Vendor Tips: Holiday Market Edition

The holidays are rapidly approaching and with them come holiday markets! While they are a fun event for families and friends, they can be stressful for vendors and artisans who need to prepare and plan out the season. Here are a few tips and trick that we have used over the years to ensure a relaxed, successful market.

1)     Apply within the deadlines

2)     Prepare inventory accordingly

3)     Have multiple options to pay

4)     Read vendor requirements and inclusions

5)     Sell! Sell! Sell!

Apply within Deadlines:

As mentioned before: the holidays are RAPIDLY approaching. Many craft fairs will be closing their applications soon even though it isn’t even November yet! If you haven’t already, this is the time to start scoping out what markets exist in your area. Because the holidays are a massive time for sales, many venues are trying to host events in a time frame to draw customers. This is great for vendors; however, it can lead to multiple markets falling on the same day. Be sure that any markets you apply to do not fall on the same day. If there is a time conflict, ask the hosts of the event if there is a work around. Sometimes they will allow it, and you won’t know until you ask!

Be sure that you apply to markets where your goods have a better chance of selling. Also, keep in mind of booth prices. There are a few different reasons to rent a booth and most of them involve making a profit. Some fairs are priced in a way that you will not see a return on investment(ROI). For example, in my local area, there is a three-day fair at our local fair grounds. Booths run around $600. There is no way that I would make back the investment of time and money in a booth there. My mentor has tried that particular fair before and it was the only one she was unable to turn a profit at. So, with that knowledge, I have looked elsewhere.

Currently, we are set to have booths at four different markets. One had a vendor fee, but the other three are free to participate. Call or email the event organizers if you are unsure about the price or deadlines for the event. In some cases, even if the deadline to apply has passed, you can still secure a spot by reaching out to the event coordinator due to not all booths being filled.

Prepare Inventory Accordingly:

This one seems self-explanatory, but it is a rule that I have not regarded many times. In previous years, I had been more excited about applying to be a vendor without thinking about how much inventory it would take to fill my booth all of the days. These events happened multiple times a week and since I was working full time, I had limited availability for crafting and replenishing. An empty booth does not inspire potential customers to purchase your goods.  

If you do find yourself with a dwindling inventory there are a few ways to fill the gaps. Space and flex your inventory to make it look fuller. Fold items wider or have stands further apart to make it seem less empty. Also, use decorations for the holiday to seem more festive and less bare. Another trick is to find an artist friend who has art that they are looking to sell, but they do not want to vend at a market. I have a brilliant artist friend who had a collection of prints that she was uninterested in selling herself as she had moved onto new projects. She allowed me to sell the prints for a commission and they were a huge hit! Not only did it drive conversation with potential buyers, it also gave people more things to look at so they were able to look at my stained-glass pieces.

Another consideration for inventory is the theme of the items. Remember, this is a holiday market. The primary attendee will be on the hunt for gifts for their loved ones. Holiday theme items will sell better at these markets than other ones throughout the year. It is also a time to create limited-edition bundles to move products and samples. The beauty of a holiday market is that people are actively looking to buy goods as opposed to a random weekend market. This is the time that patrons are looking to spend money.

Have multiple options to pay:

Nowadays, there are quite a few ways people pay. Find the best option for you and your business. We recommend having multiple options: whether it is cash and card or card and Venmo. This allows a broader range of business.

If you are accepting cash, be sure to have a bag or cash register to keep the bills in. Also, come prepared with petty cash to make change with. You will want lower denomination bills to make purchases easier. Nothing worse than having to run around the craft fair asking other vendors for one dollar bills to make change.

We have had success with the Square for payment. They do have transaction fees. However, we find that the convenience to both us and the customers is worth it.

Other options are apps like: CashApp, Venmo, and Zelle. Many vendors have one or multiple of these. I find having access to at least one is helpful. Holiday markets appeal to many ages and demographics, so I would not rely entirely on this payment option since not everyone has them.

Read Your Contract        

As a vendor, there is usual a contract that is signed during the application process. This document or a following one will outline what is expected of vendors at the market. All markets are different, so be sure to find one that fits your needs. For example, some fairs include a tent, table, and chairs for all booths, while others do not. Also, some have particular requirements for measurements of tables or colors of tents. This can lead to an additional cost on top of the vendor fee if you do not already have the items on hand.

Vendors also may be required to arrive early and stay late from the start and end times of the event. It is the best option to stay the entirety of the fair. This creates a good impression with the hosts and can lead to invitations to be a part of future events. Never be the first person to pack up unless absolutely necessary.

Sell! Sell! Sell!

Sell your products! Engage with passersby who are looking at your booth. This doesn’t mean that everything needs to be a sales pitch. Ask about their day, ask who their shopping for, anything to start an easy conversation.

For most people, the goal of vending at markets is to make money and also engage with current and potential buyers. They are only a couple of hours long so make the most of it!

Be sure to introduce yourself to other booths as well! We are all in this together. By creating a network of vendor friends, you will learn of upcoming events, more tips and tricks, and will have help with set up and tear down if needed. It is a community afterall.

 Conclusion

By using these tips and tricks, you will have a successful holiday season! Now, go get those applications in and prepare for what’s to come. These tips can also be used throughout the year for other markets as well.