Holiday craft show season is upon us again and we’re happy to hear of so many Etsy Teams and sellers taking part in holiday craft shows all over the world! Everyone loves a good craft show — chances to meet your favorite area artists in person, see and feel amazing handmade goodies as you buy them and opportunities to soak in the wonderful handmade community, but they’re also really great opportunities to market your Etsy shop. For tips from our wonderful community on Craft Show basics, check out “Rocking Holiday Craft Shows“.
If you’ve already got your booth set-up all figured out and you came up with a comprehensive checklist of things you don’t want to forget ages ago, here are some tips for taking shows to the next level. Below are just a sampling of way to use shows as a tool for developing a loyal customer base:
- Reconsider your business cards. What makes your business cards stand apart from the giant stack of cards shoppers are picking up at the show? Check out the Don’t order another 1,000 business cards! article for ideas on creative promotional items. Or consider including an offer that shoppers will find valuable on the card, such as free shipping if they include the name of the craft show in their order or a small discount on multiple items ordered within a period of time. Also, be sure to include product images on your cards to make it super easy for people to remember what booth was yours. You can use the Etsy-Moo deal to get your listing photos right on the cards (more details here).
- Collect email addresses! We’ve written Team Tips about this before, because permissions based marketing (which is when someone gives you their email address or other information, along with permission to contact them with special offers) is the best way to contact people you know are interested in what you are selling. It’s information sent directly to your target market, so it’s efficient and a good use of your limited marketing time. Be sure to follow up, sending out an email blast with links and beautiful images not too long after the event to jog people’s memory about the good stuff you have to offer.
A screenshot from Baltimore Etsy Team member JenMenkhaus‘s Etsy shop, showing a detailed item description for a felt flower head band.
- Have information on hand! Print out nice copies of your most popular items’ Etsy listings and descriptions, or use screenshot images from your shop to have a small booklet printed up (try a service like Blurb.com, for example, for great professional results with little effort). This will give people something to browse at your booth, and give them great details that people often don’t think to ask at a show, such as washing instructions, tips on care, material content, etc. It’s also a great way to familiarize them with Etsy and your shop, making it more likely they’ll go visit it again when they’re online.
- Talk it up! When you have a customer who is interested in your work, don’t be afraid to mention that if they go to your Etsy shop, they can find a wider range of colors, options, they can check out previously sold custom orders. Let them know that if they have an Etsy account, they can mark your shop (and others) as a favorite, so it’ll be easy to find again when shopping for gifts, etc. Mention that you accept many forms of payment in your Etsy shop, and they can make purchases at their convenience online.
- Don’t forget your Etsy Team! You might let buyers know that they can find more great work from your Teammates for simple, easy one-stop shopping. For example, if you’re on a Team that makes pet items, when someone buys a collar for Fido, be sure to mention that your Teammate sells dog cookies that are perfect for obedience training. Bring Team business cards or promo items, and be sure to point out ways the buyer can find items from your Team online.
Most importantly, enjoy yourself at the show! Craft shows are a good way of getting feedback on your work, and nothing’s more fun than watching someone fall in love with your work right before your eyes. Be sure to introduce yourself to your crafty neighbors at the show, and do a little shopping and appreciating of the indie arts yourself!
For more Team Tips, please check the Teams Resource page. Also, we discuss the Team Tips, news and ideas in the Etsy Teams email list! Keep up the great work, Etsy Teams!
46 comments
Sign in to add your ownSimpleTraditions says:
Thanks for all the great tips!
3 years ago
Valleycreations says:
Great tips! I'll be putting them to use this weekend!
3 years ago
hipclothing says:
I have the OOAK Christmas show coming up November 27. Great tips to keep in mind. Thank you.
3 years ago
wildplummosaics says:
I really like the tip at the end of the article of "supporting that which you are". As an artist I buy most of my gifts from other artists. And when I go to an art/craft show I try to buy at least one thing from one of the vendors. I know just how it is to sit at a fair all day long!
3 years ago
KathrynRiechert says:
Email address are indeed a wonderful thing to collect! Also you might want to offer some sort of gift wrapping, as most people will be buying for gift giving.
3 years ago
Arctida says:
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
3 years ago
sarawearsskirts says:
KathrynRiechert, offering gift wrapping at a show is a wonderful idea!
3 years ago
dogties says:
Nice tips, great items. We love craft fairs!!!
3 years ago
elisasherejewelry says:
Thanks for featuring TWO of my team members. Go B.E.S.T.! This article is a great reminder for taking it to the next level, right in time for MORE shows!!
3 years ago
HomemadeZen says:
wonderful tips!
3 years ago
strawberryluna says:
SUPER tips Sarah & Danielle! I am always trying to do new things and mix it up at shows. Having a base-set of lists and needs are key to being able to have fun with everything else. Stress-reduction tips = a good show and time to talk with other crafters. I love the idea of a Blurb mini-book or 2 on hand for people to browse as well, you never know when something like that could come in handy. Thank you so much for the related item photo too!
3 years ago
PrettyMuchArt says:
Thanks for the ideas! Got my 2nd show this weekend (and 4 more right after that) Love the gift wrapping idea!
