So, you’re an artist. You’ve been practicing your craft for years, and you’re finally ready to take the next step and start selling your work.
But where do you start?
One option is to sell your art at local craft fairs.
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Here are a few reasons why selling your art at craft fairs might be a good idea:
1. Craft fairs are a great way to get your work in front of new people.
2. They’re a perfect way to test the waters and see how people react to your work.
3. Selling your art at craft fairs can help you build relationships with other artists and art buyers.
The most common challenge that artists face when selling their work at craft fairs is not knowing how to price their art to make a profit.
Other challenges can include:
- Not knowing how to market or promote their work
- Feeling uncomfortable or unprepared when talking to people about their work
- Having an unclear idea of what they want to achieve by selling their art at craft fairs
What is a Craft Fair
A craft fair is a marketplace where crafters and artists sell their goods.
Craft fairs are most commonly found in the United States but can also be found in many other countries worldwide.
There are two main types of craft fairs: indoor and outdoor. Indoor craft fairs are typically held in large convention centers or armories with high ceilings that allow more space for booths.
Depending on the event’s location, outdoor craft fairs will have vendors selling products from tents, trailers, or even their vehicles. Although both types of craft fairs offer similar opportunities for artisans to sell their products, there are some differences between them- one being cost.
What is a Farmers Market
A farmer’s market is a marketplace where local growers, producers, and crafters come together to sell their goods.
It’s the perfect way for people who want to support local businesses, eat healthier food, or enjoy unique shopping opportunities.
Why Sell Your Art At A Farmers Market?
Farmer’s markets are becoming more popular worldwide as people look for ways to consume locally grown produce and shop with small-scale vendors.
According to the 2019 National Farmers Market Managers survey, over 8,000 Farmer’s markets across the United States.
Advantages of Selling Art At Local Farmer’s Markets
- Low entry fees
- Easy to set up a booth and tear down
- Many Farmer’s markets do not require a permit (ask your town hall if a license is required in your area)
- Plenty of parking
If you’re going to invest the time and effort in renting a booth or an art stand, there’s a lot you can do to increase your chances of success.
How to Set up Your Booth at a Craft Fair
When you’re selling your art at a craft fair, the most important thing is to make sure your booth looks appealing.
Here are a few tips for setting up your booth:
1. Make sure your space is clean and organized.
2. Use a tablecloth or other cover on your table and spread out your products to look attractive.
3. Make sure everything is well-lit, including any signage you have.
4. Display your work in an exciting way – think about using props or creative displays to draw attention to your work.
5. Keep your booth tidy and free of clutter throughout the event.
Offer a Variety of Items
Make it simple for visitors to locate anything you have to offer. Everyone who goes by your booth has a distinct notion of what they’re looking for and how much they’re willing to pay. It’s critical to provide goods at price ranges that suit a variety of consumers. Not everyone wants to buy original paintings; therefore, be prepared with alternatives such as art prints and prints of your art on merchandise like coasters, tote bags, and mugs.
Display Prices
As an artist, one of the most important things you can do when selling your work at a craft fair is display prices. This lets potential buyers know how much each item costs and makes it easier to make a purchase. It can also help you sell more of your work, as people are more likely to buy something if they know how much it costs upfront.
There are a few different ways to display prices at a craft fair. One option is to print out price tags and attach them to each item. You can also use a sign or chalkboard to list prices. Whichever method you choose, keep it updated as you sell items.
Tips for Selling Art At Craft Shows
When you’re selling your art at a craft fair, it’s essential to have various selling strategies at your disposal.
Here are a few tips for selling your art at craft shows:
1. Make sure your booth looks appealing and inviting.
2. Display your work in an exciting way – think about using props or creative displays to draw attention to your work.
3. Keep your booth tidy and free of clutter throughout the event.
4. Offer a variety of items, including less expensive items, so that more people can afford to buy them.
5. display prices for each item.
