Craft show lessons learned

A few weeks ago I posted about my upcoming craft show, my first, and was looking for recommendations on how to prepare. Well, I apologize for taking so long to update you on the results....it seems I wasn't quite prepared for the follow up and catching up that would happen after.


Let's just say the show was not a stellar success.  Not from my part or for lack of trying, but there were no customers. Well, extremely slim pickings.  So, Lesson #1:

Research the show.

I thought I asked all the right questions: if it's a first year show, how are you promoting this and what's your following? who are the confirmed vendors? And I thought I had enough information and I was ready. But, Lesson #2 is:

Be prepared.

That's me behind the table in the back,
and my son trying to tape the
tablecloth to the table.

Ok, everyone tried to tell me this.  But how is one to be prepared for 60 degree weather and 30+ mph gusts of wind in June?  My son came to the rescue and ran to the hardware store for cinder blocks. I think experience will teach me more on this, and in the meantime, Lesson #3 is:

Don't sell yourself short.

I probably could have counted the number of shoppers on the fingers of two hands and not worried about using my toes. But I noticed that I had more sales than then vendors around me...quite possibly, more than the combined sales from the vendors around me.  Those who browsed my booth, browsed.  But those who shopped my booth, purchased. If someone browsed and moved on, fine. Not everyone is a "candle person," so why should I try to develop a sale? But if someone starting shopping my booth, it was easy to develop conversation about my product and covert the shopper into a buyer.

An old cabinet added visual
interest and display options.

For someone who spends most of her time in operations (yawn), it was enjoyable to relate to people. Asking about their likes, talking about the features and benefits of my products...not really "selling", but putting smiles on peoples' faces. Candles are a luxury item that make us enjoy our surroundings. And I truly enjoyed helping people find a piece of happiness.  But alas, Lesson #4 is:

Pace yourself.

I thought I was pacing myself. Granted, I still had the pre-event late night push to label and to pack everything, but what I didn't count on was how much time the show would consume me after the event.  Rearranging my inventory. The time it took away from my monthly activities such as fragrance of the month publicity and shop distribution, first week of the month Etsy work, newsletter, and so on. Being extremely tired. For a longer period of time than I anticipated. But the best lesson of all, Lesson #5:

Know yourself.

Not the final set up, my goal
was to create an "atmosphere"
with the wine bottle and glasses. 

While my first show was not a stellar success, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed meeting people and introducing them to my product. I have a good product, and it was validated by the purchases made by the few people who attended the event. And I also learned my limitations. I'm not ready for a large show. No multi-day events. But I am ready to participate in two to three good, one day shows this fall. And I have the support of a wonderful fiance and an incredible son, both of whom gave up their weekends to help me. 


I welcome your comments and wisdom. Thank you so much for your comments and thoughts!

Strawberries are here!

The June fragrance of the month is....STRAWBERRY!


It's hard to believe that only one year ago I announced my first fragrance of the month, same as today, Strawberry!  Only to take it a step further, I've decided to announce two additional fragrances for your sensual pleasure: Strawberries & Creme and Strawberry Jasmine.

Scrumptious Strawberry in 12 oz. Interlude jar

Strawberry, in and of itself, is a thrill of its own. Sweet, juicy, and fragrant, you will think these small berry fruits are being stirred into a sugar syrup in your own kitchen. Bring on the shortcake, the cheesecake, or the ice cream...you will not be disappointed with the fragrance of this candle.

Strawberries & Creme interlude jar candle

Strawberries & Creme is a custom blend I also introduced last summer.  Providing a lighter, richer dose of strawberry, this fragrance adds a healthy dose of vanilla. What comes to mind to me is sliced strawberries on a bed of freshly whipped creme fraiche, ok, maybe yogurt if you're being healthy. 

Strawberry Jasmine interlude candle

Strawberry Jasmine is a new fragrance for 2012.  While inspired by this list of trendy fragrances for 2012, testing proved it to be fruity, floral and feminine, and an eastern flair to an early summer blend. The strawberry is fresh, sweet, and citrus, providing a rich undertone base, and jasmine adds top floral notes, creating a slightly exotic Asian blend.


All strawberry fragrances are 10% off throughout the month of June, and are available in home fragrances of candles, room & linen sprays, and diffuser oils, as well as bath & body fragrances of lotions, body wash, and body sprays. For a complete listing of available products, please visit my Etsy shop here. I'll also be posting a board of my favorite strawberry images and recipes on my Pinterest board here. I hope you'll stay tuned!


Thank you!


Dorene

Getting ready for my craft show

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and attempt a craft show.  Not having participating in one before, I set up a booth last weekend at the local farmer's market.  My goal was less to make money and more to have a test run for what it took to pull a show off. I did make money (yeah!), but here are a few lessons I learned:

1. Have a tent or canopy.  At first it didn't seem to be in issue, but at noon, all my tea lights were doomed.  Ok, I feel Mr. Obvious knocking at my door on that one, and I'll address the heat in a moment.  But also, a tent creates a sense of space for your "shop", encouraging shoppers to come inside. Since I'm not certain I want to do a lot of shows, I'm reluctant to purchase a tent.  Fortunately, I'm able to borrow one from a family friend.
2. Protect your wares.  Did I mention my tea lights were doomed? I decided to put only one item on the display table and most of my inventory underneath.  I'll pull from the inventory and give the purchaser a cooler candle.
3. Give people a reason to visit you. I offered a fragrance basket as a giveaway.  This encouraged quite a few to stop and sniff.  While I had their attention, I asked what their favorite fragrance was and directed them to a sample.
4. Use the show as part of your marketing strategy. As I mentioned, I offered a fragrance basket as a giveaway. In doing so, I collected names and email addresses to add to my newsletter list (of course, my follow up email was "Thank you for visiting me" and contained a subscription link). When asking people about their favorite fragrance, I was also able to gain ideas of what people like to buy.
5. Be prepared to improvise. I thought I forgot my order forms and sign up slips.  My receipt book became my order form - just wrote order on the slip to notify myself - and my planner notes paper became my sign up slips.

Now of course, I also had small bills and change, variety of price points, and my Square Up credit card reader. I gave out newsletters and stapled my business card to the receipt.  Bags and thank you gifts. This weekend I'll also have a few shelving units and baskets to create varying heights, as well as a second table for an L-shape.  

But since I don't know if this is an avenue I want to continue, I'm stuck with the following "how do I's":

• I don't have resources to invest in a sign. How do I show who I am without one or with minimal budget and time to create one?
• I'm selling primarily candles in June. How do I create the sense of a "full shop" if I keep most of my inventory under the table in order to keep it protected?
• I've planned most of my inventory to include five cases of 10 fragrances.  How do I know if this is the right fragrance diversification? 
• I'll also have all of my inventory of other fragrances, so my total should be about eight cases. How do I know if this is enough?

I'm excited about this opportunity, but extremely nervous as well.  I'd appreciate your feedback and recommendations!