How Involved Should Sellers Be at Markets?

Depends on what you are selling IMHO
Personal, practical, seasonal etc
It's also hard to get into conversation with one potential buyer without ignoring others
It's tricky 🫣
 
I like to see prices on things. These types of markets can be expensive and perhaps people are shy like you and don’t want to ask and then be embarrassed if too expensive. Also, and I’m guilty of this sometimes, people like to look but don’t always have intentions to buy so please don’t necessarily assume this has anything to do with your personality. Good luck with this season xx
 
Noooo it’s so annoying when they talk to you , I feel like I’m being hounded- I like to just look in peace 🤣
 
I sell jewellery & fabrics for a Ugandan charity. I can usually tell by the body language if someone wants to chat.
The who made it , where & why is a big part of what I do but if there’s no eye contact I save my breath.
I usually just start with “ everything is handmade in Uganda by girls from The Fortress charity “ if I don’t get a response to that I leave people to browse. If it leads to questions or comments I tell them about what the charity does & how I’m involved.
Sometime if someone picks up a piece of jewellery I comment on how it’s made.
It’s a bit different for me because I’m also talking to people about a charity & a very sensitive subject ( grooming, abuse & r*pe of young girls) .
I would say look up smile & say hello. The main thing is an open & approachable expression even if you’re thinking either buy something or go away!
Also get chatting to the other stall holders, I’ve sold so much to people on other stalls.
Good luck, I know it’s soul destroying to pay for a stall then go home wondering if it was worth it.
 
A simple good morning/afternoon and "if there's anything I can help you with please let me know" goes a long way. Watch customers facial expressions, we all know even strangers basic ones like a "what's this" look at that point offer just a snippet "that's one of our new ones", "they sell really well the so and so's" one tip though don't but in to conversations, wait for a pause or wait until customers that are together are looking at different things.
 
I don't like it when people talk to me. Just a quick hello.
Also make sure you have signs up with prices. Nothing worse than having to ask how much it is as then I feel pressured to buy
 
It’s like when you go in a shop especially somewhere like curry’s where as soon as you walk in the door they are on top of you and just watching you all the time. If they do things like that I won’t buy anything. I don’t mind a Hi but that’s it
 
I think it's good to seem approachable and you can usually gauge if someone wants to chat or not. If someone is browsing and there's an awkward silence it can then just make the buyer feel awkward and move on. Just make conversation, say "hi, oooh it's a bit nippy today/nice and sunny today/bit wet today isn't it." And see how they respond. If they just seem awkward then leave them but if they continue talking tell them, ask them if they are having a good day and tell them about your products. Maybe have a little tin of sweets to offer the kids too as I know my kids love it when there's free stuff available 🤣
 
The jury seems split on these comments..
I haven't been through them all..but.you could have some info about your story on an a3 frame or something.
Could you maybe have a sign that prompts them or engages them.
These markets tend to be "expensive". Do you have a lower price bracket too.
Also as branding is my jam, rhat also plays a huge part in if you sell and/or if your prices are an accurate reflection of your brand xx
 
I hate browsing at handmade stalls I feel like the seller is glaring at me 😂😂 don't know if just me. If I was in your shoes id try and busy myself, don't know how 😂 but try not to look at the customer looking, its really off putting. Also price everything clearly, nice big signs and maybe do some sweet cones too or lucky dip to draw children in then parents will browse by default
 
@jddoss deffo not just you - I made the mistake of having a look at a stall one time and honestly it was a just a look and next thing I know my mum had ended being sweet talked into buying some marshmallow things and she was even like " ah we were just having a look" kind of thing..they weren't even that nice either
 
You need to Ty and react to the people, a nice warm welcome and then respond to how they react. Definitely don’t ignore people and appear as approachable as possible without being pushy. Have prices clearly labelled.
You could always do a prize draw style think to help you interact with people? They give an email address you put it in a pot and afterwards pull out a winner that gets a discount to your products online?
 
I personally say hello and ask them how they are and then I leave them to it.
I sell on Etsy, my own website and had a physical shop until 3 months ago. I've done them in the past and now starting to do some markets/fairs again so I can offer you my advice/experience.
In my experience, I've found that what people buy in person and what people buy online are very different. For me, in my shop and in person events, people have wanted grab and go gifts, whereas online, my best sellers are customised pump bottles, personalised oil bottles and personalised Christmas products. So I do tailor what I'm selling and where. I also check out what other stalls are selling so I can try make sure I have different things.
Look at the areas you're selling in because I find location and area do make a difference too. Smaller events at pubs/ churches/ sports clubs, schools I've never personally found to be very good for turnover. If you're finding a particular type of event isn't working, look at different ones.
Presentation of products is key too. Laying things out on a stall isn't very visually impacting so depending on how you set your stall out, it may be worth investing in some new display methods. Speculate to accumulate.
Finally, the current economic climate is particularly challenging so people aren't spending. I'm down 60-70% on online sales vs. last year. So I do think people are just holding onto their money and spending more wisely.
It's hard not to get disheartened but genuinely, you're not alone. It's a tougher world than usual for small businesses.
Keep going 💕
 
I think it's good to try and engage with people with chit chat, if you have a sample of.something to give out that might help. I personally think if someone isn't interested they won't say much back so just let them go.as you will soon get the gist, If you go to an event I would expect someone to talk to me. I've seen people standing at stalls like statues not smiling or engaging at all and just thought arh well if they don't bother neither will I. You could also make sure you have a few cheap bits and bobs on the stall or a raffle to one of your products that might work too x
 
As a shopper I like it when the owner will say hi or let me know if you have any questions and then leave me to it. I don’t like it when you then feel like you have to buy something but everyone is different!
I think a friendly hello as an acknowledgment is a good in between x
 
Having done sales in multiple ways. A simple hey how you doing? Or some form of acknowledgement with a question. If they answer then you can always lead the conversation on with have you seen me before? Something soft like that. If they give you a blunt answer or nothing at all then leave it be.
But image is everything.
There are people who don't like to talk but will buy so clear pricing and any offers you have on easy to spot.
But most of all relax and enjoy them. Networking is also key at these events
 
My little bit of input is that I hate it when someone starts being salesy, it makes me walk away. Just smile and maybe say if you can help just ask. X
 
I've visited a few stalls over the years & at times have been completely ignored by the person selling the goods so have just moved on to the next stall, but I've also found at times some sellers are very pushy which also puts me off, so it's probably hard to find a happy medium for everyone 🤔
 
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