#vendors

[gardening-guy]

when i was a scout, we would do cookie sales around this time of year. we'd set up booths and tables at shops, neighborhoods, anywhere we could really. we would have all these fancy signs that we'd made ourselves to advertise the cookies but keep the cookies underneath the table, save for a few out in the open.

people would never buy cookies that way, and would assume we were advertisers or solicitors or church people. it wasn't until we just got bored and sick of designing signs that we stacked all the cookies on the table and BAM so many sales just from people catching a glimpse of the actual cookie boxes...

people just refuse to read ig 🤷‍♂️

never forget the universal rule of the order of things: People Will Not Read It

[breelandwalker]

so, I know you've been vending at a lot of different craft fairs and witch markets for awhile now (sadly, too far away for me to attend!). would you happen to have any tips for someone looking to do the same at their local fairs? thanks!!!!!! ❤️

Sure! To start, brush up on three things - networking, recordkeeping, and people skills. Get an idea of what's going in on your area, talk to the organizers, see what the particulars are for the events. Here are some questions to ask:

What's the venue like? (indoors, outdoors, parking, accessibility)

Do I need to bring my own table and chairs?

Is there electricity / wifi available?

What is the table fee?

When is the event and how long does it run?

Is there a theme or target audience?

Is there advertising being done for the event? (Signal boost!)

Based on the answers you get, you can start putting your stock and setup together.

Do as much as you can WAY ahead of time. If you need to make things, start now. If you need to buy things, give yourself at least a month before an event to make sure everything arrives in time. Get yourself a 6-foot folding table and a comfortable folding chair or camp chair for events where they're not provided by the venue. Sign for Paypal, Venmo, and Cashapp as well as a card payment processing service like Square to give your customers the most payment options possible. And of course, plan to carry some small bills for cash patrons. (You don't need a register or cashbox, a simple bag of appropriate size will do. I literally use a pencil case that says Resting Witch Face. Works great.)

You'll want to get some displays for your merchandise. The type will vary depending on what you have, but it should be simply and sturdy and preferably easy to pack in and out. Vertical visibility is important at these events, so if you can find some kind of stand or tiered display, that will help you get noticed. I'd also suggest some simple clear plastic standups that you can put a printout price list and a basic sign in. A table banner helps people notice your table from afar and you should definitely have business cards to hand out with your shop info and socials. (I use Vistaprint for both.) Decorations are nice, but don't overload the table with them. They should augment your setup, not overwhelm it.

You may also want to get an 8x8 or 10x10 popup canopy and canopy weights if you plan to do outdoor events. Also, GET A COLLAPSIBLE WAGON. Best investment I ever made was a $45 collapsible wagon. It fits in my backseat and makes hauling things in and out of venues SO much easier.

Keep track of everything you spend related to your endeavors, including event fees, supplies, stock, setup items, displays, signage, business cards, and gas and food on the day. Keep those receipts - you can deduct them on your taxes later to offset your earnings. (Because registering as a business can be a pain and comes with fees, but if you don't do it, you may owe money for not collecting sales tax. Put aside some money for that tax bill, just in case.)

Prep your setup and stock the night before an event. Check your merch, charge your card reader (and bring a fully-charged auxiliary power pack and cord, just in case), make any updates to your inventory or pricing that you need to. It really cuts down on stress when you're loading up if you know you've already get everything set. I suggest reusable shopping bags or clear plastic bins to make things easy to haul, plus they can double as storage.

Plan to leave as early as you need to in order to account for traffic and pit stops. Pick an outfit ahead of time so you don't have to dither over clothes. It should be something appropriate for the event and the weather that looks neat and clean and is easy to move around in, including comfortable shoes. (Look to other vendors for examples.)

Make sure you bring water, snacks, and anything you'll need to get through the day, i.e. medicine (headache pills and stomach medicine at minimum), energy drinks, a fan for hot days, an extra layer for cold ones, etc. Get to the venue as early as the organizers allow. The more time you have to park, load in, and set up, the less stressed you'll be. Make sure things are arranged in a way that's accessible and makes sense. Place signage where necessary to explain items and pricing.

GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE THE EVENT BEGINS. TRUST ME.

