Your Booth is just the Beginning. Success comes from Energy, Creativity, and Connecting with your customers.
Setting up as a vendor only a few times, doesn’t build the repeat business and loyal following you’re looking for. Consistency is key.
WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE SALES AT THE MARKET?
This is the most commonly asked vendor question at EatLoco markets. Your spot location may have less to do with your sales than you think. There are successful vendors located in every row and every side of the market, and in all types of weather. Go through this list and see if any of these suggestions may help you and your setup the market:
Do I have a unique product?
Make sure that you are selling something that isn’t readily available at lower cost locally. If it is, what makes your product better? Is it a unique flavor, better quality, or are you different in some way? If the answer is no, try to tweak your recipe, packaging, or product to be more unique. People do not want to pay more unless they perceive your product to be interesting or unique. If you do have a unique product, highlight what makes it different.
Is your product priced competitively?
With other similar premium products in stores? This is what I believe to be the most common problem that leads to low sales. If you are selling a premium version of something that can be purchased in stores for a fraction of your price, it might not be worth it to consumers to pay more, even if your product is much better. For example, If I am selling soup for $25 per bowl, even if it is the best soup in the world, the price will turn away most customers at a farmers market. Try lowering your prices (if they are out of line), to sell a higher volume of product. Of course check your costs to make sure you are making a profit, but resist the urge to raise prices if your sales are low.
Am I doing easy, free things to market myself?
Create a facebook, instagram, and TikTok. Take photos and short videos and post to social media before and during the market. Encourage customers to follow you online, and provide QR codes to sign them up on the spot as followers. If you do not know how to do this, ask a teenager or young adult you know and trust. You can also ask to be highlighted for FREE by Eatloco by clicking on the vendor resources tab and filling out the “Vendor Highlight Form”.
Am I telling my followers where to find me?
We post your row or location at the market every Monday morning for the next upcoming weekend. You can and should advertise on social media which market you are attending, the address, the time, and which row to find you. You can also say what items you will be selling to entice them to make the trip.
Does my tent and display look appealing?
Is it clean? Is my table covered? Do I have clear signage? Do I have too much or too little to look at in my booth? Are the colors appealing and eye-catching? You want to stand out in a sea of tents. The best tent displays are clean, simple, clear, and not overly cluttered. They have a banner or sign and an enticing logo.
Is my packaging appealing and professional?
Some products need labels with ingredients. How is that presented? Does it look professional? Can you see the product through the packaging? Are your ingredients, allergens, and business name clear on your package?
Can I give out a sample? Should I give samples?
If you can give a small sample, it can lead to increased sales. People want to try before buying. Do not make the sample so large that they no longer need to buy. Leave them wanting more for effective use of samples.
Logo and Branding
An appealing, clean, modern, stylized, or fun logo and signs or banners can help boost your sales. If you are charging premium prices for your product, it needs a premium look as well as taste or performance. A simple sign saying what you sell makes it clear to customers. For example, “Farm Fresh Eggs” in large letters. EatLoco can help if you need advice on branding! Please let us know if you want ideas.
Food safety and cleanliness
This mostly pertains to food and beverage vendors, but can apply to other products as well. Am I working on clean surfaces with gloves, clean utensils, napkins, clean organized packaging? If I am using coolers, are they clean on the outside? Is my food clearly on ice or heated to the proper temperature? Is my grill clean? Are my table, tent, tablecloth, and signage clean? If not, customers might be turned off from buying. They will think that your food isn’t being treated properly as well, if the surroundings are dirty.
Is my staff friendly and approachable? Are you or your staff smiling, greeting customers, offering samples, and engaging in conversation? Make sure staff knows not to be looking at the phone the whole time, having side conversations with friends, sitting without greeting people, etc…If you are hiring someone to run your booth, make sure they are an extension of yourself and the brand.
Are you on time and set up at the beginning of the market? If you are still hustling to set up after the market opens, this can look unprofessional and drive customers away. They do not usually want to wait while you set up, or they will leave to find something else to buy from a vendor that is prepared.
Boost your Average Sale Amount Offer slight discounts on multiple purchases, such as 1 for $5, 2 for $9, 3 for $12, etc… Create gift packages with multiple products and display in a creative way for larger sales. Market gift packages for holidays, events, and seasons. Create sample packs with different flavors or scents of the same products. Did you know that you can advertise sales and discounts on Eatloco.org for FREE? Go to your vendor dashboard and click on the “Vendor Specials Form’.
