Farmers’ Market Etiquette for Vendors
Farmers’ markets have a unique selling and shopping atmosphere. If you’ve never sold at one, you may be unaware of the unwritten rules the organizer, fellow vendors, and shoppers may expect you to follow. Each market will have its own set of rules to follow so be sure you read over the applications carefully. In general,…
How To Deal with Competition at a Craft Show
Chances are, you won’t be the only one selling handmade goods under your category at a craft show. If it’s a popular craft show, it will be competitive to get shoppers’ attention and you’ll likely be competing with fellow jewelry designers, knitters, soap makers, etc. at most events. Most juried craft shows will limit how…
How to Sell at an Outdoor Farmers’ Market
Outdoor markets are a great way to sell your handmade, homemade, or grown goods during warmer months. But farmers’ markets are often full of vendors and have lots of attractions. So it’s important to create a space shoppers are drawn to. I’ve asked several market organizers to share their best advice. The following advice is…
5 Fun Questions to Improve your Craft Business
I love a little bit of homework when it comes to my business and I also think it’s important to always be looking at it with critical eyes. These are 5 questions that are fun to answer and incredibly important when it comes to creating a successful business. If answered with thought and implemented, you can make some…
Tips for Selling at Vintage Markets
Vintage markets are fun to wander around and discover not only antiques but also handmade goods with a rustic feel, upcycled and re-purposed goods. Great finds for your home and great for the environment! There are amazing vintage markets out there and we got to chat with 4 in B.C and Alberta who never fail…
10 Tips for Buying a Vendor Tent for Outdoor Markets
Nothing beats standing outside in the sunshine, talking about your passion and selling your handmade goods at an outdoor market. But you don’t want to suffer at the hand of weather extremes so if you’re a vendor looking to participate in outdoor markets. You’ll need an outdoor vendor tent. They’ll shelter you from the sweltering…
How to Host a Successful Craft Show
If you’re planning to host a craft show, this article is a must-read. It shares do’s and don’ts from vendors and all the little things they appreciate from a craft show host. I’ve written several articles covering the do’s and don’ts for craft show vendors and one of my amazing readers suggested I put together…
How Much Promotion Craft Show Organizers Expect from Vendors
When you’re preparing for a craft show, doing your part to promote it should be factored in. But just how much promotion are you responsible for, as the vendor? I got the chance to speak to some amazing event organizers who really know how to market a show and bring in a good crowd. Although…
Printable Market Announcement Flyer
As you use your checklist to prepare for a craft show, you’ll want to spend some time promoting the event to your fans and followers. It not only helps create a successful event, but it also helps ensure that even if the organizer missed the mark, you’ll have shoppers show up to see you and…
How to Promote a Craft Show (as a vendor)
Although event organizers will take care of the majority of marketing, it benefits everyone when each vendor does their part to let people know about the event. The more people working together to spread the word about a project, cause or event, the more shoppers there will be and, hopefully, more sales for you. Not…
Organizers Share their Craft Show Do’s & Don’ts
When it comes to selling handmade, you need multiple ways to get your name out there and sell your goods. Craft shows are one piece of that puzzle. They allow you to test your products, meet local customers and make a lot of sales in a short period or time. There are so many great…
Printable Order Tracking Sheet for your Craft Business
If you sell your handmade products online, or take orders at craft shows, you want to stay on top of those orders. There are many ways to track your sales and order progress online, but if you’re like me, you like the pen and paper option. Below is a free printable PDF you can use…
5 Tips for Starting a Craft Business with a Friend
Starting a business with a friend sounds fun, and it definitely can be. But you need to ensure it will be the right fit before you commiting. It’s easy to get swept up in the idea of starting a new venture together that you can ignore red flags that can cause tension and clashing during…
12 Tips to Help Introverts Sell at Craft Shows
Craft shows can be really intimidating for introverts; not only are you putting your work out there for people to critique, you have to put yourself out there, spending the entire day around crowds of people, chatting with strangers. I know from experience how intimidating it can be; do I say hi? They didn’t hear…
How To Sell To Introverts at a Craft Show
Not all introverts are the same but as an introvert (who can be shy), craft shows can be an uncomfortable shopping environment for me. Although introverts do tend to be the minority , it’s estimated that 25% to 40% of the population is introverted, so you will encounter several at a craft show. These are my tips…
5 Reasons You Didn’t Get Accepted to a Craft Show
Craft shows are a great way to sell the products you make (here’s a list of ones that tend to sell better). The majority of craft shows are juried; this ensures there is a good mix of vendors for shoppers to buy from. This also means that there are a good number of applications that…
5 Mistakes to Avoid at a Craft Show
Whether you’re getting ready for a large trade show and have an entire booth to fill, or you’ve booked a table at a community craft show, these 5 mistakes are always important to avoid. I’ve made every mistake on this list and when I corrected them, I saw an improvement in: The type of shopper…
How To Photograph Your Handmade Goods
Photographs of your handmade goods are almost as important as the handmade goods themselves. When you’re selling online they act as your salesperson and give the shopper an idea of what your business is all about. Poor-quality photos can indicate to online shoppers that your business is poorly run or that the quality of your…
How To Make a Backdrop for Your Handmade Goods
When you’re selling your handmade items online, your photographs are almost as important as the item itself. Photos are your first impression, your salesperson and your description all in one. Blurry, poorly lit photos that don’t show off the details of your work won’t do you any favors when it comes to capturing shopper’s attention…
How To Create a Lookbook For Your Handmade Products
Lookbooks are a great way to show off the products you offer and convey their stories. They’re similar to a catalogue, however, they don’t tend to showcase every piece a business offers but rather focus on key pieces that define a collection or a brand. A catalogue will also include product information (e.g. price, sizes,…