Creative Income

The blog dedicated to all things crafty business!

  • Home
  • About
  • Giveaways
    • Win a Ticket to Snap!
  • Newsletter
  • Free eBook
  • Join our Facebook Group

Should You Attend a Trade Show or Conference?

July 22, 2013 by Maggie

Trade shows and conferences are held for every major industry and companies large and small attend both as vendors and as show goers. It can be expensive, especially if you have a booth, the venues are often hot and crowded and the food isn’t all that great. Yet, attending a trade show or two could be important for your creative business.

So what are some of the reasons you might attend a trade show or conference and what could it mean for your creative business?

CHAWinter1

You have an opportunity to advertise to your particular customers. If you are walking the floor or setting up a booth at a trade show you will have the opportunity to talk to people who work in your same line of business. People who buy or sell the tools to make what it is you make, people who are equally passionate about what you do and people who speak the language. Sometimes it’s just nice to be in a place where everyone “gets it” and that’s also the perfect way to market to your target audience. And you never know, you may be able to drum up some work from some of the vendors attending the show. They will need show samples and booth displays and possibly even instructors for demos and workshops.

Attending a trade show is the perfect opportunity to see what else is out there. Including your competition. You’ll get a first hand glimpse of their newest product releases and promotions. If you are walking the show floor you’ll also be able to see what other creative business owners are buying and getting excited about. Knowing what your competition is up to, or getting ahead of the folks still at home, is a great way to be first in line for new trends, releases and ideas.

Speaking of ideas. Attending a trade show is a fabulous way to get new ideas and inspiration for your creative business. You’ll see all sorts of product samples, booth displays, demonstrations and make and takes that are bound to release all sorts of creative ideas.

Classes. Most trade shows and conferences offer classes prior to or during the show. Attending some of the classes will give you working knowledge of new products and techniques. If you can attend a seminar or business related class you’ll also be able to update your information about your industry, owning a business, or even marketing  your business.

Networking. Trade shows and conferences are a great way to network with other people in your industry. You’ll have the opportunity to meet people who make what you make, sell what you sell and know what it’s like to do it. You will find kindred spirits, new gurus to learn from and maybe a few new friends to help make working from your studio on your own seem a bit less lonely.  Not only will you meet other makers but you’ll have a chance to meet the people who run the suppliers you love. Business runs so much more smoothly when the buyers and sellers have met face to face and it makes the every day transactions much more personal.

Have you attended a trade show? How do you feel it benefited your creative business?

By: Vicki O’Dell , The Creative Goddess

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Maggie
Latest posts by Maggie (see all)
  • Real Life Sales: Getting Your Crafts Into a Shop - November 10, 2022
  • How to Make Money Blogging - November 3, 2022
  • Real Life Sales: Getting Your Crafts Into a Shop - November 13, 2021

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: building your brand, Creative Income Contributors, Networking, trade shows

Email Email Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS

Subscribe to the Creative Income Newsletter.

Getting Started

5 Easy Steps to a Successful Handmade Business

Start a Handmade Business: Free CreativeLive Class You Don’t Want to Miss!

Categories

Craft Fair Tips

Pricing Your Handmade Goods for Craft Shows

How to price your items is a common source of confusion when handmade artists are starting to sell at craft shows. Not just business-wise (how much to … [Read More...]

Archives

Blogging

How to Make Money Blogging

Craft Fairs

Pricing Your Handmade Goods for Craft Shows

General Advice

7 Essential Tips for Accepting Credit Cards at Craft Shows

Getting Started

Starting a Business? Don’t Make These Rookie Mistakes

Organizing

Craft Fairs: Find Success, Make the Sale

Sales Tips

Real Life Sales: Getting Your Crafts Into a Shop

Prime Publishing Craft Group
Copyright © 2023 · Creative Income - A Prime Publishing LLC property. All rights reserved.

About Us Advertise Contact Us FAQs Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Subscribe Terms of Service Unsubscribe

Copyright © 2023 · Tidy Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in