A home based craft business must sell product or it will die. One of the most successful ways to sell hand made crafts is through the use of local and regional craft shows that are in your area.
Craft shows will not only boost your business, but will also allow a place where you can find networks for future business. Because of the nature of hand made crafts, most that are in the crafting business use the craft shows as a major way to sell their product.
Do Your Craft Show Research First!
Because of the wide variety of craft shows that are available, there is a certain amount of research and preparation that you can take in order to ensure that you will be successful. The first thing is to find the craft shows that will fit with the types of things that you are making.
If, for example, your crafts center on Christmas gifts and items, it would most likely not be logical to rent a booth or space at a summer festival. You can find the right craft show by networking with other crafters or looking for magazines and online publications that will host events and are looking for crafters. There are not only local and regional shows available, but also international and national events that you can take part in when looking for the right place to sell your craft.
Increase Your Inventory Before The Craft Show!
The second thing to keep in mind for a craft show is to make sure that there is enough of what you are selling. Often times, someone will buy a craft from you, which will then begin to move around the space where you are selling. Others see the craft and want the same thing. It is best to come with plenty of stock. This always makes happier customers and will help you to look more professional.
Make Your Craft Show Booth Stand Out!
When setting up your booth at a craft show you should find a way to make your booth and the product stand out. This can be a simple set up including decorating your area, and making your products look professional, while organizing them in ways that are eye catching to the customer.
This doesn't always mean that you must have a booth right by the front door or entrance to the craft show area. My most successful booth was in the back of the craft show floor. But…
- We were the only booth with 6' tall shelving.
- We were the only booth that used lighting
- We were the only booth that you could actually walk into… like a little shop.
- We were the only crafters wearing special clothing that differentiated us.
- We were the only booth that carried the purchases to the car for our customers.
- We were set up next to the most popular food booth.
- this just names a few of the ways this booth stood out… year after year!
Another way to stand out is through the actual craft that you are selling. By having unique colors and style, you will be differentiated from the rest of the crowd.
Part of your booth set up should be business cards and more information about the business that you are in. This is not only to look more professional, but also to gain more potential customers.
Sometimes, a customer will want to purchase more of your craft outside of the craft show. If you are prepared, even if the sales are not outstanding at the particular show, you are building networks with potential customers and target markets with all who stop to look at the kind of product you are selling.
Stand Up and Talk To The Craft Show Customers!
Absolutly… do not sit down during a craft show. If you must bring a chair, use a tall bar stool height directors chair. You will still be eye to eye with your customers and can talk to them about your hand made items.
One technique that is important to keep in mind and will also help you to stand out is that you must be able to tell the customers a story about your craft… how you make it, why it is unique, etc. This strategy will help to build on the uniqueness of your product as well as making you seem like a true crafter who really enjoys the craft that is being made. This is often times, what turns a browser into a customer.
The nature of hand made crafts is different than most businesses. Customers like to see the craft in person, feel the material that you use, and understand the different parts of the craft. This gives them a good sense of the quality that is in the handmade craft. It is also important because they often times like to get to know the crafter, as it can be a part of the product that they are buying.
If you are in the business of making hand made crafts, it is always important to be prepared with enough inventory, set up at the right craft shows, and make sure to make the booth you have to stand out. This will guarantee you the success that you need to begin or continue in the hand made craft business.
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