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Here are those three things broken down even further for you:
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There are a number of ways that you can do this – from setting up a
website to setting up a weekly garage sale during the summer. We'll
take a look at four ways you can continue making a profit when the
doors of another craft show close for the weekend.
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So, what does it take to start profiting from selling your crafts
at craft shows? Following are the first four steps I would take to
getting your small business off the ground:
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Think of an ideal craft show for a moment… thousands of people
coming through the turnstiles at the fairgrounds or the exhibition
areas with money in their hands and an intense desire to spend it.
What about having a million people with access to your crafts at a
craft show - at any time they wanted. That would really be
IDEAL!
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Supplies are what make a craft. Unless you are making something
where you can use regular household items, or that don’t need
anything but the buyer to complete the sale, then supplies are
going to be a major part of your crafts.
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To begin investigating which shows to apply to, you might start
with what you know—those shows you've attended, ones that are
within an hour or so of your home and ones other vendors have
recommended. You will not always know if the craftsperson who
suggested a show has the same values as you until you check it out
for yourself, so this is not always a concrete selection principle.
But it's a place to start. If you belong to a craft guild or
organization or subscribe to a trade journal, you may be able to
get show recommendations there. Several websites are equipped with
lists of local and national shows and all the contact information.
Also log onto some of the craft forums where you can ask other
crafters and look for some consensus on the best shows.
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Your marketing materials are a valuable and necessary part of
your craft business. They create a consistent and professional
image that causes an initial as well as lasting impression of both
you and your craft creation. If you've ever heard the term
"branding," you'll understand the need to create a look that is
your business identity. You may need to hire a graphic designer to
create a logo and typestyle for your business name. Once you have
your look, use it everywhere—on your stationery, business cards,
brochures, displays, hangtags and anything that has to do with your
business.
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If you are crafting for a living you are going to want to make
as much money as possible. It’s nice to be in it just for the love
of the craft, but, if you are going to craft shows to sell your
items, then chances are you are going to want to profit from your
venture.
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Pricing your craft show items correctly, and so that you make a
decent profit is paramount if you are going to be successful in
this industry. So how do you make the most money from your craft
show items, and still have them fly off the shelves because they
are a great price. Read on to find out!
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If you are planning to head to several craft shows to sell your
items, there is a good chance that somewhere along the line you are
going to run into someone who sells a similar craft to yours. I
know, with all of the possible craft ideas out there, it seems like
a long shot to actually run into somebody who has the idea as you.
But, it does happen. People have caught on to the same fad as you,
or they have seen something in a magazine or in a craft store that
they thought they could make a little different or better – and
then you both end up at the same craft show, selling the same sort
of item.
