How to Prepare for Your First Ever Craft Fair [Instagram LIVE Replay]
I remember those “first fair jitters” before setting up a booth for TL Yarn Crafts back in 2014. I had so many doubts about how much product to bring, how to set everything up, and whether I was even cut out for this. Fast forward 4 years, and I’ve got craft shows down to a science, using a tried-and-true timeline that I shared in my recent Instagram LIVE broadcast.
Truth time: my very first craft show was an absolute bomb. Maybe one day, after my 4th glass of wine, I’ll show you the photo of my set-up. For now, just envision two round tables (*facepalm*) covered with every crocheted item you can think of in every color with no cohesion or second thoughts about merchandising. In the photo, I’m standing next to my best friend and we’re both beaming like we’d just hit the lottery. By the end of the show, I realized that I’d not only picked the wrong show, but I was woefully unprepared to be successful.
These days, I use a timeline of tasks to help prepare for craft shows. It’s broken down in categories so I don’t drop the ball on anything. I’m constantly on top of making product, preparing my display, covering my legal and financial bases, promoting my attendance to my audience, and taking care of my personal needs.
I cover my full 6 month timeline in my latest Instagram LIVE broadcast, as well as these points:
- How to set your income goals before the first show
- Ways to get past your “first fair jitters”
- Why craft shows are a great way to build your email list
- How to determine if a show was “successful” for you and your business
Have you tried craft shows before? Leave a comment and let me know if you think craft fairs are a good idea for your business. Catch my Instagram LIVE streams every Tuesday at 7pm EST for more advice and knowledge about being a handmade biz.
