There are many different types of fair vendors, and here we are going to look at two of them: food vendors and vendors of handmade crafts. These two types of fair booths are completely different and need different approaches to make them work.
Fair vendors of food probably have the easiest job of all vendors at fairs and festivals in selling their goods. The actual business is not that easy as there are more permits, rules and regulations, and safety issues involved when you are selling fresh food. However, at most events almost every visitor will buy some kind of refreshment, even if they buy nothing else.
When browsing stalls full of gifts, clothes and other items, it is very easy to make the excuse that you dont really need those items. But if you spend a lot of time browsing, you are bound to get hungry and head for the nearest food stall.
There are a lot of food stalls at fairs, so the most difficult part of the food vendors job is getting the customers to come to their stall instead of someone elses. One way is to offer samples of the food for people to try just a small bite is enough. If they like it, then they can buy a full portion. Offer snacks or snack-sized portions as well for people who dont want to spend too much.
The other way to attract people is through smell. We all know how appetizing the smell of newly baked bread, fresh ground coffee or frying onions can be, so make use of this. If someone did not feel hungry before, once they smell that delicious aroma they will realize they are hungry and head straight for the source of the smell.
Fair vendors of craft products do not have such an easy job, unless they are at a
specialist craft fair where all the visitors are there to buy handmade items. At other fairs not all the visitors will be interested in handmade products, and you have to try and make them so.
Depending on what your goods are, consider having a part of your display table as an area where you can work. If the nature of your goods allows it, you can advertise personalizing the goods for your clients. If that is not something you can do easily on the spot, dont despair you can still advertise it and take orders for later delivery or collection.
Another good idea is to make an item to order, if that is possible. Let the client go away and do more shopping while you are making the item, which they come back and collect later on. If you do this, however, make sure you get a deposit from the client if it includes any kind of personalization. Otherwise, if they dont come back, you may be stuck with something you cant sell!
Both these kinds of fair vendors booths have their good and bad points. They are more specialized than some as they require at least some degree of skill, be it cooking or handicraft. Usually, however, you are starting with a minimal cost of materials, which gives you the possibility of a larger profit margin as long as your prices are right.
