Marketing at the markets.

This brochure is written for people who want to make a living at local markets.

Knowing your customers.

There are very few genuine hippies in the world. Most people coming to the markets are McMansion dwelling 9-5 ers, with two cars, a beer fridge and wi-fi, that want to feel good about themselves for a bit. Shopping at markets is hippie-lite for them; not returning to nature, more dropping in on nature for a herbal afternoon tea. If something is "local", "hand made", "home grown", "organic" or "recycled" then buying it becomes almost a gift to Gaia rather than a guilt-ridden act of consumption. If there are old-fashioned - ideally wooden - toys for the kids then parents can offset the guilt of many hours of Minecraft by buying them (in much the same way that fresh fruit in the lunchbox offsets the packet of chips).

Presenting your goods

 It should go without saying that plastic packaging is out. No shrink wrap, no vacuum pack etc. At most, a little straw around some of the more fragile items. Don't have more than two of any one thing; the other benefit of buying at a market is that you will have a unique conversation piece that allows you to show off your Mother Earth side "I bought these at a lovely little market up in Hidden valley. Local artist. Very talented." Implication: "if you were as in tune with the ley lines as I am,  you too would be able to sense the presence of this kind of unique talent." Handwritten price tags, hand made signs and cash only terms complete the presentation.

 Presenting yourself

 The market character is second only to the pottery leaf earrings as a talking point for the professional weekend hippie. You need to fill that niche. Start with appearance: hairiness is expected. The spirit of the Earth goddess cannot be bought from someone with a Brazilian. A beard is expected for men and luxuriant underarm growth for women. Dreadlocks are good but waist-length hair will do at a pinch. Clothing must look hand made and definitely no corporate print t-shirts. You must be the person they don't dare to be: the one that stood up to and rejected corporate capitalism. Get a beaten up old car to bring your goods to market, even it you drive a new model Jeep the rest of the time.

Props

There's a great deal you can do here for very little outlay.  a dream catcher with some feathers in it is a start . A few sticks of incense - subtle fragrance,  almost but not quite like marijuana - smoldering off to one side.  A hidden stereo playing sitar music. These are all the basics. Someone's granny - if you can borrow one for a day - knitting or spinning behind the counter emphasizes the home made message. For the advanced stall holder, an exotic pet like a sloth or an owl is the ultimate signal to your customers that you live on another plane of existence and your wares are like holy relics - a chance to touch the divine.