Swag bags are a good way for events to offer shoppers a perk. They also give businesses that contribute an item a marketing opportunity. Unfortunately, they’re often filled with items shoppers won’t use, don’t necessarily want, and may end up tossing. As a craft show vendor, swag bag items should give you a return on…
If you walk into any retailer at the mall, you’ll find that almost all of them follow similar techniques for catching a shopper’s eye, drawing them in, and selling to them. These tried and true strategies can boost your sales at craft shows. Retail best practice #1: Window Displays Retailers use the windows of…
Craft shows require a lot of work to prepare for and you may have spent weeks perfecting your setup on your dining room table. But before you settle on your display, consider if you’re looking at it from the wrong perspective. The Wrong Perspective While working on your craft show setup, you likely stand…
Before you apply to craft shows, it’s important to realize that not all events are worth applying to. Several factors go into producing a good craft show, so just because an organizer lacks an element below doesn’t mean the show won’t be great. However, if several areas are waving a red flag, it may be…
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…
Farmers’ markets have a relaxed feel with friendly vendors, but as shoppers, we need to be sure we don’t take this relaxed feel too literally and are following common practices when it comes to etiquette. The vendors at a farmers’ market are running a business and working extremely hard to make a living out of the products…
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,…
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…
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…
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…