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| Copper Cuff - A Craft Fair Winner Metal Artistry's Shop on ArtFire |
Having a successful Art Fair Experience.
First of all - relax. From my experience, the calmer I am, the more I remember what I need to, the more at ease I am at the show, and the more I can focus will only help me be successful. Once you get your own brain into line, the rest will follow more seemlessly. If you aren't 'together' your craft/art faire space will show it.
How do you do this? Be prepared, plan ahead, make lists and get a routine.
Start your list with main catagories:
Logistics of getting there: map, contacts at the show, does your car have gas, is your phone charged.
What to bring: your inventory, your table, your business cards, your banner, your tent, props for your table (mirror, stands, decorations), lunch/drink, a chair, paper and pen for customers' emails or comments, electric cords, lighting, emergency repair kits, duct tape (a must have for me), table top cover, change, cc machine, phone card reader, packaging for your product (bags, tape, scissors and of course your business cards to include in your bag).
At the Show: Remember, a smile on your face, an unrushed attitude, an education of your customers will help your sales. If you are flustered, you will present an un-organized persona. No one wants to do business with that person.
After the Show: Pat yourself on the back. You did your best whether or not you had fantastic sales, you deserve a smile. Sometimes, it's not the sales but the contacts you made at the art fair that are more important. Pack up delibertly. Know where you put what so that when you do go home or to the next show, you know where things are. Take the time to critique yourself. Did you follow thru with your plan? What would you change? Would you do this venue again next year? Take the time to send a thank you note to the organizers. Tell them the what you liked about the day, what you didn't and how you might change things to improve for next years event. Be positive. Don't forget to follow thru with customer requests and shipments. Just because you aren't at the show, doesn't mean the show is over.
Plan for the next one. Think thru your product and how it would fit into the next show you are considering. Do you want to take credit cards? Then find a service that will allow you to do this. Be proactive in finding new shows. There are many resources on the internet and by interacting in your own art community you should find more. Remember what sold at your last show. What items were picked up? What didn't get a glance? No sense bringing a product to a show that no one wants. Was one color better than the next? Did price seem to be the issue? Adjust your inventory accordingly.
