Top 10 (plus) Vintage Market Booth Ideas

When I started doing markets 10 years ago – I remember thinking ‘I hope people show up”……fast forward to today and I can tell you THEY SHOW UP!

So I got to thinking …what are some things that I do EVERY MARKET that I feel helps me to be successful??…..and here they are…

1. Set your booth like a store front…This is your STORE FOR A DAY and it needs to be treated like one…create a flow for your customers to enter and exit easily through..
2. SMALLS are BIG…Yes – I sell a TON of painted furniture….but I also make sure that I have a TON of smalls…My smalls can be anything from wooden handmade picture holders, scales, vintage clocks, ironstone pieces, vintage bottles used a vases….They help create the “look” for your space and help your customers imagine your furniture pieces in their home.
3. PRICE EVERYTHING. Your customers want to get in and out and on to the next booth…Make is easy for them to do so by having neatly, easy to read price tags….
4. Constantly be re-staging your booth…as a piece sells fill the space with another piece….I always start with my furniture stacked on top of each other…washstands on dressers is a MUST…as pieces sell bring others out to fill the empty space..
5. Take photos…a lot of them….these will be your advertisement photos for your next event!! Use them as your THANK YOU post following your event.
6. Post a catalog of your pieces a few days prior to your event..give specific details on your pieces (including cost) so your customers can already measure their space in their home and come ready to buy!
7. Decide if are going to do pre-sales once you post your pieces – because you will get asked to…people may not be able to attend but WANT that piece…. This is how I handle this…..I tell people if they prepay and the piece does not sell in the first 15 minutes I will put a sold sign on it for them…I have many customers that drive 2-3 hours to be the first one in my booth and they deserve first pick after also waiting in line for an hour to get in… but I also understand those who cannot attend and want to try to buy a piece they have seen……this has worked out well for me….If the piece sells in the first 15 minutes I refund their money…
8. Have extra help the first hour or two to provide a FAST check out…and advertise it as that – COME SEE ME FIRST – I will get you in and out FAST!! That way they visit you first as well!!
9. STAY OFF YOUR PHONE….be engaged….make eye contact and welcome every person to your booth…
10. Share stories about your pieces – where and how you found them…I go to a lot of farm sales and have great stories to share..
11. Have pre-made SOLD tickets..This will help out in the first hour when things are hectic…things can and have been sold twice during hectic times…this helps to avoid that…
12. Keep notes your pieces – what color you painted them in case your customer needs it…or asks you to do a matching custom piece for them!
13. Display idea – wooden crates from local shops make a GREAT movable display cases – and you can design it differently depending on your need at each event…and they also make a great tote in which to carry your items…Below is my display from Junk Bonanza this year. I did a booth with Marian Parsons – aka – Miss Mustard Seed….It was exciting and so fun to spend the day with her and her friend Cheri – from the blog – The Cottage…we laughed a lot, talked to A LOT of customers and worked hard…oh and dealt with the snow storm of the YEAR!!
14. Be PRESENT – and PROUD!! This is your moment to shine and share your passion…do so and most important ENJOY the fruits of your labor!