My mom and I walked up to a booth this past weekend that was filled with beautiful photographs and custom coasters. Now, as per usual, my mom started chatting with the person manning the booth about this idea she had seen. I watched and listened only to discover that this person was not the least bit interested in what my mother had to say. Want to know why?
She had her head buried in her phone the whole time my mom was speaking to her!
It was so awkward and I couldn’t wait to leave the booth. My mom didn’t seem to care about it but I was really bothered by the encounter. Here we are, just walking into your booth as potential customers, and you’re too busy reading email on your phone to give us that time of day? I couldn’t believe it!
So, here’s a friendly reminder folks. Though the iPhone is an amazing piece of technology, put it away and engage with potential customers! I have the feeling this particular person was just manning the booth and wasn’t the actual artist – but there’s a lesson in that too. If you bring along a friend or family member to watch over your craft booth while you grab a bite to eat or got to the bathroom, make sure they are knowledgeable about your items for sale and set some ground rules. Here are my suggestions:
- No phones
- Smile at customers walking by
- Memorize item specifics (price, how items were made, etc)
- If a customer asks a question you don’t know the answer to, let them know that the artist will be right back and be sure to hand them a business card
- Sit up straight (no slouching)
- Be visible. Don’t sit in the far corner and hope no one walks by while the artist is gone.
- Say hello to everyone that walks into the booth
Do you have any other rules for running a craft fair booth?
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When there is a lull in the crowd work on something so that when a customer asks about it they will know that you really made it and know about it
My sewing partner and I do about 80% of our sewing together and we make price list and chest sheets of the stuff we each make, we also do custom work and hand out flyers to everyone. And when they contact us by email only 1 of us handles emails and directs them to the right person. MY #1 THING NOT TO DO IS CHOMP ON GUM
Whenever I have others working in my booth I have a few requirements:
1. Dress appropriately. Clothes clean and pressed. Hands and feet presentable. Nothing is more deterring than dirty finger nails and feet.
2. All handbags AND phones under the table.
3. No food or drinks allowed on the display tables.
4. Family and friends stopping by for a visit shouldn’t be crowding the display areas where customers would browse.
I don’t think these requirements are too much to ask. I haven’t had a problem with anyone working in my booths. We all have a good time.
My daughter and I just had a great craft show this last weekend. We talk to people and we took orders on things from my daughter ipad. From pictures of wreaths that was made and already sold. And other people would come back by the booth and say oh you sold it. My daughter then show them a picture of her stuff and she would make a order. We did Sunday specials and sold more of our products. We just laugh and talk with people and we made money with our products. So stay off the phone, laugh, talk, and enjoy life…
It might be a good idea for the people who are in charge of the Fair also follow a few rules. For example, my table was in between two others. Both of them set up their items so that people streaming by couldn’t see my display! I blame the “leadership” for not taking care of this. I will never pay to show & sell at this show ever again. People will take advantage of you any way they can…..so leaders need to buff up!!
Did you make the “leaders” aware of the issue? I know when I set up my shows I try really hard with setting the right people by each other, but also make it clear to my vendors to make me aware of any issues! I am so busy in that day it’s hard to see everything !
I am a firm believer that show coordinators pass out a critique sheet asking for honest critique so issues can be addressed and improved upon to prevent unhappy crafters from doing the next show as indicated by Jada above. You can’t make it better if no one tells you. They should be collected before end of show
Just realized these posts are older, but I will still leave my comment.
I have flexible displays as in several options for set-up. I try to change my display look for each market so customers might see something new each time they come by. When setting up, I pay attention to who is around me and set-up accordingly. I don’t rely on others to make sure I have good placement. I make any place a good spot for me.
Absolutely agree …
Another good tip …
Stand don’t sit. And stand infront of your display.
Dress the Part.
Dress nice. You represent you and your business. I try to dress up jeans or wear kaki’s for fall and winter events or put on a skirt with a nice blouse or sundress in warm weather. People pay attention and when you dress sloppy they notice.
I used to have my own Craft business. I always used to pay a friend to come with me, some teenagers love crafts and loved helping out, I only paid pocket money but I also gave them discount. I found one if us running a demo brought in interest and it is handy to have a second person in case you need the loo, to help carry and set up and to keep an eye on stock whilst chatting to customers as (and unfortunately it happened to me on a few occasions) sometimes a customer will keep you talking whilst their friend pinches stuff from your stall!
I visit many craft shows and when I walk into a booth and the person manning the booth does not acknowledge me, I move on to the next booth. I will not purchase from someone that will not even take the time to say hello when I go into a booth to shop.
