|
|
|
|
500 Tips for Marketing Your Crafts Table
of Contents CRAFT
FAIRS 16 FINDING
THE SHOW 16 1.
Subscribe to a craft fair guide for your area.
16 2.
Go to a show and talk to the craftspeople.
16 3.
Do a Google search to find shows.
16 4.
Calculate the potential of the show.
16 5.
Use www.festivalnet.com.
17 6.
Check out museum shows.
17 GETTING
INTO THE SHOW 17 7.
Read the craft fair application thoroughly.
17 8.
Apply to the show early.
17 9.
Organize your fair applications.
18 10.
Your work should be consistant.
18 11.
You have to grab their attention.
18 12.
Watch out for extended deadlines.
18 13.
Make your descriptions precise.
19 PHOTOGRAPHY
19 14.
Jurors look at slides for 5 to 15 seconds.
19 15.
Make your slides with a 35mm camera.
19 16.
Use a 50mm lens with a macro feature.
19 17.
Get a set of close-up lenses for small objects.
19 18.
Use a neutral background, nothing fancy.
19 19.
Get three photo flood bulbs and reflectors.
19 20.
Use Fuji Provia or Velvia, ISO 100, slide film.
20 21.
Turn off all flourescent lights.
20 22.
Shoot in outdoor shade for even lighting.
20 23.
Use f16 or f22 for depth of field.
20 24.
Use f4 to blur background.
20 25.
Use a graduated background.
20 26.
Be sure your lens is clean.
21 27.
Always use a tripod. 21 28.
Use either a cable release or the camera timer.
21 29.
Write down settings for every shot you take.
21 30.
Photograph only one item per slide.
21 31.
Fill the frame. 22 32.
Use an 8x loupe and a light box.
22 33.
Project your slides.
22 34.
Look at your slides as a group.
22 35.
Projection shortens the life of a slide.
22 36.
Override the camera's light meter.
23 37.
Use a light tent for small items.
23 38.
Make your own light cube.
24 39.
Photograph 2D art against a black background.
24 40.
Store your slides upright.
24 41.
Use a Kodak Picture Maker for quick prints.
24 42.
Don't let photographer keep your copyright.
24 43.
Put a copyright notice on your slides.
24 44.
Have 5 slides duplicated at a time.
24 45.
Consider a digital camera.
24 BOOTH
SHOTS 25 46.
Use a wide-angle lens for booth photos.
25 47.
Shoot your booth shot from a slight angle.
25 48.
Overexpose outdoor booth shots.
25 49.
Use flash on indoor booth shots.
25 DISPLAY
25 50.
Display your work in a "real life environment."
25 51.
Brighten up your booth.
26 52.
Display photos of your technique.
26 53.
Get the heaviest E-Z UP.
26 54.
You can use an E-Z UP indoors.
27 55.
Use a Trimline Canopy in really bad weather.
27 56.
Use a Craft Hut for hurricane areas.
28 57.
Always use the top cross brace on a Craft Hut.
28 58.
Get zippers on both front and back.
28 59.
Use a Light Dome in windy areas.
28 60.
You can also use a Light Dome indoors.
29 61.
Use Propanels for fine art and wall hangings.
29 62.
Use lightweight mesh panels for 2D art.
29 63.
Check out Gridlock Display System.
30 64.
Fireproof your tablecloths.
30 65.
Be on the lookout for better display ideas.
30 66.
Use drop down bamboo rollups for walls.
30 67.
Use pedestals for some shows.
31 68.
Put price stickers on every product you sell.
31 69.
Use colored dot stickers.
31 70.
Put big photos of your crafts on the wall.
32 71.
Have the photos laminated.
32 72.
Use grommets to hang up your photos.
33 73.
Frame your photos for indoor shows.
33 74.
Use a banner for very large outdoor shows.
33 75.
Suspend your banner between two 10' poles.
34 76.
Display your booth number.
34 77.
Use a booth sign indoors.
34 78.
Use black curtains indoors.
34 79.
Use white walls outdoors.
35 80.
Hang a curtain over a corner of your booth.
35 81.
Make a portfolio or scrapbook.
35 82.
Display items at various heights.
35 83.
Make your table taller.
35 84.
Clean your entire display every three shows.
35 BEFORE
THE SHOW 36 85.
Read and reread all the show information.
36 86.
