So you wanna do craft shows? (my insight)

So I gotta say, I love participating in craft shows. It's exciting, you meet tons of great people, and there's the potential to make money. I've been taking part in the craft show scene for about 3 years, and I've learned a lot during my journey. I hope that my insight will help all of you up-and-comers.

Accept credit cards

This one's important. There was a time that I only accepted cash (or took my chances with a personal check), but I found that many of my customers requested to pay by credit. I can't count how many times a customer has walked away due to this. 

Currently, it's easier than ever to accept credit card payments. I use Square (https://squareup.com). Square is an easy to use credit card reader that attaches right to my smart phone. It can also be hooked up to a tablet device, but I found that it was actually easier to use my phone. Best of all, the card reader was free, and they only charge you per transaction (2.75%), making it very affordable.

I really enjoy using this little guy! It's so cute (and sleek). All I had to do was setup an account. Once I did that, they sent me the reader for free (I think there is a small charge to get one for an iphone). Once received, I downloaded the free app. All that was left was plugging in the device and swiping the credit/debit card. Best of all, the funds were sent straight to my bank (within a matter of days).

All in all, I love Square! It's cute, it's easy to use, and it ranks at the top of my list.

Bring change

Unfortunately, this is one of the last things I normally think about when preparing for a show. Lately, I've made it a priority to get to the bank and make change out of at least $50. This includes many 1's and 5's, a couple 10's, and a few 20's. Don't forget those quarters too. Where do I keep my money? Well, most of the time it's in my vintage, metal box/bank (bought, of course, from another Etsy seller).

Wear comfortable shoes

At most of the indie shows I attend, I like to dress it up a bit by wearing cute shoes. Unfortunately, most of the shoes I like to wear are the most uncomfortable. So my advice...wear sneakers! I'll leave it at that :0)

Smile

Okay, this can be difficult to do when shows are slow, but it's all we got. Never let worry show on your face. Customers can sense it from a mile away. Smile when it's slow. Smile when it's busy...Just smile!

Color scheme and branding are important

I don't think that this is something that comes into play right away. For me, this happened over time. The logo came first. I then took colors from that logo and made them the primary color scheme of my display. With me, the color green is everywhere. I also took the "naturey" feel of my designs and incorporated them into my display. 

I try to keep my branding fluid. From my logo came business cards. From my business cards came flyers. And from all this came the cute price tags and pricing signs plastered everywhere. I also incorporated the little bird in my logo, as well as the whimsical feel that was so important to me. I'd hope that all my hard work shows, and that people will walk away from my display knowing that it was  "Chirping Bird Press" (my little shop that could). Most times, people compliment me on my display which makes me super happy!

Don't expect to make a ton of money

I know that many of you more experienced vendors will argue me, but I never go into a show expecting a huge payday. To be honest, if it did, I wouldn't be working at my current job. A good day for me is covering my gas and booth fee, and making a little extra to go out to dinner afterwards (with my much appreciated helper...mom of course). A really good show will give me a little more even after paying out for dinner. I like vending at shows as a hobby. To me, getting compliments on my work and meeting others is priceless. 

Bring a helper

Yep...super important! I NEVER attend a show without a helper. In this case, my helper is my mom. I couldn't do these things without her. And remember to show your #2 some love. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are always in order. For us, it's Waffle House for breakfast, vendor food throughout the day for lunch, and Cracker Barrel for dinner. Yummy!

Rolling carts help

Just up until recently, we would lug in every tote and display item individually. I can't tell you how tiring that is (not mention, it makes you sweaty...yuk). Get a rolling cart. I found two compact ones on Craig's List, and it's cut down my setup time by half. A real time saver!

You need an emergency supply kit

I have a small travel case that includes the following:

-tape

-pens

-pencils

-safety pins

-a counterfeit marker

-receipt book

-twine/string

-paper

-and anything else I think I might need

Rearrange and then rearrange again

Throughout the day, items on your table will sell, and it's important to rearrange accordingly. Also, keep in mind that as certain items sell better than others, you will find your setup may need to be rearranged (or even possibly changed). My display has changed

many, many times as I've gotten a better feel for what my customers like and don't like. I don't consider this a bad thing. I just have to adjust to meet the needs of my customer (and my OCD self).


Prices, prices, prices
I can't express just how important it is to price your items. And you should price them in a way that prevents the customer from having to ask. They don't like to do that, and most likely, a customer will walk away due to the uncertainty. I have fun with my pricing. I incorporate my branding and everything. I have pricing signs galore, and they all show off different versions of the bird in my logo. 


In conclusion, I hope that you found these tips helpful. If I would have known some of these things when I first started, things might have been a little easier. Thank goodness for some experience :0)