How to Do Well at Craft Shows (Beginner)

Have you ever made something at home that you want to sell? Are you starting a small business with home made products or products that are sold by homemakers such as creative memories? Why not go to a craft fair? If you do it right, you can make a good little profit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tent
• Booth Decorations
• Sign with your business name
• Petty Cash
• Receipt Book
• Samples
• Tables
• Stools
• Shelves
• Lights
• Pen
• Calculator
• Nametags

1. Search for craft fairs in your area. Use the web, go to craft sores and look for postings and you can call the chamber of commerce for your area. Try to find craft fairs that will be better suited to your product.
2. Make a list of craft shows you’d like to attend. Narrow your list by finding out the following information from each show. Find out how many people attend, mix between crafters and vendors and what kinds of crafters attend.
3. Purchase equipment. Buy a pop up tent such as an EZ-Up, but make sure it’s the right size. Most craft fairs use 10 x 10 spaces. Some require backdrops and sidewalls, so buy one with sides. This will also be good for outside shows when it rains. Buy tables and shelves to showcase your product. Use different heights to display your products on your tables for better displays. Do this by building or buying table shelves.
4. Decorate your booth nicely. Make sure you look as professional as possible. Setup your booth area at home first so you know how you want things to look. Take a picture when you’re done. Having a picture will help you setup later and some shows require you send in pictures of your booth.
5. Make your booth inviting so that people will want to come in and look around. Add lights to your booth if it’s indoors so people can get a good look at your booth. Have everything ready for a good checkout experience. Make sure you have space for people to checkout and new people to come in at the same time.
6. Talk to people. Be friendly and outgoing. If the show allows, stand outside your booth and talk to people as they go by. Don’t be obnoxious. Just mention your product in an appropriate way or demonstrate them if you can.
7. Talk to other crafters. Your best source of information is from other crafters. You can find out what kinds of things sell the best which days are usually slower or faster and in general what to expect. You can also make contacts that will help you later. Some crafters will share their secrets with you about things such as what shows are the best.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t spend so much on travel and show fees where you can’t make money.
• Offer free samples or free food. This helps draw people to you.
• Visit other craft shows ahead of time to get ideas.
• Watch for what types of products sell.
• Be prepared for down time and have everything you need like drinks or snacks.
• Sell your products for even amounts including tax, so you don’t have to worry about loose change.
• Dress nicely.
• Don’t sit down in the back of your booth. If you have to sit down, buy tall stools so you can be seen easily and can get up quickly to help customers.
• Make sure you at least have a temporary sales tax license for the state and/or county of the craft show.