Craft Shows and Cash Flow

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Permalink Reply by James Dillehay on February 3, 2010 at 11:31pm

At one point, I did a lot of shows back to back. But I started out doing them every 3 months or so just for the reasons you mention and then gradually took on more events as cash allowed.

One thing that helped was that, inevitably, I would be approached at shows by shop owners who went to craft fairs in search of new craft art for their stores. As I picked up store accounts, that gave me sales (although they were at wholesale prices) in between shows.

Many craft artists I've talked with over the years do a mix of wholesale and retail business. They also have a variety of selling venues like: home parties, renaissance festivals, home shows, hi-end flea markets, craft galleries / co-ops, selling online, and even mail order catalogs like Sundance Catalog.

If your craft involves recycled or 'green' materials, there are lots of publicity angles. Green is in and the media is eager to give environmentally conscious products coverage.

Nowadays, I think it makes sense to have a website / web store address to include on all your promotional material so no matter what venue you market through, you have a 24 hour storefront ready to take sales.

James

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Permalink Reply by Joel Greenwald on March 18, 2010 at 4:39am

Wow! Beautiful workmanship, Don. To be honest, I've never considered doing a craft show. I've considered Etsy to be quite a find -- taking only about 3% rather than 50%. After you subtract the cost of supplies, my time may barely be worth minimum wage if I get 97%. But, it sounds like you've been at this for quite a while, found a product for which there's a market, and determined a reasonable price that enables you to earn a satisfactory return. I seem to be still stuck at THAT point -- determining what my "signature piece" will be for which there will be a market, etc.

Good luck to you...

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Permalink Reply by nancy sammons on April 7, 2010 at 7:09am

as for the cash flow-
you can send a ck that is for one month before the show
most organizere will hold funds till then but you are telling them that you will be there so they can secure their venue.
I know that I will cancel a venue where I am taking others products if I do not get the money commitment ahead of time. As long as I have it in hand I know the participants are serious.
Or lately it has not been an issue getting into shows one month ahead of time.
If you count on them for your total income, then..... you have to float it on a CC

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Permalink Reply by Shasta McLaughlin on April 7, 2010 at 2:21pm

My recommendation would be to build your business so that despite the lull in shows there is never a lull in business. You should never let a customer walk out of your booth (especially a purchasing customer) without getting their name, phone number, address, email address and permission to send them emails about specials, product care, safety recalls, etc. Get their birthday if they will give it to you by telling them you will send them a discount on their special day then follow through by sending a coupon for a discount good for the week around their birthday.

Between shows stay in touch (respectfully) with emails that keep customers thinking about buying from you again. A coupon good for a limited amount of time encourages people to buy now but include with it good information that your customers will always look forward to receiving.

Create a website that gives customers product information, your upcoming show schedule, other places they can buy your products (like specialty stores or galleries), use it to sell your products and take custom orders.

Take product to trade shows, boutiques and specialty shops to start building a retail following.

Good luck filling those gaps and making the cash flow in.

Shasta McLaughlin

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Permalink Reply by Kim Mason on December 7, 2010 at 9:05am

Don,
I was raised in the country and your boxes bring back memories. Their really beautiful. Look into a storefront with Paypal. If you have problems, just call them and they are more then happy to walk you through setting one up. Also I have found Yola, it's a do it yourself website, really easy to do and fun too. As for markets I have found that you really need to do your home work and find the market that really fits what you do. New markets just starting up usaully have a lower fee as they don't know what to expect, but neither do you. Large markets usaully have a waiting list. Take a look at http://festivalnet.com/, I don't join but take the information and contact the location myself. But it will give you an idea as to what festivals and market are in you area.

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