3 years ago
AlloverArt says:
Ooooo, thanks for all the great tips! :)
3 years ago
kristensteinfineart says:
Great tips. Thanks!
3 years ago
emilybetti says:
All great advice!
3 years ago
kristensteinfineart says:
wildplummosaics - I, too, try to buy from the other vendors/artists. Often they are willing to trade as well. This is nice...especially on days when the other foot traffic is relatively slow. :)
3 years ago
jenmenkhaus says:
thanks for using my image! i am so flattered!
3 years ago
sarawearsskirts says:
I'm so glad you all like the related items - they're each from sellers that were vendors at Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh this weekend. Enjoy!
3 years ago
Studio618 says:
Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks.
3 years ago
mrsmaddenmakes says:
Thanks for the tips. I am now going to Blurb.com to see about doing a booklet. Great idea. I too also buy from other vendors at the shows. It is really nice to find unusual gifts and support the other crafters. Bought some lovely ear rings from Jody Dimes last week at a show in York, England. She is just setting up and has not yet listed on Etsy but you can contact her on 01904 670132. Have a great time at all your Christmas Fairs!
3 years ago
jibbyandjuna says:
"Talk it up" goes the other direction too. List the shows you will be at on your Etsy shop. Thats how I found about Holiday heap in Baltimore this past weekend.
3 years ago
EJPcreations says:
Great tips and that lace collar necklace is to die for!!!
3 years ago
Slowshirts says:
We can't say enough good things about blurb. We made a book of photos illustrating our process of the steps we take to make. It sits out for customers to look through and they really enjoy seeing how their item was created. We also have it for sale so people can give it as a gift with their hand printed item.
3 years ago
SquaresOfFlair says:
Great advice, thanks!
3 years ago
sarawearsskirts says:
jibbyandjuna, listing your upcoming shows in your profile or your announcement is a wonderful idea! Slowshirts, what a great idea, having a book on your process available! These comments are wonderful - keep them coming!
3 years ago
AZCreativeStudio says:
Great tips!
3 years ago
babeta says:
Thanks for the ideas. I have done shows this years that range from a few hundred guests, to 110,00 yep, One hundred and ten thousand attendees. What a whirlwind of fun and excitement. This week-end I'll be at the Shopko Exhibition Hall (right next to the famous Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers). I constantly hand out my business cards, that include a mini work of my art on each one, and I also take time to explain to other women who are making handmade items how to contact etsy to become a seller. I've literally had people think that I work for etsy, that's how much I promote the site and the mission here. Well, only a few more shows until Christmas then it's...time to design. Hugs, Pam
3 years ago
HiccupApparel says:
Great tips! Thank you so much!
3 years ago
HModine says:
I agree with everything! Thank you!!! I have a show coming up this weekend and I am pouring over your tips!
3 years ago
crazy4wind says:
Great tips. I will be putting to use at next show! Thanks
3 years ago
StoryBookProductions says:
Just in time for my first show this weekend! Thank you for ideas I need to tie in my Etsy shop with the show.
3 years ago
oldworldprimitives says:
Helpful article, thank you! *bookmarked*
3 years ago
esmeraldadesigns says:
Great tips! I do a lot of juried art and crafts shows and in addition to getting to know your customer, I find it very helpful to print out your bio and show schedule to hand out along with your business card. Also, for metalwork-jewelry which is my art I bring along tools and materials to personalize fit of necklace/earrings-this makes the difference between sale and no sale...the law of instant gratification. I also keep a journal to compare cost versus sales...a teeny show to benefit a local firehouse might cost $25 and give you $300 in sales versus an art show might cost $600 and bring in $500..it's very much of a risk benefit analysis
3 years ago
kaoruwerk says:
great tips, thanks etsy!
3 years ago
darklingwoods says:
Thank you for the tips, I need to start a mailing list next!
3 years ago
hereandnowjewelry says:
Thanks for the great ideas and tips. Just wonderful !!
3 years ago
amosaicstudio says:
Thanks for the great tips! I need to get with it!
3 years ago
babycheeks says:
These tips are all great! I even promoted my team's bloggy give-away at my last show and it was a big hit.
3 years ago
BrisStyleTeam says:
Thank you so much for this timely Storque article. The BrisStyle etsy Street team in Brisbane Australia is hosting their very first Christmas Market on the 13th December and all these tips have come in mighty handy. I passed on this link to the 33 BrisStylettes who are taking there etsy shops to the community and we have just saoked up the information like hungry handmade sponges - he he! Thanks so much once again x x Helen
3 years ago
waisze says:
i've been meaning to make a little catalog to give out at shows. thanks for the reminder, great tips!
3 years ago
SydneysDesigns says:
great tips, thanks for sharing this information
3 years ago
ItsInTheHANDBag says:
Perfect timing! Thanks so much for the tips I'm going to Hermosa Beach, CA in 5 weeks
3 years ago
anadiazarte says:
Very nice tips!, thanks!
2 years ago
arainydaydesign says:
great ideas! Thank you so much for your guidance and suggestions.
2 years ago