At certain times of the year, you hear about craft fair after craft fair. You could attend every single one if you wanted to and end up stressed out and overwhelmed. But that’s just a bad judgment. You need to pick and choose where you will go, which involves weighing some very specific criteria. I’m going to help you choose the best craft fair for your market.
Nothing can guarantee a successful show, but there are some things to consider that will boost the likelihood of finding and having a good craft show.
Identify Your Market
The first thing you want to do is identify your market. Apply for shows that match your product and your market niche. Different products sell better at different types of craft fairs. An example is that, generally, high-end artwork doesn’t sell well at local shows. For high-end artwork, you will sell more products at a quality event. Trying to sell at a local show could be a waste of money. On the other hand, if you sell handmade Christmas ornaments, selling them at a craft fair in July may not be your best bet for a profitable show.
Find shows with similar product niches and sign up for the shows that best fit your markets. Search the Internet, find people who attend craft fairs, and ask their opinion on which ones they like best. Hundreds of Facebook groups are specific to finding craft fairs in your area.
Ask fellow crafters which shows are their favorites. I have found that some of the greatest craft shows are the ones that aren’t advertised big but those which your friends attend. Once you attend your first craft fair, the opportunities for making contacts with people just like you have just begun. Talk to them and keep in touch. Follow them on social media, then help them by liking, commenting, and sharing their content, and hopefully, they will return the support and help you.
Contact your Chamber of Commerce to see if any craft fairs in your area are held annually. Also, ask if they will be sponsoring any events where crafts are sold, such as Fourth of July celebrations, Memorial Day events, or local festivals. Also, check with area craft stores like Hobby Lobby. They will most likely know about an event you can attend close to home.
Once you’ve identified a few shows you want to go to, there are some steps you will need to go through before you can show up and begin collecting your money.
Getting Started
Now that you’ve found a great craft fair you want to attend, what do you do next? The following steps apply for both local shows as well as out-of-town shows.
First, contact the host/promoter and request an application for a booth. Be sure you ask how much the booth will cost and what is provided with that fee.
Small, local shows don’t always have you complete an application, but for some of the larger shows, you’ll have to fill out an application and may have to provide a sample of your product so they can determine if your niche will attract buyers.
When completing your application, it is essential to remember that it is not only about what you sell but HOW you complete it. Take note of the following suggestions for your craft show application:
After you fill out your application, fair promoters may ask for a deposit on your booth. If approved, the deposit will be applied to your booth rental. If you are not approved, the deposit will be refunded. Generally, the remainder of the fee will be due upon your acceptance into the show.
Include this deposit with your application. Deposits are usually accepted in the form of checks or money orders. DO NOT SEND CASH! Too many things can happen with cold, hard, green stuff. Have a record of what you’ve paid and when you’ve paid it.
Read The Fine Print
When filling out the application form, make sure to fill out the form completely. Some craft fairs may not accept an application if any of the information is not completed. It would be a shame if you were disqualified due to an application oversight.
Meet All Deadlines
Some larger craft fairs may require applications up to a year in advance. In comparison, local craft fairs require applications only a few months in advance. Knowing the requirements for the craft fair you want to sell at is essential.
If the application is not completed on the computer, make sure that the application is written in very clear and readable handwriting.
Booth Requirements
If your booth has special requirements, such as electricity, lighting, or access, then be sure to negotiate these requirements upfront. If you have a preference for where your booth is located, that needs to be requested as soon as you apply. Ensure your displays conform to the craft fair’s expectations, requirements and limitations.
If you are doing demonstrations, will all your equipment and tools meet show requirements? Does your booth need to be on a corner?
Be Informed Of Additional Cost
Are there additional costs besides the booth rental, such as required advertising expenses, parking fees, electricity fees, tables and chairs, insurance requirements, and such? This is very important for budgeting.
Merchandise Requirements
Find out if there are any restrictions on the type of merchandise allowed, such as a requirement that all merchandise be hand-crafted by the artist.
Event Schedule
Knowing the event schedule before showing up at the event site is very important. To manage your time effectively, you need to know when you can begin setting up your booth. You need to know when to be fully set up in your booth and when you can shut down your stall and start packing up.
Promoting The Event
Some craft shows provide promotional material to their participants. This may include brochures, postcards, or shareable social media posts. This can be an enormous advantage for you. You must promote the event and let your fans know you will have a booth.
Preparing Your Inventory
You will need to ensure you have enough inventory for the show. It’s essential to have enough products to sell. It is always better to bring home unsold items than to run out of things. You want your booth to have a variety and look full but not overwhelming.
You can read about how much inventory to have in DO YOU NEED INVENTORY TO START A HANDMADE BUSINESS, where I go over how much inventory to have for your business.
Booth Setup
Plan for your booth setup and have all items ready for transport. Having your products organized in totes that are clearly labeled is so important. Before arriving, draw out how you want your booth to look and design your layout to ensure you have what you need to make it a reality. Do a trial run and set up your booth completely if you have to.
I have devised a checklist for you to refer to when planning to attend a craft show. This checklist details what needs to be accomplished and when it will need to be completed. I keep it on hand at all times. Pre-planning is a must to ensure a less stressful and more productive experience!
I have a complete guide on how to set your booth up, including a checklist of things to bring. Download this guide instantly, Vendor Booth Rockstar, for tips from marketing your booth to making sales.
Once you get to the show, you’ll need to check in with the promoter and begin setting up your space.
Craft fairs are a lot of work, but they are worth it. By the time I finish a craft fair, I am looking forward to my next one. So have fun, make lots of money and celebrate your accomplishments.
Want to know if you are ready to turn your craft hobby into a craft business? I’ve created a free checklist of the 5 Things to Have Before Starting A Craft Business so you can turn your hobby into a craft business. I created this checklist because I often see DIY Crafter and Handmade Crafters struggling with knowing how to get started as a business. If you can relate to this, my 5 Things To Have Before Starting A Craft Business is explicitly designed to help you know exactly what it takes to start a handmade business and get to do what you love, crafting. So if you’d like to take advantage of this free download.
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