Selling in person - Advice

I have the opportunity of going to an office to show and sell my work. It is the employment agency I worked for before I started my Crafts business so I know a couple of people there.

They told me I can go which takes some pressure off but I'm sooo nervous!

I have no idea of how that's done and how to go about it. Has anyone done this before? Any ideas/advice?
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

I used to do that all the time with my jewelry, at my moms job (county court house), my husbands job (hospital laboratory) and at restaurants. If it's cute and prices right, you'll get a bunch of sales.
Don't be shy! Go for it!!

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Former_Member
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

Try looking at some of the discussions in this team: http://www.etsy.com/teams/8070/craft-fairs-its-a-living

It was super helpful to me when I went to sell in person.
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Former_Member
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

How much of your inventory can you bring? If you can't bring it all, maybe you can send the staff a link to your Etsy shop saying you'll bring as many items as you can, but will be sure to bring items people are especially interested in.

People will try to get deals - be sure to know if you can do this. Don't be afraid to say no. Practice saying no if you have to! People also might ask about custom orders. What is your policy about this? Have something worked out. Do you take money down? How do you accept payment? Have all of those things sorted out so you look professional, even if you don't feel like it!

Have all your payment methods sorted out before you arrive. Stick to your guns - just because you used to work with someone doesn't mean you can trust them to pay you next week! If they can't pay you cash and you can't take credit cards, maybe they can pay on Etsy.

Even if people don't buy from you that day, they might keep you in mind for future shopping needs. Bring business cards, an email sign-up list, whatever you have. Wear as many of your items as you can. And have fun!
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Former_Member
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

Great advice @ Sara
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

I think it will come naturally, I'm sure you're proud of your work. Even if you don't make a tons of sales, it's great exposure and practice. Good luck!
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AphenaJewelry
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

I love selling in person - people can see my work minus my less than stellar photography skills and my passion for what I do just naturally comes through.

Good luck and just go enjoy it!
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

@ Angie: thanks for the link - hadn't seen that. I would definitely read lots of messages.

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement. It should be exciting and I'm looking forward to it.

@ Sara: Great list of things to consider!
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Former_Member
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

You're welcome! It helped me so much for my first show. There are a lot of things you just don't think about. Like bringing a mirror so people can see what they look like in your items, or if you're going to accept credit cards, or how you're going to wrap/bag your products if someone buys them. There are a lot of things you just don't think about.
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Re: Selling in person - Advice

Minerva - Good Luck!
\Wear one of your items, practice your set/table/whatever at home; make it look "pretty", think as if you were a buyer at a show, be friendly-smile-say hello, pass out cards and have a signup sheet for email if they want to sign up, offer discount for multiple items purchased, tell them you can customize.:)
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