Markets! what markets?

People often ask "what are good markets to go to?"

This is a very difficult question to answer.
It's in the same basket as "how long is a piece of string?".

It all depends.

I'll look at it from the point of view that you want to sell something!

firstly -
1. Go and visit some markets. Start in your local area. You probably know where they are.
But if not, look in your local paper or go for a drive a t the weekend.
There is also the invaluable publication 'Markets and Fairs', which comes out bi-monthly and is available through newsagents.

photo by lucid optic lab via flickr

When you have located a market , you need to observe -
2. What is bring sold there. Handmade, trash and treasure, junk, imported stuff? Quality?
How will your goods fit in?

3. How big is the market? How many stalls?

4. Is the market well organised and well set out?
Is it an attractive place, nice setting

5. Are there things like yours? How much? one or two or lots.
You wont want to go somewhere where there is too much competition.
If you have a truly unique product, it may be the place for you.

6. Who is walking around? Old, young, families, students?
People who look like they have money? or not?

photo by anodyne via flickr

7. Are they buying or just having a day out? Are they stopping to look at stalls? Are they carrying bags of shopping.

8. Trust your guts. Does it feel good? Do the stall holders look happy (OK stallholders never look happy!)

photo by cristina jaeger via flickr

9. Talk to the organiser. Some popular markets have a waiting list.
Find out how much it costs.
Do you need your own public liability insurance?
Can you hire tables? if you havent got your own.
What time are the markets open?
When? monthly, weekly, bi-monthly?
Do they have casual spaces as well as regular/permanent stallholders.

10. Talk to stallholders. But be tactful as they are a pretty closed group, but once you are in, there is great networking about good and bad markets.
They are more likely to tell you what the market is like if you wont be competing with them.

11. What is parking like? For stallholders setting up and packing up.
for customers?

photo by ayeletbeads via flickr

12. Are there food stalls?

13. Is it indoors or outdoors?

14. Is there entertainment?

15. Go home and think about it or book in on the spot!

Sometimes you dont know until you try!

Go on give it a go!