Make an artist's statement for your booth.
36 87.
Take three times as much stock to the show.
36 88.
Make a check list of show necessities.
36 89.
Call ahead if you are going to be late.
37 SETTING
UP FOR THE SHOW 37 90.
Use a combination stool/tool box for tools.
37 91.
Keep Band-Aids and ibuprophen in your tool box.
37 92.
Raise your canopy to its top height.
38 93.
Use a wagon with large tires for easy loading.
38 94.
Never put tape on the legs of your E-Z UP.
38 95.
Tape the front edge of your rug. 38 96.
Take advantage of the show showcase.
38 97.
Don't use "Sale" signs at a fair.
38 98.
Keep the promoter happy.
38 DURING
THE SHOW 38 99.
Write your booth number on your card.
38 100.
Show your customers what you start with.
39 101.
Try to avoid custom orders.
39 102.
Get everything in writing.
39 103.
Get a 50% deposit for custom work. 39 104.
Never charge extra for gift boxes, etc.
39 105.
Use one of your walls to close off your booth.
39 106.
Never criticize other craftspeople.
39 107.
No whining about your space.
39 108.
Tell everyone it is a great show! 39 109.
Give a quantity discount.
40 110.
Have a book about your craft in your display.
40 111.
Start a mailing list now!
40 112.
Make your own guest book.
40 113.
Tell people a story about your product.
40 114.
Tourists buy lower-priced items.
40 115.
Have signs in your booth that communicate.
40 116.
Hide the clutter. 41 117.
Have a cooler for your water and snacks.
41 118.
Have a trashcan in your booth.
41 119.
Keep your display out of the aisles.
41 120.
Bring a roll of good duct tape. 41 121.
Make your own sales tax chart.
41 122.
Stay in your booth. 41 123.
Ask people what they think of your new items.
41 124.
Include your artist's biography with the purchase.
41 125.
Use color postcards instead of brochures.
42 126.
Never argue with the promoter.
42 127.
If it can spill, it will.
42 128.
Your chair should be eye-level high. 42 129.
Being next to your competition can be good.
43 TAKING
CREDIT CARDS 43 130.
Accept MasterCard and VISA charge cards.
43 131.
Check the customer's credit card for their signature.
43 132.
Never charge extra for charge card usage.
44 133.
Put up "Credit Cards Accepted" signs.
44 134.
Try to get the customer's phone number.
44 135.
Keep all credit card sales receipts.
44 136.
Bring a manual credit card machine and slips.
44 137.
Get charge slips from banks.
44 138.
Always check the slip for clarity.
44 139.
Don't charge until product is shipped.
44 140.
Carry a portable battery pack. 45 AVOIDING
THEFT 45 141.
Keep valuables out of reach.
45 142.
Shoplifters usually travel in pairs.
45 143.
Don't use a cash box. 45 144.
Separate large bills from small bills.
46 145.
Attach your purse strap to something.
46 146.
Take your banner down at night.
46 147.
Don't read in your booth.
46 148.
Wear sunglasses at outdoor shows.
46 149.
You are vulnerable to theft when packing up.
46 150.
Don't park far away just to save money.
46 151.
Insure your inventory. 46 152.
Stash the cash. 46 153.
Have a locked storage box or trunk.
47 AFTER
THE SHOW 47 154.
Always fill out the show survey.
47 155.
Always donate an item for the auction.
47 156.
Be in your booth early. 47 157.
Wait 30 minutes after a show ends to pack up.
47 INDOOR
SHOW SURVIVAL 48 158.
Put electrical equipment close to the plug.
48 159.
Floor coverings make everyone more comfortable.
48 160.
Stand on a dishwasher mat. 48 161.
Have two or three kinds of shoes.
48 162.
Use fitted tablecloths. 48 163.
Buy certified fireproof cloth for your tables.
48 164.
Spray your cloths to fireproof them. 48 165.
Use three-prong grounded plugs everywhere.
48 166.
Be friendly to the craftsperson next to you.
48 167.
Use halogen bulbs. 49 OUTDOOR
SHOW SURVIVAL 49 168.
Bring lots of spring clamps.
49 169.
Always have a weight handy when you set up.
50 170.
Use a fan in your booth.
50 171.
Get other 12-volt accessories at truck stops.
50 172.
Try a gray or white tarp under your canopy.
50 173.
