Jim’s Top Selling Tips
Part of the fun and frustration of selling your work at a craft show is that each show is different. You may be inside or you could be outside. Your booth space might be too small or too large. There will be lots and lots of browsers and few buyers. Or you may have such demand that you sell out of product. Don’t be too disappointed if the show doesn’t live up to your expectations. There is always tomorrow, and the next show will always be, well, different.
To optimize your chances for having a good show, I offer you a short list of some things my wife and I learned through the years as we traveled around doing craft shows.
1) Be friendly. Talk to your customers. Put a smile on your face.
2) Make your display area attractive. Use a cover on your table. Most tables are 30" x 6’. The cover should reach to the floor in the front and on the sides to hide boxes beneath the table. To add visual interest and to increase display space, make three-step tiers that are 15” wide. Each step should be 5” high and 5” deep. The tiers may be 3’ long for easy handling. Cover the tiers with the same type of covering that you have on the table.
3) If you have the space, set up a demonstration area. Nothing attracts a crowd like the sound of a machine running.
4) Have an adequate supply of your product on display with packaged items available and ready to go.
5) Have business cards and/or product brochures available.
6) Have prices clearly marked on all products. Use price tags with removable stubs.
7) Have simple "freebies" available to offer to customers showing interest in products.
8) Never forget Tip #1— Be friendly!
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