The summer has arrived with a sizzle, which means the season of outdoor festivals, markets, and fairs is finally here. While they may not look the same as they did before the pandemic, many municipalities are finding a safe and fun way to keep these events going.
If you plan on setting up as a market vendor at several events this year, you have lots of work ahead of you. But don’t worry — these four tips will help your first time go off without a hitch!
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1. Sort Out Your Portable Payment System
One of the first things you want to figure out is your payment system. While cash is the easiest payment option for you, it isn’t necessarily convenient for customers. While an ATM will likely be on-site, few people will come back to make a sale if they have to leave to take out money.
To stop them from walking away, you’ll want to look into what mobile POS can process debit and credit cards, as well as mobile wallets.
2. Have Branded Merch Available
If you’re a visual artist or graphic designer, you’ve probably created an eye-catching icon and logo that people are willing to wear. You may even have fans who are looking for a branded t-shirt, toque, or cinch pack.
If you aren’t sure how to get your brand on these items, share your t-shirt design ideas with R&P Prints Canada for advice on custom silkscreen printing. You can arrange bulk t-shirt printing ahead of the festival, so you have a wide variety of items to sell.
You may also want to consider screen printing your logo onto face masks and cinch packs for giveaways, even if you have no plans to sell bulk order t-shirts.
These promotional items can act as prizes if you have a spinning wheel at your booth. Having one of these wheels is guaranteed to entice visitors, and the winners will give your brand free exposure when they wear your merch.
3. Think About Your Booth Design & Flow
Depending on how big a festival you’re working, you could have hundreds of other vendors as your direct competition. You need to make sure your booth stands out from the crowd.
How you set up your merchandise will significantly impact who stops by your booth. You’ll want to consider how you arrange your stock and signage carefully, paying close attention to how your decisions draw the eye but also funnel people inside your booth.
4. Protect Yourself from the Sun
If you’re attending an outdoor festival, be mindful of the sun this summer. The heat can sneak up on you when you’re busy talking to new customers and making sales. Before you know it, you’ll be dehydrated, sunburnt, and ready for a nap.
To keep up your energy for the entire day, ask the organizers ahead of time to find out whether you’ll have some shade or you’ll be under the hot sun all day long.
Here are some heat-friendly tips to remember if you won’t have any protection from the sun:
- Wear loose, breathable layers and a hat
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours
- Keep water and other drinks nearby
- Invest in a canopy tent to create shade
- Bring extension cords to set up fans around your booth
Your first time as a vendor can be fun and successful — just follow these tips!
