Craft fairs have been shut due to pandemic outbreaks of the “Covid-19” virus. Local makers have tried hosting virtual meetings, but attendance has lagged behind live events. Craft fairs participation is essential and useful to maintain a business’ current client base, and to attract new buyers. This article will help you prepare for a craft fair. It will also give you a handy lists of things to have in mind so you can sell more products next time you participate in a craft fair.

Set a timeline and budget for creating new stock

Your craft fair is booked months in advance and you should have time to get your stock ready. Set a deadline for the stock and set timeframes for each type of product you need to make. If you have a diverse range of products, give yourself an extra day to work on the slower-moving items so they’re ready on time.

Though craft fairs seem like easy money, they can get expensive. The cost of the stall itself, its display materials, business cards and banners can add up to a big sum. To avoid spending more than you meant to on your display or causing yourself any financial trouble, you should first work out how much it will cost to run your craft fair and stick to that budget.

The more products you can make, the more you will have to sell, and potentially the more money you’ll make. But if you are too busy making extra products, it could result in a stressful experience at your fair.

Consider which products will work best at which craft fair

Just as different craft fairs are right for different sellers, different products sell better at different craft fairs. A lot of knowing which products sell best where is down to experience, so keep a record of what you have sold at which fair, and then use that as a reference next time you have a stall at the same market or in the same area.
As well as your own past experience, there are other factors that can help you determine what kind of products you should bring. The average age and income bracket of the people attending the craft fair will help to determine what range of stock you should be making. Try to bring a mix of stock to suit people’s various budgets.

Consider the season

Is your craft fair going to be taking place in the spring, summer, or Autumn? The main thing to keep in mind about craft fairs is that most of them are seasonal. For example, there are spring and summer craft fairs, but then there’s also Christmas craft fairs,

Halloween craft fairs, etc.

Do you offer any items that could be used as seasonal a particular time of year? If so, be sure to add extra stock to your booth at the fair. You may want to consider adding more items if your products are still relevant when the fair occurs again next year.
Bring a catalogue or tablet showing all your designs

It’s not always possible to have exactly what a customer wants in your inventory. As a result, when this happens, you might be able to offer them something similar – or even a substitute item. You could also offer them the option to order it at a future time. It’s important to remember that not everyone has the same needs or wants, and that not every customer is in the right place at the right time.

To entice your customers to buy, you could offer them a brochure or a postcard with images of your products. Alternatively, you could have a tablet on hand and store your product images on there. Or, you can simply show them pictures of your products from your online shop.

Health and safety

When you’re planning your event, it’s essential to think about the health and safety issues that could arise. Indoor events, especially in places with poor ventilation, pose more risk than outdoor events. Events with more people increase the likelihood of being exposed. Discourage attendees and staff from greeting others with physical contact (for example, handshakes). Include this reminder on signs about physical distancing. Require that staff and attendees wear well-fitting masks that fit completely over their nose and mouth. Require staff and attendees to wash their hands frequently. If soap and water are not readily available, staff and attendees can use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub their hands until dry.

Licenses and insurance

For your safety and the safety of event organizers, find out what kind of insurance is required. The organizer may have their own, which would cover you in case of an accident. Or you’ll need to purchase your own. Make sure you call your insurance provider and verify the policy.

Payments

We don’t always have cash on hand, so it is important to give people the option of paying with credit cards. The covid pandemic made a lot of people lose their trust in cash, and not every craft fair has a cash machine. It’s important to keep your sales up by accepting credit cards. The cost can be high, but new methods are emerging to make it easier. You can accept payments from a smartphone now.

So as a conclusion, we at Ebadges do believe that it is still worth participating at craft fairs. It is still the best way to connect with potential customers, to show new products and also, to socialise. We hope that this summer 2021 will be a new starting point for all craft makers, and that this new world will also be one of new opportunities.