Submitted by: Maia Stark, Gallery Assistant
As someone who has only
recently begun to be a vendor at local craft markets, I scoured the internet
for ideas and tips for my first market experience! I was terrified of
forgetting something simple but crucial. In this post, I’d like to list some of
the valuable advice I’ve discovered!
Tip #1: Emphasize the
hand-made quality of your work.
The first time I bought
handmade goods online I was struck and charmed by the special touches the
merchant had added: a handwritten “thank you!” note, a cute sticker, colourful
string around the interior package. It may be worth thinking about some kind of
unique wrapping or nice packaging. When customers feel special and take their
purchase home in a way that’s markedly different from a typical retail
purchase, they remember that experience. Buying local and handmade products is
a special moment in a mass produced retail world—help people remember why
buying local is great!
Tip #2: Have works that
reflect a range of
prices.
Though it doesn’t work
for every craftsperson, this is a tip that I’m slowly becoming convinced is
very useful. Not only does this mean that everyone who attends the market can
afford to buy something at your stall, but shoppers tend to look at prices and
objects comparatively. When a browser sees something small and simply
made for $10.00, and then looks around the table to see a large complex piece
for $65.00, and the even more complex, absolutely stunning piece for $200.00, math is happening. The customer
will quickly relate and compare the price to the handiwork, size, and labour
which is reflected. Shoppers will (hopefully) understand that your prices are
not arbitrary numbers, but each price reflects time, experience, skill, and
materials. Shoppers new to craft and new to markets may quickly dismiss items
as “too expensive.” By finding a way to have a range of prices which reflect
the quality and breadth of your skill, you are assuring customers that you are
pricing considerately and according to quality.
Tip #3: Price everything
visibly.
This
seems like a simple act, but this small tip will keep people looking longer.
Shy customers or ones that are reluctant to get involved with the merchant
right away will leave preemptively if they are faced with the choice of asking
“how much is that? … and that? and this one?” Not only should everything be
priced but have the price visible.
Pricing with stickers on the bottom of pieces is fine, but if you have delicate
or large works, customers will hesitate to pick objects up to check the price
themselves. If you think that lots of price tags will make for a messy display,
try having small signs set up in sections that say “20-30 dollars” or “50 and
up,” so that customers know your price range and you get to keep a minimalist
display.
Tip #4: Be present.
At my
first craft market my feet were killing me. My partner-in-crime and I
had to sit down several times. However, while I sat, I noticed that people
didn't seem to talk to us as much. Perhaps the height hierarchy made people
feel uncomfortable. Perhaps they think “Oh, she’s taking a break, I’ll come back.”
There is something about sitting a lot which I think can prevent people from
spending time at your table. Similarly, I think that if a vendor looks bored or
tired, people are less likely to approach. This makes for an exhausting day, of
course. Smiling and interacting all day, for hours, all while trying not to
seem to pander for attention! As well, I fully support that if someone wants to
be a crabcake, they should be a crabcake without judgement! Sometimes you just
need to humor a bad mood and let yourself feel what you feel. Nevertheless,
during a craft market a friendly and open atmosphere could easily increase your
sales.
Tip #5: Offer different
payment options.
Many
people just don’t carry cash anymore! This can certainly be frustrating for vendors.
Perhaps you or someone else you know has been in the situation when a customer
is really excited by your product and then they say, dunn dunn
dunnnnn: “Do you take visa?” Your face falls. You want to say, “Are
you kidding? I made my display out of old lumber, nails, and discount gold
spray paint. I don’t have a debit/credit machine!” Luckily there have been developments
in the last few years— new ways of accepting cards which don’t let credit card
companies charge you extraordinary percentages after you spend upwards of
$400.00 on a wireless machine! One such new method is “Square Up,” which is a system that only requires an
account (free to sign up for), and a small card reader (also free). All that
you require is a smart phone with access to the internet. Square Up takes only
2.75% of each swiped sale, and you have free access to their entire digital
inventory system which can also help you track your sales. Being able to take
credit cards will certainly increase your sales—customers who don’t make the trip to the ATM will be able to buy product from you!
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| Square Up lets multiple users access inventory and make
sales, depositing sales overnight directly into your bank account. Customers
can even request an emailed or texted receipt (Squareup).
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For more tips and lots
of display ideas, check out these other blogs and websites!
