YOU'RE INVITED!

It's BAZAAR season and we are joining the hype.

Great thing is you don't need to have special RSVP invitation to join the crowd because...YOU'RE INVITED!

What could be a better way to test the water than joining well organized and publicized bazaars. And for this year, GARBO will take part at the annual Noel Discovery Bazaar and Christmas Shop Expo at World Trade Center and the Grand International Christmas Bazaar.

Based on the September 2008 of Entrepreneur Philippines, joining bazaars to launch newly introduced product into the market is the first bold step, strategically and economically, before taking a big leap at finally joining the saturated club of retail business.

How to join bazaars? Here are some quick steps to follow:

1. Inquire. Bazaars could be anywhere from a basketball court or parking lot turned into an overnight shopping venue to an A-list venue such as NBC Tent and Rockwell Tent where A-B shoppers frequent for best buys. But wherever the venue is, the first step to do is inquire. Big and famous venues such as the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall and the Word Trade Center in Pasay City keep a calendar of events through out the year. You may ask for a copy that includes address and phone of the contact person.

2. Research and choose. Now that you have a copy. Choose the event that suits your product /services and budget. Bigger and famous bazaar venues require bigger budget. Each bazaars have different themes and objectives and they require their participants to comply. But before choosing, I strongly recommend that you do a background/history check on the organizers. Perennial bazaar organizers have strong support from different media organizations which is a perfect opportunity for your product to have a media exposure.

Bazaar guidelines, floor lay-out, payment terms and contract are then given to the interested bazaar participant. All you have to do is sign up!

3. Prepare. Once you are already decided, make sure to make the necessary preparations from product delivery, area set-up and design, marketing strategy to purchase monitoring. Make a checklist of all the items/activities you need to accomplish before the bazaar. Doing this would keep you on track of all the necessary items. You wouldn’t want to start the bazaar without your supplies, would you?

4. Reach out and keep in touch. Along the way, do not forget to make connections. Give your calling cards to the people you are coordinating with. Bazaar organizers always keep a list of interested bazaar participants for future references and they are always willing to help. After all bazaar organizers and bazaaristas have a symbiotic relationship.

With the event drawing nearer, we can't help but feel the pressure and excitement of seeing our product penetrate the market. Surely it won't be an easy ride but with our product's value, we are confident that we'll somehow have a great time!

Then GARBO is not going anywhere but MOVE FORWARD!