I’ve read hundreds of craft show reviews and there are a few consistencies when it comes to what craft show shoppers love (and what they dislike). These are points to keep in mind as a vendor, as well as some tips for organizers at the end of this list. 1) Something for everyone Most craft…
If you plan to use craft shows as a sales channel for your business, you don’t want to make a bad impression on organizers who decide whether or not you’ll be accepted as a vendor. These are common mistakes vendors make that can annoy craft show organizers and have them second-guessing if they want you…
I went down a bit of a rabbit hole the other day, researching a local craft show. That led me to read its reviews on Yelp. Then I started reading reviews for other craft shows in my city. And then I moved on to big craft shows outside of my city. I ended up scanning…
You’ll never attract every shopper at a craft show. And attempting to can do more harm than good. As Marie Forleo says: If you’re talking to everybody, you’re talking to nobody. You need to define your target market and focus on building a business and products for them. However, a few mistakes can repel even your…
If you sell at enough craft shows, markets, and events, you’ll eventually run into shoppers who think your prices are too high. They’ll tell you they could make it themselves, get someone to make it cheaper, or find the item at the mall for less. Yet they still want the item and are asking for…
When I first started selling at craft shows, I was in a tiny apartment. I didn’t have much room to store display fixtures and I didn’t have power tools to cut pieces of wood. I also didn’t have any way to cary big and heavy pieces of wood home. So to me, this DIY is…
Your craft show table should be treated like a mini boutique. And retailers know how important a shopper’s experience is in the checkout line or at the till. This is the point at which a sale is made, and you should be using it to increase your units per transaction, better serve your customers, and…
Whether you’re creating a craft show display or photographing your products, product composition is important. Composition helps: Create organization and structure Create a focal point (that tells shoppers to “look here!”) Lead the eye throughout your space so shoppers don’t miss important details Without proper composition, a space can feel cluttered, disorganized, and uninspiring. This…
Before you can make a sale, you must first catch a shopper’s attention. If a shopper doesn’t notice your craft show booth or Etsy listing, or they do but aren’t drawn to it, you won’t have an opportunity to sell. You can’t build a display or create a listing that appeals to everyone. So you…
Not all of these points are red flags telling you not to sell at a particular craft show. However, they may be signs to proceed with caution. Craft shows can be labor intensive and come with several expenses. So you want to be sure a craft show is the right fit for you and your…