We like to give you more whenever we can. Here’s a cheeky Easter egg to follow up from Paul Water‘s blog on knowing your markets.

Bad news:  It’s tricky to develop that personal market trader rapport when you’re connecting remotely over the internet. Less chance to open with a “Hallo gorgeous” – more difficult to move on “Have a feel of my lovely plums” (nudge nudge, wink wink) – and harder to finish with a cheeky wink and a free banana on the house “to put a smile on your face, know what I mean darlin’?”

Good news: It doesn’t matter. Or at least it matters less and less. Markets are dying. Sad but true. (That’s according to anecdote and the 2009 Communities and Local Government Committee Report.) They’re only surviving by evolving away from selling goods into selling services -like hairstyling, roller blind fitting or floor cover installation.

Market manager Paul blames 24-hour shopping, big supermarkets selling everything and killing off everyone else and the younger generation going online. “It’s inevitable,” he says, “And can’t be stopped.”

Primark has killed off most clothing stalls, says Paul. Rents have arisen with property prices. Stall holders may have to work six months before seeing a profit. Punters are more cautious with money. And they don’t use cash – and few market stalls accept credit cards or cash transfer.

Sounds bleak. Yes – bleak for them. But good when your personal market stall is online. As offices and factories close and outdoor markets lose their lunchtime trade, more people turn to the net to do business. And that’s where you are.

But it’s still a market, even if it is online. And you may find that a lot of the same rules apply. Provide quality and don’t accept returns on knickers.

One more lesson from the markets may be useful. This comes from Martin the butcher. “I love my job, I really enjoy it. I used to work in repossession,” he laughs. “But I decided to do something that would make people happy instead. And now I do.” Except for the cows and pigs perhaps. So – he’s making money, making himself happy and making other people happy. Does it get better than that?

– Paul Waters is a Journalist, Writer, Broadcaster and Social Media Consultant