Hobby & Craft Forums

Trade fairs sound a bit daunting, have been to one as a buyer and it didn't occur to me that it was any different than just a load of market stalls, obviously not lol. Great advice for first-timers though Gord, sounds a good way to get a foot in the door at a snip.

well, to be honest, a load of market stalls it is.. but there is a pecking order (as with most things) and some folk only go to ones certain other exhibitors will be at and vice versa..

The only difference to a market is the price of a stall, and the way they try and fleece you for add ons!

And fleece you is something they seem to do really well.

I guess they're argument would be that the potential gain will far far outstrip the fees for the stall but not everyone will make big sales or get picked up by some buyer from a major brand!

Well, if you are a proper wholesaler, you want your stand to look unique and easily identifiable, so you probably have a standard "kit" you use for setting up - just like folk who sell a few bits and bobs at craft fairs do.. but like all these things, if you want a chair, it's £20 a day to hire one.. carpet £100.. and so on.. so to dabble can be expensive, or you have to take a load of stuff of your own..

Nickie wrote:I guess they're argument would be that the potential gain will far far outstrip the fees for the stall but not everyone will make big sales or get picked up by some buyer from a major brand!

To be honest, you are looking at it from a one off point of view. and I dont think it really works that way.. as with any kind of marketing and advertising, folk have to get to know you and your brand.. so if you want to sell £30k of stock, you probably have to go to 4 trade fairs, or at least have other marketing strategies in place..

Sure anyone can strike lucky and sell stuff.. but think about a trade stand like a car.. if you buy a car, it is because you do 10,000 miles a year, and it costs £15,000 ... if you only expected to do 1 trip of 5 miles a month, you wouldnt buy a car, you would book a taxi..

Trade fairs work as part of a strategy, tied in with other marketing you do.. they are rarely a good "one off" investment, unless you can take a big hit and pay the fee, or get a significant deal to make trying one realistic.

I would advise anyone who cant budget for a stand to perhaps go as a visitor and talk to the stallholders who have the small 1m x 2m cubby holes on the outer edges.. ask them how many shows they do, how well it works for them etc.. most will probably be glad of the company on a quiet morning! At least that would give you an idea of how useful a fair would be for your purposes.