‘Tis Almost the Season

I know you really don’t want to hear this but it’s time to start thinking all things Christmas. Especially when it comes to holiday craft shows and your online store.

Do yourself a favor and don’t wait until September  30th, or heaven forbid, Halloween to prepare for holiday sales. NOW is the time to prepare. Otherwise you may just miss out on a great income source.

Where do you start?

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Create, create, create – Make sure your online shop is full of irresistible goods in a variety of price ranges. If you do art/craft shows you’ll want to have plenty of inventory for that too. And if you do both? Well, sleep is over rated, right? Don’t put your online shop on vacation mode, in stead be sure to have plenty of inventory on hand so you don’t miss out on a single sale.

Order shipping supplies – Don’t wait until the last minute to get all of your shipping supplies together, especially if you order the free mailing supplies offered by the USPS as they can run out if you wait until the last minute. Be sure to have plenty of packing tape, bubble wrap or even newspapers on hand. Don’t forget printer ink too. No one wants to be up at 1am getting shipments ready only to find that the printer is out of ink.

Check your calendar – it’s not too early to get your holiday calendar in order. Plan out any online shop sales or special promotions you will have, when you should tweak your listings, add show dates and a final shipping date for holiday packages. Get your calendar in order now and  be sure to keep up with it as the busy season comes along. You’ll be so happy that you did when you are busy with holiday shows and sales.

Check with other vending outlets – Do you have your products in a boutique or gallery? It’s not too early to ask about special events or needs these venues may have. Will there be a holiday open house or holiday party? Should you attend? Are the expecting a large number of sales? Again, make sure any special deadlines or dates are added to the calendar.

Round up the troops – Do you normally ask family members and friends to help during the holiday season? Be sure to touch base with people who have helped you in the past to get an idea of who might be available to help this season. Even if you just find out whether or not they are interested in helping again you’ll have at least reminded them that you will be counting on them.

What things do you do to get ready for the busy holiday season? Have you already started to prepare?

By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess

You can find more of Vicki’s article right here on her profile page!