Flea markets can be boisterous and competitive, with high volumes of people who come in waves followed by lulls that last only long enough to allow vendors to regain their bearings. When so many people are milling around, how do you get shoppers to stop at your booth long enough to fall in love with merchandise? Even the best products need a charismatic presentation, and with that in mind, here are a few of our favorite methods for being a customer magnet.
Make ‘em laugh, make ‘em laugh
A little humor can go a long way, and more can go the extra mile. Putting some personality into your sales pitch will hold an audience’s attention and make them feel comfortable around you, which means they’re comfortable buying from you. Leveling the walls between you and your customers is easy with a few great jokes, even if you’re the punch line. What are some of the best lines you’ve ever heard? Certain websites use quirky copy to their advantage, such as Threadless.com and UrbanDaddy.com, to boost sales and create loyalty.
An Eye-catching Pitch
Presentation is key. How you arrange your wares can be the determining factor in whether a customer stops to see your products or moves on to a competitor’s table. Select your most colorful and unique merchandise, or your best sellers, and place those items at the front of the booth at eye level. Having something edible, even if it’s a dish of peppermints or a pot of coffee, can also entice customers to linger.
Be a Student of Your Shoppers
Does your booth have a guest list? If not, it may be a good idea to start one. Allow visitors to leave their names and email addresses in a book somewhere in your booth so that you can send them updates about new products, tell them about markets you’ll be visiting and ask for feedback. Learn everything you possibly can about them by asking them questions in person, then follow up later. Are your customers mostly local? Are they traveling? Are they seasonal? The more you know about who is shopping at your market, the more equipped you are to cater to their specific needs. Remember that common ground can lead you to higher profits.
Demo Like You Mean It
Above all, remember that you are the one with the product your customer needs. Unless they see how a product works and are made to understand why it’s unique, customers don’t know what they’re missing. Enlighten them, welcome them into your booth with a smile and show them around. If you can get a shopper to interact with an item, they’re more likely to purchase it.