‘ 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