First Craft Fair Nerves...

I just did my second and maybe last craft show of the season last weekend. I made about half as much as I did the year before. So I ahve been disappointed with my fairs overall, but I think people are just not spending.

However, I had a lot of people looking for toddler hats, so I have more of those on hand for next year. You learn as you go. Plus I got a neat tall hat rack for free. I need to do a new set-up and take pictures for juried shows.

Posted at 8:07pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

I did shows for almost ten years before I started taking credit cards last months. I wouldn't say that not taking them ever hurt my sales--there have been plenty of shows over the years that I've been very pleased with the amount I've taken in.

That said, the first show that I did with taking the cards was earlier this month. This was my fourth year there and I've always done right at the same dollar amount every year. This year with taking the cards I made almost double what I've done in the past there, so I have to say that at least at that venue it definitely made a difference.

The biggest show I do each year is in two weeks. I'm REALLY anxious to see what happens there.

If you aren't able to take credit cards, at least find out where the nearest ATM is to your location, so the customers can go get cash if needed.

Posted at 8:09pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

Ok thanks!
What about checks? Are there things I should know about clearing checks/personal checks?

Should I accept checks?

Posted at 8:11pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

I have taken checks before without any issues. I would recommend obtaining their phone number/email incase anything were to happen.

Posted at 8:18pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

i have accepted checks without any problems so far (knock on wood). i am hosting a sale that i have hosted for 9 years. make sure that if you take checks that you check their id and that everything (name, address, signature) matches, and if you have a bad feeling about someone, ask for cash. knowing where the nearest atm is is crucial.

credit cards are nice, but not necessary. especially if you are still on the fence as to whether you will be doing craft shows.

as to talking to people it takes a bit of practice to learn when to push and when to back off. you can tell the chatty person v. the one who wants to be mostly left alone. i always greet each person with a very short introduction i.e. my name is ____, i made these things, and let me know if i can answer any questions. that is usually enough. if the person wants to talk to you, they will see it as a conversation starter, if not, they will nod or say thank you and just look at things.

know that it is hard to predict the outcome. the shows i have hosted (i did the books, so i know the sales etc.) there are always some who do really well, and others that only sell one or two items. hopefully, you will do really well. if you don't, don't let it discourage you from trying a few times. my best sales are when everyone takes the effort to tell as many people as possible to come to the show. make all of your friends come! and make sure you bring snacks with protein to nibble on throughout the day.

Posted at 8:23pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

I've always taken checks and (knock on wood) never had a problem. In the 25 years or so that my mother has taken checks at shows she's only had one bounce and the lady took care of it as soon as she found out (hubby had taken some money from the account and not written it down).

In most states you can not collect any fees for bad checks unless you have a sign posted in your booth/business. You know, the "any returned checks will be charged a fee of $x" thing. If you are in doubt of how to word it, check out the sign in any of your local retail stores--you'll see them everywhere.

Posted at 8:28pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

I always accept checks, and will be accepting credit cards for the first time next year. I always accept checks and have never had a problem (although, my average sale is between $30 - $75, so not a huge amount per check). Every show I've ever done I've had probably 50% of the people ask if I take credit cards, and of that number, probably 75% don't make a purchase because I don't take cards, so I say if you can afford the small investment to get into cc acceptance, do it.

Other than that, my only tips are:

Be friendly to everyone without being salesy
Offer a broad range of products by price (some people will love what you offer and only have a few bucks to spend, others won't buy unless you have large ticket items).

Don't take it too seriously - if you have fun you'll sell more

Posted at 8:32pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

People love to know about you and about the story of your products. Invent a story if you have to - well, embellish the truth. Be so perky people who know you will think you're on drugs, love what you are doing, and enjoy talking to people (fake it 'til you make it), people enjoy people who love what they do and who they are. They will want a piece of that - so they are more apt to buy something.
Goodluck.

Posted at 8:51pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

Thank you!

Posted at 8:53pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT

My first show is coming up...I've seen on other threads people say to have your items be in whole dollar amounts (so you don't mess with change). Might want to be sure that your whole dollar amounts include the tax.

I plan to take business cards, some discount cards for future purchases (to give buyers), a banner to put up behind my booth and a calculator. I also ordered a couple of the 'free' custom t-shirts from VistaPrint (yes, I know some other people have had problems with them). The shirts arrived the other day & look great. They have my store name, a picture (like my avatar) and my web site address.

Since you do custom painted items, you might want to take a photo album or scrapbook with examples of items you've done before.

I am also going to have people register for a prize drawing. The entry form will have a blank for their email address & a box for them to check if they want for me to send them shop announcements (upcoming sales, upcoming shows, new line of products, etc.).

Oy. My brain never stops going...

Posted at 9:07pm Oct 29, 2007 EDT