So you've been thinking about selling at a flea market, or let's say you've got an idea or some household stuff you want to sell.  Or your into say a direct marketing company and you've been thinking about selling at a flea market but your just not too sure.  Here are some tips to get you started.

  1.  Stop sitting on your keister and get going!

  2.  If you have a local flea market, find the phone number and call to find out :  how much is a spot, electric or non-electric?  Which spot is going to be the best for you.

  3.  If your not sure how to get a phone number, google your city or chamber of commerce, then click into the "Events" icon.  These usually give you all the information you need.  Go check out the flea market if  you haven't already been there.  If the person in charge of the vendors can give you some spots that are open, go take a look first to see where these are at.

  4.  Visibility?  What are you going to sell?  How well do you need to be seen?  In this instance remember most people will walk the entire market place, but you don't want to be put into a spot that is the last spot in a desolate area, people generally turn around before they get that far.  They see much more that peaks their interest and so they'll turn around before they get that far.
 
  5.  Make your deposit or fee and start planning, what will you need.  Let's say your in a direct marketing company,  check also what their guidelines are for selling in a market place, some only allow so many representatives from your company so be sure, and if you are the only one ( you can also ask the person in charge of the flea market, they will know who is selling what), but if they say someone else has inquired but not yet paid, BOOK IT AND PAY FOR IT NOW!   To get an upper hand on your own business you have to act quickly, don't drag your feet, DO IT TODAY! 

  6.  Planning:  what do you want your table or spot to look like?   Let's say you don't have alot of money to put into your spot right now.  Let me tell you first and foremost, the presentation is important but your product is MORE important.  Make sure you have enough inventory to sell.  People coming to flea markets are coming with money in their pocket and are ready to buy TODAY, they are not there to place an order so have product on hand for display and to sell.   Your table should be simple, not too many colors, the more product you have set up the better.  

  7.  Go with cash money also to make change.  As I mentioned, people come with cash in hand, you need cash money to make change.  I usually start with about $100.00 or so and change, and make sure your $100.00 is broken down into ones and fives more than any other denomination.  

  8.  Now how to attract the people to you!  This is important because you want them to come to you, you need to draw them in.  If  your product does something, has some sort of "life" to it, then TURN IT ON.  Showing is selling.  If you have catalogs, I would say give these out, but watch who your giving these to.  If there eyes are not drawn to you, they are just glancing over your product, don't waste your catalog.  It's best sometimes to have a copy made.  Something that is inexpensive that you can hand out but not fear they are going to trash it at the nearest trash can.    Only give your catalogs out to those that are buying or seem relatively interested!

  9.  Talk to people about your product as they come into your "Space".  Don't be shy, speak!  People really don't mind and generally you'll will draw in more people around you that are walking down the isle.  They hear you, see you demonstrating your product and something  usually catches their interest.  Instead of one sale you may of just made two.

  10.  If your direct sales has some sort of party planning attached to it.  Don't sell this too hard.  Flea markets are not the place for this, give them your catalog, show them your product.  When you are showing them your product tell them everything about your company.  If they get say "Free" stuff for being a hostess, throw this into your demonstration but do not harp on it.  You will have to gain their interest first before they are going to let you into their home.  They need to see a "DEAL", what kind of deals do you have!

  11.  Sometimes you can offer a door prize for potential customers, have some sort of paper that you can get their information on.  Name, phone #, email, on this form it's best also to have a place that asks a couple of questions.  Would you be interested in hosting a home or catalog party?  Would  you like income information about this product?  Would  you be interested in receiving monthly news about our product.  This way you have a base to start off for potential business.

  12.  Last but least, at the end of the day you may not think you did very well.  First time is always the hardest and you may not sell a ton ( Maybe you will ),  but assess how you did, what could you improve on, add, do.  This is for your next time.  Because even though the day or weekend is over the week is just starting!  People will take your catalogs home and review these over coffee the next morning, or take them to work.  The week following will tell you how you did!  

 GOOD LUCK AND GET GOING!

My business:  http://www.scentsy.com/janmaupin

This is the direct sales company I am with that I sell at local flea markets, I have had and sometimes do sell other items.  Look for another article under my name ( in the works), as to how to buy & sell Auctioned storage units! 
Another great way to make extra income.