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By Abby Holt, Guest Writer
Whether you’re a hobbyist or you’re looking to make the shift to a full-time artistic career, selling your wares at craft shows is an excellent way to start earning money. In fact, if done correctly, a career in this field can be far more lucrative than the “starving artist” trope would have you believe — on average, craft and fine artists earned an annual salary of $48,960 in 2018.
For beginners, though, craft shows can seem a little overwhelming. If you’re not sure where to start, here are five tips for selling your wares successfully.
Take the Time to Research
Once you’ve caught the art bug, it can be tempting to try to jump into craft fairs right away — but taking the time to choose where to sell will greatly increase your odds of success. You can start by visiting local craft fairs and talking to the vendors; often, they’ll be more than happy to share tips with you. Or, if it works for your budget, a subscription to a craft fair magazine for invaluable insights.
Be Artistic With Your Display
It’s not enough to simply have well-crafted products — you need to display them in a way that will catch people’s eyes and make them want to stop and browse. How to best display your wares will depend on what you’re selling, but always make sure to have a vertical display so people can see your products from far away. If you’re feeling stuck, take a look at other booth designs for inspiration.
When You Can, Choose a Corner Booth
You’ll need to pay for your booth at a craft fair, and corner booths are often more expensive — but as Wire Jewelry Bootcamp notes, this is a case where the extra expense is definitely worth it. Corner booths offer significantly more room, meaning that you’re actually paying less per square foot of selling space than if you opted for a smaller aisle booth. This makes it easy to display more of your wares, and gives potential buyers more room to browse.
Additionally, having a corner booth reduces the odds that you will be placed next to competing booths that may distract people from your products; rather than being crammed in between multiple busy booths, you’ll have your own space to attract lots of customers.
Market Yourself
It can be intimidating to put yourself out there, but connecting with people at craft fairs is a great way to snag repeat customers. Make sure to be genuine and friendly. Just as Folksy explains, you don’t need to craft a phony sales pitch, which may put people off. Instead, try to make a real connection, and ensure that they have a way to find you again after they leave. A great way to do this is to hand out business cards that tell customers how to connect to your store website, social media page, or platform shop.
Be Prepared for Cash and Credit
At craft fairs, you’ll run into a variety of customers and needs. Cash can make you feel vulnerable, and it’s best to keep it close. A cash box is one solution, especially if you have a partner. A money apron is another good option.
While people do still pay with cash, it is far more frequent for people to use their card for purchases. This means you need to be ready with a credit-processing setup that is convenient and secure.
If you’re using your phone to process payments, you’ll be relying on steady WiFi access — so make sure you have a device that offers a speedy, dependable connection. One way to do this is with a handy hotspot device. It keeps your phone open for calls and texts while ensuring a reliable, powerful wifi connection.
Getting started in craft fairs doesn’t need to be scary. Set up your space in an eye-catching manner, and make things easy for customers. With research, effort, and patience, you’re sure to build up your business successfully.