What if there was a place where potential customers hung out and came on their own volition?( ones who enjoy a hand-crafted keepsake) Imagine if you will, a place where you can “set up shop” displaying samples of your work, finished albums, layout ideas and fun projects where these potential customers already are shopping. These places do exist and can be found in the form of craft fairs or craft malls. Selling at craft fairs is an excellent way to gain business and grow your customer base.

Take the Time to Plan

Before you sign up to sell your keepsakes at your first craft show, be sure to attend a few. Discover who is selling, what kinds of products are featured(and selling) and at what price range. Take some time to chat with the vendors to ask questions and get a feel for the environment. Find out which fairs are best for your creations.

Gather all the information necessary before you take the plunge. Be sure to find out the cost to have an exhibit and what the expected attendance is. When calculating costs it's important to factor in travel, shipping costs and the cost for your table and display. Determining your potential profit and loss will help you make an informed decision.

Try to keep you investment small to begin and build a customer base. You might consider sharing a booth with another vendor or renting a smaller space. Starting small will take the pressure off as you learn how craft fairs work for you.

Be Prepared

Customers who attend craft fairs are from all walks of life. While cheaper items often sell quicker you might consider offering items priced at all price points. Selling a fewer number of more expensive items is very possible. Depending on your business, you could offer completed cards, layouts and albums ready for sale. You can also have a portfolio of samples of your work for custom orders.

Craft fairs are typically seasonal. You will find them in the spring around Easter and Mother's Day or in the fall for the holidays. Start preparing your inventory to reflect these holidays along with your typical samples.

Build a Relationship

One of the most important ways to build your customer base at craft fairs is developing a good mailing list. Customers tend to come back year after year to frequent their favorite sellers. Use creative ways to entice customers to share their contact info. For sharing their business card or contact information, they would have a chance to win one of your original pieces, a set of cards, or other attractive give-away. Once you have your list you can send out notices promoting your business and inviting them to your next show. Be sure to collect emails as they are far cheaper than snail mail. You can also send periodic emails with new product notifications, special offers or friendly advice. The key is to work on building a relationship to turn a potential customer into a lifelong customer!

In my personal experience, I attended a small craft fair to get my name and business out there. I got one customer. But that one customer told her family and friends and expanded into a nice client base just from that one customer! If it has been awhile since you attended a craft fair, why not add it to your marketing arsenal? You will reach a new audience and just may be surprised with the results.