Hobby & Craft Forums

Hi guys

I have been reading your posts with great intent, I am a newbie and I realise it takes a lot of hard work to sell at fairs I started last year I didnt do many and unfortunately still have employment so I have to work around it, but what is the secrets of getting people to stop at your stall instead of glancing and saying "my you are very clever what beautiful jewellery" and then walk off LOL.

I have thought of partys but I tried one and found an awkward silence at the beguining and had to do a speech which I didnt want to really do. I had hoped for a more relaxed approach.

any tips on this too would be very welcome.

Ladymuppet

A great display always catches my eye Karen and I'll stop whether I'm intending to buy or not! In my own personal experience, the stalls that seem to do the best business and have a crowd around them are those that have great displays and create some 'noise' by interacting with the customers and asking them to try things on etc. If you're not very good at things like that then ask someone who is to go along with you and gee things up a bit- someone who is known as 'selling sand to arabs' kind of a person. I'm really lucky in this respect as my partner is one of those cheeky chappies who can charm just about anyone! I'm much the same as you in that I'm not very good at making conversation but it really does make a difference to sales. Another thing I've noticed about the craft fairs near to me is a certain seller who actually admitted to me that she doesn't make the jewellery she sells herself- she imports it from France! Her stall is always absolutely gorgeous and the lighting makes everything look really sparkly and attractive and there's always queues to see her stall. She's a great talker and very funny too and she also sells others handmade jewellery and gets a percentage for every piece she sells which is a good way of selling stuff if you're a little shy like me and you. Also, maybe get some flyers printed and do a raffle- with some star pieces on the front etc and get someone to hand them out at the entrance!

Another thing you might want to consider is getting a collection together and then asking local garden centres to stock it on a sale or return basis and the same with bridal shops if appropriate. There's a lot of debate over sale or return goods but for someone just starting off I personally think it's a great idea. You could also do flyers on special ocassions such as Mother's Day and Christmas, get the local rag to do a story on you (make sure they put your web address in the story), run competitions on the radio and in other local publications etc- absolutely anything to get noticed and bring people to your website and generate interest!

As for parties- my mother and I did them a few years ago. It wasn't handmade stuff though, it was bought from a UK wholesaler but we made a bomb but sadly had to give it up due to my mum's illness and my work commitments elsewhere! One thing I did learn very quickly however was that people expect you to take the lead- you're the host, you invited them so they expect to be told why they're there and what to expect etc. It might be worth your while to go to some other local parties such as Ann Summer and clothes parties and get some tips from the organiser/host and then translate them to your own products!

Wow thanks Nickie

You sound like you,ve been in this a while, I have found this site very informative and as i am asking questions I'm finding I am upward thinking more if you know what I mean.

I hadnt thought of garden centres at all, I have one local I know one of the long term staff really well, I could try my candles with them and my jewellery with the more modern ones that sell gifts ect.

I read about brochures on a thread here I had already started to design some and will get on it, I have a freind coming to my next fair who tells everyone about my product she is very good at the talking stuff LOL.

My displays are growing and my partner made all my busts and has now made me a 3 tier plinth which makes it look a lot better, I want to try a new colour cloth as I use black and not sure which would work better. I was thinking more blue or silver crush velvet.

Thanks I will give everything ago!!
Karen

LOL, I've had my own business for a long time Karen, that's where it all comes from really but a lot I've also picked up a lot tips from my 19 year old son believe it or not lol! He might only be young but he's got a really good business brain on his shoulders and although he's in a completely different business to me, he's doing really really well and I can't tell you how proud I am of him! Back in the early days he spent 8 hours a day just emailing people all day every day with little or no return for his effort but he just refused to give up- no mean feat at that age and once he'd persuaded one company to come on board and believe in him the rest just followed and now he has some really big name sponsors on board like BoxFresh, Puma and Adidas!....moral of the story...don't give up lol!

Hi Nickie
You was right, I added my site to an online advertising site for my local area and I am so excited someone added me to there blog from it and want photos to add to their site!!

I am now on a hunt for sites to advertise on with regards to pointing them to my stall, i'm also going to try the Facebook fanpage and shop that Lajoni has so kindly told us about.

Karen

Fantastic Karen! It's amazing what happens when you have your eyes opened isn't it lol- like me with the Facebook shop thing today! Can't believe that one got past me lol! Well done! Keep going, never give up!!!