This Dollars & Sense article is for the Post-Winter season —

“Getting Off to a Good Start!” — The Winter Blues…“Slow Season” or Not?

We're into another year… still in winter...but we can see spring from here … at least on SOME days! For many of us, there’s not as many fairs or shows going on compared to the pre-Christmas season. Is this “dead time”? It doesn’t have to be!

Here’s some tips on things you can do to make good use of this time to prepare for your next round of shows:

#1 — Determine which shows you want to participate in this year. This doesn’t necessarily mean signing up for a show right away… more like planning it out for the upcoming 12 months. We’ve got lots of tips for you on how to find and then select the right shows. For more… also check out the tips in the Expertise & Advice section of our web site.

Identify the local craft shows, fairs, markets, or festivals.

• Check the A&CNet website for events. We’re always checking to see what’s on and when and where.




• Check with colleagues in the same field as yourself as to what events they’re in.




• Check the local community papers if you’re a “community show” person.

Narrow down the list. You want to participate in those events that are well-organized and well-advertised. How will know? Ask these questions!

• If they allow “handcrafted” works in the show, what is the Promoter’s definition of “handcrafted”?
  (Or will it be full of gift resellers, and mass-produced commercial craft products sellers, and not truly artisans’ hand-made works? A very good and important question…)




• Is anything else being sold at this show besides art or crafts?
  (Be sure you’re clear on what that may be as it will have an impact on your target customer, and of course, where they spend their dollars…)




• What other shows or events have they done (type and location)?




• How long has this particular show been held?
  (Get some history on it, ask previous vendors if you can.)




• If it's a repeat show, are the individuals or committee running it, new people or the same people who ran it before? If not, does anyone running this year's show remember how it was run last year?




• How many vendors return each year, versus “first-timers”?




• How many new exhibitors are signed up for it? What kind of vendors are they?




• How many exhibitors are there in my art or craft category?




• Do I think my products or services are a good fit for this show?
  (Make sure you get a “real” answer for this one, not just a simple quick one to get you on board…)




• Precisely how and where is the show being advertised?
  (Don’t hesitate to ask some pointed questions here, and be sure to get some backed up answers, not just talk…)




• What is the expected attendance?
  (If it is a first-year show, ask how the figure is derived.)




• Does the show provide draped selling tables and/or chairs, or do you have to provide all your own display materials?
  (Be sure about any height or other facilities restrictions or options)




• Check the track record and wherever possible, check with other exhibitors.
  (The review they give of the show or event will typically be more “real world” than those pitching their shows.)

Remember: You have every right to ask these kind of questions and get the answers you need before you spend any money. The Promoters do the same. If it appears that only “a little thought” has been put into the show by the Promoter, you should think a lot about whether it’s the right show for you to be in. You want to be in as many shows as possible, but you want to spend your money wisely, and find the kind of venues that you will return to year after year….the best ones…

#2 — Create more work! Don’t wait till the “rush” is on for the next event. Get started now! Here’s some tips on “getting going” again. At one time or another, we’ve all experienced it, a SLUMP, a BLOCK, the DOLDRUMS, or whatever you call it. You’re having trouble getting started again…no ideas on what to create, no energy to do it…

These tips are from various artists and crafters who have years of experience…. See if this common-sense advice works for you!

• EXERCISE. That’s right, go for a refreshing walk around the block if nothing else… it gets the blood moving and the brain thinking and lifts your spirits immensely. So get out and about for a bit!




• PLAY. Set up your gear with the intention of NOT creating a masterpiece but just to goof around for pure fun… Allow yourself to WASTE a little bit of your materials and see what happens…. You may just unlock the door to a whole bunch of creative energy.




• GIVE YOURSELF A “BEAT THE WINTER BLUES” PRESENT – a “special something” related to your craft or art that you’ve always wanted but never got… then USE it. Oftentimes the new novelty and benefit can be a tremendous inspiration.

#3 — Learn something new… take the time to find out “How to” do whatever it was you didn’t have time for this past fall! Whether it’s learning a new technique, attending a workshop or taking a class this will help get your creative juices flowing. Learning some new marketing skills or new business practices counts too!!

This is the perfect time, while things are moving at a little slower pace, to TAKE the time to learn… perhaps a better way of doing something you already make, or how to make something new, or something you’ve always wanted to know how to make. Experiment with a slight variation on what you already do.

Successful personal and business growth is fueled by “forever learning” and pushing your own limits and expanding your own creative horizons.

• Check A&CNet for what’s going on! Check the Industry Listings for Art Colleges and any Art or Craft Courses.




• Check your Supplier/Wholesaler locations (and Retail Stores or others) for workshops and seminars. Consider taking a few. As you have likely already experienced, a new idea in one area “morphs” into something else you’re doing. You’ll see new ways to apply what you learn in any workshop to other things you create.




• Experiment on your own. Set aside some resources and supplies for just this purpose… Try out the “new thing” that you’re not sure will actually work. If nothing else, you’ll learn the answer. And more than likely, you’ll find something that does work, even if the first thing you try just points you in another direction!

#4 — Plan for the busy time. Think about what you want to get organized or purchased, what your goals and plans are for the year. Make a task list of priorities and when to do things. This might include marketing materials or a marketing strategy. Get your marketing materials ready. Think about what you might want your show displays to look like. Get quotes for things that you don’t have and get started on them. Plan out when you’ll get these things prepared. Then start!

• Are your marketing materials ready? Do you have some printed hand-outs? Always have lots business cards, some brochures or flyers ready. And if you have a lot of products, even a short-form Price list or your upcoming Show Schedule ready to use as a bag stuffer or a hand-out to potential buyers, is a good idea. If they want to make a purchase at a later date, they will know where to find you. People forget what they’ve stuffed into their shopping bags… Depending what your art work is, perhaps include a little reminder “mini-bio” ad-card or biz-card tucked into the bag, or tagged to your works of art. It can often lead to future sales subsequent to the show.




• Have you put some real thought into your booth presentation? Your display at any show or event is one of the most important parts of your business presentation. First impressions are seldom nor easily changed. An eye-catching, unique, fully-stocked creative display, whether it’s your works and wares on some tables, or hanging off booth walls, will almost always attract potential buyers into your booth. There’s nothing worse in selling yourself short, than to have your incredibly creative art or craft works in a booth that’s poorly laid out, uninteresting, and not akin to the same amount of creativity you put into your art. The two go hand-in-hand always!




• Walk around a show and ask yourself “which displays attract you and invite you in…and why?” Analyze your observations and use what you’ve learned. It will invariably help you.




• Don’t overcrowd your display, don’t mix and match everything with too much diversity. And learn to set it up, not for what’s good enough for you, but for what you’re learning the public responds well to. Experiment. Try different things, but always be innovative. Don’t do the same thing year after year. Observe what the vendor has done at those booths where there’s always a ton of activity going on…Is it just their art work or something about their presentation, too? If people tell you they like your display, ask them what they like about it. Use everything as a learning experience, glean the tips your customers will tell you about it. It’s free counselling advice. Dare to get some constructive criticism if the opportunity presents itself.




• Plus, never forget to make sure any show specials or new works are displayed prominently for extra focus. After all, having a show special to increase sales won't do much good if no one knows about it or it’s lost in the midst of everything else on display! Don’t be timid! This is extra value for the customer and they WILL want to know about it!

We assure you that if you do as much as possible of the above, you’re going to have a better year this year than you did last! And isn’t that what it’s all about?

All the best to you on your Arts & Crafts journey!