8 Things To Take With You To A Vendor Market To Get More Online Sales
At the end of the day, nothing makes people want to buy more than seeing something they love in person. Seeing the work, holding it in their hands, feeling the texture, seeing all the different angles… it has magic to it. Because of this, being a vendor at handmade markets can be very beneficial to your art business.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t convert those in-person connections into online sales. To do this, you just need to get them to your online sales channel.
Here are 8 things you can bring with you to any vendor event that can help you get more online sales:
Notepad or Notebook
Bringing along a notepad or notebook for customers to write their email addresses can give them the opportunity to hear more from you in the future about new designs, new sales, or new collections you might be offering. To entice them to sign up, you can offer some sort of lead magnet (I offer a full list of these in my Artisan Coaching Studio!) so that they have a reason to hear from you.
QR code for website
QR codes are the quickest way for people to gain access to anywhere online. Having one for your website is a great way to navigate customers to see more of what you have to offer. Some might say you can do this after they’ve already purchased so they don’t give you the “I’ll look online and get back to you,” but you can also show it to customers who are about to walk away because they haven’t seen anything that jumped out at them in your booth. You’d be surprised what people fall in love with!
QR code for email signup
Instead of a notepad or notebook, you can also bring along a QR code that takes people directly to your email signup page. Now, again, you’ll want to entice them to sign up, either with some sort of lead magnet or perhaps a giveaway. A giveaway can be a great way to get email addresses and you can even make it a giveaway only for people at that particular event.
Giveaway item
As I mentioned before, a giveaway is a great way to get people at an in person event to join your email list. To entice them more, it’s best if you being a physical example of what the giveaway item will be. For example, if you are giving away a free set of earrings, have them on display right next to the notepad or QR code to join your email list. This way they can see and feel it which will make them want it even more.
QR code for social media
Perhaps you don’t have a proper email management system set up yet but you still want to convert your in-person customers to online sales later on. Having a QR code for your social media is an easy way to get people to still follow along with what you’re doing and, the great news is, they can find your website through your social media page as well. You could even have a giveaway for anyone who follows you on social media from the event, just be sure to get their contact information so you know how to reach out to the winner. Hint: ask them for their email address now so, when you do have a proper email management system, you already have people to add to it!
Business cards
Not tech savvy and want to go old school? Business cards are still a good way for people to still keep you in mind. For this, you will need to have some kind of online presence set up, whether it be your own website, social media, or shop page in an online marketplace. The trouble with business cards is that you don’t have their information to follow up with them; however, it’s better than simply saying, “thanks for stopping by!” and watching them walk away forever without a way for them to ever find you again unless you happen to see each other at another event.
Coupon Code Cards
Another thing you can offer the passersby from an in-person market are printed cards with coupon codes on them. This is a step above a business card because it gives them more of a reason to look you up and shop with you online because they know they’ll be getting something back from you. With this, again, you’ll need to have at least one online platform for your work (website, social media page, or shop in an online marketplace) already set up because, if you don’t and you’re telling people they can use it when it’s finally set up, they’re highly unlikely to remember.
Anything to remind you to mention your website
Sometimes at in-person events, it’s easy to get caught up in the conversation, sales, and all the other goings-on and you can be starting to pack up and realize, “shoot! I never even mentioned my website!” To prevent this, bring something with you that will remind you to refer people to your website. A sign that customers can see is a good way but a reminder note hidden in your sitting space can be helpful as well, that way, you’ll see it before anyone walks over.
At the end of the day, whether you get one email sign up or dozens, each sign up gets you that much closer to increasing your income as an artist business owner. The people who sign up for your email are people telling you they like your work and they WANT to hear from you which is already a lot more than just any person walking by or anyone who happens across your social media page. Cherish each one because you’re already one step closer to gaining a new ideal customer.
