Here is the night market I have been at for the month of August, 5 nights a week, from 8pm to approximately 1am. It is across from the Hotel Zimbali, on Vera Playa if anyone wishes to come visit!
Some of the stands...
Leanne at her book stand
Tina, Jewllery maker. Hers are the only earrings I wear! http://bluetinajewellery.blogspot.com/
Me, excited for the night to begin!
I have a system that works well for me when it comes to selling at markets. I say hello or good evening to anyone passing by whose eye I can catch. I try to make eye contact with everyone I can. If they slow down to look, I give out free samples, small centimer squares of my best smelling soaps. Then I get chatting if they have time to listen. I tell them about the soaps in general, that I make them with natural and local ingredients. I explain the different properties of each one. Sometimes they purchase right away. Often, they return to purchase after once around the market. Other times, they return another day after trying the sample.
I find that if I don't make personal contact with them, I don't sell that well. Once I have met them and they have purchased from me, they often get in contact by email or through my site to purchase more.
So, I love being on the front line and meeting the potential customers. I love when they return after sampling...
I may be taking more pictures of some of the other artisans stands and posting.
Happy Summer Soaping!!
xoxo
Jen
24 comments:
Oh you must be exhausted doing that market every night but it's a good way to get your name out there. Sounds like you have a good system when selling as well.
Have you been making soap non stop to prepare for it?
I love pictures of the market and would love to see stall set up photos if you get the chance. I often go to other markets just to see different displays. We had a vendor from another market ask to check out our stand and we let her come take a look. There is a bond you make with other vendors.
Hope it all goes well for you.
Michelle
That looks like a lot of fun! Wish I can be there too!
Jen,
I give out samples too, do you wrap yours in a bit of tissue or put it in a little bag? I was wrapping mine in tissue but it took to long so I've started putting them in a little bag.
Michelle
Michelle,
I actually cut up a bar and hand them out then and there. Then i wrap them in a little piece of tissue paper for the customer but so that they can still smell it. I find it all more "artisan" this way.
Will try to post more about other artisans! xo Jen
Shieh, Thanks for your comment! Yes, this market is a lot of fun. I am really enjoying it! xo Jen
Jen, enhorabuena me encanta, y me gusta lo que has dicho sobre la venta lo tomare en cuenta. Un beso. Ana.
It looks like you are having fun. The market looks very vibrant as well.
Jen, you have the most amazing smile. People tell me I have an infectious laugh but no mention of my smile. Therefore because of you, I shall practice my smile. And at this weeks market I will start giving away little samples. Brillant !
Everything looks so beautiful at the night market!! You look so bright and cheerful...love your smile! I hope your leg is healing well. :)
a market at night - what a great idea, although it wouldn't work here in rainy Scotland.
I never thought about free samples like that, but I do say hello to everyone and chat away, and find that works best. But it can be exhausting at the end of the day, worth it, but tiring. Glad you are having fun and doing well xx
That looks like a great market of which to be a part, Jennifer. last Friday night I did an art market in nearby Hamilton and it was so much fun. (Unfortunately I forgot my camera.) I hope your presence at the market means your leg is feeling much better.
Boy, that pic of the market at night is gorgeous! You must be a night-owl Jen, 1:00 in the morning??? I guarantee I would be WAY to crabby to sell at that hour-LOL! It sounds like you're doing great there and lovin' it so that is fantastic...I bet you have to soap like a mad woman to keep up.
So happy for you my friend! :D
~Becky
~
Ana, Muchisimas gracias! Cuentame como te va con las ventas! xo Jen
Cynthia-Rose, Thank you for your comment. I checked out your blog for the first time today and loved it! You are right... I really am enjoying this market and will be sad when it finishes (mid-sept). xo jen
Donna, You are SSSSOOOOO sweet. Thank you for the comment about my smile. The smile is what attracts me most to people at first. I like a warm, sincere, twinkle-eye smile. Anyone can win me over with one of those. So I REAALLY love to hear that you enjoy my smile. As for the samples, give out your BEST. You want these people coming back! Let me know how it goes! xo Jen
Nitya, Thank you! Yes it is a colourful fun and busy market. Thanks for the comment about my smile. My leg continues to improve as I am in physio-therapy 3 times a week. But the ankle still swells up.... it is getting better daily!! Getting excited about the upcoming move?? xo Jen
Miss Polly, Here in the summer, it is the busiest, but too hot to sell during the day. So night markets work well. So you like to get personal with clients as well... I find it works well, and I also enjoy talking with the people. Yes, it is tiring... and my throat gets so dry... but I love it! xo Jen
Tara, Aren't evening markets fun? I will really miss this one when it is over. Glad to hear you had fun at a market in Hamilton. Too bad you didn't get pictures... xo Jen
Becky, Well, 1am is not that late here.... Spaniards are night owls. I think it's because of the heat. Too hot to sell during the day. I actually haven't been able to make that much soap, busy packaging and selling this summer. Selling all of the soap that I make before I was injured. I just started making again in my new mould (40 soaps), using my new log-splitter and LOVING it. I sold out of lavender recently and made 40 more, curing. Almost sold out of Green Clay and made 40 more, curing. Loving the new size and system as it makes everying so much easier!!! xo Jen
Wow, night market sounds awesome! And I also love being able to come face-to-face with my customers to connect on a personal level. Very rewarding =)
Hi Jen, I am long time reader first time commenter of your blog. I am a fifteen-year old soapmaker that started a soap business, Yamali Naturals in January 2010. My adventurous soap trek started when I was researching soapmaking at 13, and at that age I had independently learned not only the soapmaking process, but also the art and beauty of it all. Think out of the box, sky's the limit understanding....creativity and imagination allowed to run freely.
I have had a lot of fun so far, creating, living and loving everything about soap. (Yes, everything! Except maybe soapmaking day clean up.)
I found your blog at the beginning of this year and I have to let you know how inspirational you have been to me. (And many other soapers, I'm sure!)Your blog is a treasure! Resourceful and inspirational. I just wanted to thank you, personally.
I just finished a four-day local festival and easily agree with you, unless you meet and greet people, strike up a conversation and keep eye contact, people will have no interest in stopping at your booth, let alone looking at any of your products. My dad always says that once you thouroughly educate your potential customers about you, your unique products and your mission statement, your product will easily sell itself.
Thank you so much, and I'll keep reading!
Emma Waugaman
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Yamali Naturals owner/soaper
Emma, I loved receiving your comment! Feels great to think that I am inspiring... by simply doing what inspires me! Send me your email address (couldn't find it on your profile) and I will write more! xoxo Jen
Oh wow that looks like so much fun, but no way could I stay up till 1, I'm yawning by 10 LOL. I agree I love your smile, it makes me feel happy just looking at it:)
I forgot you took pictures! I think my stall looks OK but I'm looking fatter than ever! Looking forward to stalling out with you at Los LLanos!
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