Market Local Craft Fairs and How Vendors Sell Products

Selling your handmade crafts or interested in visiting a local jewelry or craft show? It's amazing to see the diversity of craft fairs and items for sale when you're in a local town compared to a large city. Jewelry, purses, cosmetics, glassware,  woodworking and art booths are commonly displayed at craft fairs. Keep in mind that both buyers and sellers each have a goal in mind that needs to be fulfilled. Buyers, how can sellers attract your interest? Sellers, how can you get buyers interested in your product? Event Coordinators, what is the best way to market a craft show?

EVENT COORDINATORS: 

Keep in mind several factors when preparing for a craft fair: traffic, customers, quality products, booth display and interest. Traffic and customers are dependent upon advertising and marketing. Unfortunately, this means you have to rely on Event Coordinators (those who plan the craft show) to promote the craft fair and hope they have the knowledge to do so. Here's a list of ways to advertise. Often these places will have free advertising since it's for the public:

1. Craigslist
2. Submit a listing to websites that post craft show events.                               Ex. ArtFairCalendar.com, EventLister.com, NationalCraftShows.com
3. Post info to your city's website (if possible)
4. Social Media - post info to Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest. Or, post it to your town's Facebook page.
5. Newspapers (local or college)
6. Radio stations
7. PBS or local news TV stations
8. Place signs around town, local shops, or at the college campus 
9. Bulletin Boards  - put flyers up in shops or restaurants  
10. Chamber of Commerce 
11. Word of Mouth to coworkers, clients, neighbors, friends or family

VENDORS:

Once the Event Coordinators market the craft event, it's now up to you to sell your product. Craft fairs may seem intimidating for introverts (and extroverts) because there's lots of face time and direct interaction with potential customers. In an essence, you're a salesman/saleswoman whose goal is to make money and break even after the booth fee. 

But selling isn't the only way to grab customers. You need to have quality products and a colorful booth display. Forget the dark tablecloth and black jewelry stands from Joann's and Michael's. Use bright and cheery colors (not neon or dark) for the tablecloth, stands, or holders. If you choose to use dark stands/holders/shelves, than hang colorful beads, short curtain shades or lights around the booth to make it stand out and colorful. Make sure you have enough products on your table so it looks busy, but not overcrowded. If it looks too bare, customers will be turned off and may think you don't have anything to sell. Most importantly, keep your table organized. Necklaces on one side and rings on the other. Buyers are attracted to your booth, not just the product you're selling. In fact, customers might not be interested in your product, but they may like the look or 'appeal' of your booth and decide to walk over and take a look. Now you've caught their attention and you have a chance to sell your item!