 |
Craft Fairs, Bazaars & Flea Markets? Oh, My!
Many names are associated with events such as these. Craft Fairs, Bazaars, Flea Markets and Swap Meets are a few names you
can find. Whatever the name they all mean the same thing. They allow you to meet new and interesting people (hopefully
customers), spend quality time with your family and more of course most importantly make some extra cash. But, before you
debut your first table at one of these events, getting yourself prepared is the first step. The following is a guideline you can follow to help make sure you're ready.
1. First of course you'll want to find events that are held in your area. This is about the easiest task of all. You're sure to
find them everywhere. Check you local newspaper, browse bulletin boards, and watch for fliers.
2. Next, attend a few local events yourself. Take a look around and view things from a customer's point of view. Which
tables caught your eye first and why? What sort of products/merchandise is being carried? Most importantly, what's
isn't there? Try to visualize how you'd like your table to look.
3. Once you've found the event you'd like to attend, reserve your table. Most events have an event manager. Find out who's in
charge and contact them. Pricing will vary from one event to the next. Be sure to find out the average attendance to make sure
it's worth the money. Don't forget to ask questions such as the availability of electricity (if needed), the size of your "booth", anything forbidden?
4. Make sure you have enough inventory. Stock up on catalogs, brochures and business cards. Make a list of all the supplies
you'll need. Are you going to have samples available? You can find a printable check-list at http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/event-checklist.zip.
5. Decide what types of payments are going to be accepted. Are you only accepting cash? Do you have the ability to accept credit
cards? Are you going to take checks? Does your bank accept check from customers out of the area?
6. Make a lead box. Lead boxes can be a great way to gain a mailing list, future or even repeat customers. One thing you can
do with you lead box is hold a contest. An easy way to make a lead box is to take an ordinary cardboard box, cover it in
decorative contact paper and cut a slit in the top. Print out entry forms with blanks for name, address, phone number and email
address. Of course if you offer catalog parties or home parties, be sure to have a place asking if they're interested in holding one.
7. Set up your display at home to get a feel of how it will look at the event. By doing this you can take your time in
arranging and re-arranging your display so you'll be ready for the event. The look and feel of your display has a large impact on your sales.
8. Recruit family members. You can make your events more family-friendly by assigning everyone a job. Spouses are great
for helping un-loading and loading your merchandise, setting up and tearing down your display. Spouse also come in handy to
"watch your table" if you need to step away. Smaller children can help bag/box up products that are sold, hand out business cards
and catalogs or even meet and greet customers. Don't forget to bring along some fun things for children incase of the dreaded boredom.
9. Put on a smile. Don't just sit behind your table looking bored. Smile and greet visitors as they walk by or more
importantly "stop in". Ask them if they're enjoying the event, how they're doing. Be friendly.
10. Have fun!
About the Author: Anita DeFrank a mother of two and co-owner of DirectSalesHelpers.com which was created specifically for those
in Direct Sales. Do you find yourself asking how to make more sales? The above is only a small taste of the wealth of
information available at http://www.directsaleshelpers.com.
Stop on in if you're serious about your direct sales company and want to know how you can make more sales.
 MORE RESOURCES updated Wed. February / 05 / 2025
|
|
|
Related Hobbies - Crafts articles:
Diecast Collectibles: The Collectors' Guide to Making a Profit
Millions of people have made a hobby of collecting items of
one sort or another, but some take it to a higher level.
These collectors view their collections as more than just
an accumulation of trinkets that they happen to enjoy; to
them, it's a business, and they're not in it to lose money.
Making Your Own Bird Feeder
There is estimated to be over 100 billion individual wild
birds on earth, and each one needs to eat certain amounts
of food on a daily basis in order to survive. That's where
we come in! Birdfeeders are fun to make and are essential
in order for birds to live.
Making Beaded Jewelry Is Easy to Do
Making beaded jewelry is an inexpensive and fun hobby that
nearly anyone can do. The materials needed are readily
accessible and cost very little money.
The Theme and Title of Your New Scrapbook
The theme of your scrapbook can be simple or complex. Your
theme could be a special event such as a birthday, a baby
shower, a wedding, Christmas, or Halloween.
Soap Making For Beginners - Melt And Pour Process
As you will learn, soap making can be simple or complex.
Some people enjoy the challenge of going all out
professionally, which is fine.
