Flea market and swap meet vendors wear many hats. From product buyer to merchandiser to sales person, you have to be on top of all aspects of your game. Here are six proven strategies to maximize your sales potential.
1. Know your merchandise. To succeed in your market, you must have in-depth knowledge about every item that you sell. Learn the pros and cons of products that you carry, and keep up to date on new developments and models. Shoppers are more likely to buy when they sense that you know what you are talking about.
2. Be enthusiastic. It helps tremendously to be a fan of the products you sell. After all, if you would not buy your merchandise, how can you get someone else to do so?
3. Be friendly, not overbearing. We all know that unpleasant feeling of being shadowed in a store. Still, shoppers want sellers nearby in case they have questions. Make your presence known and be friendly, but do not hover. Suffocating customers is a surefire way to chase them away.
4. Ask questions. By taking a genuine interest in shoppers and asking questions, you show that you care. Even if you are eager to unload a particular item, do not alienate shoppers by endlessly extolling its virtues. Keep the pressure to an absolute minimum and make it clear that you sincerely want to help them find exactly what they want.
5. Sell add-ons. Cross-selling related items to a customer is another way to boost sales. Suggest additional items while your customer is still looking around and open to shopping. Tell customers why you are suggesting the item, based on the answers they gave you to the questions you asked. In addition, bundling merchandise for a reduced price is an attractive sales tool.
6. Get personal. When possible, tell a success story of how this item was put to good use by another customer or even a celebrity. Many people like to be in on the trends.
Utilizing sales techniques and strategies can make a huge difference in your business success. Your goal is to make people comfortable in your booth so they want to come back again. Satisfied customers develop through unaggressive, friendly sales techniques that gently steer people to buy what you have to sell.