The market scene
One of the best places to attract customers to your business is markets. Markets are found in all suburbs and regional areas of Australia, so there should be no problem finding one that suits your needs.
Remember, markets are hard work. There are no shortcuts to running a successful market stall. There are early starts and long days, but if done right you can be very successful.
Having been a position holder and Market Manager of 3 markets, I have seen the good and the bad of the positions. The way your screen looks at the market can make the difference between going home with a lot less stock and money in your pocket or going home miserably.
Here are some tips for running a successful market stall. The most important thing to keep in mind is that there is a lot of competition and it is not just other candle makers. Anyone who is competing for a customer’s money is their competition. So what can you do?
Here are some ideas on how to get their attention.
1 / Make your signage professionally. Handwritten signs don’t look professional. If you want to save money, print them yourself on your home printer and laminate them.
2 / It is not difficult to make your booth attractive with so many candles. You have the colors, the bottles, the fragrances. Everything you need to make it attractive. If you can make a good first impression, customers will always remember you. Remember that most customers choose the candle they want based on the fragrance.
3 / Make sure you have the right attitude. Nobody wants to get close to a person who is hiding behind their newspaper or looking absolutely miserable. Customers go to a market because they see it as a day off to have fun.
4 / Keep your post tidy. Keep all boxes and packaging off site.
5 / Try not to eat or drink at your post. I know everyone is hungry, but please have the courtesy to at least stop eating. Stall owners are generally very helpful people, so most would be happy to guard their stall for a few minutes to give it a break. Remember that it is your position, not theirs, so please be courtesy not to delay too long. If you have a client in your own position, who do you think will have preference?
6 / Be aware of your customers. Don’t ignore them. If you’re already in conversations with a customer, acknowledge other customers by telling them you’ll be with them in a minute. Ignoring them is a great way to lose customers.
The person who can buy is the person who listens instead of the person you were speaking to directly.
7 / If you have a uniform or shirt that has your logo on it, wear it. It shows that you are proud of your business and instantly identifiable and is a great way to promote your business.
8 / Some clients are reluctant to approach you if you seem too aggressive. It’s a good idea to test your approach with family and friends first to see what they think.
9 / If they don’t want to talk, offer them your brochure or business card. Let them know how to contact you and how to order. Allow them time to browse through their information and let them know that you are available to answer any questions they have.
10 / It seems silly to have to say this, but be nice and make them feel welcome. Wearing a name tag makes a big difference. Makes customers more comfortable knowing who they are dealing with. Once a customer makes a purchase or seems interested enough, ask if they’d like to be added to your database. Make sure this has some benefits, such as special offers and discounts.
11 / Make sure you can answer any questions.
12 / Go ahead if you get inquiries. If customers give you their email address, make the most of it. Stay in touch with your customers. Send them a postcard!
13 / Presentation is very important to the success of a profitable business. Whether you are doing a market, candle making demonstration, class or corporate presentation, wedding fair or exhibition, you need to invest in the right presentation materials.
Markets can be a great start for any business, so take the time to do your research and make the most of your opportunities.
