Times of Eswatini

Tips for increasing footfall to your stall

- BY MTHOBISI BUTHELEZI

A Sa small entreprene­ur, making a lasting impact wherever you go is a driving force behind your ambitions. And what better way to establish your presence than at festivals and small events? With the upcoming MTN Bushfire Festival, you’ve already secured a stall, but the lingering uncertaint­y of making a significan­t impact may be giving you jitters.

Fear not, for this is your dream, and you refuse to let it go down the drain. In this article, we will provide you with valuable tips and strategies to increase footfall to your stall, ensuring that your presence at the festival leaves a lasting impression and propels your business to new heights. The long-standing tradition of festivals can prove fruitful for small business traders whether they’re supplying food, drinks, art and craft or other products.

So, how do you turn standing in a boggy field of revellers into a good sales day?

Here are our top tips for increasing footfall to your stall:

◗ Pitch for a premier stall space

You may not think one end of a field is much different to another but believe this, when it comes to increasing your footfall, it is! Competitio­n for a good spot starts well before the festival so it’s worth booking your stall early. Have a pitch ready for festival organisers with what your stall will look like and how it will enhance the look and feel of the event.

◗ Look the part

If you want to entice music lovers over to your stall, then you should put in an eye-catching display. The likelihood is you won’t be the only business hoping to profit so raise your game when it comes to the appearance of your stall. If there is a theme to the festival then that’s a good clue as to what will grab the attention of customers. For example, a bold image will go down well at a rock festival whereas customers may expect a more traditiona­l look at a classical event.

◗ Be relevant

Choose wisely when advertisin­g your products. For example, a deal on soup is unlikely to go down well on a sunny afternoon – equally, few will be interested in your ice pops on a cold and rainy day!

◗ Get your logistics right

There’s no bigger turn off for customers than long queues and limited choice. Make sure you factor in the long evening and early morning hours when deciding how many staff you need! Equally, a well-stocked stall will encourage festival-goes to make a return visit.

◗ Put on a show

With some much entertainm­ent going on around you make sure you stay in the limelight! Think carefully about how you can offer something a bit different to customers at your stall. Whether that be music, performanc­e, an artist signing station, face painting or offering free samples. Let your imaginatio­n flow!

There’s a real joy about setting up as a trader and selling at markets. The customer interactio­ns, the buzz of making a sale and the opportunit­y to earn a living from something you genuinely love. It can be highly satisfying and rewarding, as well as a real learning opportunit­y when it comes to the basics of retail and customer service. So, whether you’re looking for a side-hustle, to test an idea out, or to set-up as a long-term trader, there’s never been a better time to go for it! Additional informatio­n sourced from businessco­mparison. com

 ?? Pic) (File ?? The long-standing tradition of festivals can prove fruitful for small business traders, whether they’re supplying food, drinks, art and craft or other products.
Pic) (File The long-standing tradition of festivals can prove fruitful for small business traders, whether they’re supplying food, drinks, art and craft or other products.

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