Creative Ways to Draw Customers to Your Craft Booth

I have been attending craft shows for over 25 years. Craft shows have taken a big hit because of the economy and gas prices. The main thing is not to get discouraged, but instead get creative. Over the years of observing successful crafters and listening closely to potential customers, I have found a few creative ways to draw customers to my craft booth. Even though as crafters we may never see the booming days when craft shows first began, you can still be very successful doing the craft show circuit.

Demonstrate

Customers love to watch a crafter demonstrate or teach how their product is made. It will give the potential customer a new appreciation for how much work goes into making your craft product. Many craft show promoters are now offering discounts to crafters if they will demonstrate their product at a craft show. It is a win-win for both the crafter and show promoter.

Raffle

At your next craft show, raffle off a gift basket made of your most popular products. Make sure to place a sign advertising a free raffle and the gift being raffled at the front of the booth. Potential customers flock to a table offering free samples or a chance to win something free. This also allows the crafter to engage in conversation with a potential customer about their business and product. I can't tell you the number of friends and customers I have made over the years from offering a free raffle at my craft booth. At the end of the craft show, draw the name of the person who won the gift. If that person is no longer present, ship the gift to them.

Keeping in Touch

There are times you can tell a customer wants to buy one of your crafts but can't afford it. Make them feel comfortable and tell them to enjoy browsing. Get their contact information, and tell them you will inform them where your next craft show will be. Also, inform them of any specials or specialty products that you will be offering at that particular show. You may not make a sale at the present show, but it almost guarantees future sales. I have also noticed that a potential customer that I have kept in contact with will often bring friends with them to future shows.

Divide Booth by Price

How many times has a potential customer approached you at a craft show and asked if you have any gifts for $5? After a few months of customers asking if I had gifts in a certain price range, a light bulb went off. I sectioned my crafts in my booth by price. I made professional signs that displayed what each gift in that certain section would cost. For example: The dried floral wreaths on this rack costs $5. This dramatically increased my sales. I know some customers feel embarrassed because they don't have a lot to spend. This makes the customer who may be too embarrassed to ask about prices feel welcome and comfortable shopping at your craft booth.

Shipping to Tourists

So many times through the years I heard tourists comment that they would buy several items if they only had room left in the car. After hearing this dozens of times from potential customers, I told them for a small fee I could ship the items they wanted to their home. This idea got an enthusiastic response. To make sure the customer felt secure that they would receive their items, I would give them a detailed receipt. I had the customer write their address on a separate sheet. I stapled this address sheet to the box of crafts they purchased. The next day I would pack and ship the items out. After the items were shipped out, I notified the customer.