How to Prepare for Success as a Maker at a Craft Fair
Participating in a craft fair can be an exciting opportunity to showcase your work, connect with customers, and grow your creative business. But as any experienced maker will tell you, success at a fair is all about preparation. Whether it’s your first event or you’re a seasoned exhibitor, these tips will help you make the most of your time at the next Maker’s Fair.
Perfect Your Display
Your stall is the first thing visitors see, so creating an attractive, inviting display is key. Make sure your setup reflects your brand and the quality of your work. Here are some tips:
- Use Levels: Create visual interest by using different heights to display your items. Consider stands, crates, or shelves.
- Branding Matters: Make sure your logo, business name, and contact details are easy to spot. A professional-looking banner or sign can help draw attention.
- Lighting: Good lighting can make all the difference, especially if the venue is indoors or if it’s an evening event. Portable LED lights can highlight your products beautifully if plug-ins aren’t an option!
Communication: If you have a particular display set up that requires extra space around your table, check first with the events organiser. This information can be useful to them when putting together the floor plan.
2. Stock Up (but Don’t Overwhelm)
It's always tricky to gauge how much stock to bring, but as a general rule, it's better to have a little extra than to sell out too early. Think about a variety of price points as well:
- Hero Pieces and Small Items: Have a few higher-priced, standout items to grab attention, but do consider more affordable price-point items too.
-Limited Editions: If you have limited-edition pieces, let your customers know. Exclusivity can drive sales and interest.
3. Be Ready to Engage
One of the biggest advantages of fairs is the opportunity to meet your customers face-to-face. Here’s how to make a great impression:
- Tell Your Story: Be prepared to talk about your creative process, inspiration, and the story behind your brand. Customers love knowing the backstory of what they’re buying.
- Have Business Cards Handy: Not everyone will make a purchase on the day, but they may want to follow up with you later. Make sure your business cards or flyers are easily accessible.
- Accept Multiple Payment Methods: Offering card payments as well as cash is essential these days. Consider investing in a mobile card reader like Square or SumUp.
4. Price with Confidence
Pricing can be one of the trickiest parts of selling your work, but it’s important to feel confident in the value of what you’ve created. Consider:
- Pricing Strategy: Take into account your materials, time, and any other costs, and make sure you’re pricing for profit.
- Clear signs: Have clear, easy-to-read price tags on every item. Avoid making people ask for prices—it can put potential buyers off.
5. Promote Yourself Before the Event
Maximise your reach by promoting your participation in the fair ahead of time. Here’s how:
- Social Media: Share photos of what you’re working on and let your followers know you’ll be at the fair. Tag the event’s social pages for more visibility.
- Send out a newsletter: If you have a mailing list, send out a newsletter inviting people to come see you. Include details like the venue, date etc.
6. Prepare for the Day
You’ve worked hard to get here, so make sure you’re comfortable and ready to enjoy the event:
- Check your route to the venue: The set up can often feel stressful. Plan your route to the venue beforehand to avoid arriving late. Set off with plenty of time to ensure a smooth set-up.
- Familiarise yourself with parking arrangements. Each venue will have its own parking options.
- - Comfortable clothes: Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers—you never know if the venue will be too hot or too cold!
- Bring Essentials: Pack snacks, water, and any tools you might need to create your display. Basics like scissors, ties, string, tape are very useful.
7. Follow Up
After the fair, it’s time to follow up on the connections you made:
Reach Out to New Contacts: Email or message those who took business cards, and thank customers for their purchases. A small gesture like this can help build long-term relationships.
Reflect and Improve: Take note of what worked well and what could be improved for your next fair. This could be anything from display tweaks to a new product idea based on customer feedback.
