10 Tips to Prevent Theft at a Craft Show
You wouldn’t think people would steal from a small handmade business at a craft show, but it happens. You want to assume the majority of your shoppers are stopping by because they’re interested in supporting you, and we never want to deter them from shopping. But as a small business, you also have to protect…
How to (Easily) Start a Conversation with Craft Show Shoppers
Although I don’t love selling, I picked up a few tips while working for major retailers that are easy and effective. I’m not one for pushy sales tactics but you also don’t want to hear crickets when people are at your booth. Craft show shoppers want the experience of chatting with the maker; there’s a…
7 Ways to Make your Craft Business More Profitable
If you’ve started selling your crafts, it’s likely because you want to build a profitable business. Many makers realize, several months into running their business, they’re not profiting. Here are 7 ways you can squeeze more profits out of your craft business. 1 – Lower production costs To keep things simple, your craft business’s…
10 Tips to Prepare for a Craft Show when you’re Short On time
There’s often more to do before a craft fair than there is time to do it. If you’ve signed up for a craft fair last minute, or you’ve procrastinated a little too long and are scrambling to get ready for one, these tips will help get you focused and organized. 1) Look at your…
How to Make your Handmade Business Stand Out from Competitors
We’re taught from a very young age to follow rules and fall in line so it’s no wonder we’re a little timid when it comes to questioning the rules, stepping outside the box and wanting to stand out. My favorite story that teaches us the importance of thinking for ourselves is about a mother and a ham. Yes. A…
#1 Mistake that Gets Vendors Banned from Future Craft Fairs
Organizers put a ton of work into planning and executing a craft fair and are relying on their vendors to help make it great. You’ve helped spread the word, created tons of amazing stock, showed up on time and were a peach to deal with. But one big mistake at the end of the craft…
5 Things Craft Show Shoppers Shouldn’t See
When I first started selling at craft fairs, it was all about ME. >> The products I wanted to make >> The display that was easiest for me to create >> Letting people shop in silence because I didn’t feel comfortable selling But when I started putting the shopper/customer first, my business changed for the better. I…
How to Promote a Craft Show Last Minute
If you participate in enough craft shows, you’ll end up at a slow craft show that desperately needs to attract shoppers. It doesn’t matter how well the event organizer or you, the vendor, prepare, some things are out of everyone’s control. Whether the lack of attendance is due to poor marketing by the organizer or…
4 Ways Craft Show Shoppers can Help Promote your Business
The brands that grow the quickest are the ones that get people talking. When your shoppers and customers become raving fans, they help promote your products and your handmade business. Here are a few ways to get your customers to share your business and its products. 1) Capture your Business Card Information It’s much…
7 Reasons you’re Not Making More Money at Craft Fairs
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…
How to Make Jewelry that Stands Out & Sells Out
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….
How to Keep your Business Cards Out of the Trash
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…
Sell More Handmade with this Retail Trick
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…
How to get Craft Show Shoppers to Remember your Business
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…
How To Leave a Craft Show Early (without burning bridges)
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…
How To Lower Production Costs to Increase Profits
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…
Common Costs of a Craft Business
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…
Key Terms to Negotiate for a Consignment Agreement
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…
How to get into a Juried Craft Show
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…
5 Mistakes that get your Craft Show Application Tossed
If you have a product you know will sell well at craft shows , it’s time to start applying to the best ones. But you want to take the necessary steps on your application form to ensure it doesn’t get tossed. Craft Show organizers are friendly people and would probably never physically or electronically trash…