5 Ways NOT to Get Invited Back to Art and Craft Shows

August 25th, 2009

Shasta McLaughlin
copyright 2008

Everyone probably remembers the artist or crafter who bugged them so much they asked not to be placed near them again… Don’t be that person.

1. Don’t put together a professional display. Make sure the legs of your booth stick out into the aisles, don’t use sturdy tables and don’t cover them. Don’t make things secure. Just bring cardboard boxes and let people rummage through them.

An unstable display will not make your business profitable, is dangerous, and might get you and the show promoter sued. Remember to keep all parts of your booth including the legs and storage in the space the show promoter provided, everyone paid for their space and no one is happy when their customers are tripping over the legs of your booth.

On the other hand a professional display will be safe for you, your customers, the artists around you, and the show promoter. It will also increase your sales. Ask show promoters for an extra booth or half booth if you need more space to create a safe display.

2. Refuse to hand out fliers, postcards, or to hang posters saying this is the job of the show promoter. When sales are slow go around asking everyone if they made back their booth price. Then accuse the show promoter of taking advantage of the artists and crafters.

Imagine there are 100 artists at an art and craft show, each one mailed 100 postcards to their customers in the area asking them to come see them at the show. They also told everyone they talked to about the show. More than 10,000 people knew about the show before the show promoter did any other advertising. The show promoter also advertised the show in the newspaper, radio, TV, on every bulletin board, and on the internet.

Every artist and crafter at a show benefits from the word of mouth advertising any other vendor does. Being a responsible vendor means doing your part.

3. Don’t bring the things you need and then ask everyone around you for them. Don’t bring tools to set up, don’t arrange in advance to rent tables, don’t bring change for customers.

Set up your display at home in advance, as you do make a list of things you need and pack the things you have. Careful planning can make it so you don’t get a reputation as the show pest.

4. Block the aisles, stairs, demonstrations, or other displays while visiting with friends, family, and even customers.

Blocking the aisles makes it so customers can’t get to the booths. It also makes it unsafe for the customers if they are in a hurry to get out. Remember, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If you wouldn’t like someone to keep customers from being able to see your merchandise, don’t keep customers from being able to see theirs.

5. Leave a mess in your booth.

You’ve worked hard all day at a show and you’re tired, but so is the show promoter. Don’t clean up after yourself and you cost them extra time and money after they already had a long day. Chances are you won’t be asked to come back.

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