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Entrepreneurship:  To Market or Not?  |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 12 2014 : 11:29:47 PM
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Here in Hickory we have a Farmer's Market which meets multiple times a week. I've yet to have opportunity to go to the "big one", but there is another down the street from my house that we went to a few months back. The "big one" is actually easier to access, bus fare and annoyingly early timetables aside.
Well, I would really love to try my hand at selling more, and it would help my business a great deal if I were able to "get personal" and face-to-face with potential customers even once.
There may still be spots available at the market, but here's the kicker: I've never done one of these before, and I don't think I have enough product to display. A folding table should be easy via Craigslist, the costs to set up about $10-15 per week. I have product. Just not a ton.
I even thought about possibly offering a sort of "raffle". Spend the afternoon handing out business cards and advertising. At the end the items I have with me are raffled off to the individuals with the highest bids per category... but I've yet to meet the lady running the show (because I don't know if I should even bother -- especially since most of the slots are filled for the summer)...
Just trying to think on my feet... or behind my eyelids or something (its 230a here; waiting on DH to get back before bed).
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
DH and I share a blog: http://wesubtleties.tumblr.com
Follow on Twitter: @wesubtleties |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3947 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3947 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2014 : 08:27:57 AM
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Contact the lady who runs the market. Perhaps she has a space once or twice this summer where there will be or could be a vacancy and you can slip into it at the last moment. She may even offer a discount. I would recommend putting together an album of all the designs you have done for customers to look at. Notice their reactions (what they like/don't like) and offer to custom make a design in their preferred colors. Be prepared to take orders for pieces you do not have made. Have some cheap candy on your table and be ready to start a conversation when they come by. Last, produce as much product as you can and don't bring all of it or put all of it out.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2014 : 12:11:30 PM
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Thank you! I will definitely try this out. I figure that at the very least, if she has no openings at this time, maybe she can recommend local shops that might be willing to sell some of my goods for a low commission fee, or perhaps help me sign up for the fall or next year, giving me time to make more product.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
DH and I share a blog: http://wesubtleties.tumblr.com
Follow on Twitter: @wesubtleties |
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GoddessintheGroove
True Blue Farmgirl
265 Posts
Heike
Sacramento
CA
265 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2014 : 05:48:21 AM
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I agree with Marie. There are always cancellations, and that way you can do a trial run :).
I always try to sell via a market vs. online when I can. Being able to to talk to people face to face is always better for me. Plus, i do get people to sign up for the newsletter.
Good luck!
FarmGirl Sister #2245
"A journey back to the roots..."
http://www.herbmagik.com
"Women with opinions, pendants, & KitchenWitches...all in one."
http://www.goddessinthegroove.com
Find me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/theGoddessintheGroove |
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Entrepreneurship: To Market or Not? |
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To Market or Not?
