Craft/Vendor Shows

Hi Chicks!

This is a subject you can find numerous posts on out on the 'net.  I'm here today to give you some tips from my own personal experiences with craft/vendor shows, from the ones I did last season.  You'll definitely find a ton of conflicting advice out there, so bear in mind these are just my own humble opinions :)

1.  Keep your table simple.  Don't overclutter and overwhelm.  SU! tells us to use a plain black tablecloth and a logo banner (available on the supply list).  I like to have out some catalogs in a plastic brochure holder, plenty of current holiday or spring catalogs, recruit brochures, business cards, flyers on my current classes, and a drawing box & forms.  I personally don't give out the big catalogs free at a craft show, because I think a lot of people will just take them home & throw them away - but I do sell them very cheaply - and try to make a note on the drawing form who purchased one.  Those are probably more serious leads.  I do give out the holiday/spring catalogs to everyone who stops by my table, though.  This year, I plan on being a little more aggressive about my classes and attempt to sign people up then & there; as well as offering private classes in their homes - kind of a back-door way to get around the word "workshop", which spooks people sometimes ;)

2.  Don't necessarily expect to sell a ton of your creations.  If you want to highlight that aspect of your business, you may be disappointed to find that most "browsers", unless they're crafters themselves (and more on that later), won't place the same value on your work that you do.  Especially with papercrafts - people tend to dismiss it as "only paper" and seriously de-value our art.  If you want to sell cards, be prepared to price them at $3 or less.  Most folks aren't going to want to pay more.  I personally price mine at $1 - $2 each, depending on how many layers, and I don't sell heavily embellished cards at a craft fair - I try to keep them "mailable".  I have a spinning card tree that doesn't take up much space, and gives folks something to stop and browse.  Even so, it's rare for me to sell many cards.  Same goes for other items like note pad holders and the like - keep it inexpensive (but be sure not to UNDERPRICE your work, either - make sure you're charging enough to cover your supplies used).  Unfortunately, people just don't want to spend a lot of money, at least not in my area.  They seem to look at craft/vendor shows in the same way they look at a flea market.

3.  Be prepared to hear comments like, "Oh, I could make that!" and trust me, some people will just cruise your table for ideas & probably go home & do just that.  Perfect opportunity to show them a catalog, talk up your classes, etc.  Smile and agree, "Yes, you sure could!  Let me tell you about what I offer!"  That being said, I'm also going to try packaging up a few card kits for my next show (pre-cut DSP, pre-cut cardstock, a few embellishments & some pre-cut ribbon - along with a card sketch) to whet the "idea-nappers'" interest ;)  **Remember, if you offer a kit like this, it can't be made up of anything (like a full, unopened product) that a person can try to return to SU! for a refund, and you CANNOT stamp images on cardstock & sell them as part of a kit (refer to your IDA).

4.  You may want to decide ahead of time just what you want to get out of a craft/vendor show.  Sales of what you've made yourself?  New leads?  I've found that it's difficult to do both effectively, primarily due to my own disappointment in poor sales :)  Again, there are lots of sources on the internet that have GREAT ideas for what items sell well at these types of shows.  I have a friend who goes to a lot of the same crops I do, who's also a demo, and she kicks butt at craft fairs with the most adorable little items she whips up - Post It holders, journals, tea bag holders, and the like.  For me, those things just BOMB.  I've had better luck concentrating on building new leads, so any more, I don't fret over whether or not I'm earning back my table fee.  If I get even ONE good customer lead, who makes a purchase or two, or starts coming to my classes, I've gotten my investment back.

5.  Have a drawing & a little form and ask everyone who stops by your table to fill it out completely.  Check it before they drop it in your drawing box & confirm the information.  (Sadly, some people WILL lie about their email address or phone number just to get you off their back!!)  Your prize can be as simple as a catalog and a gift certificate for free product or a free class.  If the winner never materializes when you call them to follow up on the order or the class, you haven't lost anything - great tip from my 4th level upline.  Keep your form simple - ask a few questions like "Have you ever stamped before?" or "Would you be interested in stamping classes?"  (I'm also considering adding "Do you have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator?" to my form this year ;)  Don't ask!!!!)  Follow up on your leads, but don't be pesky.  If you don't hear back from them after a few emails or calls, just send one final friendly message letting them know you're cleaning up your list & will be happy to help them if they wish to contact you in the future.

Craft/vendor shows ARE fun - I hope I haven't discouraged you!  As long as you're realistic about your expectations and make good use of your time, you can get some good experience and hopefully some good business leads :)

That's it for now, my peeps!

Jeni