Sometimes it just happens. The slow craft show. Even if it’s a show that has done well for you in the past, even if the weather is nice, and even if you have all of your best inventory on display. There are some people in attendance but not as many as usual and they seem to be sticking to the middle of the aisles and not venturing into very many booths.
You are set up and can’t leave. How do you make the best of the time you need to spend at your booth? Here are some ideas.
Take product photos. You are out and enjoying good light so why not take some product photos? Even cell phones can take pretty decent product photos in good light. Use the photos when you get home to list your products in your online store. Use the photos to create a blog post about the show or about your products.
Take booth photos. Did you finally get your booth set up just right? Take lots of photos of the set up so you can remember how to do it for the next show. Take photos with shots of the whole booth so that you can share them on your blog, in your printed materials, for future show juries or even in your online store.
List some product online. If you have a wi-fi connection or wi-fi hotspot use the time to list some of the items in your online store. Even if you don’t have an internet connection you can open up a word document and start writing descriptions. That way when you get back home all you’ll need to do is copy and paste your descriptions into the store.
Take inventory. Why not get a handle on how many necklaces, hats or wooden spoons you really have on hand? Count them up and see where there might be holes in your stock so that you can create more when you are back in the studio. You might find that by counting and handling your inventory you are struck with new ideas or inspiration for future pieces. Bonus!
Sketch. Use this time to sketch out new ideas for future product or new artwork that might be included in future pieces. You never know when a doodle will turn into something really fantastic. You might also use your doodles and a tag shaped paper punch to create unique hang tags for future shows.
Make new pieces. If you have some of the tools of your trade handy you can use the time to create new inventory. Just because this show is slow doesn’t mean your next one won’t be a block buster. Be ready for it!
Network. Talk to the other vendors, trade cards and stories. You never know when one of these folks will turn out to be a great new friend and a part of your support network. I’ve done shows where the vendors were so bored they traded inventory. It’s how I got one of my favorite Christmas decorations and I traded it for one of my wreaths. It’s probably 17 years old and I STILL have it.
Now all of this depends on having some supplies on hand which is why I always try to pack a “busy bag” to take with me. It usually works like this – I take my busy bag and I’m super busy the whole show – OR – I don’t take the busy bag, the show is dead and I spend a lot of time kicking myself.
Always take a bag of things to keep you occupied and if luck is with you, you may never have open it up.
Have you ever been at a slow craft fair? How did you handle it?
By: Vicki O’Dell , The Creative Goddess
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Thank you, these are really great tips. I always forget to take photographs of my stall when I really pleased with how it looks and kick myself next time.
I also think bringing a “busy bag” with things so you can craft whilst there really attracts attention even if they’re aren’t many people around. I think they appreciate seeing you “do your thing” and it has helped me with sales in the past even on the slowest day.
Thanks again!
I found out by talking to people and listen to them. I have laurned that how to set a show better. How to run a craft show and even made new friends. This has happen in the last year.
Carol
I find that when the craft shows are slow, this gives me the time to adjust my table. Sometime people have viewed your table once and have missed a item the first time they were around. Great ideas come from having the time to just listen to the conversations two or more people maybe having regarding what is happening at the shows , when the people are shopping and the crowds are large you now are attending your table and do not hear what people like about the show or which items they would like to see. You also get a chance to talk to the public and just maybe place a business card in their hands that may later turn into a sale.,
Bonnie
All the things you said that was GREAT to keep in mind. The “busy bag” is a great thing for me to do as will my daughter can take pictures and get more plans to set up the booth, maybe even some plans on different projects that we can do.
Thanks Carolyn
I take the opportunity to visit other booths while my hubby is tending my table. It helps me get some new ideas and learned from other people.
In the past couple years for me, half of the shows I participated in were very slow. I started giving away some of my older pieces and other crafter gave me some of their items. I didn’t make money but I met some great people and received many items that I gave as gifts later.