Freeze water bottles, 7/8 full, at home. 50 174.
Keep a roll of paper towels in your booth.
51 175.
Store everything in rubbermaids.
51 176.
Bring a heating pad or blanket.
51 177.
Use 8-gallon plastic water cans for weights.
51 178.
Use your spare tire for an emergency weight.
51 179.
Use barbell weights for booth weights.
52 180.
Use 25 lb. dumbbells for booth weights.
52 181.
Makeshift weights from bags of sand. 53 182.
Make your own weights with PVC tube.
53 183.
Attach weights to top of tent as well as legs.
53 184.
Use deck screws to attach canopy to asphalt.
53 185.
Use metal stakes in hard ground.
54 186.
Use a dog stake on grass.
54 187.
Use clamps to keep the top from pooling.
54 188.
Bring lots of rope. 54 189.
Use a GFI (ground fault interrupter).
54 190.
Never stand in water when unplugging lights.
54 191.
Keep your outlet dry. 54 192.
Get a weather radio. 55 193.
Don't let booth lights shine in the customer's eyes.
55 194.
Make an awning for your booth with conduit.
55 195.
Drop your canopy to half height in the wind.
56 196.
If it is really windy take your canopy down.
56 197.
Make sales in the rain. 57 198.
Don't tolerate really loud music.
57 SELLING
57 199.
Emphasize the benefits, not the cost. 57 200.
Use the key word, "yes."
57 201.
Listen to your customers.
57 202.
Stay busy during slow times.
57 203.
Make notes on the back of a business card. 58 204.
Suggest the lower priced item.
58 205.
Offer a hesitant customer a guarantee.
58 206.
Talk to everyone who stops at your booth.
58 207.
Act less like a salesperson, more like an artist.
58 208.
Make your customer feel comfortable.
58 209.
Educate your customer.
58 210.
Mention environmental aspects of your craft.
58 211.
If people ask for your card, get their address.
58 212.
Never sell seconds. 59 213.
Never judge a customer by their appearance.
59 214.
Put the product in their hands.
59 215.
Ask the customer to "Tell me more."
59 216.
Give each customer personal attention.
59 217.
Most customers want to be greeted.
59 218.
When the customer is interested, get involved.
59 219.
Maintain eye contact.
59 220.
Ask them why they bought your product.
59 221.
Ask customers about their family.
60 222.
Stay in touch with your good customers.
60 223.
Remind people if it is the last day of the show.
60 224.
Share information about your craft.
60 225.
Use key words to make sales.
60 HEALTH
60 226.
At the first sign of a cold, take vitamin C.
60 227.
Take aspirin to thin your blood.
60 228.
Keep warm. 60 229.
Exercise on a regular basis.
61 230.
Stretch every day. 61 231.
Drink lots of water during a show.
61 232.
Never eat shellfish before or during a show.
61 233.
Wear sandals on hot days.
61 234.
Get fumes out of your shop with a fan.
61 235.
Keep your workshop neat for safety.
61 236.
Reduce stress at your workbench.
61 TRAVEL
61 237.
Never drive when sleepy.
61 238.
Keep a travel kit in your car.
62 239.
Keep a small fire extinguisher in your car.
62 240.
Use mapquest to get a map to the show.
62 241.
Always carry jumper cables.
62 242.
Carry a first aid kit. 62 243.
Check your tire pressure.
62 244.
Learn how to check your car fluids.
62 245.
Don't use the cheapest gas at cheap stations.
62 246.
Check if your transmission needs fluid.
63 247.
Check your steering belt if steering is hard.
63 248.
Clear your gas line with STP water remover.
63 249.
Carry a spare alternator belt. 63 250.
Carry extra keys. 63 251.
Get a better price on a used car. 63 252.
Ask for a room away from the freeway.
63 253.
Use a solar panel to run your RV lights.
63 254.
Park your RV at Wal-Mart overnight.
64 255.
Get an AAA or AARP card for an affordable room.
64 256.
Get a road service for car towing.
64 257.
Check your spare tire for air. 64 THEFT
ON THE ROAD 64 258.
Don't tell the motel clerk you have valuables.
64 259.
Leave a light and TV on in your motel room.
64 260.
Put a lock box in your van or station wagon.
65 261.
Lock your trailer hitch.
65 262.
Paint a number on top of your trailer or van.