6. Be prepared to negotiate prices with buyers.
7. Have a sales pitch ready to explain the benefits of buying your art.
8. Be patient and friendly with potential buyers.
9. Follow up with buyers after the event to see if they’re interested in purchasing more of your work.
Upselling
Upselling is a sales technique that involves persuading customers to buy more expensive items or products than they originally intended. It can be a lucrative strategy for artists selling their work at craft fairs, increasing profits. Here are a few tips for upselling your art at craft shows:
1. Understand the basics of upselling
2. Know your product and what makes it unique
4. Plan and create a strategy for upselling
5. Be prepared to negotiate with customers
6. Follow up with buyers after the show
Offer Give-Aways at Craft Fairs
When you’re selling your art at a craft fair, you must remember that you’re competing with many other artists. One way to set yourself apart and draw in more customers is to offer giveaways. This could be anything from small trinkets or stickers with your artwork on them to discount coupons for your next art show. This attracts attention to your booth, but it also encourages people to buy your art and helps build relationships with potential customers.
Ideas for giveaway items
- Buttons or stickers with your artwork on them
- Small prints of your work
- Postcards featuring your art
- Discount coupons for your next art show
How to choose the correct giveaway item
When choosing a giveaway item, think about what will appeal to your target audience. If you’re selling abstract art to a younger crowd, stickers or buttons with your artwork on them would be a good choice. If you’re targeting older customers, they may appreciate prints or postcards of your work. Keep in mind that whatever you choose, it should be something that people will want to hang onto and remember you by.
Promoting your giveaway
Once you’ve chosen your giveaway item, it’s time to promote it. Include information about the giveaway on all of your marketing materials, including your website, social media profiles, and flyers. You can also hand out flyers or stickers promoting the giveaway at your booth. Be sure to remind people about the giveaway when they buy your art, and always have giveaway items available for those interested.
Including a giveaway with your art show booth can be a great way to attract attention and boost sales. By choosing the correct item and promoting it effectively, you can increase awareness of your artwork and grow your fanbase.
Accept Credit Cards
When selling your art at a craft fair, it’s essential to accept credit cards. This makes it easier for customers to buy your artwork and increase sales.
Here are a few reasons why accepting credit cards is a smart move for artists selling their work at craft shows:
1. It’s convenient for customers -credit cards are one of the most common ways to pay for items, so it’s convenient for customers to use them when buying your art.
2. It increases sales – studies have shown that businesses that accept credit cards significantly increase sales compared to those that don’t.
3. It builds trust – by accepting credit cards, you’re demonstrating that you’re a legitimate business and can be trusted.
4. It’s affordable – credit card processing fees are typically lower than those for debit cards or checks, so it’s a more affordable way for customers to buy your art.
How to Accept Credit Cards at Your Art Show Booth
There are a few different ways to accept credit cards at your art show booth:
1. Use a credit card processing machine – this is the most common way to accept credit cards, which most artists use. There are a variety of credit card processing machines available, so be sure to choose one that meets your needs.
2. Use a smartphone app – several smartphone apps allow you to accept credit cards. This is a good option if you don’t want to use a processing machine or travel and don’t have access to one.
3. Use a tablet – if you have a tablet, some apps allow you to process credit card payments. This is a good option if you don’t have a smartphone or if you want to use a tablet instead of your phone.
4. Use a laptop – if you have a laptop, there are many credit card processing programs that you can use. This is an excellent option to keep your credit card processing separate from your other business activities.
Where to Find Craft Fairs in Your Area
1. Decide what type of art fair you want to participate in
2. Do your research – find art fairs that are a good fit for your work on social media and town hall
3. Contact the organizers of the art fairs you’re interested in and ask for more information
4. Prepare your application and send it in on time
5. Wait to hear back from the organizers
Grow Your Email List
One of the most important things you can do when selling your art at a craft fair is to grow your email list. This allows you to stay in touch with your fans and keep them up-to-date on your latest work.
Here are a few tips for growing your email list at craft shows:
1. Make sure your booth is well-marked – include a sign that says “sign up for my email list” or something similar.
2. Have a sign-up sheet or tablet available – this makes it easy for people to sign up for your email list.
3. Offer a freebie – everyone loves freebies, so offer something like a free print or postcard to people who sign up for your email
Conclusion
Selling your art at craft fairs can be a great way to build name recognition and boost sales.
FAQ
What should I bring to my booth?
A: Your artwork, business cards, a sign-up sheet or tablet for email list signups, a freebie to entice people to sign up for your email list, money (credit card processing machines typically require a minimum purchase amount)
What if I don’t have a credit card processing machine?
A: You can use a smartphone app, a tablet, or a laptop to process credit card payments.
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