5 Tips For First Time Artisan Vendors

So, you're diving into the world of artisan markets? Awesome! It's a fun ride, a mix of creative energy, eager customers, and the occasional did I remember to pack the tape? moments. We just finished our first year as vendors, and let me tell you, we learned a lot. Here are five tips we want to share with you before you attempt your first market, based on our experience.

1. The Magic of the Stretchy Tablecloth

Forget those flimsy plastic tablecloths that flap in the breeze and reveal all your hidden supplies, bags, snacks, etc. (because, let's be real, everyone brings a pile of stuff with them!). Even a heavy fabric table cloth might get caught and pulled, causing a huge mess that you don’t need to deal with. Avoid the hassle. Invest in a stretchy tablecloth that wraps snugly around your table. It looks professional, hides your supplies, and won't become a rogue sail in a sudden gust of wind. Trust me, your future self will thank you. We used this one and it worked really well. It comes in a two pack, which is nice because if one happens to rip or get dirty, we have a back up.

2. Bring Water and Snacks

Market days can be long. Like, really long. Bring water and snacks that you can eat without looking like you're devouring a five-course meal. Some markets have food vendors, which is great, but remember, you're there to make money, not spend it on a $12 gourmet hot dog (tempting as it may be). A few strategically placed granola bars and a water bottle stashed under your tablecloth (see tip #1!) will keep you going strong.

We packed a lunch box with a school kid’s lunch: peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, granola bars, thin slices of apples, and cookies. Keep in mind that you will hopefully be talking to lots of people, so you want food that you can eat quickly and won’t get stuck in your teeth. You also want food that you can quickly set down if you get a wave of potential customers.

3. Say "Hey!" (It's Not Creepy, I Promise)

A simple "Hi!" or "Good morning!" can go a long way. It acknowledges people, makes your booth feel welcoming, and can be a great conversation starter. Not everyone will be interested in your products, and that's totally fine. But engaging with people, even briefly, makes them more likely to stop and browse. Think of it as casting a friendly net – you'll be surprised what you catch! MIke talks all about this in this video: What I Learned from My First Holiday Market 

Starting a conversation with random people can be hard (another thing Mike talks about in his video) but here are some conversation starters from Andie, who loves talking to people. Start off with an easy “Hi!” and follow up with a compliment. For example, if someone walks by wearing a shirt that you like, call it out! “Hi! Hey, I really like your shirt!” is simple, but it might mean the world to that person.

Another easy way to potentially reel someone in is by simply explaining what you have at your booth. For example, Andie would say stuff like “Hi! Do you like stickers? We have…” People usually stopped walking when they heard the word “stickers” because they were likely just blindly walking by, not really paying attention, but that simple greeting caught their attention and made them stop to actually look at what we had at our table. We got quite a few sales from doing this.

4. Don’t Forget to Bring Change

Have at least $100 in ones and one roll each of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. This should cover most markets, especially since many people pay with cards these days (and you have your card reader ready to go, right?). Don’t forget to have something secure to hold your change, whether it’s a bank bag or a lock box. Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable!

But speaking of money, make sure you have tested out your point of sale system of choice so you’re not figuring it out on the fly. There are so many different options here: a business Venmo account, Shopify point of sale system, a portable card reader, etc. The shopify point of sale app and card reader worked well for us, but we are so glad we practiced with it beforehand!

Another tip that another vendor gave us: turn on the “tips” feature, if you have that option. This was something we felt uncertain about because of the outrageous tip culture we’re all experiencing. But our friend made a good point: when you sell handmade goods, you are investing hours upon hours of your personal time to make something that you are passionate about. As a small business owner, every dollar is precious and appreciated. Even if only one person chooses to give you a tip, that’s an extra dollar or two that you didn’t have before. Be sure to express your gratitude. (Thank you to everyone who gave us a tip, no matter how small. We appreciate every one of you so much!)

5. Practice Setting Up Your Table

Before market day, do a trial run of setting up and breaking down your booth at home. This will help you figure out the best layout, identify any missing pieces or supplies (like tape you didn’t think you needed!), and generally ease some of the pre-market jitters. Trust me, when you arrive at the market and everyone's rushing around setting up, you'll be glad you already have a plan. It's like a dress rehearsal for the main event, minus the awkward small talk with your cat pretending to be a customer. When you’re happy with your practice set up, take a picture! Have this picture handy when you’re at the market setting up so you have something to reference.

Some markets will allow vendors to set up the day before, so you can just arrive in the morning ready to go. Others will have scheduled time slots for vendors to set up early before the market starts. It just depends on the market. Every single one we did this year was different, but practicing our setup and break down helped in every case! Practicing breaking down might sound silly, but it does actually help to know where you are putting stuff afterwards. If you packed your products and supplies in boxes, knowing exactly where you are putting everything as you pack up allows you to pack up quickly and get out. Believe us, after a long (but fun!) day as a vendor at a market, you will be exhausted and will be ready to go home!

You've Got the Tips, Now Go Sell!

So there you have it – five tips to help you rock your first artisan market. Go forth, create, connect, and most importantly, have fun! And remember, if all else fails, at least you have a stretchy tablecloth. If you haven’t watched it yet, be sure to check out Mike’s video talking about his prep for our very first market. It was quite an unexpected adventure! https://youtu.be/hJhfXpABpxI?si=eLXvWM34rvKK1eW2 

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