5 Craft Show Mistakes that Drive Shoppers Away
No one signs up for a craft show with the intention of alienating the shoppers but you may unknowingly be sending them away if they don’t feel comfortable.
It’s important to have fun, be yourself and show pride in your work; that will always draw people to you.
Here are 5 mistakes to watch for next time you’re at an event selling your handmade goods.
1) Being too clique-y
Once you dive into the craft scene, you quickly get to know many of the vendors, organizers, and even shoppers so a craft show can easily feel like a reunion. When you spend most of your day chatting with booth neighbors, visiting with friends who have stopped by, or gabbing with the organizer, it can make the atmosphere feel like a clique the shoppers aren’t a part of.
Visiting is part of the fun of craft shows so I’m not suggesting cutting that out. But do be aware of shoppers, even if they’re a table or two over. They’re aware of what’s going on around them and if they don’t feel welcomed or appreciated, they may keep on walking.
Even if you’re in the middle of working with another customer, take a second to say “Hi” to a new shopper, welcome them to your table and let them know you’ll be right with them or that they can interrupt you with any questions.
On the other hand…
2) Looking too Eager
If you look like you’re ready to pounce the second a shopper steps into your booth (or up to your table) or you’re being too aggressive with your sales tactics in trying to pull them in, you may drive some people away.
Shoppers don’t want to feel like a salesperson is being too pushy or is desperate for a sale and will do anything for it.
Consider how you like to be treated when you’re shopping. Most of us like to be acknowledged but not hovered over while we browse. A casual suggestion for them to try one of your samples or asking if they’d like to see how your product works are perfectly fine.
Giving people a staredown as they approach your table or standing in the aisle and blocking them from walking by until you finish your pitch is too much. Sounds extreme but this has happened to me as a shopper at a craft show.
3) Staying Quiet
Whether you’re shy by nature or are just trying to give shoppers their space; lack of engagement can be taken the wrong way. Shoppers, vendors, and event organizers may think you’re disinterested if you keep quiet, hide behind your table or have your nose in a book all day.
I know it can be intimidating to sign up for your first craft show and stand there as people browse your work, deciding if they love it enough to buy (just because they don’t buy, doesn’t mean they don’t love it). But try your best to put on a smile and interact with the shoppers.
Practice makes perfect and you’ll find yourself easing into your new position as a craft show vendor as the day goes on
Check out these articles for tips on feeling more comfortable at craft shows:
- How To Start a Conversation with any Customer at a Craft Show
- 12 Tips to Help Introverts Sell at a Craft Show
- 5 Tips for Drawing Customers into your Booth & Keep them Coming Back
- Sell More at a Craft Show by Asking This Question
- Craft Show Etiquette
4) Giving away your work
I’m not talking about a freebie to draw customers in; I’m referencing low prices and “these aren’t selling so just take one”.
If you don’t put value on your work, how can you expect others to?
I understand how frustrating a slow craft show can be but don’t use that as an opportunity to mark down prices or give items away. Shoppers will remember that next time they see you at a craft show and wonder why they would pay full price if you’re willing to give handouts when times are slower.
Treat your work in the way you want people to perceive it. Meaning;
- Price it properly – set your price points to what they’re worth, not what you think people are willing to pay (here’s the right way to price your products). Slapping low prices on your pieces in an attempt to make more sales will hurt you and other vendors in the long run. Craft show shoppers generally understand that they’re buying one-of-a-kind handmade pieces, and with that comes a higher price tag than they may find at the mall. If your products are half the price of something similar a couple of booths down, they may wonder if you’ve cut corners when it came to craftsmanship or materials.
- Display it with pride – imagine seeing a necklace flat on a table surrounded by a variety of other jewelry pieces that would never be worn together. Now imagine that same necklace, displayed on a crisp white bust form, sparkling under the lights, with a matching bracelet, ring, and earrings. Which necklace would you perceive as having more value? Put thought and effort into your display.
- Handle it with care – this includes when people are watching and when they aren’t. Nicks, snags, and wear and tear will bring the value of your work down. Store your work properly at home and in a way that ensures it doesn’t get damaged going to and from craft shows. When you wrap a purchase up for a customer, put that same care in; handle the item gently, snip off price tags and wrap it in a nice package for them to take home.
5) Not Displaying Prices
Craft show shoppers don’t want to ask “how much?” They may not be able to grab your attention if it’s busy or they may not want to draw attention to themselves.
If prices aren’t clearly marked for each item (or group of items) a shopper may just put the item down instead of risking a slightly awkward situation of being told the price and then not purchasing.
When a shopper picks up an item and asks the price, they’re showing an interest in it. Having to set the product back down may make it seem as though they don’t want to pay that price, can’t afford to pay that price, or think it’s overpriced…none of which may be true but they certainly don’t want you to think so!
