Newbie selling at markets seeking advice

[Connyhawker]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to this site and the world of self-employment!
I do have a day job but I'm starting out a new business. I currently make candles, candle holders, picture frames, soaps and lots of other crafts at home. I've been selling to people via neighbours and friends at work. I want to now start a stall at local festivals and markets in my town. I will be registering as a business but haven't done so yet. I'd like to ask others who are experienced in this some advice:
- what are some of things that newbies to selling stuff at markets and festivals often overlook that I need to remember?
- i need to get a card payment reader, do I need register as a business first and have a business account set up before ordering one?
- what do I need to consider when selling directly to people in the market and taking their payment (selling to friends seem easier for me as there's trust so selling to a wider public is new)
- generally, any tips and advice : )
Thank you

 

[StevensOnln1]

You need to register as self employed with HMRC, they have guidance and online registration at https://www.gov.uk/become-sole-trader

Whether you need a business bank account first will depend on the card machine provider, check the website of whichever one you plan to use.

Do you have public liability insurance in place? Whoever is organising each festival or market will want to see proof of insurance before allowing you to trade.

Do your soaps have a list or ingredients on the packaging? Any allergens need to be highlighted.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Don't register a business, yet. Don't even register as self employed, yet. You are obliged to register (as S/E) when your turnover hits £1k - wait until then,

- what are some of things that newbies to selling stuff at markets and festivals often overlook that I need to remember?
Insurance
Your cost
Transport costs
Packaging/bags
Website
Cards/leaflets

- i need to get a card payment reader, do I need register as a business first and have a business account set up before ordering one?
No. Get something like SUmUp or MyPos. Only get a merchant if/when your turnover goes above £1-1.5k a month

- what do I need to consider when selling directly to people in the market and taking their payment (selling to friends seem easier for me as there's trust so selling to a wider public is new)
Presentation is everything

- generally, any tips and advice : )
Plan everything.
Understand all of your costs
What do you do that is different to the thousands of other people doing what you do?

 

[NickZ]

- what are some of things that newbies to selling stuff at markets and festivals often overlook that I need to remember?
- i need to get a card payment reader, do I need register as a business first and have a business account set up before ordering one?
- what do I need to consider when selling directly to people in the market and taking their payment (selling to friends seem easier for me as there's trust so selling to a wider public is new

if you can afford it a company is not that expensive and you can have company bank accounts, which over time make scaling your business easier. Also the bank account is better to run the card reader with.

A website with shop opens up a whole new way to collect addresses, do marketing, re-marketing.

 

[Socio South West]

Prepare for all weathers.
Food and Drink on the go - nothing sticky, leaky etc.
Presentation (merchandise)
Presentation (personal)
Presentation (stall/stand/booth)
Presentation (web/social media)

Best of luck

 

[Gecko001]

There are car boot sales which also have some commercial stalls as well as the private car boot stalls. Since private car boot stall-holders do not have card readers, cash transactions are the norm throughout the venue. You could try going to these venues first to test the market and get used to running a stall, before investing in card readers and signing up as self-employed with HMRC.

 

[Deleted member 348872]

Do you sell on Etsy or have your own website? Social Media prescence?

 

[DoolallyTap]

Join the National Market Traders Federation for Public Liability Insurance at a sensible rate. £140 per annum. Buy a Sum Up Solo £54 card reader without any subscription costs and link it to your own or any other account.
You don't need to register a Ltd company or do anything yet regarding registering for self employment.
Get a gazebo and a couple of tables, make the stand look smart Just book some stand space at a market, craft fair, car boot, dog show, anywhere, and take your stuff and see what happens. If it works, super.