Craft Show Tips
In many areas, craft shows and markets are underway and will certainly steam ahead once autumn arrives. I thought it would be great to list some tips for those of us who do shows....what we've learned, what we'd never do, tips for success,etc.
I've learned to not do a show in a remote,tucked away location unless it comes highly suggested. It won't attract drive-by drop ins and advertising is often limited. Often if it's an effort to get there, they won't come.
What have you learned?
Tags: craft, markets, shows, suggestions, tips
Views: 825
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Naturally Nickel Free on -
Don't get a booth next to the fire trucks. I know this was "luck of the draw," but it didn't work out for me.
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Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on -
WOW!!! I was once next to a woman selling KrispyKreme donuts for her son's cub scout den....the smell made me crazy!
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Permalink Reply by SunflowersByDesign (Michele) on -
Outside fairs can be a weather crap shoot! I stick with indoor, climate controlled shows.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Herzog on -
Yeah, I go along with the outdoor ones, you never know what is going to happen. My glass doesn't do well when the wind blows etc. I usually stick to indoor ones. I also like to make sure it is well advertised & ask about their previous shows.
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Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on
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I agree about indoors vs. outdoors. I did an outdoor one 2 years ago and despite tons of water and fans, I had to be driven to my car at the end.......toooooo hot!
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Permalink Reply by Naturally Nickel Free on
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I've had it with small town Iowa shows. Seems they like to look at art, but not actually buy it. I gave it a shot because of low registrations fees.
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Permalink Reply by Erin McKenzie on -
Two tips:
1.If you are outdoors, be prepared for all weather and have multiple display plans incase it gets windy!Tape is your best friend in these cases!
2. Bring a variety of items. All the items I've sold at shows were not summer themed items!
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Permalink Reply by Frawggie (FrawgzDezignz) on -
1. Be prepared - this includes having plenty of change - bring more than you think you'll need (be able to break large bills - or have access to a bank or other way to get change if needed).
Keep your cash in a lockable cash box.Use strongly contrasting table cloths for your table(s).
Take comfy chair(s) - you'll quickly get uncomfortable if you're sitting on a metal folding chair all day and that makes for a grumpy sales person (you).Use innovative displays - need ideas - ask:)
If you have lightweight displays - bring heavy weighted objects to hold down your displays if you're outside in the wind.
If its an outdoor show or market and you're going to do a few of these invest in a 10x10 tent canopy - and get one with sides if possible - you can button up your back & sides and give yourself shade, rain prevention, and in cases of windy days it helps hold your tent in place. If its outside - and wind is forecast - use your stakes.2. Accept checks with ID & phone # - you'd be surprised how many more sales you'll get if you can take other payments than just cash. (I've done this for years and have yet to have a returned check EVER*knock on wood*)
3. Ask when you register if everything being sold at the show/market is required to be handmade. many local craft shows are quickly going away from local, handmade items and just letting any old flea-market vendor in. Great if you've got similar items. Not so great if you make higher end handmade jewelry. I got burned big time on a local show $50 for the week - 8-10hr days. the Contract said no flea-market type stuff - yet I was the ONLY vendor there that made my own jewelry. I sold $5 that week. LOSS $45 + gas to get there every day. The fair-going type customers wanted to spend $20 and get 10 pre-made oriental trading company type bracelets instead of spending $30 on one bracelet from me.
4. If you're paying for space - make sure you know what type of space you're getting, size, time you need to set up by, is lunch included (some places do this, most don't), ask what lunch might be if it is included - in case you have allergies.
All that being said - I know hour our farmer's market does things - and they're more than willing to share their contract booklet with folks - you can see their requirements here:Orange County HomeGrown farmer's market Rules
They look like a lot of info to agree to - but it works. Everything that's sold at this market is 100% local grown, home baked, or handmade by local gardeners, farmers, bakers, cooks, and artisans. And it works. Its been one of the top 10 markets in the ENTIRE US for the last few years - and prelim voting this year has us as the #1 in Indiana.
Have fun, get plenty of rest the night before, if you're not near a grocery store or other type of place to get drinks - take a small cooler with food & drinks to help you keep up your energy.