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Hey, I’m Erin 🙂 I write about small business and craft show techniques I’ve learned from being a small business owner for almost 2 decades, selling at dozens of craft shows, and earning a diploma in Visual Communication Design. I hope you find my advice helpful!
~ Making your booth into a u-shaped one or filling the floor space up so that only 1 or 2 customers can go in and view your product at a time. People often don’t like to be in overly crowded spaces.
~ Making your booth into a u-shaped one or filling the floor space up so that only 1 or 2 customers can go in and view your product at a time. People often don’t like to be in overly crowded spaces.
~ not having enough merchandise on your table so you look like you are sold out with no selection
Great tips MD Handfield! Thanks for sharing 🙂
When the Customer has no idea who the sales person is. At a busy craft show with lots of people, I think the salesperson needs to have an identifying look like an apron , a t-shirt with a logo, or even a name badge.
That’s a great point Kim! Dressing the part is an important factor.
Not having a variety of price points is off-putting to me. Often I like a Craftsperson’s work, but can’t afford that $400 leather tote. Having some small items at lower prices is more likely to encourage me to buy, and I might even buy multiple items.
Thanks for reading and commenting Stefanie! I couldn’t agree more 🙂
Erin
The worst thing a craft show person can do is sit on a chair and read a book. That is really rude & that person is not interested in selling his/her crafts.
Is it ok to wear one of your items (scarf/shall , with a price tag on it ready to sell?
Hi Novella!
That’s a good question…I would lean towards saying no. I think throwing it on when a shopper is looking at it to show them how it looks would be okay but wearing a scarf and selling it may turn some shoppers off.
If you think about when you’re shopping, you want to feel like an item is brand new and special to you. That might be lost if you’re wearing the product and take it off to sell it. I know when I’m shopping in a store, I look for the one in the pile that looks like it hasn’t been tried on/opened/etc. If a shirt is half hanging off a hanger and unbuttoned, it somehow lowers the value of it.
You have to use your discretion but I would say to make a demo for you to wear and not sell.
Hope that helps!
Erin
I make and sell puzzles and games. One item I make is a “magic “ trick. It is really a play on numbers. I can guess a number you chose by a series of additions of numbers. This is my opening line: “May I show you a magic trick?” I had one customer say “magic is the work of the devil.” How do you respond to this?
How do you politely move people out of your booth, when they stand around and visit with each other? They take up space for shoppers to come in, and block your merchandise from being seen. Or they visit right at the entrance of your booth! Nobody can get past them.
That’s a great question Kathy!
I’ve been in that situation before and if people were standing in front of our table or booth for several minutes, blocking others from shopping, my partner or I would come out from behind the table and act as though we needed to adjust or grab something from where the people were standing.
That allowed us to politely say “Can I just get you to shuffle over there for a minute so I can get in here”. It was usually enough to make them aware they were blocking an area and they’d move their conversation someplace else.
Hope that helps!
Erin
what do say to other vendors who stop to look and then snub you when you speak to them.or when you can hear them making unkind remarks about your items
Hey Julia,
My approach is always to provide great customer service, which lets shoppers know you’re aware of them while moving those who don’t intend to buy from you, along in the nicest way possible 😉
For example, you could walk over to the person making rude remarks and ask “Did you have any questions about that ____________ (fill in the blank with the name of the item they were remarking on)”. As for people who simply ignore you, again, just let them know you’re around if they have any questions and try not to let their lack of a response bring you down as it likely has nothing to do with you.
Hope that helps!
Erin
I just wanted to let you know, I really learned a lot of excellent tips given to the other people. Thank you!
When you are doing an event that is outside and it’s hot. Is it better to set up so that people walk into your booth or walk around? If it’s hot, people may want to stand in the shade for a few minutes.
Thanks for reading Shelly and Kelley!
Glad to hear my comments replying to people’s questions are also helpful 🙂
Kelley – my suggestion is typically to get shoppers to come into your booth as it creates a bit more of a commitment. Sort of like shoppers in a mall, they can window shop but once they’re in the store, it’s easier for sales people to talk to them, show options, sell, etc.
You may also be interested in this article: https://www.madeurban.com/blog/how-attract-shoppers-market-booth/
It shares tips for getting people to head into your booth when you’re at an outdoor market and it’s hot out (there are also tips for making the most of a cold day too)
Thank you. This advice has been very helpful!
A huge mistake in my opinion is not dressing nicely enough. I think vendors should dress in a manner that matches their craft, and unless you’re selling unkempt hair, yoga pants and old ratty tee shirts, that means putting thought and care into an outfit. Even if it’s the same uniform for each craft fair, I think it really matters.
Thank you, all! I am about to go to my very first craft fair and all your suggestions are wonderful. Thank you!