How To Handle A Craft Market Flop
So many of us makers have been there, right? We’re accepted as a vendor to a craft market and we feel a rush of excitement! (And maybe some nerves). Then, we get right to work, fueled by our enthusiasm to show our creations, spending hours making all of our inventory. Not to mention, all of the other work that goes into market prep (Pricing and tagging inventory, making sure you have everything you need for booth set up, helping to advertise the event and making it known that you will be there selling your awesome one-of-a-kind creations).
The night before, we try to relax and remain hopeful for a successful market. The morning of the market comes and we stress not to forget anything as we head out the door. We get to the event and set up our booth, and then…..
It’s super slow and there’s no foot traffic, or you’re hardly making any sales (if any), or people will compliment and spend several minutes admiring your work but not buying it, or people just pass your booth by without a glance. 🥲
All of these things can cause doubt, insecurity, and discouragement. To be honest, my very first market was a total flop and ALL of these things happened to me. (I only made one sale the entire day). It was like a nightmare brought to life that my first experience went that way, but, here is why I am not discouraged and why I’m still going to markets:
1.) I got real-time, face to face interaction and feedback with customers
The foot traffic at this market was really slow. I’m pretty sure at least half of the people that walked by my booth were other vendors. 😳 And even though I only made one sale at this market, the people that I had conversations with had some really positive things to say about my work. They shared some ideas of what they thought I could add to my inventory that might sell well. Even though the ideas they gave me were outside of who I’m selling to as my ideal customer, it was interesting to hear outside perspectives, and things I can consider as my business grows. And let’s not forget that everyone’s comments were positive! Customers liked my products, but weren’t jumping to buy them. This could have happened for a number of reasons, but I think it was because I picked a market that my ideal customer wasn’t at.
2.) I learned a lot about the process of attending an event as a vendor
I had never set foot at a market unless I was walking in as a customer ready to spend some serious cheddar on all of the cute things. I never thought that one day I would want to be one of the people in a booth, selling my work. That being said, I had some serious learning to do when it came to finding a market, applying for it, setting up, attending, and tearing down. There are some great videos on YouTube that explain how to find markets, and local Facebook groups are your friend. Looking back now, I would not have chosen this market to attend, but we’ll get into that in a minute.
Even though I didn’t do well at this market, I still got the experience of setting up and tearing down my booth and interacting with customers and other vendors. You really can’t get a feel of how, and if, you’re going to like selling at markets until you take that first jump and attend one. I learned a lot about the process of setting up my booth, and things I can do to improve the look and functionality of it!
3.) I was able to meet and talk with other vendors
This was an unexpected positive for me. I underestimated how great it would be talking to others who were in the same boat I was. Sure, they weren’t yarn obsessed like I am, but they are still other local, small business owners that I can learn from. Some of the vendors I talked to had been selling at markets for a long time, and they gave me some great advice on some things I can do to improve the look and flow of my booth. One of the vendors next to me was new like I was. It was only her second show, but it was so nice to feel the support from someone who is jumping into the market world just like I was. The support from other vendors was really encouraging and even though the market didn’t go as planned, I got to network and support other small businesses!
4.) A lot of factors outside of myself contributed to the market being unsuccessful
As I mentioned before, looking back, I wouldn’t have attended this market (thank you, 20/20 vision). I did hesitate slightly when I messaged the event organizer to apply, but thought that I should attend a small market as my first one just to get the experience. These are the factors outside of my control that I think contributed to the event not being successful:
The market was in a very small town that a lot of people pass through to either get to the beach or a bigger city. No one really stops and stays there.
The event wasn’t very visible from the road. Customers had to drive behind a few buildings to get to the event.
The market wasn’t advertised enough. I found the market through one of the local vendor pages I follow on Facebook, and the organizer posted a lot of the updates about the event on a private Facebook page. There wasn’t enough advertising outside of those small and private pages, so word of the event didn’t reach enough ears or garner enough attention.
It was HOT that day. It was 90° and straight sun. Even though that’s better than rain, weather is a huge factor that affects the foot traffic of a market.
All that to say,
I could continue on with things that didn’t go as planned that day. To be honest, it was literally a hot mess for a first market. But, I am not discouraged and I’m still applying to markets! It is so hard to predict how a market will go. No market is ever the same. The experience helped me learn to better discern the markets I apply to, and I met some great people! The best thing is I can look forward to more markets in the future and improving in the events to come!
So, maker, don’t get discouraged when a market doesn’t go the way you’d hoped. Many times, a flop says more about the market itself rather than your work or anything you’re doing, right or wrong. There is still value in each market, no matter the outcome. So, keep creating and keep putting yourself out there. I’m sure only growth will come!
