Building your craft business
1. Believe in what you are selling
When selling at craft shows, there will be a time when you will have doubt in your work. You might sit there and second-guess your work and the prices you have set for them. This is normal and I have to admit that I have been the victim of doubt.
Never fear as your product is a find and if you sold well at other shows then this one is no different. One thing you might want to think about is how the show is going as a whole.
- Is there sufficient traffic coming in to the show?
- Did the promotor advertise?
- Are there signs outside the building stating there is a show?
- How are other vendors doing?
- How is the weather?
When doing any show, always believe in your product. A bad show will have you doubting yourself and your work. So I say, believe in what you selling no matter what the outcome of the show. If you don’t believe in it, how can you honestly convince someone else that they need it or want it? And that brings up the next tip…
2. Be honest
If you make a mistake, most people will forgive you if you are honest with them. I have made a mistake of giving the customer the wrong price. Customers will try and catch you every way they can to get you to lower your prices. Many customers will see the price tag and still ask you the price. I usually come back with the question “Did I forget the price tag again?? Oh my. Then I would walk up to them and look for the tag. They will either be shy and walk away or pick up the item and buy it. If they walk away, I chalk it up as a chance for another customer to get it. Those type of customers who question you aren’t really interested in your work.
Create functional products. One of the biggest trends currently affecting successful businesses is the trend for function. Items that have a use are just plain easier to sell than items that have no apparent purpose than to be decorative. Look at your current inventory with an eye toward what in your line has a use. Then you must be able to clearly articulate to your customers the benefits and functionality of your art.
3. Put yourself in the shoes of your customers.
Picture yourself as a customer at a craft show and how you felt when you purchased their product. Most likely, this is the feeling or thought pattern when they pick up your product. I ask questions like...
- Is it handmade?
- What type of material did you use?
- Is it child safe?
The last question was one I never encountered until I did my show last year. I created a doll, but it had buttons. The customer wanted the doll, but feared that the child might choke on the buttons. I agreed with her and offered to make one for her without the buttons. Of course the customer was buying it as a gift and needed a doll on the spot.
My lesson learned from this is to create (2) dolls- one with buttons and one handstitched. This way I don’t lose a sale and my customer walks away happy. So when doing a craft show, please listen to what your customers have to say. They may come up with an idea about your product that you haven’t tried. Or maybe they came across something they saw that you can turn into a selling item.
4. Take a chance
If you thought about doing a craft show, but was afraid to step out and try. Think no more about it…Get out there and do it! I believe in the saying “Nothing hurts a failure but a try”. I did my first craft show back in 1998 and I knew nothing about displays, inventory, online websites, social media..etc. Now 25 years later I have 4 online businesses, a published craft book, and advertise on social media.
If doing craft shows or starting a business is your passion, then do it! Start telling everyone about what you plan on doing. If you have a website or blog, starting listing it on craigslist, get a free blog and make it your selling blog. That is what makes the world go ’round. If you don’t go for it, you will never find the wonderful people that like what you have to offer. Word of mouth is the best advertisement you can have.
5. Do your homework
Learn all you can about what you want to sell. Learn all you can about what you are trying to accomplish and then make it your own. Do a search on google and find out if someone has your business name. If not, go to godaddy and get it registered. Look into creating your own webpage for your business. I found a few good ones for about $19.99 a month by typing the word diy websites.
I will tell you that having a business will require many hats and long hours and not much sleep. But the best thing about it is the business is yours and you will gain profit from it!
Want to start your own craft business or you already have a craft business and want to take it further. I have over 25 years in the retail/wholesale craft business and can help you get your business up and running. Our Creative Crafters Program is great for those who are ready to do craft shows!
If your just starting out then our CIB Start up Program is great to get you on track to your own craft business. Whatever program you chose, I am here to get your business to the next level.
Let's get clarity on where you want your business to be, I would love to hear from you.
Lets Talk!
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