Flea market shoppers are out searching for gifts and bargains. Vendors at indoor markets may see traffic pick up at this time of year, but for those selling at outdoor markets, cold weather means the end of the season. How can you keep the off-season bright if your market’s season ends when the holiday shopping season begins? Before you fold up your table, consider these options to adapt your booth to a different market.
Find out if area churches, community centers, schools or local clubs are planning to hold holiday markets. Either contact them directly or do some sleuthing on websites such as craigslist.com, which hosts event listings by community, patch.com and the online boards of your local newspaper. Seasonal markets are everywhere around the holidays, as many community organizations make these events an annual tradition, and that can work to your advantage.
Go virtual. Selling your merchandise online allows you to keep products moving in the event that indoor markets are not available locally. You may decide, once you set up an online “booth” on a site such as Etsy, eCRATER or eBay, to continue using the site even after your usual market reopens for the next season. Take advantage of the option to craft a unique virtual store by creating a brand identity. Use wallpaper on your store page and pick a special font for its name. Just as in live flea markets, online marketplaces can benefit from a little extra decoration.
Keep in mind that each individual marketplace may employ a different set of rules and attract different audiences. Etsy, for example, caters to a crafty crowd that is willing to pay a little more for items that have been altered or embellished by hand. If you buy muslin bags in bulk and enhance them yourself, for example, Etsy shoppers will likely be receptive to your online booth. For new items and collectibles, eCRATER and eBay offer free listings and a straightforward transaction process. Be sure to review each site’s seller guidelines, because some sites, such as eCRATER, do not permit the sale of certain goods, like electronic cigarettes, for example. Being familiar with the rules will prevent any negative issues going forward.
No matter what you sell, there are ways to continue generating revenue in colder months. By considering alternative ways to drive attention to your merchandise, you can be sure that your sales remain hot.