How to prepare for a market stall Part 1

Scoops Design

There are many things to take into consideration when preparing for a market stall. The following steps will help you to prepare and cover all the essential tasks you need to do to get ready for your market.

Market Price range: First you need to decide how much money you want to spend on a market stall. After you have decided on an amount you need to find out what markets are available in your price range. The easiest way to find the market that suit you budget is to Google or Markets. Then you start preparing for the show. 

Submit an application: After you have figured out what market to attend you need to request an application. Some markets have strict guidelines and criteria so make sure you read the application and follow the instructions.

Travel arrangement: Once your application has been accepted you need to start making traveling arrangement as far as where you are going to stay and what you are going to do for food. Have a budget in mind on how much you are willing to spend on accommodation. Be creative if you are traveled inter state staying with friends or relatives will save you spend on accommodation. Make sure in return be grateful and thanks them or take them out for a nice dinner.

Product range: preparing for a market stall might take weeks or months. You might want to work out what products you will be taking with you and how much time each one will take to make. It might be helpful to start with the products that will take longer to make so you make sure to have enough time to get them done. Also how much stock do you need for the market and what quantity will be sufficient for the market.

Drive or Ship?: Once you have a list what you want for the show, you may need to decide whether you’re going to drive your own freight to the market or hire a transporter to do this for you. If your pieces are very large, and you’re not comfortable driving a big truck to the market, you’ll want to ship it. If you locate within a day or day and a half drive of the market site, it’s probably cheaper to drive your own freight, however, if your travel time exceeds a day or day and half, it maybe cheaper to ship. Do you research and make a good decision that suite your business. You can calculate the relative cost of each method, bear in mind that in addition to the petrol, wear and tear on your car, and any food and accommodation costs associated with your travel, you also will lose your time in the studio. Lost studio time equals fewer goods produced and that equals fewer sales. 

So with this in mind, it still maybe cost effective to ship over a relatively short distance. Find out from your event organiser to see whether this shipping service available. Also this is depend on what type of markets or trade shows, the bigger event will offer shipping as an added service. If you are planning to drive you car there, it is a good idea to service your car before the show and make sure it is fit and safe to drive.

Establish a time line: Begin with your acceptance in a market, extend right through the market event, and end it at least two or three days after your return. On this time line, make a list of everything you’ll need to do in sequence. You need to be realistic here, whatever, you can take care of early please do so. If you leave too much for the last few days, you will burn yourself out before the market. The two or three days after the market are as essential to plan for as the days before. You’ll want to have time to store and unpack your market stall stuff and any unsold products and return tools and other equipments to their proper places for example hiring a trailer etc.

Read Market Stall’s documents: In the days before the market event, be sure to read all the documents sent to you regarding the market. Pay attention to the following areas:

•    The load-in procedures and load- in time will be highlighted in the document. 
•     Know exact entrance you will be using to unload your goods
•     Look at the map of the city and plan your route.
•     If the documents don’t mention a loading dock, contact the event organiser. 
•    Access to your stall by handcarts or trolleys. If the market does not provide a trolley you might want to add it to your tool list or arrange one from another stall holder who is going to the same show
• 
  

 Tune in Next Week for Part 2 : How to prepare for a market stall