Canadian Small Business Women

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10 tips to Rock It at your next Craft Show

Starting out a crafting business can be scary. Most of us start online through an Etsy shop (or something similar). A great way to gain exposure for your company is to showcase at local craft shows and fairs. It’s an opportunity to network and give customers a chance to see, smell touch your products.As we begin a new year, I thought it would be a good time to share my 10 TIPS TO ROCK IT AT YOUR NEXT CRAFT SHOW:

#1 GOT CHA: You have 3-5 seconds to grab a customer’s attention.

#2 DISPLAY: Space, Clean, add height or risers to grab the customers eye.

#3 DEMO YOUR PRODUCT: (ie. if you sell jewellery wear it, demo your products if you can) – have a sample out that people can touch, feel, taste.

#4 WHO ARE YOU? When a customer walks by do they know who you are and what you’re selling? Think about a banner or a sign.

#5 ATTRACT: Attract Customers to your booth – Free samples, Candy, games, prize draw.

#6 ADVERTISE: Tell your contacts what booth you’ll be at; maybe offer your present customers a discount for coming to the event.  This is where social media and your mailing list comes in handy.

#7 SMILE: Be friendly, start conversation ‘hello’, SMILE (there is nothing worse than a vendor that seems uninterested, grumpy or bored at their booth, it turns away customers).

#8 PRICE IT RIGHT: Vary price points (for example you may have a piece that is $100 but also make sure you have something in the $20 range or lower to grab impulse buys).

#9 BUILD: Have a mailing list on your booth so customers can sign up.  It may lead to a future sale and it helps build your client list.

#10 FOLLOW-UP: Post event follow-up with everyone you meet (promptly after the show). It can be as simple as a quick “Thank-you for visiting my booth”.

Jacqueline Hunter is the Director at Craftadian. In addition to hosting annual Craftadian Handmade Markets, Jacqueline is a resource for Handmade Business owners by offering online courses, work shops and support. She showcases, supports and promotes Canadian artists, artisans and designers.

Connect with Jacqueline

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Email

5 Tips: Attract Customers

How do you attract customers to your booth?

So you’ve set up your booth and are eagerly waiting people to visit.  Now what?
How do you encourage more visitors to stop at your booth? Over the past several years I have participated in nearly 70 craft shows and am the Show Director for the Made by Hand Shows.  I though this would be a great opportunity to share 5 quick tips on getting people to stop at your booth:
1: Smile/Friendliness :
Something so little as a SMILE can go a long way.  Be sure you are always look happy to be at the show.  Unhappy exhibitors will likely turn away potential customers.  Be energetic and outgoing enough to start a conversation.
2. Stand Up (don’t sit behind the table):
Customers are attracted booths where exhibitors who are standing and engaging people.  Better yet, get out from behind the table and stand in front of your booth.  Sometimes holding a product and asking people as they pass have you heard of “your product” is a great conversation starter).
3. Offer Something (freebies are great):
There is no doubt that customers love to get free stuff.  Offer customers a free sample or a free promotional piece (ie. pens, magnets) with your company information.  At past shows, we made little goodie bags with a business card, promo flyer and a promotional item (candy, sample, magnet or pen).
4. Hands-on or Demos: 
Customers love to touch, feel or taste.  Offer customers a demo, taster or a hands on opportunity.  At a show an exhibitor offered customers to make their own string bookmark with a few loose beads.  This was a great way to draw customers, and while they are there that’s your opportunity to engage the customers with your products.
5.  Entertainment Us:
If your booth looks fun, it attracts people.  Have you ever noticed that people are attracted to crowded booths.  Entertain visitors with a fun game or balloon pop (for a discount or free gift).  Customers are always attracted to booths where they get to participate.  Sometimes winning a ‘coupon, discount or that free gift with purchase’ educes that impulse buy.

Remember the more visitors to your booth, the more potential customers and sales you could have.  We hope these tips help increase traffic at your booth.

Jacqueline Hunter is the Director at Craftadian. In addition to hosting annual Craftadian Handmade Markets, Jacqueline is a resource for Handmade Business owners by offering online courses, work shops and support. She showcases, supports and promotes Canadian artists, artisans and designers.

Connect with Jacqueline

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Email

Setting up a Craft Booth

How you booth is set-up can have an impact on your sales. It’s what makes a customers “stop and look” or “keep on walking”.   Remember you only have 3-5 seconds to grab your customer’s attention.
Colour:
Choose a colour that makes your display pop. Sometimes your products may have enough colour and a simple black table cloth will work perfect. For example, the photo on the left uses red to draw you in to the products, while the photo on the right uses black to guide you into the product.
 
