Market Red Flags
These are my general guidelines for how to spot a market I would avoid. The only way to be sure if a market is for my brand or not is to try it and see.
Market is not Juried
If anyone can have a booth, anyone will. This includes mass-produced retailers and MLMs. These markets are to be avoided at all costs. The company you keep reflects on your brand. I have been to festivals where I was surrounded by 2 for 1 off brand purses made in China on one side and a guy selling tasers on the other. Not ideal.
Market doesn’t advertise
When looking to pop up at a market, do a quick google search and investigate their online presence. Do they have their own website? Is it user friendly and up to date? Does their social media audience interact with them? How is their follower count? All these things add up.
Market fee is too high
I have paid anywhere from $10-$3,500 just to set up at an event. For it to be worth the fee, I need to know I will make the money back and more. Also, no fees doesn’t mean a good turn out. You get what you pay for. On the flip side, if a market asks for $400 for a one day event, I would be hesitant to agree to that as well.
Personally, I have a revenue I like to hit in order to do the market again. My standard is $200 or more. If I don’t hit that, I re-evaulate
Other Vendors opinions
I always try to contact vendors who have done the market before to ask their opinion. Again, if a candle maker does well at a market, it doesn’t mean a clothing boutique will.
If the market has a bad reputation, I will steer clear.
You Stick out…
Not in a good way. Either your product doesn’t mash well with the vibe or your pricing is too low or too high, sometimes sticking out at an event means it is not your crowd. When I see mass produced items or MLM’s, I know I have been scammed. Your booth should blend in with the event as though it belongs there, but stand out enough to draw interest.
