What To Do AFTER a Craft Fair

Craft shows require a lot of work to prepare for. So the weeks leading up to an event can be hectic. During the event you’re also kept busy chatting with shoppers, making connections, and making sales. 

Leading up to a craft show, I had a clear direction; make lots of stock and plan an amazing display (as well as a long list of other items to complete; here’s a free checklist).

After a craft show, I often felt uncomfortable with the slower pace and lack of direction.

But the work doesn’t stop after you pack up from an event. If you’ve used it to market your craft business, the work is just starting. 

Here’s what to work on and what to keep in mind once a craft show or craft show season is over. 

 

1) Analyze sales stats

Hopefully, you were tracking sales and other important information so you can figure out what worked and what didn’t. Now is the time to analyze those stats, calculate conversion rates, and make a plan for your next craft show. 

>> Here are 7 stats you should be tracking at craft shows and free printable worksheets to help you track them.

Look at everything you sold and try to find patterns;

• Was there a most popular price point?
• Was one product the most popular? (e.g. red herringbone scarf) Or one type of product? (e.g. scarves)
• Was there are popular product feature? (e.g. herringbone pattern)

Use this information to improve the stock you bring to the next craft show.

Do keep in mind that every craft show is different.

What sold out at one craft show may not be as popular at the next. But you can use sales stats from multiple shows to slowly improve your offering. 

 

2) Follow up with leads

Whether you collected email addresses for your newsletter or talked with a local shop owner who was interested in carrying your products, don’t let leads go cold. 

Send your confirmation and welcome email to new subscribers, reach out to shop owners, follow up with shoppers who want to place a custom order, reach out to fellow vendors you connected with, etc.

>> How to Grow your Newsletter at a Craft Show (free printable signup forms)

>> How to Attract Wholesale Orders at Craft Shows (or on Etsy)

 

3) Find a home for unsold stock

It’s extremely rare to walk away from a craft show with zero stock left over. If you have another craft show shortly, you may be planning to use that stock for that event. But if you don’t have any upcoming shows and your stock is seasonal (e.g. Christmas-themed), you’ll want to find a way to sell it before the season is over. 

>> If you have connections with stores, you may want to reach out to them and see if they’re interested in some extra inventory. 

>> If you have an online shop, take photos and create listings. You may even want to offer an incentive if you have a short time to sell the stock (e.g. it’s the first week in December and you have leftover Christmas stock). That incentive may be a small discount, rush shipping, free shipping, etc.

>> Send a newsletter letting subscribers know where to find your products if they missed you at the craft show.

 

4) Refresh online accounts

Remember, a craft show is not just for selling your products, but also for marketing your business. Many shoppers (who didn’t buy) will be checking out your online store and social media accounts in the days after a craft show. 

Be sure to refresh your Etsy shop so those shoppers know they’ve found the right business. Post new content to social media so new followers know you’re active on the platform and they have content to interact with. 

 

5) Make new plans and set new goals

Take this time to reflect on what went well and what you’d like to improve upon. 

• Would you apply to the same craft show in the future?
• What type of event would you like to try next? (bigger, different target market, etc.)
• How would you improve your display?
• How can you improve your profit margins?

Consider what you liked and didn’t like about the craft show, or the craft show season you just completed. Then make a plan for what you won’t repeat, what you will repeat, and what you’ll improve.

>> For help setting financial goals for your business, and creating a plan that will make achieving those goals inevitable, check out THE SUCCESS PLANNER.

 

6) Restock

Take inventory of what’s leftover from the craft show and what you need to re-order, such as:

• Business cards
• Shopping bags and materials (e.g. tissue paper)
• Price tags
• Etc.

You may also make a list of new things you’d like to order, such as a better fixture to display your products or a new sign.

 

7) Take some downtime

There will be some things that should be completed right away (e.g. following up with storeowners and contacting new subscribers gathered at the event). However, it’s important to take some time to unwind and recover. 

Craft shows are a lot of work to prepare for and selling at the events can be exhausting. As an introvert, I needed several days of no social interactions after a day or two of chatting to shoppers non-stop. 

Clear your schedule for a day or two after the event, or even longer if you need the time.

 

8) Be okay with a slow season

Just like nature, every business goes through seasons. If your craft shows are over for the season and you’re going through a slower time, embrace that. Use this slower sales period to catch up on low-quality tasks (e.g. organizing your craft room), recharge your batteries, and get re-inspired. 

Try a different craft to spark your creativity and help you look at your craft business with fresh eyes.

 

Let me know what you like to work on after a craft show!