Tips on How to Turn Your Handmade Crafts into Easy Crafts to Sell at Craft Shows

There is a world of difference between turning your handmade crafts into easy crafts to sell at craft shows and actually selling them.

Handmade crafts are big business (and we are talking handmade here, not bought it). But for every success story in the handmade craft marketplace, there are dozens of failures who handmade businesses never get off the ground or make a profit.

Now in you’re in it for the love of what you do, and go to craft shows because you enjoy the scene and the camaraderie that exists within the craft community, and any money you make is a bonus, then that’s great and you should just carry on what you’re doing. However, if your aim is to make a profit become a successful business keep reading.

The most important thing to remember when deciding what to sell at a craft fair is that people will only buy something they want, or something you can convince them they want. The only time this doesn't hold true is at a local school/ church fete when you might get people buying something just to support the organisation ~ which really isn't going to help you.

Research, research, research ~ honestly, you cannot do too much research.

If you don't know the type of people who will be attending a craft show it's very hard to know what to take to target the market.

For example if it's somewhere you would expect lots of children to attend i.e. as part of a larger event, then make sure you have pocket money priced items, for example if you sell jewellery take along some kids bracelets or phone charms.

If the clientele is older concentrate more on items that can be bought as gifts. If there is a big event or holiday coming up make sure you have some stock geared towards it.

Keep an eye on what's 'hot' and what's not in the market place, if red is the colour of the season and all you sell is blue chances are you'll be out of luck.

When people approach a stall they like to be able to see the items available, and see the prices. Stalls that are too cluttered or where prices are not visible can put people off.

Try and make your display as interesting as possible to look at. Use differing heights to show off different items. You don't need to invest in pricey display equipment to do this ~ a few study cardboard boxes under and attractive back cloth will do the job just as well.

If you sell products that look better in the light, the take lights with you (though check first to see whether electricity is provided).

Once potential customers are at your stall be polite but not pushy. Explain your products, point out any processes involved and thank people for their interest even if they don't buy anything ~ they may next time.

You want people to have a look at your products, and people go to craft shows to look at (and hopefully buy) products - so it's easy to get people to look at your stall, right? Wrong.

People will not visit a stall where they either do not think they would be made welcome, or they are afraid they will get pounced on - you need to find a happy medium.

If you're sitting behind your stall, arms crossed and not smiling then you look about as welcoming to a potential customer as typhoid. That's not to say you have to do a song and dance act but do something, even it's just reading a book - give yourself a reason to be sitting down. Most importantly, when someone approaches your stall, get up, say hello, give a welcoming smile and invite them to look around.

Another thing to consider is giving people a reason to approach you, have giveaways even if it's just lollipops for the kids, or run a prize draw which people enter by giving their email address. Then not only do you have potential customers you also have a mailing list.

The easiest items to sell are those that are good quality, fairly priced and meet a need. Christmas cards won't sell well in the height of summer, and handmade sun hats won't be popular in the depths of winter.

No two craft shows are alike which is why the same stock can do brilliantly at one, and dismally at another. So to make things easy to sell they need to be the right product in the right place at the right time and at the right price.

Get all that correct and you should fly, get it wrong and your business may die.

If you're new to craft fairs this how to prepare for a craft show  may prove useful, or if you want to branch out into e-commerce then how about some tips on how to sell crafts online.