‘ Raggedy Lils’ Guide to Craft Fairs
CRAFT FAIRS
There is nothing more satisfying than selling your products to customers that appreciate and enjoy them as much as you. Here at‘ Raggedy Lils’ using a craft fair to showcase my products is just as important as an online presence. It gives your customers the chance to touch and see your products as a 3d item rather than a 2d image on a computer screen. It can be a daunting step to arrive at a craft fair to see other sellers all set up, looking professional and accomplished. My first stall was at a church fair and did not look the most professional. I know my products and display have improved massively since then. But with these following tips it should make your experience more enjoyable and organised as I have found.
1- Research Looking into the details of a craft fair you may want to attend is one of the first steps. I look at the area, cost, whether there will be passing customers, how established the fair is and feedback from other craft sellers that have attended. Going along beforehand is also a good tactic and from there I make my decision. Although even the most well thought out event does not always work out as planned, as I have experience.
2-Organise stock Most craft fair organisers will give you the dimensions of the tables available for hire, or you will have your own which you can measure. Once you have this information it is a lot easier to decide what products you are going to take along with you. I take a small selection of each of my ranges which includes cushions, wreaths, canvasses and cards. These also come in different price ranges to suit all types of customers spending habits. If you are attending the same fair regularly try to rotate your stock and introduce something new each time to hold customers interest especially those that return to repeat purchase.
3-Pricing There are two options to pricing displays and which you feel is the best. I personally like to display my products with prices so as the customer can see at an instant how much they are and can make a decision themselves as to whether they are within their price range. Or you can leave it to the customer to be able to ask you your prices, which can spur on a conversation and hopefully lead to that all important sale.
4-Setting up display Your display of products needs to be interesting and innovative to stand out amongst the other stall holders. Products laid flat on a table cannot be seen from across the room, maybe use boxes or stands to prop them up, something appropriate to your products. For example I have used a garden obelisk to show my wreaths as they would be hung inside your house. I also use a large sheet to cover the table and along the front of this I have bunting with my business name. Not only does it look pretty and attractive, but it shows who you are and identifies the brand. Colour co-ordination, not only in your items but in the props you use, gives a put together look and shows you have thought and cared about your display. 20 www. creative-crafting. com