Maximize Your Farmers Market Table: Tips for Setting Up and Driving Bookings

[TheFreddiesCook]

I have a table at a Farmers Market this weekend. Any tips on how to set up? What do to to ensure I get some bookings or orders? What should I display? Thanks!

 

[lesliec]

I did a booth this week at a small conference. I had two batter bowls set out. One had a sign that said register to win and I had the door prize drawing slips. The other one had a sign that said win a food chopper. I gave 1 ticket for the drawing slip, 5 for every $25 in orders placed, 5 for booking a catalog show this month, 10 for a cooking show, and 15 for a cooking show in August.
I only got one scheduled booking (2 wks away), but have 5 or 6 others that are really interested. 10 or so that are interested in the business, and contact info for about 150 others who were at least interested enough to stop by and fill out the card.
The key is getting out there and talking to them. If they like you and connect with you, they will be more willing to book with you. Many of the ones I met weren't familiar with PC, and I described it as "The Cooking network coming to your home". I told them it was up to them what type of recipe we would do. We could do something healthy and well balanced or something wonderful and decedant like Paula Dean. I got lots of laughs and lots of interest.

 

[kristina16marie]

i would take the mandoline, cutting board & a forged cutlery knife with a bunch of fresh veggies (from the farmers market perhaps) and let people see how easy it is to use our products. maybe bring a few of the different peelers to demo on carrots...

 

[TheFreddiesCook]

So I had a table right next to the veggies and fruits, and all the tools for them to work with the food they were buying... but....No orders, no bookings... Just people taking my card and one filled out the drawing slip so I mail her a catalog. I hope something comes out of it...

 

[Bill Faber]

I normally do two card tables and a five foot table in my tent. On the 5 foot table I place what I would take to a show. It is nice and full and draws people in. One card table is my feature table. At this time of year it would be NEW ITEMS. Talk up what is coming. I place a catalog in a three ring binder in clear plastic sheets(cut the catalog apart) place the index of pages in back( found online) this makes it easy to find things. Second table is my cash and carry table. I do spices, small items( I dont want a lot in my house so things like, ice cream scoops, citrus peelers, mini seving spatula) I usually listen to what people are asking for and then will try to buy a couple of them. I offer a 10% discount on anything ordered through the market and advise I will contact them when the order comes in and they can meet me back at the market to pick up the items.

From the cash and carry table I make my rent. I usually would get 2-3 orders a week and it they were small but certainly developed some customers from it. When they see you back next week it helps. With a market you have to keep going and you will start to see sales.