One of the biggest mistakes makers make? Only mentioning they're trading the night before, or even the day of the market.
Your customers need time to plan - the more they see your business in the run-up to market day, the more likely they are to come and find your stall.
Here's a simple 7-day countdown to use before every market.
7 Days To Go - Announce it
Tell people you're trading, but don't stop there. Give them a reason to come: a new collection, your bestsellers, or what makes your stall worth seeking out.
Try this: "I'll be at [Market] next [day] with my new autumn collection - here's a sneak peek of what's coming."
6 Days To Go - Go behind the scenes
Show the making, packing and pricing. People love seeing the work behind every event.
Try this: a short video of you packing an order or pricing up stock, captioned "Getting ready for [Market] - here's what market prep actually looks like."
5 Days To Go - Tease something exclusive
A new product, limited edition, or market-only bundle gives people a reason to visit early.
Try this: "This one's only available at [Market] - see you there?"
4 Days To Go - Sell the in-person experience
Remind people what they can't get online: seeing your full range, chatting with you, discovering things they wouldn't find on a scroll.
Try this: A chatty story or reel along the lines of "Photos don't do this justice - come and see [product] in person at [Market] on [date]."
3 Days To Go - Show your stall
Share your setup or branding so people know exactly what to look for on the day.
Try this: a photo of your stall from a past market, or your banner/signage, captioned "Look out for this at [Market]."
2 Days To Go - Start a conversation
Ask who's coming, what they're hoping to find, who they're bringing. The more engagement, the more people see the post.
Try this: "Who's coming to [Market] this weekend? Tell me what you're hoping to find and I'll save one for you."
The Day Before - Build the final buzz
Packed boxes, finished products, a sneak peek of the stall. Remind everyone where to find you.
Try this: "All packed and ready for [Market] tomorrow - find me at [Location], [time] to [time]."
Market promotion isn't about posting once - it's about taking your audience on the journey with you. Show up consistently through the week and you'll build excitement, increase visibility, and give more people a reason to support your small business.
You don't need to do all seven days perfectly. Pick two or three from this list and try them before your next market - see what happens.
One more tip: tag the market host in your posts and stories. Most markets will reshare maker content, which means your post reaches their audience too - free visibility and extra hype, with zero extra effort on your part.
Happy planning!
See you at the next market!
Carmen x