How to Run Your Own Craft Show Business

I once read an interesting article on the website Entrpreneur.com about the details involved in running your own craft show business. We all see the local advertisements for fund raiser craft shows at schools or private properties like convention centers or country clubs. According to the article, it's possible to earn up to $25,000 a year from this type of entrepreneurial venture.

The article suggests that earning $25,000 per year is possible by hosting only four annual craft shows. Being a craft show organizer is considered part time work and if you can handle the organizational aspect of it, can be fun as well. The main goal is to secure 100 craft vendors per show that you host.

The way you realize your profits is by charging each vendor $100 for the rental of the table. For example, if you hold a show during the winter, spring, summer and fall, you will generate total business revenues of $40,000 (4 shows multiplied by 100 vendors each show multiplied by the fee of $100 per table booth = $40,000).

Maximize your profits by trying to be able to keep as much of the revenue as possible. Some examples of free advertising are sending out press releases and submitting the event to your local newspapers (local papers usually list upcoming events for free in the weekend / activities sections).

Next, try to obtain a free location for your show. It's ideal if you own a building or know the owners of a facility where you hold it. If not, you can work out arrangements by negotiating with the landlord of the location that the show's admission fees and the concession snack revenue can be kept by location or the landlord.

You can propose the following scenario to the landlord: If one thousand people attend and the each pay $1 admission and spend $1 each for snacks, the profit to him or her would be $2000 and that profit would essentially be the rent.

There are several ways to obtain free advertising for your craft show. Start by negotiating a deal with the vendors that 5% of their total sales will be donated to a community charity. Then, contact your local newspaper and television outlets and negotiate with them a joint venture for the sponsorship of both the craft show and the local charity. Many smaller television stations would like the idea of being linked to a charity, as its good publicity.

When you have completed one successful craft show, you will already have your vendor list and some good site location and advertising contacts already lined up when you are ready to plan your next craft show.