I’m going to talk about the two-sides of the craft business: (1)being a crafter and (2) being a lover of crafts.

Crafter Side:

As a crafter I can relate to the late night sewing frenzy and the early morning rush to get your remaining products in your car so you can be on your way to the next craft show.  Growing up in a family of crafters, I would stay up late and help my mom with her ‘hot glue gun’ tasks (boy did those blisters hurt!!) and I’d wake-up early to help her load the family’s station wagon. Off we’d go to the craft show, some as far as 4 hours away from home! 

One of the biggest (if not THE biggest) decision that needed to be made was “how should I place my products on my table!”  No matter how you place your items make sure you do two things:

1. Stand to the side or out-front of your table to meet & greet your potential customers
2. Give away something of value in exchange for their full mailing address and/or email address

Lover of Crafts Side:

When I go to craft shows one thing that drives me nuts is when the crafter is sitting behind their table or they don’t smile! Remember that you are trying to sell your crafts, which means you have to ‘sell yourself’ first. Let me explain, if you were to walk into your local clothing store and the sales persons were just sitting there, not smiling or even acting as if they cared you were there to make a purchase, would you stay in that store? Would you make a purchase? Or would you go to the next store and spend your time and money?

Table Tips:

• Grab their attention! Don’t sit or stand behind your table, stand out to the side or in front of your table, meet & greet your onlookers…they just might be your next client or customer
• Give someting to get something! Get their contact information, don’t leave it up to them to contact you for their next purchase…be proactive and get their physical mailing address and/or email address. 
• Open your mouth! Just by smiling you are opening the door to a conversation, and conversations are how you are going to educate your potential customer on who you are and about your crafts.

If shoppers are stopping by your table, that means they are interested in what you have for sale. Don’t let that opportunity pass you by! Have your mailing list book open with a working ink pen and have your business card in your hand to hand out.

To your success!

Stephanie Fish, Online Researcher, Marketing & SEO helper for the fellow crafter! Did you know that crafters can outsource business tasks such as:

• Mailing list setup and mailings
• Setting up your online business
• Marketing your online business

Feel free to contact me at anytime to schedule your free 30 minute consultation today!