Preparing for Next Spring/Summer Market

Thinking small, I am considering getting a new tent that is small and less intimidating than the 10'x10' tent. I have no evidence, but I bet the uniqueness of a different size among all the same-sized tents would be an attraction. There are EZ Up 4'x4' tents for sale for small displays. There are two designs I think would be suitable: gable and marquee. The gable would allow space to put a fig image on the ends, but the marquee is so unique among tent designs it would be more eye-catching.



   These would be big enough for a small table and a high chair. If it rains, there would not be a lot of protection, in which case the bigger 10'x10' tents I already own would be pressed into action. But, since I park and sell out of the trunk anyway, this would be an extension of the car (and hopefully quicker to put up and take down. $215. Yikes!

The 4th Arm of Marketing Concepts

#4 -- Relationships. People like talking and sharing communal time. That is some of the fun of going to a farm market: meeting neighbors and friends, and being around familiar faces. Building relationships and building customer trust is what will build a following for figs in an area where they may seem exotic, or certainly obscure.  But, by doing that how fabulous I could become The Fig Lady!

What a joy to one day
 be The Fig Lady photographed
by Kelly Morris!

Third Concept -- Build Recognition

This preserve has a distinctive packaging.

This is a big concept -- building a brand recognition (#3) that customers will remember and seek out among the other vendors. Consistency would be vital with this, so the business card, handmade signs (or printed), table coverings, maybe even the tent, needs to be a consistent color or with the same image or have some common visual thread so customers can recognize my vendor space among the crowd. This is where several yards of figgy cloth might be handy, or figgy wrapping paper to make bags or a table covering, and labels...I'm not sure what as of today, but I know consistency is vital.
                                                 

                                                        

2nd Vendor Concept - Start Small

2) Start small, that's the deal. Begin the season with some fig products that can be used any time through the season and a sign that says 'Coming Soon!  Figs!'. Some anytime-items could be hat pins with a catchy phrase like Have a Figgy Day!, possibly some Figgy Day coasters and greeting cards, and certainly some figgy food like fig cookies.

Signs can be a charming part of the farmers' market shopping experience.

1st Vendor Concept -- Know the Market/Niche

1) I understand my area to be a rural, meat & potatoes, population. There are people moving in from more urban areas, and there are upscale restaurants exposing locals to more exotic fare. Figs, although known through the ubiquitous 'fig newton', are not particularly well known as an eating fruit or a cooking fruit. Figs would be considered exotic and educating the local population may be a steep climb.

Experienced Farm Market-eers say....

There are many websites giving beginning farm market vendors advice. Most of the advice circles around 4 concepts akin to 1) know your market/niche, 2) start small and build, 3) establish a recognizable brand, and 4) build relationships. Basically, if I keep these things in mind, and be consistent, I can build a fig following. Specifically, I need to consider how these 4 concepts apply to me and my figs. They follow many of the guidelines I used to build the gourd and gourd art business....it will be like sketching out a plan.