Maine offers businesses year-round opportunities to display their products to potential customers. The state has 24 agriculture fairs, 70 festivals, 115 summer farmers markets, and 35 fall/winter markets. Participating in fairs, festivals, and farmers’ markets can be an excellent way for businesses to promote their products and increase sales. However, it’s essential to prepare your booth in a way that stands out and is relevant to the event.
Before Attending a Show
Essential items to have before you participate in a fair, festival or farmer’s market would include:
- Certificates of Insurance are required to ensure that you have liability coverage.
- Resale Certificate is required by the state when the products are purchased for resale.
- Maine Sales Tax ID– If you are collecting sales tax, you have to register for the Maine sales tax ID.
- A Vendor’s License is necessary if you are a producer with a home kitchen license.
- Food Licenses are a must if you are a food truck.
Maine Business License provides in-depth information on how to get your License and determine the right approach for you. In addition, the Maine sales & use tax helps you register online and set up your tax ID before you attend a show.
Finding the market, event, or fair that is right for your business
Before signing up for a fair, festival, or farmers market, select a venue that aligns with your products. Research the event and find out what vendors are typically present. Look for events that attract a similar demographic to your target audience. Additionally, get information about the marketing budget and channels they use for advertising. If you are attending an existing event, get the historical numbers for past attendance, a list of exhibitors and vendors, or any additional services that the venue may provide.
Pre-Marketing
Leverage your current marketing channels, including website, social media posts, and email marketing, to inform your audience and regular customers of future events you’ll be attending. It’s free, and you can share details about upcoming events, links, and updates during the event and even offer show promotions.
For an extra boost, you can explore paid advertising channels such as the show guide, which offers levels of advertising, the event’s website that allows you to link your website, local paper associated with the show, or media sponsors such as radio or TV a
Costs & ROI
Plan on how much you want to invest when attending an event. Consider overhead costs such as show space, pre-marketing, booth build-out, and travel and lodging expenses. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see a return on investment at first. The value in getting your product in front of customers is beyond your projections.
Booth Design
Your booth is the first thing people will see, so making it visually appealing and eye-catching is essential. Ensure that your booth looks inviting, the lighting positively emphasizes your displayed products and is visible from each angle. Use large signs that can be seen from a distance. To add a little personality, consider adding unique elements to your booth, such as a photo wall, flooring, or decorations that match the event’s theme. Remember, Maine gets windy and rainy, so ensure your booth is weatherproof.
We have an entire webinar on how to design your booth for wholesale and shows.
Packing List
Your packing list must include marketing & office supplies and your necessities.
- Your marketing and office supplies are a great way to introduce customers to your products and encourage them to purchase, including business cards, brochures, price lists (wholesale & retail), payment process setup, sample cups, signs, pens, notebooks, etc.
- Your necessities list is in case of inclement weather or other unexpected circumstances. It must include extension cords, a First Aid Kit, a small tool kit, a trash receptacle, cleaning supplies, water, snacks, comfortable shoes, etc.
Location & Setup
Be approachable and engaging with potential customers. Greet them warmly, share your passion for your business, and make recommendations based on their interests or needs. Offer them a chance to ask questions and learn more about your products. Consider having QR codes on your products. They are inexpensive and are an efficient way to drive traffic directly to your website.
Show Time – Engage with Customers
Be approachable and engaging with potential customers. Greet them warmly, share your passion for your business, and make recommendations based on their interests or needs. Offer them a chance to ask questions and learn more about your products. Consider having QR codes on your products. They are inexpensive and are an efficient way to drive traffic directly to your website.
Follow-Up
Make notes of clients of interest and craft your thank-you email to be more personable. This will help keep your business top of mind and encourage customers to purchase in the future. Also, consider creating an email list or a social media account to keep customers updated on your future events and promotions.
For more details, watch the entire webinar with the Business Advisor Chris Cole, sharing step-by-step tips and tricks on how to run your booth and prepare for fairs, festivals, and farmers markets.
Connect with one of our business advisors at the Maine Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to get step-by-step guidance.