If you plan on setting up a small business in fairs and festivals, you must first know the type of show that it is. You need to know the variations, especially when you have not gained any hands-on experience yet. So I will go over each, with the hope that you will be able to find what suits your craft best.
The first type of craft show is known as the non-juried show. In this type of setup, you simply pay the fee to rent the spot, and there you set up your booth and sell whatever your craft is. This is appealing to those just starting in the business, as it is simple to understand. However, know that there are still concerns to consider.
The first concern that you must think about when attending shows is the number of people coming. If you have the time to spare, attend an annual fair that you plan to set up shop on a year prior. Or, if the festival is on its first year, keep a close monitor on how they promote their event. If they don't have a decent marketing plan, then it's not worth joining.
After getting a good grasp on how much people are coming, it's time to set up the booth itself. Make sure that you and the event organizer understand each other completely; discuss the availability of chairs, tables, and electrical outlets. This varies from fair to fair, and thus need to be considered before making deals. Next, set up the stall in such a way that will have your craft fully showcased. i won't expound too much, as each person has his or her own style.
Next, we briefly tackle on the other type of show. Dubbed (you should have guessed it) the juried show, you will be required to create a portfolio before being allowed to set up a booth. My experience with this type of set-up is; not everyone gets accepted, and you have to really know your stuff before they even allow you to start. Go to a juried show once you've built your confidence: This venue is usually better because it is much more organized, and there are more people coming along. Make sure you have enough wares. - 15478
The first type of craft show is known as the non-juried show. In this type of setup, you simply pay the fee to rent the spot, and there you set up your booth and sell whatever your craft is. This is appealing to those just starting in the business, as it is simple to understand. However, know that there are still concerns to consider.
The first concern that you must think about when attending shows is the number of people coming. If you have the time to spare, attend an annual fair that you plan to set up shop on a year prior. Or, if the festival is on its first year, keep a close monitor on how they promote their event. If they don't have a decent marketing plan, then it's not worth joining.
After getting a good grasp on how much people are coming, it's time to set up the booth itself. Make sure that you and the event organizer understand each other completely; discuss the availability of chairs, tables, and electrical outlets. This varies from fair to fair, and thus need to be considered before making deals. Next, set up the stall in such a way that will have your craft fully showcased. i won't expound too much, as each person has his or her own style.
Next, we briefly tackle on the other type of show. Dubbed (you should have guessed it) the juried show, you will be required to create a portfolio before being allowed to set up a booth. My experience with this type of set-up is; not everyone gets accepted, and you have to really know your stuff before they even allow you to start. Go to a juried show once you've built your confidence: This venue is usually better because it is much more organized, and there are more people coming along. Make sure you have enough wares. - 15478
About the Author:
Sam Weyland loves to go around in the various Florida Craft Shows. She knows many people, and would suggest Florida Craft Fairs to find the closest Florida Fair near you!
