I did it! I have finally showcased my products to the wider public in a craft market. I didn’t know what to expect and was not expecting much. I have a few lessons to take home with me:
Clear and inviting display
I thought my display was pretty cute featuring my brand’s colours (lavender and yellow), cute illustration, and my shop’s name. Would that be eye-catching enough?
Despite a pop colour combination, I was made aware that my vertical setup was a little crowded. I used 2 shelves of a shoe rack for pouches. This was unfortunately covered up the pouches on the bottom shelf.
Another thing, I used a book holder which I put upright to hold scrunchies. It was very unsteady and only gave me a small hook spaces to hold my scrunchies. It looks so chaotic and cluttered.
To hold paper goods like notebooks, greeting cards, and stickers, I used a black short 2 shelves shelving unit as seen on the picture. It was practical from my end, but honestly uninviting as a booth stand. This shelving usually lives next to my black piano to hold hymn books and music books. I was using anything I could find at home for that market. 😁
I should do better next time with my display. I will make sure all products will be viable in their category.
Inventory & collection
Now, align with inviting display, I have learned that my product must be organised together within their category. Having a display label for each item category also will be helpful. I need to bring and display more inventories too.
Clear prices
Another thing is pricing. I didn’t have price tags on my products and relied solely on price lists my friend made me on the spot. We placed them on the table but customer just didn’t see them and kept asking about pricing. I think I will price my product categorically or individually next time.
Networking
When it comes to engaging with customer, I honestly wasn’t sure what to do. Thankful for a sweet friend who was there with me, she was the one who greeted them and talked to them. Thank you, dear! I was super confused and nervous that I just wanted to hide myself behind the booth. But it is important, indeed, to have that engagement with customers as well as with other vendors. I only spoke to two other vendors.
Brand Name
Now, after that market, I have the urgency to change my brand name. I have been thinking for a while about finding a new name for my brand. Right now I am just using “Fillia Barden Studio” as my brand name, but it’s just too long but my full name are everywhere on my products! Somehow, that makes me uneasy. I have a brand name I have been considering but I will let it sit for a little more.
