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Step-by-step guide

Selling at craft, flea and weekend markets: your step-by-step start

Rent a table at a craft, flea or weekend market and sell goods you make or buy in, face to face, with a card machine and a WhatsApp catalogue for repeat buyers.

  • 21 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • People who enjoy chatting to shoppers, can stand for a day and have a product people pick up and buy on the spot.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 21 days.
  • You have no way to get to customers or move your kit.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 21 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: a quiet or rainy day can mean you do not cover your stall fee: visit as a shopper first.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How selling at craft, flea and weekend markets worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Photograph your products and a mock-up of your table in daylight3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Price every item and print small price tags3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Week one, step 4: Set up a WhatsApp Business catalogue and print cards with your number3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Apply to two markets and trade at the first one3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Keep a sales sheet: what sold, at what price, what people asked for3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Take a card machine so you never lose a sale for lack of cash3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Keep the market that pays best and drop the slowest3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Add the three items people asked for most3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Months two and three, task 3: Start taking WhatsApp orders between markets3 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R300 to R3 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Folding table and cloth
  • Gazebo with weights (if outdoors)
  • Yoco or similar card machine
  • Price tags and business cards
  • Cash float and a lockable box

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.