65 263.
Don't leave your key in your car ignition.
66 264.
Use a steering wheel locking device.
66 265.
Get an alarm with a pager.
66 266.
Your alarm should have an engine kill feature.
66 267.
Avoid false car alarms. 66 268.
Get a flashing red light with your alarm.
66 269.
Always park in a well-lit area. 66 FLYING
TO A SHOW 67 270.
Book roundtrip flights with www.travelocity.com.
67 271.
Use a travel agent to book separate flights.
67 272.
Book rooms with www.priceline.com.
67 273.
Print out your online airline and hotel reservations.
67 274.
Check your E-Z UP as luggage.
67 275.
Ask for the exit door seats.
67 276.
Use UPS to ship packages to your hotel.
67 277.
Rent canopies when flying to windy areas.
68 278.
Use your frequent flyer miles.
68 279.
Make a lightweight table with Abstracta 1/2" tubes.
68 280.
Put your valuables in your carry-on bag.
68 281.
Use a collapsible water carrier for weight.
68 282.
Use cinder blocks for weights.
69 283.
Use drinking water jugs for temporary weights.
69 284.
Have a bike lock and cable in your trunk.
69 WHOLESALE
69 WHOLESALE
TRADE SHOWS 69 285.
Use wholesale shows to help stabilize your income.
69 286.
Get on a trade show mailing list. 69 287.
You have to do a wholesale show several times for it to work.
70 TRADE
SHOW BOOTH 70 288.
Get their attention in three seconds.
70 289.
Put a banner over the front top of your booth.
70 290.
Use Zippy Mats for booth floors.
70 291.
Attract customers with a drawing.
71 292.
Display fewer items in your booth.
71 293.
Use spotlights on special items.
71 294.
Remove rug wrinkles in front of your booth.
71 295.
Don't trust security guards.
71 296.
Don't do consignment. 72 297.
Make a double-sided 11" x 17" inch pamphlet.
72 298.
Make an info display for gallery owners.
72 SHIPPING
72 299.
Label every carton you ship to the show.
72 300.
Use a well known shipping company.
72 301.
Track your packages online.
72 AT
THE TRADE SHOW 73 302.
Get to know more about the gallery.
73 303.
Treat craft retailers like artists.
73 304.
Give customers clear bags.
73 305.
Always wear or use your own product.
73 306.
Hand out postcards with your booth number.
73 307.
Make customers ask for a brochure.
73 308.
If you are not good at selling, bring someone who is.
73 309.
Use a firm handshake. 73 310.
Get to know your neighbor.
73 311.
Demonstrate your product.
74 312.
Wear comfortable shoes. 74 313.
Pre-qualify your customer.
74 314.
Have a partially made product in your booth.
74 315.
Don't sit. 74 316.
Don't smoke or chew gum.
74 317.
Get plenty of sleep. 74 318.
Mercury vapor lighting can cause migraines.
74 319.
Wholesale buyers are drawn to presentation.
74 320.
Watch how your customers react.
75 WHOLESALE
SHOW MARKETING 75 321.
Attend a show as a guest.
75 322.
Tell retailers what's new in your booth.
75 323.
Write down buyer comments.
75 324.
Don't tell gallery owners what they can sell.
75 325.
Don't print too many catalogs.
75 326.
Don't take more orders than you can handle.
75 327.
Make a short DVD or video.
75 328.
Mail postcards before the show. 76 WHOLESALE
BUSINESS 76 329.
Get cash for first order.
76 330.
Don't ship a new order until last order is paid.
76 331.
Don't require minimums. 76 332.
Give area exclusivity on a trial basis.
76 333.
Put all terms on the order form. 76 334.
Offer buyers a refund or exchange.
76 335.
Collect past due invoices.
77 336.
Deliver the order on time.
77 337.
Buy or make a triplicate sales receipts book.
77 338.
Make your own wholesale line sheet.
77 339.
Place a copyright notice on each page.
77 340.
Recommend a starter order or show special.
77 341.
Ask your wholesale customers to reorder.
78 WHOLESALE
REPS 78 342.
Get a directory of sales representives.
78 343.
You can find sales reps at trade shows.
78 344.
Check your sales representative's contacts.
78 345.
Get references from your sales rep.
78 346.
Contract with rep to return your samples.
78 347.
Give only 15% for a rep commission.
