 |
Are you Ready to Show your Crafts at Trade Shows?
Author: Jonni Good  | Posted: 20-07-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 12 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
If you make your living by selling hand-made crafts, you've undoubtedly spent many hours at local and regional craft shows. As you already know, finding the right shows, getting accepted, and creating the display takes a great deal of creativity and time, but a good show makes the trouble well worth the effort.
Another possible way to sell your crafts, through gift shows, is often overlooked by people who sell hand-crafted products, even though these shows can be quite profitable. Trade shows are attended by shop owners on the lookout for new and innovative gift items to add to their inventory, and a good show in a large market can bring in enough orders to keep you busy for weeks. Of course, items ordered at the show will be sold at wholesale prices, and the shop owners will expect delivery of the items in a reasonable amount of time.
When I sold my collectors' dolls through gift shows, the high volume of orders actually became a problem for me, because it was difficult to keep up with the production on my own. If I were still selling the dolls, I would 'fix' this problem simply by increasing the price enough to slow down the number of orders, without (hopefully), bringing the orders to a stop.
Since many craftspersons are most comfortable selling directly to their customers, taking the step to wholesale orders through trade shows can require a few adjustments in your business model. There will also be some fairly important decisions to be made before committing to a show. The first important decision will be whether or not you want to set up your own trade show display, or if you will sell through an independent sales representative.
Setting up a booth at a trade show is a bit different from the craft shows you may be used to. Application and space fees are likely to be much higher, and regulations about what materials you can use for your display, and what type of advertising is allowed, may vary from one show to the next. There may even be union-required regulations that require you to hire someone to move your display and products from your truck to the sales floor. Working through these regulations will take time, and you should definitely read through the fine print before agreeing to rent a space.
Most companies who sell at these shows will either rent or purchase the booth itself from a local trade show display company, and have the signage created on a custom basis by the same company that provides the booth. Since the cost of these displays can be quite high, most companies just starting out will choose to rent instead of buy the booth. Hand-made display booths may or may not be allowed, depending on the rules of the show and any fire and safety regulations that they need to adhere to.
Probably the easiest way to get started at gift shows is to find a well-qualified independent sales representative who will add your line to the other items he or she already sells. Your sales rep will probably attend many gift shows each year, and a good one can change your small local business to a national business almost overnight. Your sales costs will usually consist of a commission for each order. Although the sales rep probably handles the costs of buying and setting up the booth, she will be acting as an independent contractor and can make her own rules. It is vital that you know in advance what both you and she expect from the experience long before your first show.
When choosing a sales representative, you'll need to keep a number of things in mind so you can find someone who will best serve the needs of your product. For instance, it will be important to know what other products will be displayed alongside yours, since the other products may be the first thing a potential buyer will see. Do the other products complement your own style of crafts? Is the quality as high? Will your products be given a prominent place in the booth?
You should know exactly how much commission will be paid for each order, and when the commission is due - when the order is taken, or when the item is delivered. If you will be charged for any other trade show costs, such as booth fees, you must know this in advance. Since many gift shows take place all over the country (and the world), you should know which shows your products will be sold in.
You'll also need to know if seasonal designs will be expected - even if you don't normally create Christmas-oriented crafts in July, the visitors to the gift show may be ready to write orders for their Christmas stock. Your sales representative should help you put together a display that meets the needs of the particular gift show.
Both you and your sales rep will need to know how long each order will take you to complete - there can be nothing worse for a professional sales rep than having a good show and taking orders for 200 items, when the producer can deliver only half of the orders on time. Many companies have gone out of business by becoming too popular - be sure you set a limit on the number of orders your sales rep can take at any show, so you don't destroy your reputation by selling more crafts than you can produce on time.
If you're ready to start selling nationally through gift shows, you'll be taking your small business to the next obvious step. Independent sales reps can be found in the local phone book. If you decide to sell your crafts yourself, you can find schedules of upcoming trade shows online.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/are-you-ready-to-show-your-crafts-at-trade-shows-185450.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Tips For Using Trade Show Displays To Launch New Products
By: Dick Wheeler | 04/06/2008 | Management
Trade shows are excellent venues to launch new products, new offers, and upgrades to existing product lines. Why? Because, presuming you select the correct trade shows, your target market is there, accessible, and primed to learn.
Yet there is another challenge: differentiating your trade show displays from the rest of the...
Trade Show Display Lighting
By: AndyK | 12/05/2007 | Ask an Expert
If you have ever been to a trade show or expo, you understand the value of trade show display lighting. The difference between a well-lit booth and a poorly-lit booth can be astonishing. This article will help to guide you through the maze of trade show lighting, and help you pick a solution that is right for you and your company.
Designing Trade Show Literature
By: AndyK | 12/05/2007 | Printing
The only thing that most exhibitors and attendees take home from a show is trade show literature. If you're planning to attend a trade show, you need to make sure that your literature or pamphlets are informative, descriptive, and eye-catching.
Comfortable Trade Show Flooring
By: AndyK | 12/05/2007 | Marketing
Comfortable trade show flooring can make a huge difference in your trade show experience. Not only can it help to keep your booth staff refreshed, but it will lure others to your booth area.
Outdoor Banner Graphics
By: AndyK | 12/05/2007 | Marketing
How to design, position, and buy outdoor banner stands and put them to use for your company.
Three Tips For Attending A Trade Show On The Cheap
By: Mat Kelly | 04/04/2007 | Marketing
It's no secret that there are monumental benefits to attending a trade show - exposure to a targeted audience, opportunity to express your unique selling point, generating leads and soaking up industry knowledge at seminars and discussions. But when budgets are tight, your company's accounting department is going to want...
