Anyone do craft shows?

[pistolshrimp]

I've signed up for a craft show in December. It's put on by a group I used to be super involved with, although not as much anymore. After I'd sent in my application and table fee, I emailed to let them know that I am available to help with planning or whatever they need. So a friend of mine that is on the planning committee emails me back with a list of potential vendors to reach out to. There are like 5-6 others that do the same kinda stuff I do (soap-making.) This is not a juried show, just a regular craft fair to support a non-profit.

This is my first show and while I have some good ideas for display, etc. I was hoping to keep it pretty simple. Of course I had to check out the other vendors' websites and their stuff is really good - soap in fancy colors, complicated scents, packaging. This isn't the direction I want to go with mine - I focus on very minimal ingredients, no dyes/colors, scented only with essential oil, no fragrance oil, no palm oil, goats milk from our little farm (cue EM jokes here LOL), simple recycled packaging - that kind of thing. The price for their bars vs. mine were the same. I'm very confident with my product, but not sure it can really compete against that.

I was so excited to do my first show and get my name out there, especially at a show that supports a group I'm very passionate about. Now I'm not so sure. Any ideas that could help me stand out?

[pistolshrimp]

Oct 5, 2016 11:10:41 GMT -5 @licia said:

I would play off of that. In my head I imagine you selling soap on a tree stump, lol.

I actually really like this idea!

[emoflamingo]

Stick with the "ALL NATURAL" theme. Make some signs (you can use chalkboards, even) that emphasize that you use minimal ingredients, etc. I wouldn't even wrap them up, leave them in a basket (like an apple basket, but make it natural looking) and fill it with some natural filler so the product isn't way down in there and when they make their purchases, put it in some really nice fabric bags (like these, but if you can find them elsewhere cheaper, even better). If you can figure out how, I would even put your logo on the bag if you can find some that are just regular like unbleached muslin bags or use some kraft paper to make tags for the bags. 

Take advantage of height - those wooden crates they sell at every craft store would be great for this, especially if you keep it natural. If you don't like the natural wood color they come in, slap a thin coat of stain on it and call it a day. Make sure you use a table cloth underneath them so you can store extra stuff under the table.

Make sure you have TONS of business cards (vista print is great for this) and maybe even get some postcard sized ones with your info and some product pictures on it.

Pack snacks, make friends with your booth neighbor and offer to give her a quick bathroom break if she needs it because you will need it too unless you have someone coming with you.

I used to do this with hair bows and baby clothes (I did appliqués, made tutus, etc.) and I miss it a lot but I just don't have the time anymore. I still make stuff for my friends/family. Hopefully if they have multiple soap vendors, they don't put you all next to each other. That's the worst thing. We would sell stuff next to people who bought wholesale from China and couldn't compete, even though every bow and tutu we had was handmade and all our appliqués were hand cut and stitched on a machine vs. an embroidery machine.

[lilac05]

I agree with others...you'll be great if you emphasize the "all natural" part of your soaps. A little sign listing the benefits of different essential oils (which are relaxing, energizing, etc) would also be great! To those who are familiar with EOs, it seems like common sense, but others don't always realize there's more to it than scent.

I would try to keep your booth as natural looking as possible. Craft shows are full of bright colors and attention getting displays...and doing the exact opposite can actually draw MORE attention to you because you are different!

Include a framed picture of your goats (with names) and a cute way of saying that the soap is from them.

[indifferentstars]

Oct 5, 2016 11:16:35 GMT -5 pistolshrimp said:

Oct 5, 2016 11:10:41 GMT -5 @licia said:

I would play off of that. In my head I imagine you selling soap on a tree stump, lol.

I actually really like this idea!

I've actually seen this from a soap vendor at a craft fair! It was cute. IIRC, they had a few different heights of stumps for visual interest and the rest of the soap was in low baskets sitting on the table with little tags written in chalk. 

[ciescalove]

Oct 5, 2016 13:12:50 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I agree with others...you'll be great if you emphasize the "all natural" part of your soaps. A little sign listing the benefits of different essential oils (which are relaxing, energizing, etc) would also be great! To those who are familiar with EOs, it seems like common sense, but others don't always realize there's more to it than scent.

I would try to keep your booth as natural looking as possible. Craft shows are full of bright colors and attention getting displays...and doing the exact opposite can actually draw MORE attention to you because you are different!

Include a framed picture of your goats (with names) and a cute way of saying that the soap is from them.

"You have GOAT to try our soaps!"

[adhdfashion]

I love goat milk soap. Also less ingredients the better. My family has really sensitive skin.

[meli554]

Oct 5, 2016 13:37:37 GMT -5 ciescalove said:

Oct 5, 2016 13:12:50 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I agree with others...you'll be great if you emphasize the "all natural" part of your soaps. A little sign listing the benefits of different essential oils (which are relaxing, energizing, etc) would also be great! To those who are familiar with EOs, it seems like common sense, but others don't always realize there's more to it than scent.

I would try to keep your booth as natural looking as possible. Craft shows are full of bright colors and attention getting displays...and doing the exact opposite can actually draw MORE attention to you because you are different!