During the event, you're gonna have to do a LOT of socializing, so prepare for that as best you can. Try to stand if possible when there's a lot of foot traffic so you're more noticeable. Be personable - you don't have to grin constantly, just try to keep a pleasant expression and greet people as they pass, especially if they look in your direction. Don't be afraid to invite passersby over if they pause to check out your setup. Welcome them in, invite them to check out your stuff, and let them know you're happy to answer questions. (And ALL questions are good questions. There are no dumb questions. Even if the question is the dumbest thing you've ever heard or it's the fifteenth time you've been asked that day.) Chat and banter a bit where possible. If you can get people smiling or laughing, they're more likely to stick around and possibly purchase your wares. Make sure as many people as possible take your card when they leave.

Yes, you will be exhausted when the event is over, even if you're a naturally outgoing person, and you'll still have to break everything down, haul it out, load your vehicle, and drive home. If you happen to have somebody who can help you out, that really comes in handy.

In any case, know your own capabilities and personal limits and plan for that when you're deciding where to vend. If a venue is too far away for your comfort or doesn't have what you need or the table fee is too high (be wary of any thing over $75 for a single day event), don't sign up. If an event is too long or too far outside your target audience, don't sign up. If you don't have an appropriate setup or don't have the stock / can't get it in time, don't sign up. If something about the event or the venue or the organizers rubs you the wrong way, DON'T SIGN UP. Talk to other local vendors to get an idea of where to go and what to expect. Most will tell you right away what works, what's good, and what to steer clear of.

This is all just the basics. You'll learn a lot more when you start to vend, as far as what your individual needs are, where to go to find reliable business, and how best to connect with local venues and customers. Keep records of everything you do (spreadsheets are your friend!), network with organizers and other vendors, and practice that sociable game face.

And trust me - if a disorganized introvert with social anxiety and ADHD and absolutely NO sales experience can figure out to do this, I think pretty much anyone has a chance.

Good luck!!!! 😁

[tiktoks-repost]

snolonely on instagram

[ysociety]

[henk-heijmans]

Fruit & vegetable vendors, Indianapolis Market, Indiana, ca. 1908 - by Lewis W. Hine (1874 - 1940), American

[theneondreaming]

[balkanparamo]

Vicente Manansala: The Vendors

(Mga Tindera, oleo sa kambas, 1978)

[afrotumble]

[postcard-from-the-past]

Flower vendors from North Africa

French vintage postcard

[michidrawsathing]

I had such a good time at Bold Matsuri this year with my boothmates at @lovechucreations ! This was our booth set up. We just keep getting more and more creative with how we set this baby up! I saw a ton of awesome cosplayers this year, I wasn't able to grab their @'s, but you all look amazing!! (The blank spot in the corner was for my new SatoSugu print, btw not a single purchase on it, so give it some love when it drops in the store :) )

I have more, but it wouldn't let me post any more photos! By the way, that Flynn Rider was actually so sweet, and we both went silly talking about how Tangled is our comfort movie. There were so many awesome, awesome experiences!

I love boothing so that we can interact with the community and get to talk to wonderful people each and every year!

[housegoblin]

I’m gonna be selling at Tekko2024 this week with @karlovycross !!! Hope to maybe see some of you there :3

[bey0ndthisearthshit]

Went to this Foodees festival thing today. Was aight, too damn hot outside though 🥵

[haleighsplacestudios]

Hello pples, 2days posts gotta b kinda quick cuz i gotta b up @ like, 3 am 2 get ready 4 2morrows show. Anyway its another 1 of those King 🐸 resin figures, just w/ a slite color vari8ion & a gold 👑 instead of silver.😊 4 this 1 i did a black base instead of grey, so even tho i used the same color pigments, its more vibrant bcuz w/ metallics the darker the background color, the more it pops.😊👌🏻 Anyway i hope u like it, & ill c y'all 2morrow. 🙂👋🏻 Have a good 1 yall ✌🏻

[los-plantalones]

sup nerds: if you’re in the southwest jersey / north delaware area and need something to do on friday, consider the Night Market at Dragon Village!

i will be there selling my foraged and wildcrafted wares! there’s also cosplay, the holy trinity of gays/girls/goths, lots of crystals (i.e. cool rocks), and all kinds of things on fire (hopefully not me).

More Info 🐉

[galleryofart]

The Fair Show

Artist: James Ward (English, 1769-1859)