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Before trying to sell your own work
at a craft fair, visit a few shows. This will enable you to
see the quality and range of the work being sold by others.
Use the advance
search for craft fairs on this site to find a suitable event.
Event organisers may have a strict policy of handmade goods
only. If this is the case, you may need to supply an example
of your work and or photographs of what you are intending to
sell.
You will also be able to speak to exhibitors and decide the
type of fairs which might be the best place for you to market
and sell your products. Consideration should be given to the
number of visitors to each fair, the costs involved in exhibiting
your work there and the quantity of goods that you will have
to sell in order to make a profit.
Whilst building up your business and developing your customer
base, you should consider selling at a small number of fairs.
By having a range of goods at various prices, you could sell
larger numbers of less expensive items and a few more expensive
items. Many people prefer to purchase goods using credit cards
rather than cash or checks. Having a merchant account that enables
you to take credit card payments will reduce the chance of you
missing out on potential sales.
Setting up your stall at a craft fair can involve a lot of work
and during a busy day you will probably want to take refreshment
breaks. Consequently you should consider going with a friend
or relative who can help you. Useful things to take with you
include a calculator, stands on which to present your work,
chairs to sit on and bags that your products can be carried
home in. You should also take a sufficient quantity of your
craft products with you for expected sales. |
As well as selling your work at craft fairs, it is also an
opportunity to speak to both existing and potential customers.
If possible you should get business cards and contact details
such as email addresses from people with which you could build
mailing lists to let people know about new products and fairs
that you will be attending. You should take marketing material
with you that you can distribute to customers. Listening to
feedback from people that you meet at fairs could help you to
develop your product range to meet demand.
After each visit to a craft fair you should calculate how much
profit you have made. By finding out which products earn you
the most money, you can adjust your production accordingly.
With experience you will be able to decide which fairs are the
most profitable for you to attend and schedule them into your
calendar. It is also worth considering how many sales you make
as a result of your marketing efforts at each fair.
Over time you might find that demand for your work begins to
exceed the quantity that you are able to produce on your own.
You could then increase the price that you charge for your work
until supply and demand reach a balance that you are comfortable
with. Alternatively, if the nature of your work makes it a viable
option, you could employ others to do some of the work. Whatever
your decision, it is important that you maintain the quality
of the work that you sell to a standard that your customers
have come to expect. |
