Who can remember their first craft show or farmers market? Boy I definitely can remember mine. What a complete bomb. I failed miserably, went home and bawled.
I didn’t even make my table fee. Actually I didn’t sell a thing. I was discouraged, but I didn’t despair. I knew I had to change my thinking around and start tackling shows smarter.
Maybe it isn’t your first show that bombed. Maybe it is the 2oth show that has you scratching your head. It is hard to determine the outcome of every craft show or farmers market, but you can survive a tough one.
Stop scratching your head and put that energy into analyzing the show. Allow the shows to be a testing point of displays, promotions, pricing and new products. Analyze these slow shows and put all of this important show information into good use. Be prepared to tackle the next show or farmers market around the corner.
Tackling shows require tweaking, tuning, and testing just like a website. You know how you want to have search word terms and graphics all in place so your visitors can find you? Well, apply the same concept for shows and markets.
Here are 7 tips that help you place your anxious energy after a tough craft show:
- First and foremost realize realize that your products are great
- Make a list of all the positives that occurred at the show. Did you meet any new prospective customers or wholesale clients? Was your new product a hit?
- Use each show as a word of mouth platform or marketing medium. Consider the table fee as an advertising booth for a day
- Rough shows open doors for you to make them better.
- Assess the quality of the show. It may not have been the right market for your products. Was it a church bazaar style show? Was it a flea market style show? Customers at certain shows are expecting a certain price range.
- Perseverance
- Have you considered putting out a small ad about your business and where you are planning on selling your wares in the local newspaper. If you are selling eco-friendly items there are probably customers looking for products just like yours that do not realize that you are selling them 3 blocks from their home. Spread the word out about your products through local marketing ads.
The best defense is a great offense. Have samples prepared, know your market, know if the show right is for you and your products. Use each show as a step up in the right direction for the next show. Pretty soon you will have a fined tuned booth that will have customers swarming around wanting more of you and your product.
Many Blessings,
Other Great Reads:
- Don’t Go Into A Show Without A Goal
- Candle Making Books In My Library
- Ever Popular Soap And Candle Fundraisers
- Host Your Own Candle And Soap Open House