Craft Fair Tips 11/11/2016
I love craft fairs. I love buying, I love selling. I love visiting and pretty much everything about them. I am always astounded by what other people can make and I thoroughly enjoy seeing so much talent in one place!
I went to my first fair in 2011, when What Fox was called The Glad Six. It wasn't a craft fair exactly, it was a school fate. I caught the coach there by myself with a suitcase in tow. I made literally every rookie mistake possible - I didn't have any business cards, price tags or even a table cloth. However, there were limited stalls and it was in a good location on the high street and I did do pretty well.
Since that first fair, I've done quite a few fairs and I like to think I do ok, so here are my Top 5 Tips
1. THINK carefully about price labels
This might sound petty, but I think it is very important. Price labels are often an after thought, they usually are for me if I'm honest. But pretty labels add infinite charm to pieces and an absolute pet hate of mine are those large, fluorescent, spiky price signs. It takes a lot for me to want to buy from a stall with those on! Also, price lists are a tad confusing, I much prefer individually priced items or items priced clearly in groups. I have kept a few of the pretty labels that have come with items I've bought, and as a result I'll always remember where I got them from!
2. Give out business cards
Maybe today, your customer doesn't want to buy. But maybe in two weeks or two years they do. Make sure you give them the option to come back to you by giving out business cards. I recently went to a craft fair and bought a few items from a seller... Then when I got home, I really regretted not buying other items from them that I'd seen. But I didn't have a business card from them, I don't have any contact details, so I can't buy anything else... even though I want to! Don't be that seller.
3. Bring something to do
There will almost certainly be lulls. Keep your hands busy and OFF your phone - keep your phone in your bag and only bring it out if you need it as a calculator or to accept card payments. I always avoid sellers on their phone. Bring some of your own craft to work on, or if you can't then bring something else vaguely crafty. I try and bring something I've been 'meaning' to do - so for example at a recent fair I bought along some felt and made some What Fox bunting.
4. Price everything clearly
I feel this needs a separate section from above because it is so important. I can't even tell you how many times I've decided against buying something I liked because I wasn't sure on the price. There is something mortifying about not having enough money for something or paying more than you thought. So I just avoid it. If in doubt, REPRICE it. If it isn't clear that your item costs £15.00 and not £1.50 then reprice it. If you have a price list and similar items, like 'large penguins' and 'small penguins' please, please just label them up separately. You can get 100 price tags on Amazon for less than £2, I know it is time consuming but it might just get you a few extra sales.
5. Be friendly but DON'T go OTT
Try and make friends. I'm super shy so this doesn't come easily to me. But when you make friends, selling is easier, you feel more confident. At one fair I did, I liked the lady next to me so much I spend £30 on stuff from her and in return I got a Christmas Wreath she didn't sell for free! So you know, be nice to other sellers. Be nice to your customers, but don't hound them. Smile and say hello when they approach your stall but leave it there. I have a rule, I don't offer information unless people ask. If they want to know about my techniques I tell them, but as soon as they approach I don't waffle on about using a rare solid salt from the North Pole to add texture to my creations. It scares people off. It scares ME off, I hate sellers that try and tell you about their craft straight away. If I'm interested, I'll ask. If I want it, I'll buy.
I will make a checklist for items to take in another post.
