It can feel defeating, frustrating, and even embarrassing when you walk away from a craft show with little to no sales. But it’s important to learn from each event. And to learn, you need to be able to decipher if the problem was the craft show, so you can choose better for the next one….
In my last article, I shared the importance of a gateway product and key elements to create one. You can learn more here: Every Craft Show Table Should Have a Gateway Product The purpose of offering gateway products it to make a sale (even if it’s a small one), and to warm up that lead in…
When a consumer first comes across your business, they’re unlikely to invest in your core products; they’re considered a cold lead. Cold leads are people who have the potential to be your customer, but are unfamiliar with your business, brand, and products; they’re discovering them for the first time. You’ll come across cold leads at…
Craft shows aren’t always profitable, and many people don’t earn enough from them to live off of. They can require a lot of time to produce stock and then stand at the event all weekend. Not to mention, some events have high booth fees. But if you want craft shows to be your main source…
There’s nothing wrong with thrift stores. But consumers do tend to equate thrift stores to low prices/deals/discounts. And when you’re selling handmade, your products (in most cases) are higher than average (when compared with big box stores). So if your craft show booth looks more like a thrift store than a boutique, shoppers may be…
I’m a huge advocate of presenting fewer products at craft shows. I think making too many types of products and product options is one of the most common mistakes craft show vendors make (one I made for years too). And that it’s the cause of low craft show sales. But I get a lot of…
Selling your handmade products to retailers, at wholesale prices, can be a great option if you have good profit margins. It’s also ideal if you don’t love spending time marketing, selling, and shipping individual orders. You can instead, market directly to retailers, sell dozens of products with one sale, and make one shipment. If you…
Line and composition is a visual merchandising technique that is a little more advanced, but will elevate your craft show display. It will help your table or booth feel more balanced and subtly lead the eye from one product to the next. I like to think of line and composition as a visual game of…
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your handmade business, your sales are lacking, and you’re not getting any traction on social media or attracting repeat buyers, it may be that your business lacks focus. Most handmade businesses are run on the side. On the side of a full-time job, parenting and family time, and/or just life….
Craft fair shoppers are surrounded by products. Every aisle is lined with tables, displays, and vendors hoping to catch their attention. And while shoppers may enjoy browsing, most of them have their guard up when they feel like they’re being sold to. The moment a sales pitch starts, many people instinctively: Smile politely Nod along…