3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Market Application
This is for small businesses and makers who are applying to maker markets, farmers markets, art shows, pop ups and other in-person selling opportunities!
Follow these 3 easy steps to improve your market application!
1) Follow the directions
You might be thinking, duh Sarah, that’s like putting your name on the top of your paper in grade school! But, you’d be surprised how many applicants don’t follow the directions.
Double check what the questions on the application forms are asking - are you answering them fully, distinctly, uniquely? Or are you giving a basic / generic answer? Are you spelling everything correctly - including your business name, website, social media handles, email? Are you uploading the correct type, size, and content of images or documents that the application is asking for? These are all specifics that I see wrong ALL THE TIME. So be better than that and follow the directions specific to the application at hand.
Not all hosts ask the same questions! Make your answers specific to that application. If they ask two questions that have a similar answer - provide different examples or details between the two questions. Don’t just copy paste into both boxes. Be creative!
2) Showcase what sets you apart!
Every business is different. This is true! BUT so many products are the same. So how do you set yourself apart from the pack? What makes you different than the other maker or small business making similar products? In your application, you should be hyping up what sets you apart from your competition. Shout from the rooftops your unique point of view, techniques, materials, styles, principles, processes — anything that is distinctly YOU!
You’re not going to be the only “all-nautral soap maker” or “phalate-free soy candle” maker or “hand thrown pottery” maker, so evaluate what it is that truly makes you distinctive. Tell the host in your application why you’re so cool and should be accepted! This might sound cocky and uncomfortable (especially at first!) but you’ll get better at it the more times you do it.
If you’re having trouble determining what sets you apart, you should take a hard look at your business and your brand and hone in on what that is that makes you unique. Because the pool is loaded with fish and you have to stand out! One trick I learned to help me with this exercise, is to ask other people what makes you different - now, WHO you ask can make all the difference (so choose wisely)! I’d ask your target audience - maybe it’s someone who has ordered from you before, a poll on your instagram stories, or maybe it’s your bff who loves your products. Ask them why they’d choose your brand over some other brand doing the same thing. I think you’ll be surprised what you come up with!
Photo from Particle Goods of their classic jar candle showing the purpose of the product, size/scale of the product, their branding, and the brand vibe.
3) Photos are really important
Because there’s no way an event host could physically see all of the applicants’ products in person, your photos have to tell your brand story, show off your products, and provide context to your business and application. Whether you’re getting professional photos taken or doing them yourself, here are some tips for better application photos:
have great lighting: natural light is awesome if you can find a plain table or surface to roll up to a window for product photos
make sure it’s clear what the product is: sometimes there’s too much going on in a photo and it’s hard to determine what the product actually is - simple is often better
show scale and/or function: what is your product - tiny and detailed, large and functional, make sure these characteristics of your product are displayed in the photos; if your product does something, show it in action; if your product is small or of varying sizes, photograph them with something else in frame to show scale
don’t upload montage or collage style photos: (unless the host specifically asks for them) they’re often too busy to determine what the product is; also, most hosts use the submitted photos for marketing efforts and collage photos can’t (shouldn’t?) be used for that
Your photos need to convey what the product is and what the brand is, clearly and quickly. Most of us aren’t professional photographers and depending on where you are with your business you may or may not be able to hire a professional. That’s ok!
Whether you do a branding and product photography shoot with a photographer, or you’re using your phone and kitchen table, both are ways to get great product photos done! There are lots of tutorials and blogs about DIY photography at home AND I know a bunch of fabulous local photographers if you want a referral!
Remember: not all hosts are looking for the same content IN your photos and they may have different file type or formatting requirements. So pay attention to those pieces of the application.
What are you going to differently in your future applications? How are you going to apply these tips?
Tell me about it in the comments!
TL;DR
Follow the application directions. Not all market/event hosts are asking for the same things, so make sure you’re providing what they’re asking for.
Showcase what sets you apart! There are a lot of people doing similar things to you - What sets you apart? What makes your product unique / different? Sell it!
Photos are really important. Make sure your photos show off your product, your brand / vibe, and are good quality (don’t be uploading a tiny blurry image or a montage/collage file)