If you have been selling your handmade goods at craft shows for a while now, then you may be wondering what you can do to increase sales. After all, aren’t we small business owners always looking to push a little harder? There’s never too much advice when it comes to craft fairs and selling your handmade goods! Keep reading for some things you might want think about trying in order to increase sales at a craft fair.
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How to Sell MORE at a Craft Fair
- Always keep your display up and open for business until the very end of the show. And be sure to arrive a bit early! You never know when the early bird will just be hanging around waiting for someone to open. And I’ve had plenty of decent-sized sales at the very last minute too.
- Do some of your own marketing before you even get to the show. Create a list of shows where you will be vending for the season and be sure to include it with every purchase. You never know when that repeat buyer will attend a show just because they want more of your goods.
- Be friendly. Don’t be a fake kind of friendly because shoppers can spot a fake a mile away. Be genuinely interested in your shoppers. Strike up a conversation, even if it is just about the weather. If a shopper can’t decide between the purple scarf in your booth and the purple scarf in another. then the chances are pretty good that she or he will buy from the nice vendor.
- Let your charitable works work for you. Place a sign that says that 5% (or any percentage) of your sales goes to Habitat for Humanity, SPCA, or another good charity. People feel better about spending if they know their dollars go to a good cause. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to get involved and give back to your community as well!
- Do your research and make sure your prices aren’t too high or too low. Prices that are too low are cutting into your profit margin, but prices set too high will turn shoppers off. Remember to keep in mind how much your local market will bear. Research takes quite a bit of time, but it’s totally worth it in the end.
- Sign up for shows super early. On occasion there is an early bird price and a higher price for those who sign up later. Also, if you’ve been attending a show for several years and the price of the booth suddenly jumps, then you might be able to work with the show coordinators to keep the original price. It’s one of those things where it never hurts to ask.
- Wear your creations. Whether it’s jewelry, scarves, aprons, or another wearable item–wear them! People love to see how items look on a real person. They want to see how fabric drapes and how large a big pair of hoops are on a real head.
- Along the lines of number seven – be sure to keep a mirror available. Shoppers might pass up an item if they can’t see how wonderful it looks on them.
- Be professional. Dress nicely and keep advertising, political, or off-color humor to a minimum on your clothing, buttons, etc. Unless it’s that kind of show. Dressing nicely lends an air of quality to the items you sell.
- Perfect the packaging. Do what you can to make price tags, booth signage, and all product packaging look professional and pleasing. While it may not seem like it makes much difference to you, studies have shown that shoppers will pay a bit more for items that look like they are WORTH more. It’s called perceived value. Make it look like it is worth more.