Levels:
Include levels in your display to draw visitors to your booth. From a distance your booth may look empty if all your products are lying flat on the table. Tilt or position your products to face the customer.
 
Signage:
Customers will admire from a far. Be sure to include a banner or sign showing your business name and what you make. Prices are important, be sure to price your products, it may be a ‘turn off’ if customers always have to ask ‘how much’. This is especially helpful when you may be busy with another customer.

Display Bins:
Get creative – baskets, coloured bowls, vintage materials, racks and bins.  There are so many inexpensive creative ways to display your products.
The biggest tip about your display is practice.  Demo it in your home and take pictures.  At the end of the show, remember to pack your display neatly so it’s ready for the next show.
Happy Crafting.

Jacqueline Hunter is the Director at Craftadian. In addition to hosting annual Craftadian Handmade Markets, Jacqueline is a resource for Handmade Business owners by offering online courses, work shops and support. She showcases, supports and promotes Canadian artists, artisans and designers.

Connect with Jacqueline

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Email

8 Creative Ways to Build a Mailing List

Do you send a newsletter for your business? A newsletter can be an easy way to inform your customers and potential customers of a new product, a sale, an event or just another way to showcase your expertise. Here are 8 Creative ways to build your mailing list.

  1. Add it to your website or blog: Most mailing list generators (we use mail chimp) have a widget that you can easily add to your website. This has been the most popular way new visitors have subscribed to our mailing list.
  2. Host a giveaway or contest: Whether it’s online or at a trade show a giveaway or contest is a fun way to build your mailing list.
  3. Have a mailing list or guest book: At trade shows in particular have a mailing list or guest book in the corner of your table. Interested potential customers may add their name to learn more about you.
  4. Ask for it: While closing a sale ask the new customer for their email address. You can also use this to follow-up with your customer.
  5. Add it to your facebook page: An easy to use app can be added to your facebook fan pages.
  6. May I?: When a new customer inquires, it’s okay to ask them if you may add them to your mailing list.
  7. Post in on Facebook: Once in a while, pose the question on your facebook page – Have you subscribed to our mailing list (link)?
  8. Tweet about it: Tweet it – Have you subscribed to our mailing list (link)?

Jacqueline Hunter is the Director at Craftadian. In addition to hosting annual Craftadian Handmade Markets, Jacqueline is a resource for Handmade Business owners by offering online courses, work shops and support. She showcases, supports and promotes Canadian artists, artisans and designers.

Connect with Jacqueline

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Email

9 Steps to Creating a Perfect Customer

You made a sale – congratulations.  Before you hand the customer their purchase, make sure you have the tools to effectively contact the customer again.  Get your customer’s information!

Customers buy from people they like, know and trust.  The customer already likes your product (and hopefully you).  Step back and get to know your customer, so they will trust you and come back for more.   Did you know that your BEST customer is an EXISTING client.

Here are 9 simple ways you can create a perfect customer, build a relationship and keep them coming back for more.

DURING THE SALE

1) Get their information:  Ask for their email address

2) Get their information:  Ask for their mailing address (you’ll find out why … see point 6)

3) Get their information:  ask for their birthday (see point 7)

4) Note their purchase (listen):  write a note for yourself (Ms. Smith, purple necklace for her sister)

AFTER THE SALE

5) Follow-up and make it personal.  It takes 30 seconds, and will make your customer feel good (and potentially come back for more).

Hi Ms. Smith.

Thanks for stopping by my booth today at the Made by Hand Show.  I hope your sister loves the purple necklace as much as you do. 

Sincerely

Sarah

6) send a handwritten thank-you… our mailboxes are full of bills – treat your customer to a hand-written card.  A short simple note is perfect.

MONTHS after the sale:

7) You know your customer’s birthday … and send them something special on their birthday.  This could be months from when you initially met them, but this little interaction will keep you fresh in their minds.

8) Be an expert.  You have their information, send them something interesting.  Trending colours, new jewellery techniques.  Maybe even a how-to or DIY.

9) Special Occasions.  Remember your customers year-round.  Mother’s Day is coming up … what a perfect chance to wish your customers a Happy Mother’s Day, or send a sample or gift.

Written by Jacqueline Hunter (Show Director, Made by Hand Shows)

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jacqueline Hunter is the Director at Craftadian. In addition to hosting annual Craftadian Handmade Markets, Jacqueline is a resource for Handmade Business owners by offering online courses, work shops and support. She showcases, supports and promotes Canadian artists, artisans and designers.

Connect with Jacqueline

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Email