Okay, so you’ve got everything packed and ready to go. You’ve worked really hard to make beautiful stock for the day and your stall looks a million bucks! Now, all you need to do is present your products and yourself to the public…*gasp*!
Putting yourself out there can be very daunting for many people – especially the first time. Follow these common rules of craft stall etiquette and you will be fine : )
Arrive early to ensure you are set up in time for the opening of the showThere’s nothing worse than having customers come through when you’re still setting up, you feel like you’re in their way and can’t give them your full attention because you’re still doing something that should have been finished half an hour ago. The best bet is to arrive at the earliest time that stall holders are permitted to make sure you have everything set up and ready to go. This will give you ample time if any glitches arise along the way. You will also be able to relax and take a breather before the real work begins!
Practice setting up at home
It takes many practice runs at setting up your display to get it down pat. The first few times, it may even take you an hour or so to set up. It’s usually best to have a test run at home with a space about the same size as the stall that you will have on the day. You can take your time, experiment and rearrange until your heart is content. Doing this will give you a fair idea of how you’d like to display your products and will also save you time setting up at the actual craft fair
Stay within you designated area
This may seem obvious, but it’s generally not a good idea to ask your neighbour to move over just a tad so you can have a side table that encroaches into their space. If you have a display that needs more space, it may be worth asking for a larger area (which sometimes costs more), otherwise you will need to modify your display to meet the requirements.
Get to know your fellow exhibitorsYou are going to be spending the whole day next to the stallholders around you, so why not introduce yourself during set up time or throughout the day? There might be a time that you may need them to cover your stall or vice versa for a quick break if you don’t have a helper. Plus, you never know – they may end up being your next customer : )
Be preparedWrite a list of the things you will need to bring along and check them off as you pack. It’s usually good to have a timeline of what needs to be done during the weeks leading up to an event. Make sure everything is packed and ready go the night before, as you will most likely need to be on the road early in the morning – you won’t want to forget anything because you’re rushing around at the last minute.
Dress appropriately
Decide what you are going to wear in advance. Make sure your outfit is clean, ironed and ready to go the day before. Dress appropriately/professionally and be well groomed. A smart casual dress code is the most common to follow. Being neat and tidy is the main thing to remember – and don’t forget to bring a jacket in case it’s cold!
Be hygienic
If you can, try to keep your stall clean and tidy. Have some wipes on standby in case of any spills that may need cleaning. Also, don’t forget to bring along some deodorant and breath mints to freshen yourself up throughout the day.
Bring plenty of changeArrange to have a float that includes coins and notes. Have more than you think you will need. It can go straight back into your bank account the next day if need be, just be prepared if someone hands you a $100 note for a $5 item – it does happen! Having one of those vendor aprons to store your change in is handy too, but a cash box is a great alternative.
Price everything
Make sure you either have all your items priced individually or group items of the same value together and have signs. Most customers don’t like to ask the price of something and would more likely walk off than ask – you may lose these customers.
Don’t forget business cardsThere will be people who love your stall but may not be able to buy something right now, or who just want to pass on your details to a friend or family member. Have your card (or flyer or whatever else you may have) ready to hand over! This is potentially more business for you – there is nothing better than word of mouth!
Bring a notebook and penYou will almost always need to write down something during the day. Whether it is details for a custom order, or to keep track of which items have sold, you will be much better prepared with a notebook and pen on standby!
Stay Positive
People generally want to be around positive people, not negative people. So try not to complain about how slow it is or how bad sales have been. People walking by will hear and keep walking right on by. Try to stay positive and look like you’re having fun! This will, in turn, result in you having a fabulous time as well as more sales! Isn’t that why you’re there? : )
Greet your customersDon’t hide away behind your table reading a book or talking on your mobile. Smile and say hello to all that come to your stall, you want to be seen as approachable. However, you don’t want to be pushy either. Greeting customers lets them know that you’re there if they need assistance without being over the top. You can generally tell by body language if people feel comfortable and by all means feel free to strike up a conversation with those who look like their up for one!
Bring a helperTry to have a friend helping you with your stall for the day. It’s great to have a helper when setting up to watch your stall while you unpack your car. You can also cover each others food and bathroom breaks and you can both be there for when it gets busy.
Stay the entire time the show is open
Its best not to start packing up before the craft fair actually finishes. So if it finishes at 5pm, don’t start packing up until at least 5pm. You are only doing yourself harm by leaving early and missing out on those extra sales. Many customers generally don’t attend shows until the last couple of hours and the majority of sales come at the end of the day – especially for those that had been eyeing off a particular piece and come back to check if it’s still there. If you’re not there – you miss out on all of these potential sales.
These are just a few of the things I’ve learnt along the way, most of them are common sense, which can easily get thrown out of the window when your nervous…now, remember, just relax….and breathe! Be yourself and have fun – that’s the most important thing : )
If you can think of any more please share them with us!
