How to Get More Craft Show Shoppers To Come to You

Online, you can use tactics such as blog posts, social media posts, newsletter freebies, etc. to draw shoppers to you.

At a craft show, inbound marketing (shoppers come to you rather than you having to go out and find them) is just as important.

This article shares ways to get more craft show shoppers curious about your business and draw them to your booth.

Step 1 – Create curiosity

It’s important to put the work in before a craft show’s doors open.

The craft show organizer will do most of the heavy lifting and get shoppers to the event. But you still want to do your part and get those shoppers putting your booth top of their list to stop at.

“I’ll be at X craft show this weekend!” might work for your most loyal fans/followers/customers, but to pique more people’s interest, get a little more creative.

Think about your target market/ideal customer and what might get them excited and feeling like they need to stop at your booth.

For example:

A candle maker getting ready for a fall show might post something along the lines of:

“I love creating a cozy atmosphere in my home as the weather gets cooler. I have a few new scents that remind me of cozy rainy days. I can’t wait for you to smell them! Come check them out at X craft fair this weekend.”

This type of post will:

• pique curiosity (I’d be curious to know what scents signify cozy rainy days)
• make shoppers feel like they’re getting an inside look before the event.

 

Step 2 – Create a magnetic display

Think about the feeling you want shoppers to have when they’re “in” your space (even a small table can create a feeling).

For example, that candle maker may want to create a cozy, fall feeling in their space. So they might:

• Use warm earth tone colours
• Add stacks of books as props/risers for their candles to get shoppers thinking about reading on a rainy day
• Add a mug and a teapot as props
• Add lamps for warm lighting
• Dress in a cozy sweater

Building a feeling and starting a story with your display will get shoppers to think “what’s that?” and come in for a closer look.

 

Step 3 – Offer value

Online, a popular inbound marketing technique is to offer a freebie or something of value (e.g. sign up for my newsletter for 10 tips to make your home cozy for fall, or a blog post that shares easy fall decorating tips to create a cozy home).

This tactic can be used at a craft show by:

• Sharing a tip that will be valuable to your target market (e.g. if you trim your wick to 1/4” before burning, it will help your candle last longer)
• Having samples so they can try before they buy
• Giving out small freebies (e.g. a vendor selling baking-related products (e.g. oven mitts and aprons) might give out recipe flyers with their favorite pumpkin cookie recipe)

When you focus on helping rather than selling, shoppers will be drawn to you and want to stay longer in your space.

 

Step 4 – Stay connected

Sales don’t just happen at the craft show. It’s important to continue to draw shoppers to your business after each event. So take advantage of all the new people your business is in front of during craft show shopping hours.

• Have a newsletter signup form or a call to action on your business card to get them to sign up
• Make signs with QR codes that link to your most active social media page or Etsy shop
• Offer postcards that tell shoppers where to find you next.

 

Also, remember, your energy and attitude at a craft show will help attract (or deter) people.

Go into each event with a positive attitude and excited to share your creative gifts with new people.

Shoppers will feel that energy and be drawn to it.