By Robert E. Goyette
There are many cases in the craft show business where you are going to have to alter your strategy for selling your crafts. Here are 4 things you can do in order to keep your product selling, even when everyone else seems a little slow:
1.) Combine items – If you have a slower selling item that just isn’t giving you the return you want on your investment, then try pairing it up with a better selling item. This achieves two things: it gets rid of stock that is taking up room and isn’t selling; and second, it provides more value to the customers purchasing the hot selling item. You might even be able to sell the item-in-demand for more money.
2.) Holiday sales – We celebrate so many different holidays, and each one of them means something to somebody. This is a prime opportunity to capitalize on a “George Washington Day” sale, or a “Flag Day” sale, or whatever the holiday is. Of course, the biggest ones will be your Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter (maybe even Mother’s and Father’s Day) sales – but the bottom line is – if you offer people a deal related to a holiday, you might be able to boost your overall craft sales.
3.) Buy one, get one at 50% off – This is a classic sales approach, especially if you want to sell your product for a little more than you normally would. This might be a good way to experiment with the price. Sell one product for $20 and the next one is only $10, but you have easily covered the cost of both AND made a great profit!
4.) Creative sales – Anything from a ‘first-time-buyer’ sale to a sale for seniors might be another great way to generate added sales in your craft show booth. Tailoring sales programs to the crowd that is going to attend the craft show is an ingenious method for boosting sales at a craft show.
The best craft show salespeople are constantly eying up ways they can increase the number of products they move through their craft show booth. They come up with a variety of marketing plans (some that work, others that don’t), but each time they try to innovative in their approach.
With some imagination you can come up with a few great display ideas of your own to generate sales in your own booth. Don’t be afraid to try something a little bit different – you have nothing to lose when you are trying to move craft show products!
Rob Goyette shows you how to make your craft show business profitable in his best selling ebook: Craft Show Success Secrets. Visit his site: craft shows
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_E._Goyette
Showing posts with label Craft Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Craft Show. Show all posts
The Craft Show Advisor - Beginner's Guide to Your First Productive Craft Show
By Bryan K Johnson
Tip 1 - Location, Location, Location
We've tried many different locations within a craft show and getting the key spots may be the key to doubling your sales. If possible, try to talk with the person arranging the booths to see if you can get a corner slot (i.e., on the end of the row), and even better, the closer to the entrance (if there is one), the better. There will typically be one main entry point where people will start from (or perhaps two), but try to get a spot towards the front, and a corner if possible. Also try to avoid locations where the rows are smaller and crowded. You can observe this at other shows to give you an idea of the best locations. Notice how busy the food vendor areas are? Not a bad idea to locate next to them!
Tip 2 - Go Vertical
Your display is a key as well to attracting visitors to your table, and if you lay all your products flat on the table, it's very hard to see in a crowd. They may have no idea what you're selling without some 'vertical marketing'. So try to set up a few products vertically (in our case, some shirts that are displayed on cardboard) or even just a nice looking sign with your company name and product information can be the eye-catching vertical element to your display.
Tip 3 - Work While you Work
People also like to see how products are made and like to see their product made to order - it conveys that custom special feeling, particularly if you are actually customizing the item with name, logo, etc. for that customer. Even if you're not (like in our case with tee shirts), you can still make the product in front of the customer at your booth. This will still attract attention to your booth - you're not just sitting around at the cash box - you're actually practicing your craft!
Tip 4 - Set Up Your Booth for Maximum Exposure
Remember to allow plenty of time to set up your booth, well before the show opens. With more experience, you can likely cut down on this time, but for starters, let's just say it always takes longer than you think it will take to set up your booth.
Another tip, use a tablecloth or cover to completely cover your tables down to the ground, and choose your colors wisely - i.e., something that will show off your products and complement them nicely (i.e., black covers work best for jewelry).
Tip 5 - You're Selling Yourself as a Crafter Too!
Remember, you're not selling to an Internet purchaser who clicks and buys. At craft shows, be conversational, be proud of how you make your items and explain how it's done. Don't just sit there like a bump on a log - be personal and your sales will greatly increase. I promise you on this one!