Include a framed picture of your goats (with names) and a cute way of saying that the soap is from them.

"You have GOAT to try our soaps!"

"Using commercially manufactured soaps?! You've GOAT to be KIDDING us!"

[Que?]

In a proper, for profit market, you wouldn't have that much competition and the planners would strive for more diversity and set you up for success.

That said, capitalize on the all natural factor. Put those details on prominent signs. Use natural display ideas, like wood, moss, Kraft paper, and be ready to defend your prices.

This is what I do for a living (retail merchandising), and do markets all year. Let me know if I can help more with display ideas.

[cabbagecabbage]

My good friend sells jewelry and her branding and aesthetic is very much in line with what you're describing. Her craft show setup is made of just a few vintage objects like a metal tackle box and some wooden produce crates. She stacks a few reclaimed architectural things like finials with old chipped paint but keeps it really sparse and the look is very chic and our basic suburban area eats it up. People are always complimenting her booths. Plus she sells a lot.

That said, my favorite guy at the farmers market has a neon spray paint on pressboard sign with curse words on it. He looks like he's in Hells Angels and sells organic eggs and sells out every week, so you can do a natural vibe a few ways.

[stephm0188]

I used to.

Agree that your displays matter nearly as much as the product. Make it eyecatching and make it match your brand. Your table covering should hide everything you stash under your table, and your displays should be built up vertically as much as possible. If it looks pretty, people will stop.

[leeluu]

Oct 5, 2016 13:37:37 GMT -5 ciescalove said:

Oct 5, 2016 13:12:50 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

I agree with others...you'll be great if you emphasize the "all natural" part of your soaps. A little sign listing the benefits of different essential oils (which are relaxing, energizing, etc) would also be great! To those who are familiar with EOs, it seems like common sense, but others don't always realize there's more to it than scent.

I would try to keep your booth as natural looking as possible. Craft shows are full of bright colors and attention getting displays...and doing the exact opposite can actually draw MORE attention to you because you are different!

Include a framed picture of your goats (with names) and a cute way of saying that the soap is from them.

"You have GOAT to try our soaps!"

I love the idea of including a picture of your goats with their names. Too cute and drives home the local, natural, handmade message. Please do this!

[winecat]

Oct 5, 2016 17:43:19 GMT -5 leeluu said:

Oct 5, 2016 13:37:37 GMT -5 ciescalove said:

"You have GOAT to try our soaps!"

I love the idea of including a picture of your goats with their names. Too cute and drives home the local, natural, handmade message. Please do this!

I agree.  People LOVE a story.  

[lilibet]

I love the photo of the goats idea. I would definitely be drawn to your booth with your natural ingredients - so make sure to make it really clear that that's your thing.

My inlaws do a craft booth and we've gone to many fairs with them and getting some height on your table is great, like a pp mentioned. My inlaws started by using boxes or stacks of books covered in a tablecloth or fabric to get some height, now they have shelves that match the dimensions of their tables. You could stack something up and cover it in fabric that compliments your table cloth and have a basket of soaps on the table and then some on the raised up part, the visual distinction really draws the eye.

Also, I don't know how strong the scent is on your soap but if there's some way to have it so that people smell on of the oils when they walk by (like, when they're right by your table but not so strong you make the whole place smell), I recently went to a craft show and as I walked by a booth you could smell peppermint and it really made me stop and check out their products.

[pistolshrimp]

Thanks, these are all really great ideas! I especially like the pics of goats/tell a story. We only milked 6 goats this year so it would be easy to tell a little something about each of them.

[lilac05]

Oct 5, 2016 21:44:41 GMT -5 pistolshrimp said:

Thanks, these are all really great ideas! I especially like the pics of goats/tell a story. We only milked 6 goats this year so it would be easy to tell a little something about each of them.

To make it more likely that people will read it, keep it short.  Maybe even just three characteristics of each goat, or something similar.  Birth dates?  Favorite snacks?  The more information you can give in fewer words, the better...but still try to tell "a story." 

Ex:  Margaret, Born 4/16/2013, Calm & Sweet, Favorite snacks:  Oreos!  Mother of Harry & Snickers

[bunnies]

Oct 5, 2016 13:12:50 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Include a framed picture of your goats (with names) and a cute way of saying that the soap is from them.

This right here would draw me to your booth! 

[pumpkin]

I think you've gotten a lot of great ideas here. My real question is how can I buy soap from you?

[pistolshrimp]

Oct 6, 2016 1:08:12 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

I think you've gotten a lot of great ideas here. My real question is how can I buy soap from you?

I'm working on setting up a website to be complete prior to the craft show. I can PM you the link once it is done

[pumpkin]

Oct 6, 2016 16:19:57 GMT -5 pistolshrimp said:

Oct 6, 2016 1:08:12 GMT -5 pumpkin said:

I think you've gotten a lot of great ideas here. My real question is how can I buy soap from you?

I'm working on setting up a website to be complete prior to the craft show. I can PM you the link once it is done

That would be awesome, thanks! And best of luck at the craft fair.