Last week we were at Next Level Maker Conference teaching our Show Up & Sell Out: A Craft Show Master Class. And if there was one thing we wanted makers to walk away with, it was this:
A successful craft show should not depend on getting lucky.
You shouldn’t spend weeks making inventory, load half your workshop into the SUV, pay a booth fee, set everything up at 6:30 in the morning...
...and then just cross your fingers.
There should be a plan.
Actually, there should be a system.
And that’s what Show Up & Sell Out was all about.
Should We Build a Full Craft Show Course?
The Master Class covered a lot, but there is still a whole lot more we could dig into.
Before we disappear into the workshop and build the whole dang thing, we want to know if you actually want it.
Join the Craft Show Course WaitlistFirst... Should Everyone Sell at Craft Shows?
Nope.
We said that right at the beginning of the class.
Craft shows can be a fantastic way to make money, meet customers, test products and grow a business.
But they aren’t automatically the right sales channel for every maker.
Before signing up, you need to think about three things:
Will people understand what you’re selling quickly? Does it display well? Can you sell it profitably?
Are you willing to spend the day talking to customers, answering questions and actually selling?
Why are you doing the show? Cash? New customers? Product research? Leads? Brand awareness?
The Show Up & Sell Out System
Instead of treating every craft show like a completely new adventure, we broke the process into five parts:
Choose the Show
Don’t just ask how many people attend. Ask whether your customer attends.
Build the Booth
Your 10×10 space isn’t a storage unit with a cash register.
For one day, it’s your storefront. Shoppers should be able to glance at your booth and quickly understand what you sell, where to look and how to buy.
Stock Smart
One of the questions we hear constantly is:
But that’s usually the wrong question.
Inventory value matters more than inventory count. And instead of bringing two of 75 different products, we’d much rather see makers bring real depth in the products that have already proven they can sell.
Sell on Purpose
The promoter’s job is to promote the event.
Your job is to promote your booth.
And once customers get there?
Don’t pounce on them.
Don’t hide behind your phone either.
Acknowledge them. Give them some room. Have a conversation. Conversation first. Pitch second.
Learn & Improve
When the show ends, your work isn’t quite done.
Sure, look at sales.
But also look at what sold out, what didn’t move, what people kept asking for, when you were busiest, what your actual profit was, and whether you’d book that show again.
Because a craft show’s job isn’t only to make money. It’s also to give you data you can use at the next one.
The Goal Isn’t a Perfect Craft Show.
The show date does not care that your booth isn’t perfect.
You do not need:
- A completely new product line
- A Pinterest-perfect booth
- 500 pieces of inventory
- A brand-new logo
- Another three weeks of “planning”
Then do it again.
And Now We’re Thinking About Going Bigger...
Here’s the thing.
The Master Class covered a LOT, and we still left the conference thinking about everything else we could teach.
Things like:
That’s what we’re trying to figure out now.
And rather than guessing what makers want, we’d rather ask the people who would actually take the course.
Want the Full Craft Show Course?
Join the waitlist and tell us what your biggest craft show struggle is.
Your answers will help us decide whether to build the course and what deserves the most attention inside it.
Join the Craft Show Course WaitlistSell With Purpose.
Leave With Data.
Build the system. Run the show. Learn. Repeat.
Now go sell some stuff.
Kim & Garrett