How to Attract Shoppers to Your Street Market
Running a street market can offer an exciting and financially rewarding experience. But are you a beginner in the street market industry and wondering how to attract your first shopper? Maybe even how to attract your first 100 shoppers?
Though many people may think being salesy is not their thing, there are methods that will have you wondering what you worried about in the first place? Read this article to discover how you can stand out from the competition and dedicate precious time into efforts that work in finding new shoppers. So, let’s get started on learning the methods that will attract shoppers to your Street market.
1. Provide Experiences
Shoppers are interested in something more than abstract. They want experiences and a story they can share with family and friends. So, think about how you can make this work for you. Are you able to offer a memorable experience as part of your market? Do some research and go ahead and look for ideas on incorporating experiences in your markets. Examples of experiences you can combine with markets are live music, entertainment, paint nights, special food tasting, or unique attractions and much more.
2. Demonstrate Your Expertise
There is a reason why shoppers prefer to shop at your market with your vendors. Most probably, are not experts at sourcing local businesses and want a good outcome. You can demonstrate your expertise by showcasing your work on your website and social media handles. Also, create a blog on topics you know well. Share your expertise in emails through tips, advice, and your perspective on trends or news in the industry your vendors cater too.
You can also share a few secrets on your platform because prospective shoppers appreciate to learn. Moreover, they'll see you as an expert. If you blog, you can capitalize on your keywords to earn higher search engine ranking from search engines like Google. When people search for marketplaces in your area, your business will be more likely to appear top in the search results because you blog often with those key words.
3. Partner With Nonprofits
Partnering with nonprofit organizations can help you get more shoppers for your Street market. Volunteering to help these organizations can make your Street market successful. As you interact with fellow volunteers, let them know what you do. This can translate to future business because you will have created a relationship outside of business and your personal values have been seen.
PLUG’D partners with local non-profits and secures donations for them from every transaction made on their platform. Their affiliate program allows market owners to impact donations through encouraging vendors in their ecosystem to list their business.
4. Launch a website
Launching a website is an excellent way to build authority and to win new shoppers to your Street market. You don't need to seek a professional's help to launch a website. You can build a simple website using the free templates available on Squarespace, WordPress, WIX or a simple online storefront using platforms like PLUG’D, Shopify, or Shift4Shop.
Be sure to add your contact information along with the services you offer, so you can direct your shoppers when they make inquiries.
Be sure to post photos of the events you've done so far to make your work visible. Also, include keywords in your site description, such as the locations you service and the type of markets you curate.
5. Use Social Media
With social media, you can capitalize on many features for your benefit. Here’s how to maximize social media.
1). Conduct A LIVE Stream
Almost all social media platforms have developed new live streaming features to improve users' experience. These tools can help you attract shoppers to your Street market because live videos are said to generate 27% more minutes of watch time than pre-recorded videos. Shoppers are also more likely to buy the product or service you mention in the video, and you can really display expertise with a live Q and A session to convert shoppers.
2). Instagram Posts
Instagram posts have a great potential of attracting shoppers to your Street market. Post-high-quality images of your markets or products/services available at your market on Instagram. Also, following and connecting with people and vendors in the street market industry will expose your brand to their followers.
3). Facebook Posts
The first step is to create a page for your marketplace. Post your knowledge on your Facebook page and let people discover you. You can also run contests to reward your followers.
Join local community groups on Facebook and add value to them by posting your answers to questions on local markets. They'll regard you as an expert and reach out to you. Also, remember to promote your markets with Facebook Ads.
Lastly, when you use social media, remember to maintain the same brand name across different platforms to avoid confusing your potential shoppers.
6. Work with The Local Media.
Reaching out to the local media is another way to attract shoppers to your Street market. If you are collaborating with the local media, you need to have a website where listeners can visit and see the markets you have curated. Also give the idea of hosting vendor interviews a try. This will give you more opportunities to be known by other audiences of the vendors you partner with.
Media houses use Twitter to tweet interesting local news to build relationships with the local media. Urge them to share your brand’s twitter handle on their Twitter page. Finally, organize an event for the local media. This will give you a chance to demonstrate your skills and get the word out about your business.
7. Increase Your Credibility Through Yelp, Magazines, and PLUG’D
The more visible your business is, the more likely you will get work. Get listed on local and national directories like Yelp, PLUG’D, and your city business journal. Request your loyal shoppers to post reviews on these pages because potential shoppers look at reviews of Street markets before they attend. These reviews can greatly boost your credibility and attract new shoppers.
8. Spread Information Through Word of Mouth
It's impossible to ignore that referrals are big in the Street market. Furthermore, potential shoppers trust personal recommendations more than what they see online. Make sure that you create outstanding experiences that will stick in the minds of shoppers. And watch as they will proudly refer new shoppers to you.
9. Post Ads on Craigslist
You can attract shoppers to your Street market by posting an ad to Craigslist. According to Forbes, more than 55 million people still visit Craigslist each month, with the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia being the top users. The advantage of Craigslist is that it is free to post your services to a wide audience. Link to your website and put up a listing and ads in the location of your choice. Remember to update your listing frequently.
10. Collaborate with the Local Blogging Community
One way to attract shoppers to your Street market is by collaborating with the popular bloggers in your local community. Bloggers can play a vital role in informing the community about what you do. The right bloggers to work with write about travel, food, art, or community events. Such bloggers could be interested in your services and could introduce your business to their audience- more potential shoppers.
This approach starts by searching for bloggers in your area who write on these topics. You may hold a small event for them to demonstrate what you offer in exchange for a mention in their blogs or social media.
Conclusion
Attracting shoppers to your Street market is a continuous task and its rewards are more money to your business and your vendors to fund more growth. Use these tips and remember that what matters in a great Street market is a recommendation and experiences. Therefore, make sure your marketplace experience is one of a kind. You can’t create a market, without marketing. Hopefully these tips help! To your success!