79 CRAFT
GALLERIES 79 348.
Sell online at a wholesale website.
79 349.
Check out American Style magazine.
79 350.
Don't just walk into a gallery with your work.
79 351.
Visit galleries when traveling.
79 352.
Get postcards from Modern Postcard.
79 353.
Send a yearly mailing to galleries.
79 354.
Make a gallery mailing list. 80 INTERNET
80 SELLING
ON EBAY 80 355.
List on Thursday for 10 days.
80 356.
Use low-res pictures. 80 357.
Use "About Me" for your artist's statement.
80 358.
Use bulleted text in description.
80 359.
Be descriptive! 80 360.
Use Turbo Lister for multiple listings.
81 361.
Take PayPal for faster sales.
81 362.
You need 10 feedbacks to sell quantity items.
81 MAKING
YOUR OWN WEBSITE 81 363.
Use a white background on your web pages.
81 364.
Use FrontPage for Windows.
82 365.
Study bad web design. 82 366.
Don't use fancy animation or music.
82 367.
Get your own domain name.
82 368.
Get listed with search engines.
82 369.
Find a good Internet Service Provider
83 370.
Always use metatags. 83 371.
Don't list your craft shows on your site. 83 372.
Make a separate page for wholesale customers.
84 373.
Your web images should be 25K or less.
84 374.
Make your pages download fast. 84 375.
Have a separate email address.
84 376.
Don't use free website hosting.
84 377.
Make an order form page.
84 378.
Use free PayPal shopping
cart. 85 379.
Ask for a verification number.
85 380.
Get an email address of everyone who shops.
85 381.
Get free website design from college students.
86 382.
Offer a money-back guarantee on website.
86 383.
Consider a reliability seal. 86 OTHER
MARKETS 86 384.
Sell to QVC Shopping Channel.
86 385.
Sell to department stores.
86 386.
Craft malls offer artists more money.
86 387.
A craft mall gives you exposure.
86 388.
Sell to craft mall chains.
86 389.
Sell innovative crafts to museum gift shops.
87 390.
Sell traditional crafts at Renaissance faires.
87 391.
Sell at county fairs. 87 392.
Write articles for extra income.
87 393.
Sell your products to catalogs.
87 394.
Open your own craft gallery.
88 395.
Never pay to be in a catalog.
88 GENERAL
BUSINESS 88 BOOKKEEPING
88 396.
Use a Dome Simplified Monthly Bookkeeping Record.
88 397.
You don't need separate account numbers.
89 398.
Use QuickBooks if you have employees.
89 399.
Use basic receipt books.
89 400.
Don't waste time on fancy forms.
89 401.
Fill out your phone orders by hand.
89 402.
Back up your mailing list. 89 TAXES
89 403.
You have to pay taxes if you have a business.
89 404.
Get a sales tax number or ID from your state.
89 405.
Get a separate checking account for your business.
90 406.
Find out what is deductible.
90 407.
Get a fictitious name statement from the county.
90 408.
Buy supplies in December.
90 409.
Check if a "Home Occupation"
business license is required.
90 410.
Don't deduct permanent items.
90 411.
Deduct your meals. 90 412.
Hire your family and save taxes.
91 413.
Deduct craft books and magazines.
91 414.
Get an employee identification number.
91 415.
Use your social security number.
91 416.
Save taxes by using independent contractors.
91 417.
Get free tax information from IRS.
91 418.
Track your bank deposits.
91 419.
Don't deduct for business use of your home.
91 420.
Consider an LLC (limited liability corporation).
92 COPYRIGHT
92 421.
Copyright your work. 92 422.
Get a design patent. 92 423.
Copyright your catalog with a "Visual Arts" form.
92 424.
Use a "TM" after your company name.
92 425.
If someone is copying you, let him or her know.
92 426.
Always put a copyright notice on your work.
93 427.
Search trademarks online for free. 93 428.
Protect function with a utility patent.
93 USING
CREDIT CARDS 93 429.
Pay your credit card bill immediately.
93 430.
Deduct credit card interest.
93 431.
Get a credit card that has frequent flyer miles.
93 432.
Read the fine print with balance transfer.
93 INSURANCE
93 433.
Get a Homeowners Policy Endorsement.
93 434.
Get an In-Home Business Policy.
94 435. Consider a Business Owners Policy (BOP) |
