info booth at farmer's market

hotwings640 · #1 05-18-2010

I am wondering if anyone has any experience setting up an info booth for their midwifery work at a farmer's market? I am considering doing it just maybe 4 or 5 times this summer.

We moved here last summer and there was not a homebirth midwife here prior to my arrival, so I am just trying to get the word out that I am here. I did a baby expo in February and picked up 3 clients from it and many interviews. I don't expect the farmer's market to be quite as efficient, but it is also much cheaper than a baby expo.

So, has anyone done this? How did it work for you?

busybusymomma · #2 05-18-2010

I haven't but I'm curious to hear how it goes for you! Are there any health food stores around where you can advertise? The nearest health food store to me sends out a monthly newsletter (email and paper) and you can put in paid ads.

golden pregnancy · #3 05-23-2010

I have had way better response at farmers markets and community festivals of all kinds than at baby expos. You're right about the price difference, too!
I think it's the difference in venue that sets the mood for clientel. At the baby expo I went to, people were looking for bargains, discounts, and freebies. I lost my arse. At festivals and farmers markets, you will have families out enjoying themselselves. They are more relaxed and open to what you have to offer. I have always at least broke even and enjoyed myself more.
Let us know how it goes for you.

golden pregnancy · #4 05-23-2010

Oh, I almost forgot. If your are consistant with attending these events, people will start looking for you at them.

hotwings640 · #5 05-24-2010

Oooh, these are good points, I hadn't considered how much more relaxed people are at the farmer's market. It will be very affordable for me to do any of these markets because I have all the stuff to set up with the tent and the tables and chairs and all. I used to do farmer's markets all the time to sell soaps. I am excited about the chances to get out there and talk with some people about midwifery and doula work

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden pregnancy

I have had way better response at farmers markets and community festivals of all kinds than at baby expos. You're right about the price difference, too!
I think it's the difference in venue that sets the mood for clientel. At the baby expo I went to, people were looking for bargains, discounts, and freebies. I lost my arse. At festivals and farmers markets, you will have families out enjoying themselselves. They are more relaxed and open to what you have to offer. I have always at least broke even and enjoyed myself more.
Let us know how it goes for you.

birthfava · #6 05-24-2010

I can't wait to do this next year! I live very close to our cities best farmers market and always run into at least a couple former clients and see tons and tons of pregnant ladies and babies in slings. Seems like a great place to spread the word. Having someone with a baby in a sling to work the booth with you would probably be a great idea - I remember working a baby expo for our doula org with my LO in a sling. He reeled them in for sure, lol.

golden pregnancy · #7 05-24-2010

Oh yeah, having some sort of draw to reel them in always helps, too. A raffle, an activity. My daughter and I are henna artists and do pregnant bellies for free to attract attention.

hotwings640 · #8 05-24-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden pregnancy

Oh yeah, having some sort of draw to reel them in always helps, too. A raffle, an activity. My daughter and I are henna artists and do pregnant bellies for free to attract attention.

I found this out when I did the baby expo. I was having so-so results and then had my husband bring my birth-pool-in-a-box to me and suddenly my booth was packed with people asking questions about waterbirth, homebirth, and midwifery.

I wish I did henna, that sounds like a lovely way to draw in some women while also giving you a little time to chat with them.

I was thinking about ordering some nice t-shirts or waterbottles with my logo to give away.

golden pregnancy · #9 06-03-2010

The birth pool sounds great! Please keep us posted!

636Jen · #10 06-03-2010

I'm doing the farmer's market this year. I signed up for 21 weeks. I got in by selling my soaps but I also hand out info on homebirth. It's been a definite win/win so far!!

AmyinOR · #11 06-04-2010

I did our farmer's market a couple years ago and I wouldn't say I got tons of people to my booth, but it was fun and did certainly draw attention. I used one of those folding poster boards that can stand up and made a collage of pictures from past childbirth class and doula clients. that was a huge draw and started some great conversations. I sold rice socks that I made and handed out info on birthing classes.
It was funny how many women would literally whisper to me that they either had a homebirth or wish they had used a midwife!

Hope it goes well for you.

DeniseAK · #12 06-06-2010

That is a wonderful Idea Ladies... when I am finally able to get my own practice going I'm going to do a booth at the annual Anchorage Market and Festival... Lots of people go there from all over Alaska and lots of tourists to boot...
Might just have to do it to promote midwifery and out of hospital birth next year... regardless of if I am able to finish my apprenticeship soon or not...

hotwings640 · #13 07-17-2010

I did the market today and have to say it was only ok. It was SUPER hot out and so that was miserable. There were a few homebirthers (who used other midwives from an hour or more away) who came and spoke to me and a few people who are past their childbearing years who came and gave me a big thumbs up. That was nice. Overall though, it didn't feel like there was much interest. Oh well! It only cost me a few hours of my time.

golden pregnancy · #14 07-18-2010

Except for the SUPER hot part, I would encourage you to go a couple more times. Once people start to recognize you as being a part of that event, they will seek you out. If you need to feel you are getting a little something for your time when you are not drumming up business, you could sell a little something. As I said before, I do henna. Do you make soap or candles or teas or any little hand crafted items?

hotwings640 · #15 07-19-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden pregnancy

Except for the SUPER hot part, I would encourage you to go a couple more times. Once people start to recognize you as being a part of that event, they will seek you out. If you need to feel you are getting a little something for your time when you are not drumming up business, you could sell a little something. As I said before, I do henna. Do you make soap or candles or teas or any little hand crafted items?

I did soaps and lotions (making and selling at farmer's markets and such) for about 6 years and am not looking to get back into that anytime real soon. I actually had a free spot and that is because I wasn't selling anything, but only giving out information. So, like I said, it only cost me my time. I am scheduled to be back again in September for a Saturday market and I think I am going to try to go a few times for their weeknight markets, maybe waiting until September when the weather is usually much nicer.