Ok I do a great job I only use my phone for purchases. I stick out of my booth and play with the product i am selling for example bubble guns i will have bubbles going every where but i dont sell. The product that i played with. Also i hardly sit down. I do take a break to sit and eat but for a quick minute. I am always on my feet greeting everyone wh . Comes in to my booth i make my prices very visual but i still let them know if they buy a $9 top $5 tutu and $5 wing set they have an entire outfit under $20. I always have a table $5 and under for the kids to shop. If i am busy with a customer i let the other customer i will be right with them. I always ask a customer if they have questions they can ask me. I am hoping to make a uniform apron so customers know to come to me for purchases some booths u don’t know who is in charge. And I always smile. I like to do free giveaways for kids I did flags for 4th of july. That helps give an opportunity to give a buisness card to parents. My product is layed out organized too with prices visual and board. So far i feel i am doing a great job. 🙂 you got to work it if you want it sold. 🙂 http://www.Facebook.com/childrencreations
One thing I learned whether I was a shopper or operating my booth is don’t forget the kids. As long as I have something for them to see, touch and buy my adult shoppers get to browse and buy for that much longer. Even a bowl of treats to be given for free can endear the adult to look a little harder and spend a little more. If you have delicates to sell put the kids stuff in a out of the way place so nothing can get knocked over. How mant times have you heard an adult say “we can’t go in there, you will break something” or vendors who say “don’t touch that” to kids. Well you just lost a sale. My kids section is a touch zone and kid friendly and my sells end up showing it. Also my phone stays in my bag, everyone I know is aware I am at a fair that day.
Always smile and talk even if it’s a very young person. Their parents might be a big coustomer..
Have signs and make sure your prices are visible. People don’t like to ask!
I agree with all 7 tips 100%!!! I have run successful booths at local craft shows for many years and I ALWAYS made a point to smile and greet every customer. People like to know that they are welcomed and that the booth staff is eager and available to answer any questions. I have my online shop MarlenesCraftShop.Etsy.com and I make sure that customer service is a priority. Thank you for posting these important tips.
Marlene
I use my business card as a price card…tie on items with craft twine…(the back of my card is blank so that’s where I put the price). Great hints! Thanks to all!
We are going to a show this coming weekend. We are trying something new. We put small craft products on business cards. We are going to give them away and put them in bags when people buy. We also, made grab bags for $0.25. We mark them with a W,M,G, or B on them. This way they can get a gift for a small amount for kids to buy there friends and family. We also, got the square. Make it more easy on us and the people.
Don’t forget have fun. That is why you started this because your hobby turn into a business.
I do a few every year, and I make it a point to greet and talk to everyone who even walks near my booth or table! last weekend, it was a little boy who kept coming by to see a ring he liked. I gave him a little necklace for “helping” me watch over my booth while I ran home prior to the show to retrieve an item I had forgotten. He was another vendor’s grandson, about 6 and a very nice boy. He loved the minion necklace. Later in the day, he returned, with his grandma in tow, holding her hand. She wanted to see this ring he’d been boasting about all day, and thank me for the necklace I’d given him. She bought him the ring, and also saw a necklace she liked and bought that as well. So being nice brought me two more sales! thus you never know!
Wearing a NAME Tag also is a big plus- it lets people know who to talk to when they have a question. I also like to say “Hi Folks! Looking for anything in particular? Feel free to ask, I may just have it!” I’ve gotten many sales that way because they then say “Well…I’m kinda looking for dragonflies…” and I can show them the one or two that I have and it usually results in a sale!
People LOVE deals too- so anytime you can offer a buy one for $ and get 2 for $ will help boost your sales- last weekend it was necklaces, 1/$6 or 2/$10. I sold $$$$ in necklaces alone!!! I always say “See anything you like- just ask and I’ll make you a deal! Great Prices on gifts for the Holidays or yourself!! And when they show me an item, I always give them a slight break on the price- and that makes them happy and they usually will buy even more! As a crafter I know off hand what amount of money is into each item, thus I can know how much discount I can offer on the spot to still make a nice profit.
Great tips- put the phone away, be friendly and acknowledge people! I walk away from any vendor who cant smile or even say Hi ! AND…GET to KNOW your fellow vendors you see locally at many shows, they may be just the person to send you more business! I often put business cards on my tables for other vendors I know- I encourage people to take a card and call them for their gift giving needs- naturally they aren’t selling the same items I am ! And a bowl of treats helps encourage people to come close to your tables too, ensuring they at least have to peek ! A lot of times, that and your friendly greeting welcomes them to actually REALLY take a look which results in more sales!
I always greet the shoppers with a ” hello, how are you?” Or I make a comment about something interesting I noticed about what they’re wearing. I thank them for stopping by my booth and I tell them a little bit about my crafts. I found that it was better if I don’t post the prices because then I could tell them and what a bargain price it is. I sell flowery hairclips and I tell them it can be used as an accent for a shirt, or a jacket or it can hold a scarf together. sometimes I ask them if they’re looking for a gift for someone or is it for themselves. I always thank the shoppers when they compliment my work. If I have candy or something to give away to children, I always ask the adults first if it’s ok for their child to have a treat.
I’m just starting my business. I make custom made wood pens and pencil. Also bottle stoppers. I will be working my first show this weekend in Aransas Pass, Texas The 21 I’ll be in Rockport, Tx. at Market days, then on the 28 I’ll be in Luling Tx. The above comments were all good. And I need all the help I can get.
my neice thinks the racks i use make my jewelry look cheap, onions appricated
last 2 event i didn’t sell anything and they both had vendors fees, i need al help i can get