Tips & Tricks - Craft Shows

It's the end-of-year craft show season!!  I've learned so much from being both a seller and a customer at craft shows over the years.  I figured it was about time to share what I have learned.  Hopefully some of these points  will be helpful for you, too.  Here are some things that help me stay focused and organized:

Early prep

I set out tables, packaging and boxes in the few days before the show.  This helps me plan out in advance how I want to display my products. As a visual person, this is vital for me.  I'll take a photo or two to show how it's set up and then I can refer to that again when I get to the site. 

Packing the car (Part 1)

Pack the car/truck/whatever the night before and give yourself ample time before doing so.  I have far too often left things until the last minute and it's extremely stressful - especially when it gets really late at night.  I don't sleep well because I feel like I've forgotten something.  You need all the sleep you can get it.  Tomorrow is going to be a long day!

Packing the car (Part 2)

Packing stock in smaller, well organized boxes is helpful because lugging around big, heavy boxes on the day can make you tired quickly and, if you're like me, prone to back/muscle injuries.  

Seating

Get rid of those slouchy football/camping chairs!  Switching to a small, folding stool may be the best idea I've ever had.  It's smaller and lighter to transport.  It sits up higher.  You can pop on and off it quickly to greet and help your customers.  Overall, it gives a better, more professional look to your booth - you are part of it, after all!  

Prepared for chilly mornings too!

Tent: White or Colored?

When I got my BRIGHT pink tent, I was in love and at the first show I used it, it was a big hit!  What an attention-getter!  The 2nd show, I noticed my customers having to take my products out into the "real" light to see what I was actually selling and what the colors were.  By the 3rd show, I had customers actually shielding their eyes as they walked on by.  Plus...I got a major headache!  Not fun!  So, I am switching to a white tent for future shows.  I have plenty of ideas to decorate and still make it attention-getting.  

See?  Everything is pink!!

Displays

I keep my displays simple, clean and straighten things up frequently throughout the day.  I easily get overwhelmed looking at booths and tables with many different products strewn all over the place.  I want to be able to quickly know what I'm looking at so I can either take a closer look, or move on.  As a customer, I'm more inclined to move on if things aren't well organized.  Eeek!

Signs

Clear, acrylic document stands (found at office supply stores) are perfect for easy-to-read informational and price signs.  Those little ingredient labels on individual products can be hard to read (especially in a pink tent, HA!).  I saw a lot of people reading the ingredient and info signs I had out at a recent show and they were happy to get the information right then and there without having to ask.  Customers love to learn - just in different ways so it's good to give them options.  Make sure you have business card stacks scattered around on your tables, too!

Take a Friend

Even if you're a one-person show, it helps to have a friend or assistant on the day.  Not only are you able to get a potty break, you get a chance to walk around the show, check out other vendors' work and do a bit of networking.  All of that is really hard to do when you're on your own.

Incidentals

Keep a box of these items handy:

Scissors, tape, zip ties

Pen/Marker

Water, snack/candy/energy bar

Painkillers, band-aids, tissues

Extra business cards

Small notepad

After the Show
I pack everything up, go home, unpack the car...and head straight to a hot, relaxing, glittery, fizzy, soothing bath.    Ahhh...

I'd love to hear what little tricks you have learned on your craft show journey!