Take someone with you - whose company you enjoy, who knows your products & can answer questions if you're busy dealing with another customer, in the bathroom, or having a smoke break (if you do), and having someone with you can help you enjoy the day and make the time pass faster.If you're able to - take something to work on - show your customers while they shop that you do in fact-handmake everything. I've had a few folks say "oh that's just overpriced storebought stuff" - but they can't dispute it when I sit there working on pieces for the table, custom orders for online or other sales locations - etc - if they see you making it they're more likely to buy - doesn't matter what it is. - yes food & soap type things generally you can't do that. But soap is unique seller to seller, and food people can tell if its handmade vs store bought. State regs vary about whether you can sell food at craft shows or just at farmer's markets...check your local regulations.
Have variety - cover all price ranges - from $2-3 inexpensive impulse buys to more expensive items to extremely high end for your product (1-2 expensive items) and keep those at the back of the table but easily visible - if someone wants to see it on their person etc - YOU control who gets to put it on (and you can keep a better eye on the expensive pieces).
Just because something didn't sell last time you did show x - doesn't mean it won't sell this time. (Having a spare person at your booth helps you if you're able to customize pieces while the customer shops - for earrings, beaded stuff etc)
Be willing to take custom orders - how you do this varies - some require full payment up front - some require 50% non-refundable deposit - then when you complete the order they send you the remainder of payment and you ship their item or deliver it if they live within reason.
Be willing to ship custom orders to people visiting the area - know common weights for some of your pieces, and give them a shipping quote or offer free shipping for items bought at events. Keep an order book and make sure you get ALL the info for a customer for custom orders; FULL NAME, full address, phone number, email address - make sure you write it all down very clearly. Duplicate copy books of receipts/invoices are $1-3 at Walmart or Target in the stationary section keep one for your records, one for your customer at time of order and one when you ship the item out.Don't agree to do more shows than you know you can keep up with demand should you have one of those wonderful days where everyone MUST BUY everything you sell. Don't set yourself up to not be able to fulfill other orders, or complete later shows without major loss of sleep/sanity.
Try to remain sane - know local regulations - if you have questions ask someone else in your area. A good show that is well advertised will be able to answer almost ANY question you have. If they don't know or simply refuse to answer a question you have - think twice about doing that show. If they advertise desperately in the paper a week before the show for more vendors - know there's something wrong. Good shows will fill up fast with good, reputable vendors.
If you have other questions I'll do my best to answer them just shoot me a message!frawggie
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Permalink Reply by Sunfire [Breath of the Dragon] on -
I think you touched on everything.... I got tired just reading all that and thinking about shows.
The main tip I have is to definitely have someone there to help. Due to the fact that I don't drive, and don't have the place to store display items, I can't really do a show without my mom. She's got the tables, covers, displays, etc, and the vehicle to get it all there and back. We used to share just a single space, but this past show was cheap enough that we got 2 spaces together and split it among 3 of us (her, me, and my honey's soap). I am hoping we can do that again, because it seemed to go over well, for all of us.
So, having a big space for 3 people, and having all 3 people there to watch out for each other, definitely made things easier. It does make time go by better, too, having someone to talk to.
I don't have much else to say, seeing as I haven't really gotten into all this "in person selling" yet. Hope to soon, though. And now I have all kinds of useful tips.
Oh, scout out the venue/event beforehand, if you can. Last year, we went to a bunch of shows to observe and get information on them. More of a scouting trip than a leisurely trip. Also, if you personally know some of the vendors, talk to them and see what they have to say about the success of the show, especially if they have done that specific show more than one time.
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Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on
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Great thoughts!!! thanks for adding.
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Permalink Reply by Daisy Doe (Erin) on -
Thank you SO much Frawggie, for the great tips! I am thinking of doing my very first show this year, and need all the advice I can gather.
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Permalink Reply by kiwichris on -
I travelled and lived on the road in New Zealand, in a housebus for 12 years, doing a show every weekend for 8 months of each year, outside in all weather. We started with crafts and ended with making candyfloss for the last 5 years, so i will have to make a list of the pros and cons and post it here shortly. I will be back
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