We’ve been working with market organisers for a long time now, and as market experts we’ve put together 7 tips for market organisers to make every craft fair memorable!
Why do I need to make my craft fair memorable?
It’s not enough to just promote your market in a traditional way any more. Visitors want an experience – and making your craft fair memorable will drive footfall.
80% of consumers say that experiences are as important as products when deciding where to spend their cash (Eventbrite).
Customers are 3x more likely to recommend an event to others when it has a standout ‘shareable’ moment (Social Media Examiner)
Positive experiences increase return visits by up to 60% (EventTrack).
These stats speak for themselves – creating a great experience is important to initially draw footfall and keep those customers coming back to your events time and time again. You don’t need to necessarily spend a fortune either – we’ve got several tips you could easily make low-cost.
With that in mind, read on for our tips for make every craft fair memorable!
7 tips for market organisers to make every craft fair memorable
1. Create a themed photo spot
In the age of social media, making something Instagrammable is a way to draw people back. Once something has been shared online, others may see a location and also want photos there. Christmas Markets are especially ripe for a seasonal backdrops or quirky props, encouraging visitors to take photos (basically free extra promotion!) AND making your market distinctive. Bonus points if you encourage your visitors to tag the market online and share further!
2. Add a live music corner
Even one acoustic performer can boost the atmosphere instantly. You could showcase local buskers or even a local DJ to further support local artists – a talking point visitors will love and another great way to put money into the local area!
3. Offer a small freebie, such as free tote bags for the first 20 visitors or free samples from a local trader.
If you do this, ensure the offer is on all your marketing materials – it’s a great incentive for initial footfall but could also make visitors keen to be there first next time!
4. Use bold signage.
Make your market name a focal point! Make it colourful and impossible to miss or Instagram-able/TikTok-able, so people share and it becomes an instantly recognisable brand! Get your market name out there and people will remember it in future.
5. Add interactive stalls e.g. a pottery wheel demo, live painting or drawing, that visitors will stick around to watch.
This not only helps with keeping customers around, but may also help attract crowds in future and could offer a unique feature too.
6. Involve the local community. You could invite the local choir or community groups to perform or exhibit at your market, getting more people involved and helping spread word about your event even further.
The more varied segments of a community you can involve, the better, as your market, craft fair or event is sure to be central to the local area and then becomes a more well-known meeting point!
Pictured below right and centre; an Independent Street market in Levenshulme. Independent Street often engage the local community at their varied markets, with children’s activities such as face painting, and entertainers on stilts and similar.
7. Have a ‘secret’ deal of the day announced only to those who follow your socials or sign up to your mailing list.
This builds exclusivity and makes people feel a part of something – and works well for stallholders as well as an incentive for footfall, so you could pass the tip on to your traders too!
