How to Make the Most out of your trip to Market

I was pleasantly surprised how much more "normal" Market felt this Summer than it did back in January. Showrooms were full, Shoppers were everywhere, and the fun vibe was definitely back! What a difference six months can make.

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I've been to Market more than a dozen times, and each time I seem to streamline the trip and make it more efficient. The last thing I want to do is spend time at Market and come home feeling like I haven't accomplished much.

I've put together a list of things that make my experience at Market better and better so I can come home feeling accomplished and ready to rock out the next several months in my business.

Plan Your Trip

I always think I can go go go and get it all done in a day or two, and every time I tell myself, I just need one more day. If you are buying for many months, I typically buy for six months at a time, I need at least three days.

By adding another day into your trip than you think you need, you give yourself some downtime to sort through and organize what you've ordered each day and figure out what you need to accomplish the next day.

I like to take breaks, lay out my items for the day, and assess the plan. I do that at lunch, mid-afternoon, and by 6 PM, I am so tired I can't see straight... Time for room service and more planning to take on the next day!

Create A Punch List

Make a list and check it off. There is no better feeling of accomplishment when it comes to those big checkmarks all over your list.

When making my punch list, the first priority is my subscription boxes. I want the content to be planned out far enough ahead, so when I attend the next Market I am not scrambling. In the Summer, my goal is to get my subscription boxes planned and filled through March.

Even if I don't have a theme in mind, jotting down some ideas will help formulate a plan once I am at Market.

Next, think about the big events in the next six months. Back to school, Black Friday and Christmas were all on my list. I want to make sure I make specific purchases for these events.

Third, it is just our everyday needs. What do I need to stock now, and what will I need in stock over the next several months.

Making these categories with ideas and lists in each one will help you feel accomplished when you leave. Then, as you buy items, put it in one of these columns to help you see the bigger picture.

So you've got multiple days planned, you've got your punch list....now what?

BUY!!

Market is overwhelming. You may have the tendency to just soaking it all in, taking notes, and figuring out the rest later... but it's important to actually buy the product while you are there.

They have added staff to help set up accounts, take orders, and get them processed quickly. If you don't place the order at Market, you have to chase down people via phone and email to even get an account set up. Just do it while you are there.

Plus, there is almost always a show special. From free freight to % discounts, these things add up. Make the most out of your profit margin by grabbing these show discounts and placing your orders during the show.

Sarah's top tip: Items will sell out. I like to go to the Market that is first each Summer. Sometimes it's Dallas. Others it's Atlanta or Las Vegas. By going to the first show of the season, items are less likely to be sold out by the time you get there.

Organize

You came, you shopped, you are so excited about all your purchases...but how do you keep it all straight? The week will feel like a blur, so it's best to organize your purchases right away.

If you follow me, you know how much I love Trello, right? Build a Market Trello board. Create lists for boxes, special events, or even by month. Make sure you are taking pictures as you are buying. Load these pictures in with vendor info, screenshots of your invoice, and where you've planned for this in your business.

One big brain dump at the end of your trip or day by day as you go will really help you keep track of everything you purchased and what your plan was for that item.

For more Market tips, I've put together some of my top tips to help you navigate Market successfully and not get overwhelmed.

3 days of really hard work will save you months of stress and worry about what you will sell next. Treat your Market weeks as an important part of your business structure and use these tips to make the most out of your Market weeks!

Happy Shopping!!!