We’ve all signed up for a craft show with high hopes, thinking the event’s proven track record or our products will bring tons of sales, but we end up walking away a little disappointed. So many factors can throw off craft show sales, but these are the most common reasons for low sales. REASON…
Handmade jewelry is a popular product to sell online and at craft shows. In fact, it’s probably safe to say, jewelry is the most saturated category in handmade products. It’s a great place to start because even if you’re a beginner, you can create beautiful pieces and the start-up costs can be kept relatively low….
When you’re given a business card at a craft fair, what do you do with it? Over 80% of people toss the business cards they’ve been handed. And if that business card was found in a swag bag, it’s even more likely to end up in the trash. *I don’t suggest contributing business cards to craft…
Everyone wants to sell more handmade products. But to do so, you must get out of the seller mentality and think about buyers and the way they shop. Major retailers do a good job of this. Their focus is on the buyer from beginning to end. The owner of a retail store/company isn’t choosing products…
You’ll see a much bigger return on investment from craft shows if you’re able to generate sales after an event. But if shoppers don’t remember your business a day or two after seeing your booth at a craft show, they’re not going to buy. Handing out business cards isn’t enough to stay top of mind…
There are situations, out of our control, that get in the way of us sticking to our commitments. Although leaving a craft show early or cancelling last minute is frowned upon, if you find a way to do it properly, you can leave your good reputation intact. Below are some ideas to make the most of the…
If your profit margins are lower than you’d like, or if your production costs are causing you to raise prices higher than you’d like, then you may want to find ways to lower production costs. >> First, make sure you’re setting prices right: The Right Way to Price a Handmade Product (Step-by-Step Formula) Here are ways…
When I left my first few craft shows with a handful of cash (this was before credit card readers were popular), I counted that as money I made. I didn’t know the difference between revenue and profits and was completely ignoring expenses outside of booth fees and production costs. The same applied when I sold…
When you decide to work with a storeowner on a consignment basis, you’ll need a consignment agreement to be sure you both agree to the terms of the deal and know what your obligations are. The store should have a consignment agreement or contract for you to sign, but before you sign it, make sure…
If you have a product that will sell well at craft shows, it’s time to start applying to events. Juried craft shows are preferred by handmade business owners because they tend to have more elements in place that ensure success. One of the downsides of juried craft shows (over non-juried) is that each vendor must…