Tips on how to pick a good craft show

[SuzieQTee]

I found this website that had some good tips on picking a good craft show.

Do you have any others to add.

Here they are:

1. Ask around. Crafters are friendly bunch who (for the most part) love to share. Many craft show websites (the good ones anyway) will have vendor listings. Randomly email previous vendors and ask them about their experience at past shows and whether they’ll be reapplying.

2. Is the show juried? Now, we’re admittedly biased on this one, but we believe that unless a show is juried, it’s a crap shoot. Great shows are curated events who align their vendors with their own branding and vision for the event.

3. Look to the web. Do they have a good website? Are they on Facebook and Twitter? In this day and age, these are the tools shows use to spread the word about their shows. If they don’t have a strong online presence it might well be reflected in their attendance. Check out any press they have posted, but also Google the show to get the real scoop.

4. Contact the organizer. Ask about attendance expectations, how long they’ve been in the craft show biz and what they’re marketing efforts entail. If it’s really a good show, they’ll be happy to share the info. If they keep their cards close to their chests, be wary.

5. Go with your instincts and don’t over think it. Every show you do is a learning experience. Sometimes you’ve got to be part of a few not so hot ones to get a feel for where you fit. If you get a good vibe from their website and the people running it seem cool, it might be worth a shot

Happy Craft Show hunting!

[Former_Member]

That's a really good list! I'd add: Find out if they're strictly handmade or if they have any resellers. In general, you want to avoid them if they do.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the great info!

[Former_Member]

Really great list. Thanks for all the info.

[TheRoamingPeddlers]

One thing we always ask is whether they allow commercial vendors or not. We've been to many festivals & shows, with excellent results. The only ones that haven't worked out for us are the carnival-type ones that are selling "Made In China" stuff for super cheap.

The sort of customers that attend those events seem to be all about buying cheap, commercially made products and tend to steer clear of our handmade wares. Why buy a quality play sword for twelve bucks when you can get a two dollar one, even if it only lasts a day? Also, the rides and carnival food are spendy, so people just don't have as much money to spend on buying things.

[BlackSapphireDesign]

Great info, thank you!
I've also learned... The "festival" types can attract more of a party crowd. These shows can boast past attendance in the tens of thousands, but a lot of those people could be drunken messes just there for the party.
Also, start local! You know your area best, what type of people live in the community, their attitude toward handmade, etc. Happy summer!

[SuzieQTee]

Lindsey thanks for these tips. I was looking at a festival that was over an hour away and 4 days. The price was right be I wasn't sure I wanted to spend the money on hotels and/or drive back and forth. I think it's better to check it out this year to make a decision about next year.

[Former_Member]

Great list. one more to add. I have learned to walk a show and then consider doing it the next year. Have not had any big shows work out that I have not walked in advance.

[LincolnStreetDesign]

Great list!

[Former_Member]

good info, thanks

[brushcreekwoolworks]

Go to the show the year before you plan to apply and scope it out.
See if it's an eating fest- normally we don't so well at those.
Look and see if people are buying and what they are buying.
If it looks good, make personal contact with the show organizer then, so they remember you when you apply.

[SuzieQTee]

I didn't want to start a new thread but someone posted this video and thought it was something fellow craft fair vendors would appreciate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGWjm13R7OI

[Former_Member]

I definitely started small. I started with two craft shows I'd been to, and then checked with other crafters and crafter-goers about which other shows were the best bets. I only add on one or two craft shows a year. First, however, before I did a craft show, I set-up at my local farmer's market. 5% of what I made in sales went to my registration fee (over the whole summer). Compare this to 15 to 20% of my sales going to the registration fees for the craft fairs. It is more work setting up each weekend, but the relatively low registration fee means you are keeping more of the money you earn when you sell at a farmer's market. This has been my own personal experience anyway!

P.S. the video about what craft shoppers say was way on-target and hilarious (if you can get past being so frustrated when it happens to you!) Thanks for posting Suzie Q!

[CuzinsArt]

good list. How kid oriented is it? Notice the mention above about rides but is there face painting, etc. I don't do as well when there's a focus on entertaining the little ones.