Tip 6 - Establish a Network of Crafters - Make Connections
Before and after the show, talk to other crafters, regardless of which products they may be selling. They are likely more experienced than you and will likely share with you further tips and where the next big show is! These relationships can last many years and you'll find that you will save yourself countless hours by picking up tips 'on the job' at shows. Many fellow crafters may become good friends!
Craft shows are great fun, can be a family event if you have a family-run business and can be very rewarding! Just remember for your profit margin, not to spend more at other craft booths than you actually take in at your own booth!
Bryan Johnson is the President and Co-Owner of BlueHeavenTees.com
Blue Heaven Tees offers innovative and unique Christian Tee Shirts, Christian Hoodies and Sweatshirts and other great Christian gift ideas. Check out our new fall line now in stock for that perfect holiday gift this season!
http://www.BlueHeavenTees.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_K_Johnson
Tip 1 - Location, Location, Location
We've tried many different locations within a craft show and getting the key spots may be the key to doubling your sales. If possible, try to talk with the person arranging the booths to see if you can get a corner slot (i.e., on the end of the row), and even better, the closer to the entrance (if there is one), the better. There will typically be one main entry point where people will start from (or perhaps two), but try to get a spot towards the front, and a corner if possible. Also try to avoid locations where the rows are smaller and crowded. You can observe this at other shows to give you an idea of the best locations. Notice how busy the food vendor areas are? Not a bad idea to locate next to them!
Tip 2 - Go Vertical
Your display is a key as well to attracting visitors to your table, and if you lay all your products flat on the table, it's very hard to see in a crowd. They may have no idea what you're selling without some 'vertical marketing'. So try to set up a few products vertically (in our case, some shirts that are displayed on cardboard) or even just a nice looking sign with your company name and product information can be the eye-catching vertical element to your display.
Tip 3 - Work While you Work
People also like to see how products are made and like to see their product made to order - it conveys that custom special feeling, particularly if you are actually customizing the item with name, logo, etc. for that customer. Even if you're not (like in our case with tee shirts), you can still make the product in front of the customer at your booth. This will still attract attention to your booth - you're not just sitting around at the cash box - you're actually practicing your craft!
Tip 4 - Set Up Your Booth for Maximum Exposure
Remember to allow plenty of time to set up your booth, well before the show opens. With more experience, you can likely cut down on this time, but for starters, let's just say it always takes longer than you think it will take to set up your booth.
Another tip, use a tablecloth or cover to completely cover your tables down to the ground, and choose your colors wisely - i.e., something that will show off your products and complement them nicely (i.e., black covers work best for jewelry).
Tip 5 - You're Selling Yourself as a Crafter Too!
Remember, you're not selling to an Internet purchaser who clicks and buys. At craft shows, be conversational, be proud of how you make your items and explain how it's done. Don't just sit there like a bump on a log - be personal and your sales will greatly increase. I promise you on this one!
Tip 6 - Establish a Network of Crafters - Make Connections
Before and after the show, talk to other crafters, regardless of which products they may be selling. They are likely more experienced than you and will likely share with you further tips and where the next big show is! These relationships can last many years and you'll find that you will save yourself countless hours by picking up tips 'on the job' at shows. Many fellow crafters may become good friends!
Craft shows are great fun, can be a family event if you have a family-run business and can be very rewarding! Just remember for your profit margin, not to spend more at other craft booths than you actually take in at your own booth!
Bryan Johnson is the President and Co-Owner of BlueHeavenTees.com
Blue Heaven Tees offers innovative and unique Christian Tee Shirts, Christian Hoodies and Sweatshirts and other great Christian gift ideas. Check out our new fall line now in stock for that perfect holiday gift this season!
http://www.BlueHeavenTees.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_K_Johnson
8 Craft Show Hints and Tips for Everyone's Success
By Shasta Mclaughlin
1. Good Communication between people sharing a booth is key. Know who is signing up (double check that they actually did), who is paying, and what times people are working. If you are sharing a booth call them before the show to be certain they have registered and paid for the booth. Inform show promoters of the names of the people you are sharing a booth with.
2. Get registered early and pay early so your name can be included in all advertising. Budgets for advertising may depend on how many vendors are registered. Tell anyone you know who crafts how to contact show promoters. The more vendors shows have, the more public interest the show will have, the more word of mouth advertising the show will have and the budget for advertising will usually be bigger!
