This Markets - Checklist pdf is intended for people new to running a market stall business. Copy and make any changes to this checklist to suit you and your products on your stall. It is also handy as a regular checklist so you don't forget something for each market day.

If you are an experience stall holder you may like to send us some of your tips so we can add below.  contact@creativesalts.com.au

Tips:

Go to a few markets and see how similar stalls are set up, including how they display their specials. This is not so you can be the same, but so you can improve on them and be unique in your presentation of your stall.

Do a test run at home, so you are comfortable with how it looks and if you need to add or remove something.
A test run is also handy for you to see your stall from a customers perspective and not just as a seller.  Consider asking some close friends to give you their constructive feedback as potential customers (not just that "It looks good").

Make sure your items are well presented.  It doesnt matter if you are selling high quality items or low end products, the secret is "presentation". Your products need to be visually appealing so customers will walk over to your stall.  Ensure your items are clean, and not cluttered and you have visible prices. Ensure items that are not being sold are hidden away under your tables.

Display your specials so they can be seen from a distance.  Also display your samples so they are easy to access.

At the markets people take on a different approach to buying than they would at a shop or shopping centre.  At the markets people love to feel they are getting value for money and they tend to buy more on impluse ie. when they leave the house to go to the markets, they don't always know what they want to buy.  But when they get to the markets if a product looks good and smells good the chances are they will buy it.

Market Shoppers will mainly buy for themselves, their homes or gifts.
If they buy for gifts they like to feel they are getting value for money, so appearance is really important.
If they buy for the home, they want the items to fit in with their decore or lifestyle. 
If it is young children that are buying or being bought for, it needs to be fun and colourful i.e Help Yourself Stalls.

Knowing your products and who you are selling to is an important part of setting up your stall. 

If you are doing the 'Help Yourself Stalls' consider giving the impression of your stall being fun, colourful and crafty. 

If you want to show your products as being calming, soothing, and healing then consider using spiritual colours and settings. Also compliment your stall with crystals and candles. 

If you want to provide the high end products, then give your stall a light and clean feel - just like a day spa. Consider having some bowls for hand baths or a footbath so your customers can experience some pampering.  You could even take bookings for the day as footbaths are wonderful to experience after walking around a market, and when your customers feel the products sooth their tired feet, naturally they will buy them. If you offer hand or foot baths remember hygiene is very important.

It really doesnt take much only a bit of imagination and a vision of what you want to achieve.  You do not need to be like everyone else, be unique as a market stall is a smaller version of a fixed shop, so take some time and thought into how you want to present your products.  Have you ever heard the sayings "Presentation is Everything"  etc. 

Customer service is a very important part of your business. It can mean the down fall or success of any business.

I find that the majority of Market Shoppers need to feel engaged so they can feel comfortable to actually pick up and smell some products - even samples that say "SMELL ME".  I believe this is because they know you are the actual owner (and not a shop assistant) and they don't want to offend you especially if they don't like what they sample.  But there are others that are well versed with markets and have no problem chatting and sampling things on display.

If you get a negative comment don't take it personally.  After experience of observation, I have seen some people that have alternative motives ie. selling similar products - take those comments as a compliment as your products may be a threat to their business and they may not have the confidence in their products. Or if it is a genuine comment then write it down.  If it warrants fixing then do so.  However, I did a survey and found that different products appeal to differnt groups ie. the teenagers and fruit lovers, really loved the strawberry and apple, while the more mature women loved the Sweet floral essential oils and the males preferred Citrine and Mother Earth. Do not discontinue a scent because someone didn't like it.  If we did that we would not have our most popular product "Mother Earth".  Do a survey first or give your products some time to prove themselves.

If you are ethical, polite and professional, you will always get people that will try and buy your products.  

For genuine customers browsing, give them some attention and say hello, while smiling and have some casual chit chat ie. if they are looking at an item ask them if they want to smell the "SMELL ME" samples or tell them something about it like "That is very soothing and...."  Naturally those stall holders that are experienced, will know that a smile and product demonstration or explanation goes a very long way.  A customer that is not engaged, will walk away.  I tested this out and did some markets myself. The first 5 people that browsed, I smiled but said nothing.  They walked away.  Then I engaged the next lot of customers by saying hello and engaging them in the products.  They asked some questions or just commented on how great the products smelt and they all bought.

It is also handy to have some small samples on hand to give out, for customers that start to walk away without buying, so at least they get to test your products and buy next time.

Another important thing is to try and not sit down directly behind your table as this can make potential customers feel uncomfortable and not want to approach your stall.  If you are servicing or talking to someone it is less uncomfortable for your customer if you are standing (or at least sitting on a high stool so you are close to eye level).  If you are not busy, potter around your table and displays so others will join you, as it looks like you are a customer and they are not so intimidated to approach your stall. 

Presentation of yourself is another thing to think about.  At the markets you can be casual but I believe if you are selling bath and beauty products (packaged), people will judge your products based on your appearance.  This is the same as if they were buying them from a beauty section at a major Shopping Centre.  It is an unfortunate fact, so it is good to dress at least in smart casual.  If you were selling more casual fun items i.e "help yourself stall" then it would be appropriate to dress casual as this stall type is more focused on fun, gifts and children. But at the end of the day it is up to you and the types of customers you are marketing to.

Finally, remember it takes time for people to get used to seeing you at a market, so patiences is a virtue. Speak to other stall holders (maybe not ones selling the same items as you, as they can discourage you) and they will let you know that regardless what you are selling, it will take at least 3 - 4 attendences for people to get used to seeing you and your products. 

Anyone in a small established business will tell you that it does take time to get yourself established and running effectively. Some small businesses can take off in a few months while others can take over a year, but if you have patience, passion and confidence in for your products, solid work ethics, good customer service skills and cash flow you have a good foundation for your business.