[sistersacttwo]

Totally agree with all of these. I just finished 2 days at a long established show that brags of great attendance. I had done it once before and did not do well but thought since I had a lot of new products, I would try it again. Big mistake; it was the worst 2 day show I have ever done and have been doing shows for many years. GO TO THE SHOW before you decide. Are the people there carrying purchases? Do the vendors look busy? Are the people there? If I had done that, I would have answered no to all those questions.
I so totally agree with the web site advice and looking for them on FB. It is really hard to put out these registration fees and then end up with very little profit. Luckily, I did do that due to my Square!!
I think where we as crafters tend to forget is that, as much we love what we do, we tend to overlook all those overhead costs and end up paying ourselves not nearly enough. I decided against a really great show that meant an overnight stay and over 2 hrs driving. Could have spent another night to be comfortable. Resort area so you can imagine the rates. Combine that with high food, gas. It is not worth sitting there watching your sales worrying about "When am I going to break even?"
My other option, a great show with a high registration fee but within driving distance; I have done this show for 8 years now and it just gets better each year. I have never worried about a good profit at this one.
Glad to see the tips about Festivals involving alcohol; have hesitated about those, depending on their reputation. We have two big ones in this area; one with a party reputation, but the other one does not have that, so you never know. Again, GO TO THE SHOW before you decide!!

[JAKEALA]

Thanks for the info. just started craft fairs.

[brushcreekwoolworks]

This thread needs bumped to the top- good OP post.

[JLWhiddonDesigns]

Great information. I've been in a lot of not so great ones. I've only been in one good one but by the time I travelled back and forth everyday it wasn't worth it.

[CrookedSeamz]

This is some really good information! I'm just starting to think about my first show, and I'm intentionally starting small. First of all, I'm worried about trying a juried show, because I don't have a "set up" photo per say. Secondly, I think it's just confidence, but I'm scared I won't make the cut. Thirdly, it's an experiment, and i don't know how much I want to lay out for my first experiment. I'm looking at a variety of local shows at the moment, including just setting up at our local "farmer's market." I've been there to shop myself, so I know how many people are there. I've also seen a couple that are definitely older, or who have definitely had good numbers out. Those are the ones I'm leaning towards. I'm avoiding the ones that say "flea market and yard sale sellers welcome." For your first show, is the consensus bigger, or smaller? Thanks so much for the thoughts!

[LaGlasSea]

Great information. Thank you for sharing. I probably should consider juried shows. But I fear rejection.

[Former_Member]

I've done several different types of shows now...both big and small, outdoor and indoor, and juried/non-juried. And in basically all of them, I have barely made my booth fee back!

I don't understand how you can even make money at craft shows. My items are priced in an affordable range between $5-40. Most booth fees are $50-$100; I only seem to sell 2-3 items an hour and it doesnt matter if theres 100 people or 1,000 people in attendance because there are usually more vendors at the larger ones fighting for sales.

Anyone else feel a bit frustrated with the process? I've only started doing craft shows about 9 months ago...do I just need to give it more time?

[Former_Member]

a really good thread worth revisiting

[ClaybyStacia]

I have had a generally good experience with craft fairs. Heather, I would give it more time, and look around for more craft fairs. I've had good and bad in the year that I've been doing them, and it just helps me see which not to return to! My best show yet cost me $450, but I made $2300. So I usually find that more expensive shows have better profits: but not always! I did a bad $200 show recently, where it took me two days to make as much profit as I usually make at a free one day show I've done a couple times. Keep at it, and try lots of different shows!

As far as advice on picking a good craft show, I'd say that I've had bad shows that were handmade only, and some good ones that had commercial vendors. Handmade only is one factor in the quality of a show, but not always the most important factor.

When there is a lull at shows, I like to talk to nearby vendors. They are usually very happy to say which shows they love, and which ones not to bother with. This is my favorite form of research!

[SylviaLovesPink]

I agree about the festival types. Just did one yesterday and what a disappointment it was! I didn't even make back the fee I paid. It was such a long day and only 4 small sales. Most of the vendors near me said they would not return next year. There were thousands of people coming through, but they were more interested in the events, food and beer. I'm definitely looking for smaller, more local events for the future!

[Former_Member]

There is a place and a show for everyone out there. Before I took my current full time job, I survived on art fairs only. Most of these shows were juried art shows with less than 10% being craft shows.
I picked shows based on personal experience, art fair insider publications, and advice from other vendors in my media. (If you're a jeweler, ask a jeweler.) I also took in consideration the booth fee, mileage, average median income and time of the year.
I'm still doing art fairs with my full time job, but now I'm more picky.
I was once told that to actually come out with a profit, the booth fee should only consist of 10% of your gross sales. If you're paying more than that, you're losing money. (once you figure in your supply cost of each item, food, gas, lodging, credit card fees, booth fees, etc.) Even if you've made your booth fee back, you've still lost a lot of money.
I also agree that you should go to a show before you apply if possible. Seeing IS believing.