How to Grow your Newsletter List at Craft Shows
By: Diane Palmer | 04/05/2007 | Home Business
A great way to get willing participants for your newsletter, is to offer a draw at your next craft show, open house, garden party, studio party (what ever way you have found to sell your arts and crafts best)..
Craft Booth: Election Results You Can Live With
By: Shawn Vincent | 14/07/2008 | Small Business
Every time someone steps into your booth, they will cast their vote. It will either be in favor or against you and your products. What you want of course is their favorable vote and the confirmation of it - a purchase. So how do you get it?
Latest Business Articles
The "goal Setting" Trap
By: Weston Lyon | 08/09/2008
There have been thousands of books written about "setting goals". They're all similar in nature giving you the same steps to use. While these steps are the basics to "setting goals" most, if not all, of these books do not tell you about the pitfalls & traps associated with each step. In this article learn more about the pitfall and traps & how I can lay out a road map for you without the pitfalls and traps.
When Playing Big, Old Stuff Will Come Up
By: Fabienne Fredrickson | 08/09/2008
Previously I talked about Going BIG or Going HOME. That's all well & good, but what about all the emotions that arise when you take a great big leap of faith & step into your purpose AND your future, at the same time. Unexpected stuff comes up even stuff you thought you'd ALREADY dealt with. I'm going through this right now. Read on to learn how I'm getting over it & stepping into my future, despite the stuff that's coming up.
The Need for Employee Evaluations
By: Cash Miller | 07/09/2008
Sometimes in small business we overlook certain things we should be doing. Especially if they may turn out to be unpleasant. An employee evaluation or performance appraisal can often be considered one of those unpleasant tasks. But if you do not do them how can your employees improve?
Hottest Food Franchise Business Opportunities: Pizza
By: Candice Clem | 07/09/2008
Some estimates claim that Americans eat a whopping 100 acres of pizza a day. To give you an idea of what that means, imagine the entire landscape of Disneyland covered in tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. But it doesn't stop at the fences, because Disneyland is only 85 acres; this...
Top 5 Fun Home Based Businesses
By: Candice Clem | 07/09/2008
There are many things that set franchisees apart from the rest of the working world. One key advantage is that franchisees are some of the only businesspeople that have total control over what industry they work in and what they do within that industry. Many people don't have the luxury...
10 Retail Franchise Businesses You May Never Have Considered
By: Candice Clem | 07/09/2008
The word retail can bring to mind a handful of things for the average American: Wal-Mart, Target, Macy's, JC Penny, a favorite book shop, and maybe the handful of little mom-and-pops in the neighborhood. Entrepreneurs, however, are no ordinary Americans, and they know that there are plenty of other business...
How to Make a Vending Home Based Business Work For You
By: Candice Clem | 07/09/2008
Of all the home based businesses out there, none seem simpler to successfully run than a vending machine distributorship. Really, how hard can it be to purchase a vending machine, find a home for said machine, fill it with a variety of products, and stop by every now and then...
Top Online Businesses Like Platinum One Destinations Have Certain Common Features
By: Andy West | 07/09/2008
There are literally millions of online businesses on the Internet today, including highly successful ones such as the travel giant Platinum One Destinations. There are also hundreds of new businesses popping up each day while hundreds of others fold. What makes or breaks an online business? How can you tell...
More from Jonni Good
Think Thin - It's More Than Just Wishful Thinking
By: Jonni Good | 23/07/2007 | Health
We all wish for things, sometimes. We all need to let our "inner child" express herself occasionally, but wishful thinking doesn't help us lose weight. Only true change in diet and lifestyle will do that.
Canine Parvovirus - a Serious Cantagious Disease in Dogs
By: Jonni Good | 20/07/2007 | Pets
Canine parvovirus, sometimes known simply as 'parvo,' is a serious contagious disease caused by a virus. This illness is spread when dogs come into contact with the feces of infected animals.
Common Household Products Can Poison your Dog
By: Jonni Good | 20/07/2007 | Pets
Household cleaning products and chemicals you use every day in the garage can cause illness or death to your beloved dog.
Petite Substitutes for Petunias in the Annual Border
By: Jonni Good | 17/07/2007 | Gardening
If you're tired of petunias, here are three of my favorite low-growing plants that thrive in areas where petunias are often planted.
Sleep Apnea - It's not Just Loud Snoring
By: Jonni Good | 17/07/2007 | Health
Do you snore, or do you sleep with someone who snores so loudly that you can't get any sleep? It's time to see a doctor to find out if sleep apnea is to blame.
Botulism - the Rare But Potentially Fatal Foodborne Illness
By: Jonni Good | 16/07/2007 | Health
During home canning season, it pays to know as much as possible about botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by poorly-prepared food.
Selling your House? Simple Gardening Tasks Can Help
By: Jonni Good | 16/07/2007 | Gardening
The item that is seen first by every potential buyer that drives by your house is your front lawn and garden. Spending some extra time on your landscaping can make a big difference in how long it takes to sell.
Fix it and Flip it - How I Lost Money on Real Estate
By: Jonni Good | 16/07/2007 | Finance
I lost money in real estate because of expensive remodeling jobs, until I wised up and paid attention to all the free advice from professional house flippers. Even if you're just fixing up your house for yourself, and you don't intend to sell quickly, it still pays to pay attention to their advice.
|
|
Business 
