The holiday season is an exciting time of year. It’s a chance for family members to get together and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a time to pig out and eat lots of food. It’s a time to give and receive gifts. And, at least for artists and crafters, it is an exciting time to both attend and participate in Christmas art and craft shows. This time of year is also one of the most popular times for people to go shopping, which means it is a great time for you to showcase your art and crafts.
If you are planning to participate in art and craft fairs this holiday season, it is important that you know the best ways for you to succeed and make the event worthwhile, both with your time and with your finances. The following are a few tips for you to remember during holiday art and craft events.
- Give things away for free: Wait, don’t panic. This does not mean that you need to give your merchandise away, although a contest or drawing where people can win a free painting or craft might help bring in more customers. What this tip means is that you should have items that shoppers can take home with them for free, whether it is your business card or even inexpensive trinkets. Doing this helps them remember you and gives them a sense that you appreciate them. It is also a good idea to have a sign-up sheet where people can subscribe to your newsletter or other communication from you.
- Make sure the price is right: Pricing items is a fine balance, but a necessary part of doing business at an event. If the price is too cheap, people will buy but you still won’t make any money. On the other hand, if the price is too expensive, people won’t buy the merchandise and you also won’t make any money. It is also a good idea to have prices that appeal to everyone’s budget. So, it is ok to have some expensive priced items, but you should also have some items that most people will be able to purchase.
- Prepare for the unexpected: Nobody knows exactly what will happen, but it is a good idea to be prepared for what might happen. This includes having plenty of cash for change and even extra light bulbs and other supplies. It is also important to remember that accidents don’t take a break during the holiday season. Having liability insurance for artists and crafters is a great way to protect yourself in case of an accident.
- Be friendly and approachable: If you are not interested in your customers, they will not be interested in you or your crafts, not matter how interesting they may be. Be prepared to talk to people and get to know them. This also means that you should be prepared to be at your booth as much as possible. A few bathroom breaks and even a quick lunch are okay, but people want to actually see and talk to the artist or crafter and if they miss you, you might miss out on sales.
- Your booth space should be inviting: People want to go to those booths where the space feels right and they don’t feel like they are too crowded or, perhaps worse, feel like they are being pressured to buy. You should also make sure that your booth stays neat and tidy for the duration of the event. People tend to pick up items and, if they don’t buy, put the item back without much care. If you don’t take time out to reorganize items, your booth will begin to look haphazard and not as many people will care to come take a look.
- BONUS — Get insurance from ACT: Having the right vendor insurance can help you stay safe at events and have peace of mind while vending. The ACT Go policy starts at just $49/event and the ACT Pro policy starts at $24.25/month.
These tips can apply to you whether you are participating in a Thanksgiving weekend expo or you are at a Christmas craft fair. The holiday season is a great time of year, and if you work hard and follow the tips, it can be a profitable season as well.
