I’m not sure how popular Farmer’s Markets are in the rest of the country (or the world), but in the Midwest United States, the Farmer’s Market is a great place! There are so many reasons why taking advantage of the Farmer’s Market is a great idea and here they are:
They are a lot of fun!
Relaxing outside and chatting with others is a great time. I like to enjoy a coffee and make small-talk with local people. Plus, getting some sunshine is good for you. It’s also fun to get to know the other vendors in the area. As a photographer, I love sharing my adventures with people who come to my table and ask where the photos were taken.
Networking
You can always talk to the other vendors and see if there’s a way you can serve them or support them. There’s a good chance that if you can help them, they can help you too. Mutual support is important in a community and if you want your business to take off, supporting others is a great way to do so.
Exposure
If people don’t know about your business, there’s no way you can grow your business. Even if a few people know about your business, that can easily turn into several people. Word of mouth is so important and being involved in the community is a great way of making yourself known.
Motivation
I always find that whenever I spend a morning at the Farmer’s Market, I gain motivation to do more for myself and others. I tend to get more ideas when I am out and about.
Market Analysis
This kind of goes along with the point on motivation, but when you go out and interact with the community, you can attain an understanding of whom you are marketing to and what you can do differently to attain and maintain a bigger audience.
So although it might not seem like a big deal, photographers, painters, woodworkers, etc., could all benefit from making yourself known at a Farmer’s Market. It might not be a major payout immediately, but making a connection with the community will make a lasting impression that could lead to a lot of opportunities down the road.
I am looking forward to many more Farmer’s Market experiences and I hope to see you all there!
Δ Abbi