Christmas Stall - first time as seller! Pls can I have your tips?

[HappyOctober]

I’ve just found out that I’ve got a spot selling my pottery, which I’m excited about but have never done this before…

Thinking I’ll need paper to wrap them in, bags maybe, a float, is it a good idea to get a card reader? Price labels. A form for emails to be added to a (currently non existent) mailing list?! Anything else? I’m probably missing loads, any suggestions gratefully received. 💕

How exciting!

My top tips - make friends with the other other stall holders, you might end up networking with them in the future.

You can sign up to SumUp and download the card reader to your phone, this used to be free. I wish I had known this before I bought the card reader.

Have price labels and business cards.

Have a qr card that takes people to your socials if you have them.

Customers will appear the moment you eat, bend down or go to the toilet.

Have fun.

Info with your socials, website , details etc.
Business cards. A card reader. Obviously wrap and bags, maybe strong brown paper bags with your logo on if that fits with your aesthetic. Maybe a float but I'd offer card payments too. Maybe but about you, pic of you in the studio etc
Good luck👏

1. Definitely get a card reader of some kind. I use Square on my phone only. Remember to take your charger! Back up QR codes that take someone to a payment option are a good shout.
2. Display prices are helpful. Go high, so you show your work has value.
3. Packaging to get the work home without breaking it is very important - cover that in the price.
4. If someone buys something you can ask for an email for their receipt. For those who just want to know about future work you could QR code to a sign up page.
5. A nice cloth and raising blocks to display pieces will be helpful.

Good luck!

Card machine - yes definitely needed. As is a decent float, although try and keep your pricing simple.

Would highly recommend secure packaging.

Make sure your table is fully secure (I've seen what happens when they collapse).

Make sure your display has different heights. Don't lay everything flat on the table. You can use all sorts of things for this, without shelling out. I used to put the boxes I transported stock in underneath my tablecloth and upended to use as stands.

Clear pricing. People won't ask.

Take business cards if you want to share your business.

Don't set up an email mailing list unless you are registered with the Information Commissioners Office. It's illegal.

Smile, greet people as they walk past. Don't sit on your phone. To be honest, don't sit unless you really have to.

Take food and drinks.

Make friends with your stall neighbours.

Tell people about your story, how you make things, your inspiration, anything really. People buy from people.

I've never had a stall but as a customer
-clear price labels are a must
-I sometimes like to know where you will have your stall next time for a leaflet is handy or a list I can photograph
-I'm in my 40's, fairly tech savvy but don't have instagram, tik tok of whatever the latest is. I do have facebook or am happy to look up a website to know where you will be next time.
-I despise QR codes and don't bother scanning them. I just want the info, even if I have to take a photo of a poster/sign on your stall that says that info.

A flask of coffee, a bottle of water, and food
Your table, a table cloth (a flat double bed sheet works well), a folding chair - generally I prefer to stand, but it gets tiring
A cash tin
A notebook and pen
Some blank price labels for anything you’ve forgotten to price, or that you decide to change
Sellotape, scissors, safety pins (you’d be surprised how many times I’ve needed these at fairs and markets)
A ground sheet - depending if you’re indoors or outside, sometimes it’s helpful to have something to put down so your things aren’t directly on the ground
Lip balm, paracetamol, hand cream, hand sanitizer

Plan to get there as early as they’ll let you. It’s so much easier setting up your stall in a leisurely way, rather than dashing in at the last minute. Plus, at some venues you can drive up and unload, but then have to move your car, and if you’re not early, it might be a struggle to park.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

Display, display, display.

You need to attract people over to your stall before you can sell anything. They need to see what you selling from a distance. Height in your displays is key. If your wares are all sitting at the same level on the table they can't be seen from across the room and the display looks literally a bit 'flat' and dull.

Build a cheap set of risers with bricks or sturdy cardboard boxes and small planks of wood. Make sure your pieces won't fall off or the whole thing collapse if customers start picking things up.

Have 3 'zones' on your table
• a tall eye-catching display at one end to draw people in
• a middle zone of pieces people can choose from and easily handle
• a 'payment' zone at the other end with your prices,space for wrapping/ the customer to put their bag. Group any small pieces you have here for last minute impulse buys.

Good luck, it's very exciting!

I remember the advice of a very successful retail business man which was nobody should come in and not buy anything, so if you can produce a cheap simple irresistible thing that will draw people in. Perhaps some simple single Christmas tree decorations in addition to your other pieces.

Are you inside or outside?
need your own tables?
wind / rain alters things and can be cancelled.
Is the wifi any good?

Food and drinks and sweets 🙀
Take lots of warm clothes / hand warmers / uggs - it gets freezing after an 1 hr stood out on a cold day - the more comfortable you are the better you will feel.
Is it a high street? Or a school / indoor place?

Make sure the sheet covering your table goes all the way to the ground and looks neat and even. Hide all your boxes, packing and gubbins under the table behind it. Check how far you might have to carry your stuff from the car. Some venues allow you to unload near the entrance and then move the car to the car park. But if it's a large venue it may still be quite a walk within the building to your stall. Pottery is heavy and multiple trips to collect your stock could take ages. Think about investing or borrowing a collapsible festival trolley. Make it the last thing to go in the car so it's the first thing out at the venue.