1. The Importance of Preparation.
Before filling out a craft fair application, visit some of your local craft fairs. Check out your potential competitor’s products, displays and booth setups. You can learn a lot by just observing others. Take a look at who is selling their wares and who isn’t. How are the displays set up? How are they drawing potential customers into their booths?
How do your products compare with your competitors? Be honest with yourself. If your products aren’t quite at a professional level yet, it might not be a wise idea to enter the craft fair arena. If your products are stellar and you think they are as good as or out shine your competition and you are willing to give it your all, then go for it!
2. Selling at a Juried Versus Non-Juried fair.
Craft fairs are either juried or non juried. Juried fairs set certain standards and you must fill out an application. You then will have your work judged by a craft jury. This means you have to send photos of your products and if they meet the qualifications set forth by the jury you will be accepted. Non juried fairs will accept anyone. You must determine who you target market is and what type of fair is best suited for your products.
3. Set Up Your Booth at Home First.
If it is your first time selling at a craft fair set up your booth at home. Try to get it looking as pleasing to the eye and professional as possible.
Have your items displayed on shelving at various heights, don’t just lay your items on a table and expect to sell them. People will not be able to see your products and will walk past your booth.
You can also determine if your booth meets the space requirements. If it doesn’t, you can make the necessary adjustments at home. Come fair day, you will be ready to set up your display with no worries.
4. Pack Your Car or Truck the Night Before.
Make sure to always have everything packed and ready to go the night before you leave for your trip to the craft fair location. You need to be ready to set up before the fair opens. If the craft fair starts at nine that is the time you should be ready to great customers, not setting up.
5. Booth Display Tips
Make sure that your booth displays are always full. People will assume that your business is of lesser quality if it does not have all shelves filled with tastefully displayed items. It is a psychological peculiarity that potential customers are turned off by empty space. Always replace an item you have sold with another item. If you do not have enough stock to fill the empty space use some sort of decorating accessory.
6. Be Friendly But Give Customers Their Space
Always acknowledge the customer when they enter your booth. You don’t have to have a full conversation with them. Just give them a friendly smile or nod when they come in. The worst thing you can do is hover over them and pester them with questions trying to make a sale. You potential customer will turn around and leave your booth. No one likes someone who uses the sales techniques of a used car salesman.
7. Price Your Work
People that look at your work may assume they cannot afford your work if it is not priced properly. Make sure the product is tagged or have a sign displayed that lists prices.
It is my personal belief that haggling is not necessary. If you have a reasonably priced, quality handmade products then stay with the price. The handmade items should cost the same at the end of the fair as at the beginning.
8. Business Cards and an Email List
Make sure to have an email list that potential customers can sign up for. They may not have enough money to purchase something today, but might in the future. It is also a good idea to offer a chance at winning some of your artwork by leaving their contact information or business cards in a bowl.
Have business cards available for people to take placed in a prominent location. Have your website address printed on the cards. If they like you and your work they can follow you to different fairs, and possibly make purchases in the future. You can also make sales in your online shop.
9. Have a Friend or Family Member Help You With the Operation of Your Booth.
Manning a craft booth is taxing on your body and having a second person helping you will make the task easier. You will need to take bathroom and lunch breaks. Someone has to mind the store while you are gone. Having a second pair of eyes will also help prevent shoplifting issues.
10. More Tips
These nine tips are just the beginning.If you would like more information make sure to read these books and talk to active craft fair vendors.