Do's and don'ts for successful craft fairs

 

I've offend been asked how to get set for craft fairs so here are a few ideas

1. Stand out from the rest of the stalls

If your selling items worth say £10 or £20 and other sellers have a stall full of items at 50p or £2 then you should add some lower priced items to your collection. For example, my items are hand-knitted so they are more time consuming which makes them cost more.  I also try to go to craft fairs where I’m the only stall selling baby clothing but sometimes there can be another one.

I also have few lower priced items i.e. Christmas decorations, at Easter time egg cosies and chicks, November Poppys

Don’t lower your prices though on your higher-priced items as there is a right price for everyone and if they really appreciate your work they know it’s worth, I get returning customers because they like my work.

Stand out from the crowd and offer a range of prices for every person use lots of colour, I offend get little girls buying a small item a pair of mitts or bootees for their dolls, I once had someone buy a bandana bib for their dog!

My business cards, flyers and discount vouchers etc all have a Sunshine Baby Crafts contact details on them

2. Find out what you need to take 

Find out before you go what you will be getting from the venue before you go, for example, tables and chairs, most village hall for example have tables and chairs, but farmers markets and outdoor venues don't supply them and you might even need a pop up gazebo.  I use a folding table when necessary but I rarely sit down so I don't worry about a chair.

Have a list of items that you will need to take with you. I always take a white tablecloth, and bunting for the front, props to display my items a manikin and table top manikin for smaller items and hanging rails

The other things you will need are – a pen, notebook for orders, money tin, cash float, calculator, spare price tags, tape measure, and scissors.

Take food and something to drink or money to buy something as you will need a coffee break

I take water and a thermal cup for coffee, a sandwich and biscuits. 

Christmas decorations and fairy lights (battery powered are best)

3. Bags and wrapping

Take special wrappings for your items I use paper bags for smaller items and bags with handles for larger items, so that others can see your fancy bags (I once had a stall selling similar items complain because they could see my bags being carried around !)but you can also use tissue paper and tape or ribbons.  I always pop a few business cards into the bags too. 

4. Use the venues internet Access

Connect to the venue’s Wi-fi if you can and when you sell items you can de-activate them in your online shop if you have one.  Also update your Facebook page so people know your there.

I have a spread sheet with my knitwear numbered corresponding with the number on the price label so I can cross it off as it sells so I know what I need to restock

Be careful not to be on your phone a lot though as this could put potential customers off if they think your to busy on your phone to be interrupted

Engaging with people with a smile and looking available is important to selling and saying Good morning/afternoon offend ends with a sale

5. If you have an Online Shop promote it

Be sure to take plenty of business cards with you to hand out during the day.

If people are not sure about something they may take a card and contact you later.

I have a box of business cards and people do take them.

I've gained Facebook likes from this and comments on the knitted items and requests for items to be made and collected from the next craft fair.

But the most important thing is to enjoy your day

 Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. there will be lots of new items to buy