Creating a successful craft market stall.

So with it being Spring, I know that many of you will be planning for the year and some of you out there may be planning to start attending craft and artisan markets for the first time. To help out I’ve put together a few hints and tips based on my own experience of markets. This is by no means an exhaustive list of tips and hints and I’m sure many of you could add to it.

Craft Stall set up for Blakemere Markets

Do your research - If you can attend a craft fair before booking on to it, that’s all for the good. First of all, you can see how busy it is and what other stalls are there. What do the other stall holders sell? Is there any duplication? How do you feel about your style and brand and how it may fit in with the general appearance and atmosphere of the craft market? Also, while you are there, scope out the practical things, like where is the stall holder parking? What is the general environment like? For example, I’ve done markets on cobbled court yards which look great but are a massive pain to drag your trolley over and then there is some challenge in getting the gazebo and table set up without a wobble. I’ve also changed my mind about attending certain markets once I’ve done the scouting visit and met the manager. A quick trip out to see what’s what has saved me a stall fee and a couple of days work attending.

Legal stuff – Get your legal stuff sort in advance. All markets worth attending will ask for evidence of your public liability insurance, if they don’t then assume the organisers are amateurs and the market won’t be worth your stall fee – steer clear. Don’t forget to have your Hallmark notice, it’s a legal requirement that I notice many stall holders forgetting about.

Hallmarks

Packing – Have a system, so you know where everything is and can unpacked in the right order. If you are outdoors you want to be able to get the gazebo up first, and the table set up, so that you are unpacking your work onto a table that’s out of the rain, not onto the wet floor because your stalls “infrastructure” is at the bottom of the car boot. A checklist might help, if your brain works like that. I wouldn’t use the checklist as I’m packing, but the act of writing it would help me organise my thoughts and help identify things I’ve not thought of so is a very useful exercise.

Label and pricing – Before the market, make sure that you have everything label with the price. Some people don’t like to ask and will walk away if they can’t see a price. I’ve made this mistake so many times, and when people have asked, I’ve ended up guessing a bit because I can’t remember what I intended the price to be. Seems obvious but it still kept happening!

Money – And on the subject of money, a card reader is a must I reckon, not only are a lot of people not carrying cash now your work may be at a higher price point than what cash folk are carrying. A power pack to charge your phone and card machine if needed is a great addition if you can do it.

But you will also need some cash to be able to make change if people want to pay with notes. Think about your pricing and work out what change you might need for example if everything is a round number then you only need notes and pound coins.

Emergency kit – Pack yourself a small box of bits and pieces that may come in handy on the day. This will probably evolve over time and with experience of what you have found yourself needing. Some suggestions from me;

·        Paracetamol

·        Plasters

·        Scissors

·        Multi purpose tape

·        Cable ties

·        Spare price labels

·        Pen and note pad

Pack a picnic – Take flasks (multiple), snacks and more substantial meals. It is really easy to spend all of your earnings on take away coffees and food over the day. Think about taking a food flask and some hot food, this is particularly welcome on a cold day.

Arrive early – For some markets it’s a first come first served system for allocating pitches, so getting there early means you might get a bit of choice. Many will plan them out prior to the day, and you will find you have been allocated a pitch. Arriving early takes the pressure off while setting up, and gives you time to sort any problems before the crowds arrive.

Selling – Whenever you can stand up, you will obviously need a bit of break and a sit at times but standing up and if possible, getting in front of your stall really helps you engage with customers.  Speak to everyone, and try to say more than hello, try to engage them in more conversation. Try to aim to give everyone that visits your stall a flyer or a card with your details on, and wherever possible get their e mail address to add to your mailing list. Mailing lists are brilliant ways to speak directly to people who have already shown an interest in your work.

Newsletter sign up sheet.

Networking – Makes sure that you take time to visit the other stall holders, they are your work mates for the day and for any further markets that you are both at. Swap social media details and make sure you follow them, most will follow you back and you can gain useful insights into good markets, and other activities they are involved in from their posts. Market traders are generally a friendly bunch!