How to Know What Crafts, Sell at Craft Shows

October 14th, 2009

by Shasta McLaughlin
copyright 2008

Determining which items will sell at craft shows is a very hard process. Each and every buyer at a craft show will have their own individual experiences, styles, tastes, and needs. Many other factors may also play a role in sales such as local economy, demographics of residents, what other events are happening in the area, etc…

So how can you know if your art or craft will be a profitable business for you?

First you have to determine if there is a market for what you’re making. Be sure there is a large enough market for your specific product not for a broader category that includes your product. For example…

While there is a large market for jewelry each buyer of jewelry has their own individual needs.

Not every jewelry buyer will buy EVERY kind of jewelry.

Jewelry buyers have styles as varied as Western, Oriental, Vintage, Classic, Contemporary, Magnetic, and many more.

You will only waste your time and money if you try to sell Vintage jewelry to every jewelry buyer. Unless you’re extremely talented and have unlimited time and resources you probably won’t be able to create jewelry to fit every style.

If you’re making vintage jewelry you need to determine how many jewelry buyers are buying vintage creations and then you need to determine where they go to get it. Remember that if they go to flea markets looking for vintage jewelry they will expect the price to reflect the “flea market idealism” which might make the product unprofitable. Yet if vintage jewelry buyers go to up scale, high end boutiques in a classy area, you might be able to make the same product very profitably.

See the Thrive Website for more information on determining if there is a market for your craft at:

http://thrivestrategy.com/blog/

So how do you guarantee that the product you sell will be profitable.

First do your research.
Second choose a niche market. Choose a specific group of people to serve and meet a specific need they have.
- For instance: Meet the needs of women who buy vintage jewelry, create and sell vintage jewelry. Don’t just create jewelry in general and try to sell it to vintage jewelry buyers or create vintage jewelry and try to sell it to everyone.
Third verify that the niche market you choose has a large number of buyers and a small number of competitors providing that service.
Fourth sell your product to the right people, in the right place, at the right time, and at the right price.
Fifth offer a complimentary upsell to every purchasing customer at a small discount.
Sixth collect your customers contact information (with their permission of course) and continue to contact them regularly with relevant product information, discounts, services, your show schedule, etc.
- Don’t abuse this or you will do more damage to your business than good.