There is no secret that before the pandemic turned our lives upside down, we love going to festivities—farmer’s markets, food festivals, music fests, and any kind of event that organizers can think of those days. We love participating in them as vendors, too. It might take a while before we can begin enjoying each other’s company without worrying about the coronavirus. But that doesn’t mean we cannot plan for future festivities. Believe it or not, even with the bleakness of the things around us, we’ll attend festivals once more.
So if you have something on the pipeline, better gather your thoughts and start planning how to be a standout. What’s going to set you apart from all the other booths out there? Who’s going to notice those delicious pastries when people are busy going gaga over the next music act? What can you offer that other booths don’t?
Befriend the Organizers
Who are the people behind the event? It’s not enough to be a food vendor in the event. You have to know the suppliers, too. Ask around for the people organizing the event. If they are not from your locality, you can help them look for suppliers. Most festival organizers will partner with local suppliers for music festival tent rental because it is impossible to transport such large tents from one city to another.
This way, you’ll also have a better look at their preparations. Are there activities that you can use to maximize your business’ presence on the festival grounds? When are they expecting most people to come in? On Day 1? Day 2? The last day? Befriending the organizers is a helpful little trick to get insight into the activities that will happen.
Know Your Audience
What people want to eat in your pastry shop and what they eat in music festivals are two very different things. Study your audience very well. According to research, people eat meat and sandwiches during festivals. They also drink beer or wine, depending on the formality of the event. So where does that put your little pastry business?
Believe it or not, people are going to always look for desserts. A meal isn’t really complete without a sugary compliment. And just in case you find yourself in the German Oktoberfest, you can partner with other vendors. You can supply them with your homemade sourdough bread. Such collaborations are a big hit on social media.
Generate Buzz
Make sure that you generate a bit of buzz about your business even before the festival begins. Be present on social media in the weeks leading to the festival. You can organize a contest on your Instagram page so people will start to follow and engage. You can offer unique products that will drive people to your booth. Make sure to advertise your unique offers on social media, so people will intentionally visit your booth.
The way you present your food can create a lot of buzz, too. Remember that this is a world where food presentations win over how the food actually tastes. The more intriguing the way your food looks, the better it is for your business. When you create a buzz surrounding how Instagrammable your food presentation is, you’ll be a hit during the festival.
Mind the Weather
Not too many vendors think about the weather when they join these festivities. So you’re selling pastry bread. Does that mean cupcakes with buttercream on them? And what’s the first rule of buttercream? Never leave it in warm weather for an extended period. Otherwise, that little rosette you spent days perfecting will turn into a puddle of goo.
If the weather’s going to be too hot for your products, make sure to bring the appropriate equipment so you can store them properly. If it’s cold, why not pair your bread offering with hot cocoa or a cup of joe? Festival-goers will surely appreciate not having to go from one booth to another to get their bread and coffee.
Design Your Booth
Don’t forget that the booth is the first thing that people will notice about your business. Design it the way your own shop looks like. Even if the festival-goers haven’t been to your actual store, they should get a feel of what it’s like to be there. More than anything else, joining festivals is about marketing your business. You want people to recognize your brand. You want them to be aware of what you offer.
Participation in food and music festivals is a great way to bring attention to your business. Thousands of people attend these festivities. You have to make sure you will maximize your time and presence there.