You want to make as much money as possible, whether you're selling food, products, or art at a festival.You need to maximize your products' potential at each show and find the right festival for what you sell.Try to avoid mistakes that will cost you money and find ways to draw customers in.
Step 1: Get ready for the show ahead of time.
It's a good idea to scout out a show before you sell it.Look at what people are selling.Check out the quality of work, evaluating whether your products are of similar quality and whether or not they fit the general feel of the show.It's not likely that experimental art will fit in at a craft festival.Look at what people are buying.You can get an idea of what will sell by looking at what customers are carrying.Look to see what types of booths have long lines.It is possible to ask about that show and other shows.If you're visiting a show that isn't right for your art or product, you may be able to get a recommendation from a vendor or artist who's been to more than one show.
Step 2: Early on, stick to small shows.
It's best to start small if you've never been to a festival.You don't want to spend a lot of money on a project that fails.If you don't have the experience ahead of time, it can be hard to get into a large show.
Step 3: It's a good idea to plan for volume.
You need to plan ahead for how many customers you will have at a festival.You can get an idea of how much product you need from the attendance numbers at most festivals.You don't want to bring too much product, but you need enough to sell out before the event is over.
Step 4: The product should be tailored to the show.
Some venues are not appropriate for what you sell.You have to pick and choose what you take to the show.You won't take the same things to an art festival as you would to a renaissance festival.Before deciding what to bring, think about what the audience will buy.
Step 5: It should be simple.
You don't have as many choices at festivals as you would in a store or restaurant.You can overload customers who don't have much time to make a decision, or you run the risk of making your booth look crowded and messy if you bring too many products.You have to cut down on your choices.You should stick to your most popular items.
Step 6: A well-crafted booth is what you should create.
The best booths are clean.The best products should be highlighted.To make your booth look professional, make sure to include touches like tablecloths, a backdrop, and both vertical and horizontal displays.Think about the atmosphere you want to create when designing your booth.If you're an artist and you want vibrant splashes of color to complement your work, you may want to keep it more refined with subdued colors that highlight the jewelry.Adding touches like strings of lights or vases of tree limbs will make you look bohemian.It's important to have some branding.Customers can remember your brand name with a banner or sign.
Step 7: Products can be offered in a range of prices.
You should be able to reach a wide range of customers if you sell art or food.Some items need to be priced at the low end of the range.You don't have to sell as many items if you price some items higher.Some items can be sold at cost or above it to draw people in.As it drives down your profits, you don't want to sell too many items.
Step 8: Time and materials are taken into account.
Think about both the material costs and the time costs when pricing your products.The material costs are how much you have to pay to make the product.How long it took you to make the product is the time costs.When pricing items, you need to consider both.You wouldn't want to charge $10 for a product if it cost $4 in materials and you spent 3 hours making it.You're only making $2 an hour without taking into account the time you spend at the festival.Add $10 to the cost if you think you should be making an hour.The cost of a product is more than just the materials.Rent and tools are included in what goes into it.
Step 9: Do your research.
When scouting shows, pay attention to how similar items are to what you sell.Look at what customers are willing to pay for.If customers aren't willing to pay, the necklaces will not sell.If possible, it can help to price slightly below competitors.If your product is better, you may be able to get people to pay more.The driving factor is not always the lowest price.
Step 10: Be willing to reexamine.
Sometimes your prices shouldn't stay the same.For instance, if you find that your prices are too high for your target audience, your competitors may be cheaper than you are.As needed, be willing to move up or down on your prices.Some products may not be profitable for you, and you may need to drop them.If your competitors are selling less than you are on certain products but you can't lower your price and still make a profit, then you may need to drop that product or consider it a loss leader to draw people in.
Step 11: You need to work on your craft.
If you sell artwork, crafts, or jewelry, it's a good idea to work on your craft while you're there.People are interested in seeing how art is made, so they'll come into your booth to see what you're doing.
Step 12: Customers who show interest.
If someone slows down at your booth or steps in, be sure to say hello."How are you doing today?" is a simple greeting.If you notice someoneying a particular item, tell them the story behind it to get them interested.A big smile is a plus.People associate you and your booth with happiness if you see other people smiling.
Step 13: Capitalize on what's selling.
At your festival, you may be surprised by what sells the most.Try to emphasize the product when it becomes popular.If you want to emphasize that you have it, give it a prominent place in your booth.Even more people will be drawn to it.
Step 14: Side items should be considered.
If you're thinking about the event, consider selling small side items.If you're somewhere hot, think about selling cold bottles of water or cheap hats.Reusable bags are one of the best options for a show with a lot of product booths.
Step 15: All prices should be marked on everything.
You might think that not marking your prices makes your product more upscale.Many customers will leave if they can't see a price, as they may feel it's out of their price range.Having prices visible gives customers an idea of what they can afford, and it keeps them from asking you what it costs.
Step 16: You can give a way to follow up.
If someone is interested in your product but doesn't have the money to purchase it, you should give them a way to find you later.A business card with your contact information, website, and social media sites is a great way to help a customer find you later.Give out discount codes for your website shop to encourage follow-up business.10% off could be offered to anyone who enters your shop or makes a purchase.
Step 17: You need enough staff for the venue.
People are going to be at your booth all the time at a large festival.You need to be able to meet the demand.If you can't, you're going to lose business and get bad word-of-mouth.You can maximize your profits if you hire enough staff for the show.If you are at a small venue, you should bring someone else with you.You might get a lot of customers, or you might just want to take a break.It can be a huge advantage to have someone there to help.You have to consider the cost of the workers.It's going to cut into your profits if you have too many paid people there.It may take a few shows to figure out the right number of workers for each show.
Step 18: Take the costs into account.
You may be tempted to only look at the booth price when thinking about vending a festival.That is part of the cost.You have to think about travel expenses, set-up costs, and time spent away from other jobs.The cost of selling at festivals is taken into account.If you are going to a 3-day festival that is out of state, you will need to spend at least $50 or more on gas, food, hotels, parking, and toll fees.You might need to rent a car or truck.
Step 19: Don't be rude.
It's best to ignore a rude customer and not get angry at them.Getting angry can backfire, as it will drive off the rude customer and other customers who are nearby.You may get bad word-of-mouth because of the interaction.
Step 20: Pay with a variety of payment methods.
It's tempting to take cash at festivals.It's simple.It means you don't have to pay any extra fees.Since cash is less common, most customers expect to be able to pay in a variety of ways.Credit cards can be used as a payment method.All you need to do is use a smart phone and a card reader from one of the companies, and you're good to go.
Step 21: Make sure you're making a profit.
If you want to know how much profit you're actually making at each show, count up what you made.If you're losing money, you don't want to keep doing shows.All relevant expenses should be counted.Not all of the money you make from the festival will go to you.New customers can help you make money.If customers like your products, you'll get good word-of-mouth.As you think about profits, keep that in mind.