Woodworking Beginners: Secret Tips To Start Right
Woodworking: Where To Start - Tips From Experienced
Woodworkers. Woodworking encompasses a broad area of skills,
specialties, and applications. Some beginners take on too
much too soon or blow their savings on expensive
woodworking tools and machines that they don't know how to
use and might not ever need.
Rubber Stamping: From Maya Indians to Scrapbooking
Who would have thought that your scrapbooking and card
making had a connection to the Maya Indians? Rubber
Stamping is certainly one of the fastest growing hobbies
today, and for good reason. With its inexpensive materials
and creative versatility, rubber stamping provides millions
with hours of fun and creativity.
Plastic, Zinc, Brass, Embossing and Marking Stencils
Marking Stencils: Stencil is a cut-out form for an alphabets,
numbers, symbols and illustrations. Embossing and Marking
Stencils provide quality of work and save plenty of time.
Functional Pottery Makes a Great Gift, Plain and Simple
Are you looking for something unique to give a friend or
family member for an upcoming birthday or holiday? If you
really want to wow that special someone, why not consider
purchasing an original one of a kind pottery gift that
makes life better in some way. Pottery gifts come in all
shapes, sizes, and colors and they can be practical or
extravagant.
Tech-Savvy Crafters Can Go Global
The image of a crafter or artisan is often serene, even
pastoral. It's easy to imagine a potter spinning his wheel
in his barn-turned-studio and then selling his wares at the
little farmer's market down the road.
What is a Battle Ready Sword?
You'd think that the term "battle ready sword" would be
pretty much self explanatory wouldn't you? Unfortunately,
many of the swords being described as "battle ready" are
anything but. And to quote Adrian Ko from Sword Forum
International, "a lot of these swords I wouldn't want to
take into battle even if they were strapped to a M-16.
Embroidery Designs Testing for Machine Embroidery
We have found a "new" way to see how well the stabilizers
and methods you are using are working with so that your
designs look GREAT without any off outlines, puckering,
cupping or warping. This is a TEST - Only a Test - but if
You and your stabilizers pass - You will have great looking
designs.
What Do I Need to Start Scrapbooking?
The best thing about scrapbooking is that although there
are a plethora of scrapbooking supplies available on the
market, you really don't need a lot to make your very first
scrapbook. Basically, all you need to scrapbook is an
album, some glue, a pair of scissors, and some photographs
or newspaper clippings.
Collectible Action Figures - Is About Fun Memories And More Money
Superhero action figures first stormed the doors of
department stores and toy stores nearly 35 years ago.
Constructed of various kinds of plastic and clothed in
uniforms, costumes and capes G.
A Look at the Humidor Plan
There are many styles of humidors that range from the
smaller traveling humidor to the large cabinet and even
walk-in room humidors. By far, the most popular humidor is
the glass top humidor also referred to as the desktop
humidor.
Making a Living Making Soap-Questions to Ask Before You Begin
Soap making can be a wonderful hobby but if you've ever
thought of turning your hobby into a business you know how
overwhelming the idea can be. Here are some questions to
help you think through your decision:*How much of a
business do you want to be? Do you really want to this to
be a full-time job? Or would you rather just make a couple
hundred bars a year for your church fundraiser? Your answer
to this question will determine your next steps.
Origami Instructions
Origami is a fantastic art form that guarantees hours of
fun and enjoyment, not to mention a great way to challenge
yourself and build your creativity. However many beginners
come across trouble in 2 main areas:1.
Getting Started Selling Your Crafts
Until recently crafts were usually sold locally or, at
best, regionally. Now you literally have the whole world at
your fingertips! Some of you may choose a gradual
progression from selling to friends, to selling at fairs
and shows, to retail selling ? and so on.
Baby Boomers Need Creative Practical Hobbies
"Well how are you really enjoying your retirement?" I asked
out of interest, "it was great to start with" he said, but
lately, I've just become kind of lost..
Collecting Depression Glass - Where to Start
Okay, so you've been bitten by the Depression Glass bug,
and those pretty patterns and pastel colors beckon you from
the shelves of an antique dealer's shop, a friend's home,
or maybe you've even discovered this special glassware on
the Internet. How ever it's come about that you've
developed a yen for Depression Glass, you need to know
where and how to start collecting it - unless you're made
of money, have oodles of time on your hands, and don't care
whether you get the real thing or not.
|
|
