A large and paramount factor in figuring out the success of a craft show would be the crowds that will attend and shop there. No matter how good someone's booth is or how well-organized the whole event becomes, it will all be for naught if the people in the area are just not that interested in it. But there will be instances when a person will simply experience something bad with a craft show, which would then result in them not wanting to go back anyomore.
But what exactly are these experiences? The first and most common reason why people get turned off by craft shows is because they went to a series of subpar ones. Imagine what it probably feels like in their shoes; you were so eager to see unique masterpieces, only to be met with dozens of identical, factory-made trinkets. Even if the original was truly great, duplicates simply do not have the soul of the object.
Alternatively, some of these people may have gone into a non-juried show with no real talent. Nothing against non-juried shows, but almost anyone can get a booth from a non-juried craft show, after all. This problem won't happen too often, luckily; if a craftsperson's items suck, then he or she won't be earning a lot of money.
Now, a lot of craftspeople will not openly admit it, but one of the main reasons why people stop going is because booth owners tend to be less than friendly. The most common culprit here is the disagreement that happens when someone gets the nerve to try and haggle for the price of the craftsperson's masterpiece. So to my fellow craftspeople, try to resist getting insulted by a customer who haggles; just understand that many people simply don't know better. Be firm but friendly in your decision to stick to the number on the price tag.
Finally, there are those that get turned off when craft shows get too crowded. Avoid craft shows with alleys that are too small; this will undoubtedly contribute to that claustrophobic feeling. But if you're already attending a show that is not as spacious as you want, then try your best to keep your booth as space-conservative as you can.
But what exactly are these experiences? The first and most common reason why people get turned off by craft shows is because they went to a series of subpar ones. Imagine what it probably feels like in their shoes; you were so eager to see unique masterpieces, only to be met with dozens of identical, factory-made trinkets. Even if the original was truly great, duplicates simply do not have the soul of the object.
Alternatively, some of these people may have gone into a non-juried show with no real talent. Nothing against non-juried shows, but almost anyone can get a booth from a non-juried craft show, after all. This problem won't happen too often, luckily; if a craftsperson's items suck, then he or she won't be earning a lot of money.
Now, a lot of craftspeople will not openly admit it, but one of the main reasons why people stop going is because booth owners tend to be less than friendly. The most common culprit here is the disagreement that happens when someone gets the nerve to try and haggle for the price of the craftsperson's masterpiece. So to my fellow craftspeople, try to resist getting insulted by a customer who haggles; just understand that many people simply don't know better. Be firm but friendly in your decision to stick to the number on the price tag.
Finally, there are those that get turned off when craft shows get too crowded. Avoid craft shows with alleys that are too small; this will undoubtedly contribute to that claustrophobic feeling. But if you're already attending a show that is not as spacious as you want, then try your best to keep your booth as space-conservative as you can.
About the Author:
As a craftsperson, you should always be aware of the schedule of Craft Shows near you. Check out Craft Fairs as often as you can, and do well in your business like Rick Amorey!
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