Farmers’ markets continue to gain popularity as more people try to support local vendors. These events create collaborative market spaces, showcasing various artisans from farmers to artists. As a small business owner or farmer, hopping on board the market trend allows you to expand your network, build bonds with locals, and dive into an exciting form of business practice. Here are some tips for joining your first farmers’ market and ensuring success.
Research Local Market Organizations
Market organizations host, plan, and advertise farmers’ markets. They secure locations, gather equipment, establish regulations and requirements, and oversee all aspects of operations. Researching and reaching out to your local market organization secures you a spot in the marketing community and is the first step to involvement. You can find almost all organizations on social media or at their own booth at a live market.
Do a Trial Setup at Home
Instead of a brick-and-mortar store, you run a stall at a farmers’ market. Your booth matches various aspects of a shop, from inventory supplies to displays and checkout counters. Doing a trial run at home allows you to curate an optimal table format and display. It also helps you decipher how much to bring and how to create appeal with your setup. There are numerous ways to stand out at a farmers’ market, and how you set your stall plays a huge factor in your success.
Hire Additional Help
Farmers’ markets usually give you one stall to manage, which sometimes becomes challenging when a huge rush occurs. Hiring additional help provides you with extra support in managing, setting up, organizing, and tending to customers. Plus, hiring help gives you company for those long market hours. Just like any hiring process, make sure to train any fellow market staff and come up with an adaptable pay that’ll meet quotas even on slow market days.
Arrive Ahead of Time
Getting ahead of the game at farmers’ markets ensures you set up your stall in time, prepare, find the best parking spot, and secure a table. Depending on the market and the organization hosting, sometimes booths are first come, first serve. Not only does arriving early allow you to set up before the rush and choose a prime spot, but it also gives you time to explore and network with other vendors. Making the most of the collaborative opportunity opens new doors for business ventures, creates relationships, and allows you to find mentors that will help your business succeed.
Other tips for joining your first farmers’ market include bringing seating, snacks, and water. Taking care of yourself while on the job optimizes your service, keeping you healthy and content for those long market hours. Attending your first market as a vendor takes your small business in new directions and shares all you offer with those that want to support you.
