I spontaneously decided to book myself on a couple of indoor markets to test the waters and see how things went—especially with Christmas approaching. It was my first-ever market, so everything was a bit new to me.
I’d heard successful entrepreneurs say, "Say yes to something, then figure it out later," so that’s exactly what I did. With less than three weeks to prepare for the first market, I was suddenly scrambling to build stock, order supplies, design marketing materials, and get everything ready. There were a lot of late nights, and at one point, I almost canceled. But thankfully, my good friend Lizzie gave me the encouragement I needed to push through.
The sun was shining on the morning of the fair, and after picking up Lizzie from the train station (she came to support me), we headed to the market to set up.
Unfortunately, footfall was low that day, and many vendors, myself included, didn’t make many sales. But the experience was invaluable. I had the opportunity to assess my setup, see what worked and what didn’t, and make mental notes for improvements.
As you can see in the photos, my stock looked a bit sparse for the table size, and I didn’t get around to ironing the tablecloth (time really got away from me!). But it’s all part of the learning process.
Although the day wasn’t a success sales-wise, it gave me a chance to iron out a few things—literally, including that tablecloth—before my next market.
Here are a few things I learned that day:
Research your market
Try to find photos of previous events from the same organiser to get a sense of the type of stalls there. My cards didn’t quite fit in with this particular market, which made sales a bit challenging from the start.
Check the location
The market was held at a community centre that was tucked away, far from any main foot traffic. People had to make a deliberate effort to visit, so casual passers-by were minimal.
Footfall matters
Try to find out how busy previous markets have been. This gives you an idea of potential sales and helps you decide if the pitch fee is worth it.
Advertising by the organiser
Check how well the market is advertised. Does the organiser place someone outside to draw people in? What kind of signage is around the venue? If your stall is located outside, you’ll benefit from passers-by, but if it's inside, like mine was, you may need more promotional support.
Clear pricing
Make sure your prices are visible and easy to find. People can be shy about asking, and hidden prices may put them off enquiring altogether.
Engage without overselling
Greet visitors warmly and share a little about your products, especially that they’re handmade. However, be mindful not to oversell; people appreciate a friendly interaction but don’t want to feel pressured.
Be prepared for the weather
If you’re exhibiting during the colder months, layer up! You’ll appreciate the warmth if the venue gets chilly.
Bring food and drink
Don’t forget to pack something easy to snack on between customers. In my rush to get everything organised I completely forgot this so I had to stop on the way and pick something up.
The day wasn't wasted; it was a great learning experience and I am feeling more prepared for the next one.
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