Craft / Vendor Show - Tips & Advice

Calling all handcrafters​! Where you at?

I'm going to share some simple tips to make your vendor/craft show successful. It's difficult starting a business from scratch, isn't it? The amazing business name you have to come up with, supplies, register your business name, make a 5-year​ business plan, plan your finances, choose your accounting​ system and a marketing/promoting plan.

Honestly, I do most of my sales at a good craft show​. I believe people love to be able to sample your products-smell, touch, see, taste, even hear your products. Allowing them to use most of their senses will ​strike an interest in people. I've done many vendors shows in 2017, some bad, some good. Most of the shows were horrible but you learn which shows are worth your time and money. Craft shows can be fun but also frustrating. Despite your best effort to be prepared, you never know how much money you will make. It's important to expect that the show can be a complete bomb or it can be a wonderful and rewarding experience.

Tips & Advice

• ARRIVE EARLY TO SET UP
  Depending on how many props and products you have, you want to give yourself enough time to pack your car, unpack your car, drag all of your stuff to your spot, set up and even have time to walk around a meet the other vendors​ before the show starts.

(Setting up takes me about 30-45 minutes)

• BRING A FRIEND
  It's always nice to have someone else there with you so you can take a bathroom break without the fear that someone will take something from your booth. I usually do my shows alone since I do not have anyone to take with me but I manage with asking the vendor next to me to watch my booth for a few minutes but honestly, that shouldn't be allowed since they have their own booth to manage.

• DO NOT OVERDRESS
  No one expects you to look like you're going to a wedding. Dress casual/down to earth.

(I wore this shirt with jeans and slip on white shoes. Simple and comfy)

• DO NOT RUSH YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS
  If someone is taking a long time looking at your products, let them take as long as they want. This actually attracts more people, believe it or not. People attract people.

• BRING YOUR OWN TABLE AND CHAIR
  Even if the show coordinator is able to provide you with a table and chair, still bring your own. You never know if they will make a mistake on giving it to someone else or they ran out of tables and chairs before you get there. Better safe than sorry because you MUST have a table for your set up.
  A short​ story of mine: I misread what the event coordinator said about providing a table and chair, I had to pay extra and I didn't. Thankfully, I still brought my own table and chair.

• FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE SHOW
  This should go without saying but I have seen other vendors not following the rules and it was extremely frustrating. Every show you agree to join ​always has rules printed out for you. Be compliant​.

• FIND LOCAL VENDOR EVENTS
  Join local facebook groups. Towards the end of the year, ​there are many holiday craft shows. Reach out to the organizers of the events you find and ask what the requirements are to be included. Stay in touch with the group or vendor organizer throughout the year. Building a friendship is key to having the organizer think of you first when they plan another event. You can also create your own event but that is a lot of work.

• NETWORK WITH OTHER CRAFTERS AND ORGANIZERS
  We are not in competition​! It's always good for your business to refer to other vendors you know and trust. It shows you care about other small businesses, not just your own. I love keeping tabs with other crafters, it's humbling and exciting.

• SIGNS AND BANNERS
  You must have a sign or banner that says your products are handmade, local, if you're accepting credit cards and if your products contain nuts. Nut allergy is a big issue to consider.

• BE FRIENDLY
  You must feel comfortable talking to and with people. I'm sorry, if you're an introvert, this will be a slight challenge. Take it slow, you can do this! It will show if you're​ a nervous wreck and that doesn't attract people. Say hi and make eye contact with everyone that passes. Do not take it to heart that many people will pass you booth, sometimes it's just not what they're looking for and that's okay. If someone does end up at your table, strike up a conversation but do not force it. I've had many people that didn't want to talk, they just wanted to buy and get on their way. Yes, that is rude but what can you do? I had a 3-day​ event show one weekend and I couldn't stop smiling, my jaw hurt at the end of the day. It was 100% genuine​, just very tiring.

• BOOTH DISPLAY
  You must have a booth that pops and screams you and your business. You do not have to use bright colors to pop out, that is a myth. Be creative on how you display your products.

• DISPLAY THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF PRODUCTS
  The key is finding the ​balance. Too many products will cause the potential customer to enter a mental frenzy, it's overwhelming. Your booth is going to appear busy and cluttered. Now, too little products is also not a good thing. If you don't have many​ products displayed, the customers can easily browse through your products while walking by. You'll miss the conversation you can potentially​ have with the customer. Remember, your booth is also your product.

• PRICES MUST BE DISPLAYED FOR ALL PRODUCTS SHOWN
  If you do not have a price list or prices on your actual products, customers will not even bother to ask most of the time because they will assume it is expensive. You must have prices! I've seen vendors not show prices for their products and they didn't do well at the show, it was a big mistake on their end.

• OFFER A PURCHASE FREEBIE OR SALE AT YOUR TABLE
  Offering an item for sale or for free is one of my favorite things to do at an event. What I usually run is a "Make a purchase of $20 or more and you'll receive a FREE Beet Balm or Honey Lip Scrub". It's always a hit! Customers LOVE free stuff, even if they have to spend just a tiny bit more. Run a 10% off sale for that event only....do what you feel is best for you and your business.

• YOU MUST HAVE CHANGE
  Always bring at least $100-$200 in change, broken up into​ 20's, 10's, 5's and 1's. There's a wide variety of people that still love using cash. You can kiss that sale goodbye if you do not have change. The customer will be very inconvenienced​ if they need to swipe their credit card.

• BUSINESS CARDS
  You must have business card easily accessible and always slip a business card if the customer purchases anything. If you do not have business cards at an event, why even bother going? They must have a way to contact you and if they want to purchase more because without that crucial information, how can they do that?
  Short story: I attended a vendor show with a friend as a customer and one vendor didn't have business cards. I was interested in their work but wanted to see what else they sold online since she said she didn't have all of her products with her, that's mistake number one. Mistake number two, she didn't have a business card. She ended up writing her information on a small piece of paper. I asked if she left them at home because​ you know, stuff happens like that. She replied, "I do not want to spend money on business cards, my products should speak for themselves" Yeah, she didn't do well at the show with that type of attitude.

( I absolutely adore my business cards. On the back of the business card shows my website, name and social media information. They're simple and straight to the point as every business card should be)

• WHAT'S YOUR BUSINESS PITCH?
  You need to describe what you sell and what your business is in under 30 seconds. Yes, it's difficult to do but at a craft/vendor show, you don't have much time interacting with the customer unless they are 100% invested in hearing you out. They just want a quick description as to what you're selling. You can do this! :-D

• CATCH MY EYE TECHNIQUE
  Like I said in 'Booth Display', make your booth stand out. You should and must have a banner that says your name and what you sell. I usually get my supplies on vistaprint.com when they have their annual 50% off everything on site sale. Always look for sales and coupons.

(My lovely husband designed this banner for me. As you can tell, I was very pleased.)

• SEEKING INSPIRATION?
  Pinterest has many ideas, look up 'Vendor Show Displays'.

• LIST OF THINGS YOU NEED FOR THE SHOW
  Calculator
  Phone to take credit cards-must download Square app or Etsy app-make sure to get the card reader
  Phone Charger
  Table Props
  Banner/Sign
  Business Cards
  Pens
  Table
  Chair
  First Aid Kit
  Table Cover
  Canopy for outside use
  Your products. Of course ;-)
  Receipt Book, in case your phone fails
  Tape
  Cashbox​ (with change 20's, 10's, 5's, 1's and cents)
  Cooler with snacks and drinks
  Bags for customers
  Cleaner Spray
  Wipes to clean phone screen

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Most of all, HAVE FUN and make new friends!

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Warmly,
Ivana