something simple.
Pedddel actually has a QR code system tailored to each of our stallholders – click here to find out more about it.
3. Use a checklist
Being organised is key to a smooth market day, and if you create and use a checklist for your market days, it’s a sure-fire way to have an easy market day. Join our stallholder newsletter to get our comprehensive checklist send to your email automatically, or create your own using Canva or similar. A checklist will help you remember crucial items and ensure you have everything you need for a successful day.
Hope you have a lovely, easy market day next time you’re selling!