10 Things I Learned From My First Craft Show

Recently I had my first craft show with Etsy: Made in Canada, Toronto 2017. They showcased local Etsy shops. You had to apply and if you got chosen you had to pay $110 for a table and chair rental (and basically to hold your spot in the show). The organizers were amazing and were good about promoting the vendors on their social media platforms. Because it was my first show, I was super anxious and didn't know what to expect. I didn't really make a lot of money but I did learn a lot from it and it was an awesome experience. Here are a few things I learned:

1. If you are not careful, it ends up costing a lot more than it should.

You have to buy receipt books, a tablecloth, boxes, baskets, signs, bags or wrapping paper, your spot at the show, snacks and food, ways to display your products. Even DIYing adds up over time. You also have to pay for the goods you're selling. If you're like me, you might end up accidentally sourcing your products from the states even though you live in Canada, and have to pay extra for shipping and the conversion rate. I will be trying to avoid doing that in the future!

2. Plan your table beforehand.

Choose a theme or certain aesthetic and stick to it. Make sure everything on your table adds to the effect so that you can capture the attention of your target audience. Check that your set up complies with any rules given to you by organizers. Before the show, set everything up so you can see that everything works together well and you will know where you want certain products. This will make set up on the day a lot easier.

3. Do your research to make sure the show is right for you and your product.

Is your work related to the work of others? If not, the audience may not be right for you. If other vendors are selling jewelry, soaps, and cute little illustrations but you are showcasing original artwork, people might not be there for you. You should know who your audience is. If you are an artist and your main focus is not on selling cards then focus on shows that cater to art enthusiasts.

4. This is an amazing time to do some networking!

Go around and talk to all the vendors, exchange information and business cards, be friendly and make a good impression. It is likely that you will see these people again in the future.

5. Find a way to get shoppers involved with your work.

If they can pass by your table and see everything there is to see then they may stand at a distance and admire and then walk on by. You won't get the chance to interact with them. Give them things to touch and move around. It will keep them around longer.

6. Bring FOOD.

I didn't bring any snacks and I deeply regretted it. But it is good not only to bring snacks but have actual food with you. Midway through the show I was getting the shakes and was having difficulty paying attention to the people around me. Make sure to have water and food. The longer the show, the more snacks you should bring.

7. It is always nice to have a helping hand.

Bring a friend or family member along. They can help you carry all your stuff and it makes set up so much easier and faster. It is especially helpful for artists who have big chunky items. Of course, I feel that, with time, it would get easier to do these events alone but I am very grateful for my roommate and family for helping me out.

8. Have a debit/credit card machine... that WORKS.

Nowadays, people love to use their cards to buy any and everything, even small items. Make sure you have a machine that will allow you to process these payments or you may end up with miserable customers. I had the unfortunate experience of using Moneris (and yes I will throw them under the bus because their service was terrible) and my machine would not work for me! Some people became irritated, but luckily I had some understanding customers who offered to pay in cash instead

9. Try to stand up and make yourself look busy most of the time.

If you are sitting down relaxing the whole time, browsing the web or just talking to whoever you brought along with you, more than likely you will not be engaging the customers. This means less interaction, less people who will remember you at the end of the day, and less sales. Look hard at work, yet approachable and available and more people may be interested in talking to you.

10. Have FUN!
Most people know that I am an uptight ball of anxiety. I need to be early to everything to avoid being late, everything needs to work perfectly, everything must be clean and in the right place. But it is so important to just have a good time! If you relax and treat everyone like a good friend then you spread the joy and things will end up running a lot smoother.

A word of encouragement to those who might have just done their first show as well and didn't sell very much, or those who are thinking about doing one, exposure is a fantastic thing. Just because someone didn't buy on the day doesn't mean they won't come to you later and ask for work. Try to find a way to stay in contact with people who are interested in your work so you can build a relationship with them. It may just pay off in the future!