“Table for One”: My 1-Person Setup List after Doing 10+ Indoor & Outdoor Markets
This year, my stretch goal for my creative hustle, Shape of Sunshine, was to do 10 in-person markets / pop-ups. At the time of this writing, I have done 13 markets with at least 5-6 more to go, exceeding my stretch goal! I’ve loved meeting new friends at the markets as well as gaining new experience and insights into the actual setup of my booths. Through experiments and optimizations, I’ve reduced my initial 2-hour setup and teardown time each way to 45 minutes, a significant 62.5% reduction in setup or teardown time!
Because I have a smaller car and usually set up & tear down at events by myself, I try my best to prioritize easy-to-assemble setup. Hope these information and resources can help both new vendors looking for suggestions and seasoned vendors looking for shared wisdom in 1-person operations.
*Trying to be succinct in the list so you can browse through efficiently.
*None of the resources are sponsored. Yet. 😆
1. Booth & Display Setup
My most-asked about item:
This heavy-duty double-decker wagon “VEVOR 5.89-cu ft Cast iron Folding Yard Cart“ which clapses into a super small footprint, and gives me extra space for longer items. Super helpful for a one-person operation for load-in and load-out.
An outdoor setup at Head West Marketplace at Hayes Valley in June.
At my recent Head West Marketplace at Berkeley in August, expanding to three tables!
Outdoor Markets:
Tent with at least 10 lbs of weight per leg - some recommended water weight.
I found this sturdy and lightweight tent with a central locking system which allows me to set it up all by myself.
Windproof displays – paper goods can fly off.
Light curtains – I accidentally experimented with adding light curtains to my booth and the curtains have significantly lowered wind impact on my paper goods.
Indoor & Outdoor:
Table with tablecloth: 6ft and/or 4ft –
I started with a 6ft table and have since added two 4ft tables.
Potentially consider table-risers to bring the table height to people’s eye-level.
Branded table runner – I used Printify to make my own after comparison on Etsy and other sources.
Large banner (~8 ft) behind tent/table for visibility.
I use a mesh banner so wind can go through during my outdoor markets.
For indoor markets, I also invested in a photo backdrop setup for my banner.
Multiple display levels for hierarchy and better product visibility.
Organize products by type (e.g., prints, greeting cards, stickers) or theme (e.g., positive affirmation, birth flower & birthstones).
Optional but Helpful:
Chair (depends on market length and whether one is provided).
2. Branding & Marketing Materials
Business Cards / Takeaways:
Nice art on the front. Include website, Etsy, Instagram, etc spelled out (front or back) and a QR code to your links.
What I use: Story about my business printed on the back of 3.5 x 5 card.
Since I want to drive up my Instagram follows as a new business owner, I also have free stickers to encourage people to follow me on social media.
Insights learned: always verbally mention the desired actions because we tend to ignore signages (think ads on a website).
Signage:
Item price / price list (centralized or distributed — adjust depending on how often prices change). See next section, “Pricing & Payment” for expansion on this.
I tried a centralized list but still prefer the prices to be displayed close to the actual items.
I have extra labels with me for pricing updates.
Product Branding:
Include brand name everywhere for people to find you later.
Instagram handle on the back of every piece sold.
Special Touches:
Location-specific art for certain markets (limited collections?).
Attractive packaging, especially for themed collections (e.g., birth flowers + birthstones).
Sketchbook for people to browse – this might be my favorite yet.
People love seeing my behind-the-scene work, reinforces the human-created art aspect, increases length of stay at my booth, and gives me product request ideas as well.
One of my sketchbooks, takeaway cards, and an experimental mailing list sign-up (still experimenting with this). The sketchbook always draws a crowd and people really enjoyed flipping through the pages – great way to build conversations and connection!
3. Pricing & Payment
Flexible pricing display methods.
Based on the cost of the market, I change my pricing slightly.
Towards the end of a market, depends on sales and foot traffic, I might also add a bundle price.
Because of this, a print-out central list of prices is less adjustable vs. having item prices by the items.
Process & track sales with Square (integrates with Etsy listing & pricing, accepts Apple Pay & card tap on my phone).
Offer promotions: e.g., buy 3 get 1 free or percentage discounts to encourage bigger orders.
Venmo QR code for easy self-serve payments when away from booth for lunch / bio-break.
4. Interactions
Always enthusiastically greet visitors and share that I made my art locally (e.g., “I made this in San Francisco”).
Highlight themes – almost an elevator pitch. Mine: affirmations, humor, personal connection.
Offer free sticker for Instagram follow (encourages engagement without cutting prices).
Plan to collect mailing list sign-ups – high conversion channel that I’m not engaging with yet.
I also LOVE connecting with my fellow vendors and take photos & videos for everyone to document their experience. You can usually find me directing and filming shots for vendors around me when the traffic is light. I believe a service mindset and mutual support go a long way.
5. Personal Comfort & Logistics
Bring hot water bottle, instant coffee or tea, and easy snacks (because I usually only had enough time to take quick bites between customers).
Coordinate with neighboring vendors or volunteers for booth breaks.
I think the most important part is to have fun and enjoy the experience. So I usually pick places that I enjoy being at, and the joy naturally flows and influences others. I also choose to not do certain markets like night markets because the wind, cold, and darkness don’t serve my paper goods and me very well.
Probably have more to add in the future. Let me know if you have additional questions or comments! Maybe I’ll see you at one of the local markets (: