Low Craft Show Sales? 8 Signs It Might Not Be the Event

When you have a bad craft show (sales are low), sometimes it’s due to the event. Meaning, the event organizer didn’t curate a good mix of vendors, there wasn’t enough promotion, or maybe even some bad weather kept shoppers away.

But sometimes, poor sales are a sign that your display, products, prices, selling skills, etc., need some improvement. 

This article shares 8 signs that it wasn’t the event, but rather something you’re doing that’s causing low sales. 

But be sure to check out: 7 Signs Your Low Sales are Because of a Bad Craft Show so you can weigh the other side and determine if the event wasn’t a right fit.

 

1 – People see your booth, but don’t stop

Sometimes a vendor space is on a weird corner or tucked away from the flow of traffic, making it harder for shoppers to notice.

You don’t want to stare down shoppers when they’re in the aisle, but try to subtly get an idea if they’re noticing your booth.

If they’re walking by and keeping their distance as they glance at your table, chances are your display or products in your booth are deterring shoppers from stopping.

 

2 – People set items back down after they see the price

It may be that shoppers are stopping at your table, but they’re not buying. In which case, pay close attention to their actions.

Are they looking at price signs and then walking away?

Are they showing interest in a product (picking it up, showing it to friends, asking how much) then setting it back down once they learn the price?

It may be that the quality of your work doesn’t match the price points.

You should never lower your prices just to make sales. >>

But you can improve your branding, packaging, and craftsmanship to make your products feel more valuable.

 

3 – You get a lot of “Did you make this?” or “What is this?”

If shoppers are questioning how much handwork actually went into your products, or they don’t understand the purpose of your products, they likely won’t buy.

Craft show shoppers are looking for handmade items. If the amount of handmade that’s in your work is minimal, they may not buy.

When shoppers don’t understand the purpose of an item, or perhaps if it’s actually for sale or just for decoration, you’re starting from behind the 8-ball.

Your message should be clear.

 

4 – You hear “so and so can make this”

As insulting as “I know someone who can make this” or “I can buy it for cheaper at ____” is, they’re clear indications that the work you’re presenting doesn’t feel unique enough to spend money on it.

If anyone who knits can find the same color yarn, stitch the same pattern, and knit a very similar scarf to the one in front of them at a craft show, it makes that item feel less valuable.

To get craft show shoppers to see the value in your products, they should require above-entry-level skills to make.

Everyone starts somewhere, but if you’re buying charms and chains on Amazon and using a jump ring to attach the charms to the chains, your products may not appeal to experienced craft show shoppers.

It may be better to try smaller events (e.g. craft shows put on by your church, community hall, local school, etc.) until you advance your skills.

 

5 – No interaction

If shoppers are at your booth but they’re not responding to your efforts to interact with them (e.g. they just smile and nod), they may be avoiding interaction because they don’t want to give any signs that they’re interested in buying.

On the other hand, if you’re letting people shop in silence and aren’t attempting to educate them on your products, your sales skills may be the problem.

You do need to put in an effort if you want to make sales.

 

6 – Your prices are low, but still…people don’t buy

It’s easy to think: “It’s only $5! There’s no reason not to buy.”

But people don’t buy for the sake of buying. No one wants to spend money on items they don’t want, need, or love.

Sometimes lower price points can be an incentive to buy (“I love this! And it’s only $5?! Win!”). But if shoppers are noticing your lower price points and still not buying, it’s a sign you need to tweak your products.

 

7 – No one takes a business card

I’ve stopped by lots of craft show booths, loved their work, but just wasn’t ready to buy that day. But I’ll take a business card or ask where I can find them after a show, so that I can buy when I’m ready.

If you have a stack of business cards on the end of your table, or a QR code so people can follow you on social media, and lots of people stop by to check out your work, but they don’t buy and don’t take a card, it may be a sign you need to tweak your offering.

 

8 – This is your second, third, fourth…unsuccessful event

If you’ve attended several events with little to no success, chances are…you’re the problem

That doesn’t mean you should give up.

But sometimes we have to put our guards down and admit the problem is on our end, so we’re open to change.

No business hits it out of the ballpark on the first attempt. And most craft show vendors don’t find smashing success at their first event.

So if you’re passionate about what you’re doing and really want to succeed, keep trying.

Take some time off craft shows so you can research successful craft show vendors and start comparing your products, display, prices, etc., to theirs and find areas that need improving.