Selling your products in bazaars, trade fairs and craft shows is a great way to earn extra income.

With just minimal capital, you’ll be able to introduce your brand to the public and see how marketable they really are. Selling in bazaars or tiangges is also an opportunity for you to get feedback from your target market and consequently, find ways to improve your product.

Some of the most successful retail businesses actually began this way. A friend of mine who is now an exporter of Christmas decors started his business by joining trade fairs and expositions. After a few years of dedication and passion for his craft, he has been able to build his own company and is now a millionaire.

Selling in bazaars is not as simple as displaying your wares and waiting for buyers to come. There are effective ways to attract customers to your stall and make them buy. Below are some simple tips on how you can optimize your profits and make the most out of your bazaar experience. But first, let’s discuss some initial questions you might have.

How do you become a participant in bazaars, trade fairs and craft shows?

Assuming that you already have something to sell, the first thing you need to do is to get hold of the bazaar schedules and contact the event organizers. This information is typically announced in local newspapers, community bulletin boards and even on blogs and online forums. Inquire on how much the joining fee is. After that, you need to work out your finances and logistic requirements to see if you have enough resources to participate.

If you are low on funds, you can perhaps try to share space with other bazaar concessionaires. This is actually common practice. I highly recommend though that you partner with someone you know. If this is not possible, then choose someone whose product compliments yours. Ask the organizers if they can help or post an advertisement that you’re looking for booth-mates.

What products can you sell?

Anything that you have! The more important question here is actually, which bazaars should you join. Well, just think about your target market and participate in those will cater to the right audience. You can usually ask the organizers for the demographics of the expected buyers.

It’s bazaar day! How do you make people buy your products?

Optimize your space for the crowd
Don’t just put a table and lay out your products for display. Study the floor plan and imagine how the traffic will flow into your area. Design your space in such a way that it can easily be seen from the crowd. It also helps to be creative. Try to make your booth look interesting and inviting.

Greet, smile and be friendly in a unique way
This one goes for you and all your staff. Be courteous and sincere with your greetings. Shoppers are already accustomed to the noise of monotonous scripts of salespeople in bazaars. Let your voice be heard by calling out customers with unusual and unique invitations.

Make sure everyone is knowledgeable about the products
Don’t you hate it when you ask details about a product and you get a blank expression or a confused look in return? Prepare yourself and your sales team for possible questions that buyers may ask about your wares.

Have a sales pitch ready
People tend to look and browse over your display without speaking a word in these bazaars. When this happens, and believe me it will, take the initiative and try to start a conversation by opening with a short sales pitch and end by encouraging them to ask questions about the product. Create interest and people will respond.

Market the benefits more than the price and the features
When convincing someone to make a purchase, highlight the benefits that the customer will get if they own the product. Spell out a specific need and explain how your product answers that problem. Simply, give them a reason why they should buy the item.

Mind your price and prepare for hagglers
One of the reasons why people go to bazaars is because it’s a great place to get deals and discounts. So make sure that your items are reasonably priced. But more importantly, give some allowance for hagglers. Furthermore, train yourself and your staff on how to handle haggling situations.

Have your business cards ready
Selling in bazaars, trade fairs and craft shows is a great opportunity to meet not only potential clients, but also business contacts and suppliers. Prepare your business cards and be ready give it anytime. A quick tip, hand out two or three business cards at a time and encourage the receiver to share it with colleagues and friends.

I guess that’s it. How about you? Do you have any more tips on how to effectively sell your items in bazaars? Kindly share them below as a comment.

I hope that you found these tips helpful and informative. If you want to receive more business tips and real life income opportunities, then please subscribe to Ready To Be Rich.

———
Photos courtesy of malou_c and emerald_scarab