The same vendor enlightened me about something I didn’t even realize was important. When she came over to learn more about my booth, it never occurred to me how important it was to mention the designs were original. Emphasizing handmade, which I thought was a given, made a profound difference. Eye catching and intriguing. She insisted that it should be showcased and mentioned.

And for the rest of the market, I made sure to mention it as guests came by. Sure enough, people seemed more intrigued and interested than before. I hadn’t realized it was something that would make such a large difference. Considering the possibilities, just a few visual changes like theme and taglines could really make a difference.

I am not a super outgoing person. Starting conversation isn’t my strong suit. But as someone new, it was almost vital for me to make connections and see what my peers and seniors were doing. After the kind jewelry vendor spoke to me, it gave me more confidence to reach out to others. Everyone was so kind and inviting. It wasn’t unexpected, but still pleasant to actually find success in something that I was nervous about.

At the market, many vendors give out discounts and free goodies to other vendors which I thought was a great way to connect and break the ice. I didn’t have anything prepared, but luckily I had some stickers I was able to give out for free. Still a bit nervous, I didn’t go to that many vendors, but next time I hope to greet more of them and create better relationships with the fellow small business owners and artists.

At a market, first impressions and immediate attractions is what really gets people to your booth. Since there are so many wonderful vendors to see, I have to find a way to stand out as a booth. Learning from other vendors on social media, interaction with the booth is important. Being able to pick up and look closely at the product can sometimes convince a customer on the fence about the purchase. While I had some things available, creating a more accessible or interactive booth really could have helped.

A creator and small business owner, Mualcaina who goes into depth about her experience running a booth at a larger scale con, mentions the importance of eye level displays. People should be able to easily see and identify the product. If everything is easily in view and noticeable, customers are more likely to take a closer look. This is a change that I plan to implement significantly. I almost felt invisible because my set up felt hidden. It was very plain and almost out of sight that I’m sure was easy to just ignore. I plan to put more focus in creating a booth that customers can enjoy and feel compelled to see.