Craft Fair Success: Tips for Small Business Owners
With over a decade of small business experience and someone who has attended countless craft fairs and holiday markets, I know how much preparation goes into a successful event. Whether it’s your first fair or your fiftieth, here are my tried-and-true tips to help you make the most of your craft show experience!
1. Simplify Payments for Your Customers
Make transactions as seamless as possible:
Cash: Have plenty of change on hand for cash purchases. Price your items in easy/even numbers.
E-Transfer: Set up autodeposit on your email address so no password is required.
Card Payments: Use tools like the Square app to accept credit card payments—this flexibility can increase your sales.
2. Brand Your Space
First impressions matter, so invest time into planning your display:
Table Setup: Practice your setup at home, using levels for visual interest. Clear plastic holders are great for showcasing items without distracting from your products.
Branded Signage: Display a banner or sign with your logo prominently.
Table Cloth: At minimum a black spandex table cloth looks sleek, if possible coordinate with your brand colors for a polished look.
QR Codes: Include one that links to your website or social media—perfect for driving traffic and collecting email addresses to build your mailing list.
3. Stock Up and Stand Out
Bring plenty of inventory, especially your best sellers. If you can, offer on-the-spot customizations:
Consider bringing a Cricut or laptop for fulfilling custom orders in real time.
Gift-ready packaging, like cellophane bags or boxes, adds a professional touch. Bonus: a simple logo sticker can turn plain gift bags into branded packaging.
Use signage at the booth to showcase your pricing—framed signs are a professional and durable option.
4. Prepare for Comfort and Efficiency
Craft fairs can be long and exhausting, so plan accordingly:
Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be standing and moving a lot—trust me, this makes all the difference.
Snacks and Water: Pack food and drinks, as you likely won’t have much time to leave your table and will need fuel!
Chairs: If seating isn’t provided, bring a folding chair for short breaks.
Tote Bins and Wagons: These make setup and breakdown a breeze, especially if parking is far from the venue.
5. Engage with Customers
Craft fairs are all about connection:
Be ready to share your story—it’s part of what makes your products unique.
If possible, bring a helper to assist with payments and packing so you can focus on engaging with customers.
Include thank-you cards with purchases, and maybe even a discount code for future orders.
6. Market Your Booth
Before the event, let your followers know where to find you:
Post on social media with event details, be specific and include the date, time and address.
Add the event to your email newsletter.
7. Track Your Success
Keep detailed notes:
Log how much stock you brought and what you sold. This data will help you prepare for future events.
Keep your table looking full by replenishing stock as needed.
Let’s Work Together!
Here’s my list of Amazon must-haves to help make your craft show a success. We can help you design all your printed essentials—business cards, signage, thank-you cards, and more—to make your craft show setup flawless. Need help building your marketing plan for the holiday season? We’re here to help.
📧 Send us an email, and let’s create something amazing together!