20 Tips for Successfully Selling Your Crafts at Craft Shows

If your hobby is something you could turn into a side job to make extra income, you might want to consider selling your craft at a craft show. You can sell handmade crafted items at craft shows, holiday sales, flee markets, farmers markets and bazaars. If you are new to craft selling or have never sold at a craft show or any other place I have some tips that can help you get off to the right start.

Craft Show Tips:
1. Have some items available for children, they will often bring their parents to your table, and you might make a sale.

2. Carry about $100.00 in cash: 40-$1's, 4-$5's, 2-$10's, 1-$20. Also any coins that you might need, depending how you priced your items, if you sell little items that are under a dollar you might need more change.

3. Keep your setup simple, have items arranged neatly, and leave room for "white space" (empty spaces). If your crafts get messy rearrange them to show customers that you are organized.

4. If you don't own any tables try to borrow from friends or buy your own, you don't want to rent tables because it will get expensive and cut into your profits.

5. Most people won't walk into a crafters booth; you get the most views if you have one table right across the front.

6. Try giving away a free sample or free giveaway like candy; this helps get people to your booth, which could mean more sales.

7. Have clearly labeled prices, if there is no price potential customers will walk away rather than ask.

8. Put up a sign with your name and logo if you have one. This could be a regular sheet of paper printed from your computer. You could instead make up a poster and put it on an easel.

9. Put some business cards on your table and include them inside your bags when you sell something. Be sure to include the name of your business, how to contact you, and your website address.

10. Take as much product as you can make, you can always sell the leftovers later, its better to have more than run out and lose out on that money.

11. Make it clear if your priced items include tax or if you will add the tax when they buy.

12. If you take credit cards or checks, post a sign saying so. It will boost sales, as most people do not think that crafters accept those as payment. It does give you an advantage because most crafters only accept cash.

13. If at all possible show your product being used in some way; this may take some creativity. For example: if you make toys you can sit there and play with them.

14. Show the customers how you make your craft while you are sitting at the table. This works nicely for crafters who paint, crochet or knit.

15. Go early to set-up everything, this can take longer than you think or want.

16. Make sure to pack a lunch or snacks and drinks if you are working the craft show by yourself. You can also find out where the concessions will be located.

17. Always take your money-box with you; to the bathroom, to look around or to get food, you can put the bills into your purse or a bag that you can carry with you. Unfortunately not everyone is honest and you need to protect your money.

18. The dress code is casual, jeans are fine for most shows with a nicer shirt, remember you are representing your products and if you look sloppy they might think you put your craft together sloppily.

19. Say hello to potential customers that show an interest, ask them if they are looking for something special, but don't pressure them too much like you are desperate. Make sure you smile, be friendly and chatty, you are your only salesman.

20. Things to take along with you: pens, extra price tags, extra signs, markers, tape, stapler, calculator, scissors, tax table, notebook, money box, wipes, hot glue gun, anything to repair a craft that might get broken (accidents do happen).