I never have something I want, or something I am looking for. I personally look for something that is unique and different that I haven not seen before. I have had a craft booth before. My grandmother retired and ran her own quilting business for over 20 years and as a teen, twenty year old, and 30 year old I went to every craft show. She had great success with her business. I designed her business cards, ordered handmade personalized sewn on tags, Designed and made signage and sold all of her quilts. She always priced things way to low....she need me to be there and be the bad guy. I even made alot of her displays. As a marketing person I had few suggestions to draw attentions and potential customers to your booth. I only hope to help and not to criticize. I am using my observations as a customer. Please feel free to comment on some ideas you have. I AM GOING TO RAMBLE..I hope I don't forget anything. You don't have to spend alot of money to make a wonderful booth. The more booths the more you will learn what works for you.
1. SIGNAGE. There were over 200 hundred vendors at this craft show and maybe 50 had any signage at all. It is so nice to have some little sign to tell who you are and what you sell. Some booths Had a few people blocking tables. I couldn't even see what you were selling? Signage is soooo easy. You can make a sign in Microsoft Word using 11x17 layout and then take it to your local office supply store to print and laminate. It will cost less than $5 for a full color sign....Make your own sign using a try putting it together with scrapbook paper and sticker letters....If you are a quilter....QUILT A SIGN. If you are a knitter...Wrap yarn around some inexpenisve foam letters...Or try THIS. Or purchase some wooden letters and a wooden plaque. You can find many of them at a the dollar store. And old chalk board can be fun as well. I know for a fact you can purchase chalkboard paint for $1.69 in the acrylic paint section of your craft store. I have made a few signs for gifts.
SIGNAGE IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR...returning customers. If you have the same booth every year folks will want to find you....OR if they are not ready to purchase from you right now....(example baby on the way but no sure if it is a boy or a girl...)they may see you sign an take a business card...Keep your business cards out on your table.
I was just web surfing to find some ideas and The owner of Etta + Billie made her sign with an old sheet and some T-Shirt transfers. You can't fit all of the words on one page, but look how wonderful.
2. YOU ITEMS NEED TO BE SEEN FROM A DISTANCE. I walk and glance as I go. As I was leaving today I kept thinking. I wonder if I missed anything? I didn't see hardly anything I was interested in. Don't lay all of your items FLAT on a table...Expecting folks to come and dig on your table. Most folks decide to stop by first glance. I am looking for something to catch my EYE. If you sell jewelry lay some flat....but prop your best selling pieces up... Here is a great jewelry holder tutorial. If you can't get a peg board you can use needle point plastic...They come in lots of colors...and they are really cheap. Or aluminum screening from a home depot Sometimes they come in 12x12 squares.
I love this headband display the handbands are on Large PVC/plumbing pipes covered with fabric....you can just stand them up...you don't need to build an acrylic box like this
this would be a great way to display bows...you might even sell this for a cute addion to a little girls room...
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I love this simple handmade hat rack. Weigh the bottom and it will not blow over in wind. |
This is a more complex display...but I love the prices at the top and how easy this would be to maintain.... |
Look at this...this would be easy to store your products in...and then just hang it to display it |
3. YOUR BOOTH LAYOUT. I saw a few booths I wanted to look at more. BUT I had to squeeze into the booth...with my little girl and I felt cramped. My little girl is very very very good, but.... I didn't like it. There were several booths like that. I don't want to enter your little closet...Open your booth up...Make it to where several customers can purchase at the same time. Don't underestimate moms with strollers...they came to buy and love handmade items..Don't make it where they can't shop. I know sometimes there are some space constraints but try your best. Open it up...Use your vertical space. I love it when folks pull there table back......and put some other tables on the side...Like a Gaint E without the middle line...I hope that makes sense??..Don't box me in.
4. DECORATE YOUR BOOTH. A first glance attracts people to your both. Your booth should welcome customers. If you use a tablecloth Think about your colors. It doesn't have to be something expensive. Your local fabric store sells cheap fabric on clearance. If you can't sew...Barter with someone who can....OR use a liquid sew to make your make your seams. If you sell small items...that will fit in the palm of your hand....Use a very plain tablecloth. If you have a pattern on your tablecloth it can complete with your product. OR place your small items on a tray....
LOVE THIS ONE.. |
You can do everything right and some customers will not stop at your booth. Don't take it personally. I don't purchase make-up, and I don't usually purchase food or mixes, I also don't purchase hair bows...I have a hairbow lady already. I also don't have any babies in the family so I don't stop at baby booths...But sometimes I break the rules. I purchased a headband today....
I'm definitely still working on some of these things!
ReplyDeleteGood tips! I see you still have my logo on your side bar - Thank you!! I still love it!
ReplyDeleteWow. Thank you so much for the tips. It really helps to see it through someone else's eyes.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly. Great advice.
ReplyDeleteLoved the basket idea !! I have an old crooked tall lampshade , l think now l know what to do with it . Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteSorry but you lost me. First the resolution on your banner and sticky note make them look amateurish. You are a graphic designer? Second there are so many grammatical errors that I stopped reading before I finished the first paragraph. I wish you luck but you need to improve to attract and hold on to serious readers.
ReplyDeleteI do craft shows and make wooden Halloween items, such as frankinstein, scarecrows, ghosts,mummy's, and ex large wooden lighted 3 d pumpkins. I also make Christmas wooden trees, Santas, snowmen, snowman boxes, reindeers, small and ex large salt box lighted houses. This sells very good for me even a spring craft shows. I also make standing wooden rabbits too.
ReplyDeleteGracias por el consejo, voy a ferias y tomaré tus recomendaciones.
ReplyDeleteMy kids and I are having our first sale at a flea market this weekend and I will make sure we are ready with these tips! Thank you! 😊
ReplyDelete