3. Tell everyone family, friends, at school, church, work, play groups, and at the park to bring a friend and come see you at the show. Your word of mouth advertising benefits everyone, as theirs benefits you. Send out postcards or newsletters with your regular advertising mention the show, place, date, time and your booth location (if known). Tell promoters if your workplace has a public bulletin board, offer to hang an ad there.
4. Bring your own table and chair unless you have specifically asked to rent one. You also need your own table cloth.
5. Make plans to use the space above and below a table to show/hide merchandise. Put a small bookcase or shelves on the table to put more merchandise on the table. Put a long table cloth on the table to hide extra merchandise that can be taken out as needed. Display merchandise at different heights, don't lay it flat on the table. Spread up to eye level instead of out.
6. Offer a door prize or drawing. This way you collect a name and phone number to call potential customers back. The easiest customer to sell to is one you've already sold to. Offer a special such as a percent off or two for one deal, everyone loves a deal. Inform promoters of any drawings or sales in advance.
7. Talk to people about your merchandise, or about the show. Be friendly & outgoing, they are here to see your merchandise so encourage them to stop and look. Don't try for the hard sell approach.
8. If you have problems with the show or with another vendor, please don't hesitate to tell promoters in private.
Copyright The Extravaganza Craft Productions 2007
Shasta has always been an artist and crafter. She was always drawing on the walls, making crafts with her mom, and selling them at craft shows. She attended Denver Institute of Technology (now Westwood College) for Graphic Design. She has both attended craft shows as a vendor and promoted them. Now she publishes a newsletter for artists, crafters, antique dealers, trade show vendors, and farmers market vendors. She finds show listings for 9 states of the Northwest so that you don't have to.
Visit her site at http://www.extravaganzacrafts.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shasta_Mclaughlin
1. Good Communication between people sharing a booth is key. Know who is signing up (double check that they actually did), who is paying, and what times people are working. If you are sharing a booth call them before the show to be certain they have registered and paid for the booth. Inform show promoters of the names of the people you are sharing a booth with.
2. Get registered early and pay early so your name can be included in all advertising. Budgets for advertising may depend on how many vendors are registered. Tell anyone you know who crafts how to contact show promoters. The more vendors shows have, the more public interest the show will have, the more word of mouth advertising the show will have and the budget for advertising will usually be bigger!
3. Tell everyone family, friends, at school, church, work, play groups, and at the park to bring a friend and come see you at the show. Your word of mouth advertising benefits everyone, as theirs benefits you. Send out postcards or newsletters with your regular advertising mention the show, place, date, time and your booth location (if known). Tell promoters if your workplace has a public bulletin board, offer to hang an ad there.
4. Bring your own table and chair unless you have specifically asked to rent one. You also need your own table cloth.
5. Make plans to use the space above and below a table to show/hide merchandise. Put a small bookcase or shelves on the table to put more merchandise on the table. Put a long table cloth on the table to hide extra merchandise that can be taken out as needed. Display merchandise at different heights, don't lay it flat on the table. Spread up to eye level instead of out.
6. Offer a door prize or drawing. This way you collect a name and phone number to call potential customers back. The easiest customer to sell to is one you've already sold to. Offer a special such as a percent off or two for one deal, everyone loves a deal. Inform promoters of any drawings or sales in advance.
7. Talk to people about your merchandise, or about the show. Be friendly & outgoing, they are here to see your merchandise so encourage them to stop and look. Don't try for the hard sell approach.
8. If you have problems with the show or with another vendor, please don't hesitate to tell promoters in private.
Copyright The Extravaganza Craft Productions 2007
Shasta has always been an artist and crafter. She was always drawing on the walls, making crafts with her mom, and selling them at craft shows. She attended Denver Institute of Technology (now Westwood College) for Graphic Design. She has both attended craft shows as a vendor and promoted them. Now she publishes a newsletter for artists, crafters, antique dealers, trade show vendors, and farmers market vendors. She finds show listings for 9 states of the Northwest so that you don't have to.
Visit her site at http://www.extravaganzacrafts.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shasta_Mclaughlin
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