Case Study: Empowering Shambles Market Traders Through Social Media

Shambles Market in Stroud is a beloved historic venue home to a diverse array of local craft traders. While the market has strong community roots, many traders were not fully leveraging social media to expand their visibility and customer base. Recognising this, an introductory social media consultation was delivered to support their digital marketing efforts.

To equip Shambles Market traders with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to enhance their online presence, grow their audience, and increase footfall through more effective use of social media—particularly Facebook and Instagram.

During a group session with traders, the following key strategies were shared:

1. Choosing the Right Platforms: Focus was placed on Facebook and Instagram, which offer the best opportunities for craft-based businesses to showcase visual content and connect with local audiences.

2. Proactive Content Planning: Emphasis was given to scheduling posts ahead of time, ideally 1–3 days before market days. This allows time for the content to circulate, avoiding the common issue of posts only appearing in followers’ newsfeeds after the event has passed.

3. Tagging for Visibility: Traders were advised to tag the Shambles Market Facebook page and fellow traders in their posts to increase reach through network sharing and collaborative visibility.

4. Engaging, Story-Driven Content: Recommendations included posting behind-the-scenes photos, trader stories, product features, and setup shots to give followers a real sense of what to expect on the day.

5. Hashtags and Geotags: Encouraged the use of relevant local hashtags (e.g. #StroudMarket, #ShopLocalStroud) and location tags to increase discoverability and attract nearby customers.

6. Consistency and Brand Presence: Reinforced the value of regular posting, a clear visual identity, and maintaining a consistent tone of voice to build trust and brand recognition over time.

Following the session, traders reported feeling more confident in their social media use. Several began implementing proactive posting strategies and using tagging features more effectively. As a result, engagement improved across the board and traders noted better turnout and more enquiries ahead of market days.

This initial consultation proved that even small adjustments in social media strategy—such as tagging the venue, scheduling posts early, and engaging proactively—can have a tangible impact for local traders. As Shambles Market continues to thrive, these foundational digital tools offer a cost-effective way to connect with the community and support sustainable local commerce.