The best way to find out if you like to sell your own work is by doing a small, friendly Craft Show. There are lots of local opportunities to do this, especially during the Holiday Season.
BENEFITS :
- Low entry fees
- No travel expense
- Low pressure, friendly atmosphere
- Do not need expensive booths. You can rig up your own pedestals & spot lights.
- Easier jurying situation than large shows.
SO … you get in and panic begins!
NO … everything will be fine and you will have FUN.
PRICING :
For a first show, stay in the 'impulse buying range' for gifts in your area. Have items at low, medium and a few at a high price. Something for everyone!
INVENTORY :
Bring whatever you have that is 100% best quality. PLEASE … no seconds at your first show! This is your first chance to establish who YOU are and what kind of work YOU make. YOU totally control the message so make sure you are saying the right things about YOU and your work.
THINGS TO BRING :
Business Cards : Pass out business cards to everyone ... have them everywhere ... make sure all your contact info is on them and a picture of your work to jog their memory.
Bags with handles ... even if its grocery bags, give people a handled bag to carry the pot in. Wrapping can be as simple as sheets of packing paper, Always put your card in the bag.
Water ... take water for you and a few mini spare bottles to offer to customers who BUY something.
Chair .... take a chair but you don't sit in it ... offer it to customers who BUY something and they can rest while you pack it ... or friends can sit while a serious shopper shops.
Quick snacks ... like trail mix, nuts, raisins, crackers etc that you can graze on since you don't want to be eating meals in your booth.
Examples … People want to know what they can do with the pottery so bring flowers for a vase, pencils for a pencil holder, kitchen gadgets in a gadget holder, soap in a soap dish … etc
Spares ... keep some pottery in boxes on purpose so you can say "Oh my
goodness, I have the perfect one for you packed away." People love
getting something no one else has seen.
Odds and ends ... scissors, scotch tape, pens, price stickers,
calculator, note pad, measuring tape, some pain reliever ... nothing
worse than going all day with a headache!
WHAT TO DO :
Accept credit cards … there are apps for that.
Arrive early so you are not harried during set up
Don't panic and start changing your prices
Don't sit around and read a paper, magazine or book ... people want to meet you, believe it or not! Put that cell phone away unless you are taking pix of a happy customer to post online.
Don't hide in the back of your booth. Yes, you!!
TALK to people … TELL YOUR STORY … comment on the day, the weather, the jewelry they are wearing … wish them a good day … don’t be shy.
Tell your story again and again. Listen to people’s comments and learn from them. Ask them what they like.
Keep your cash on you or in sight at all times
Smile Smile Smile
Just keep smiling, moving around and looking welcoming. Even if it is all falling apart keep the attitude that all is going well.
The only answer to “How’s the show going?” is “GREAT!”
WHAT TO AVOID :
- Don't ask shoppers a question that can be answered yes or no such as
"Can I help you?" or "Is there anything I can find for you?" People tend to do what they say they
are going to do and if they say the dreaded "NO, just looking" they will
do just that.
- Another thing to avoid is craftspersons from other booths coming by to complain about their sales or how awful the weather is or technical questions about your work … etc etc ... they waste your sales time and no shopper wants to hear artists chatting to each other..
When you are done and home all relaxed and cozy … forget about sales $$$ and think about whether or not you enjoyed selling your own work, telling your story and answering questions. By the end of the day were you comfortable talking about your work? Was it worth it?
One answer will put you in retail, another will send you happily to wholesale.