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Teach Soap • View topic - My first ever craft fair!

Teach Soap

Soap Making Recipes, Tips and Tutorials
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:21 am 
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Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:35 am
Posts: 70
Location: Somerset, England
Hey everyone!
I'm on the scrounge for information!

I found out yesterday that I have secured a pitch at a large-ish May festival and it'll be my first ever stall at an event. I'm super SUPER excited about it, but also rather scared as it's all very well selling soaps to the public via the net or through friends, but I've never done it face-to-face out in the 'real world' if you get what I mean. I'm quite a shy person so I'm worried I'm going to put customers off by being too quiet or awkward at my stall :(

Has anyone got any tips or links to good blogs about how to sell successfully at craft fairs? I want (actually make that NEED) to be as prepared as possible - that way I'll be as relaxed as possible on the day, instead of worrying that I could've done more research.

TIA!


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:22 am 
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
My daughter and I have started selling at markets and I guess the main thing is to be prepared to answer lots of questions about the ingredients! People at markets seem to want to stop and browse without being "pounced" on - the best way I can think of is if you remember one of your best shopping experiences e.g. helpful staff, not too intrusive, friendly but not your BFF, informed and not desperate for a sale - and then try and replicate it! I find that people are generally interested in how you make soap (even though it's only M & P that I do), and if you are interested in them too, chatting comes quite naturally! Smile at them and you will feel a little more confident every time!
My daughter and I were at a market last month and I went for a stroll (read spying on the competition!). Found one lady who made "cake/cupcake" soaps. Went into her marquee and she sat on her stool at the back and didn't speak one word to me!! I was in there for about 5 minutes and not one word! My daughter went to see about 1/2 hour later and she didn't speak to her either!!! She was selling "cake slices" for about 5 times what we sell our loaf slices for and didn't seem to be very busy ... but think it was more about her manner than the cost.
We've both got a retail background so have had a bit more experience at "selling" but always find that a friendly smile, a pleasant manner and knowledge about your product works the best!
:D GOOD LUCK!!! You will be fabulous!! :D

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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:49 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:37 pm
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Location: Barksdale AFB, La.
Hi, meeshee!

Congrats on the festival! I know what you mean about feeling excited and nervous. I've done four craft fairs now, and I've got another one coming up next month, and I'm really looking forward to it. I find craft fairs to be energizing and fun.

I'm a shy person, too, but I really enjoy the craft fairs. The people who come to the craft shows are generally in a good mood and having fun, so there's usually a good vibe going on. For me, I find I am most comfortable standing behind my table rather than sitting -- I don't know, it just feels weird to me to sit, I feel like I should be standing. And I smile at everyone who approaches my table and I say hello. I try to read their body language -- if they seem like they just want to browse and not chat, I let them look in peace. If I feel like they would be open to talking, I may say something more to get things rolling. I may ask them what kind of fragrances they like, or point out my newest soaps or soaps on sale, if I have any. If they're looking at a flower-y scented soap, I may point out other flower-y soaps, etc. And a lot of times, people will start talking to you and get the conversation going. It's really fun when they have soap stories of their own! Don't put a lot of pressure on yourself to think of things to say -- it seems like conversations just kinda happen and that's cool.

I think it's best to be friendly and approachable, but not necessarily "on" all the time. I have to admit that when I approach a booth as a customer, it makes me a little bit uncomfortable if the seller is all over me. I like a smile and a hello, and I like feeling like the seller is accessible without hovering. I have had the experience like PurpleMolly was describing, too, where the seller kind of ignores customers, and that's a bit of a turnoff. Maybe they want to just let people browse in peace, but I still like a friendly acknowledgement.

If you know your product and can answer questions, and you're friendly and approachable, you'll be fine. (And ditto what PurpleMolly said about being familiar with the ingredients -- I had someone ask me once what every ingredient on my ingredients list was used for, and I was so glad that I had read a couple of books on making soap from scratch even though I am an M&P-er.)

Some don't-forgets: change (lots of small bills), hand sanitizer gel, business cards and promotional materials, bags for purchases, camera, mini cooler bag with a couple of cold drinks and snacks, and a big ol' smile! :D

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:04 pm 
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Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:26 pm
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I'm excited for you, and know exactly how you feel. My husband and I did the art shows when we were making stained glass, and for the first few shows I counted on him to do all the talking. I was not one to open up with strangers. After a few shows I became more comfortable and kicked myself for ever worrying about it to begin with.
People are people no matter where you go. Smile and say hello, and people will generally warm right up to you. If you pay attention to them and are able to answer their questions, you'll be amazed at how quickly you will become comfortable.
The above advice about being prepared is great. I used to have totes with everything under the sun that I needed and one for the "just in case" situations. Make your booth welcoming. We did a good bit of research and talked to a number of artists, and you'd be surprised at the amount of thought that goes into such an event. If you can accept credit cards, you're in good shape. Lots of people are sure to carry cash when they hit art shows on a regular basis, but there are many who don't even think about it.
I hope you do well and have lots of fun.

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:20 am 
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Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:35 am
Posts: 70
Location: Somerset, England
Thanks for all the responses! :mrgreen: I feel much better about it now, it's nice to know that it's not only just me! I agree that it's off putting as a customer to have someone really pushing for sales - I like to browse when I'm in a shop or a craft fair, so I hate it when there's someone breathing down my neck trying to make a sale! :evil: Makes me just want to leave. It's also off putting when you're ignored as a customer, especially when you want to ask some questions, so I guess it's about finding that middle ground.

By the way, thanks jrose729 for being my first follower on my blog!

Mx


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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:19 am 
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Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:18 am
Posts: 84
Location: Yorkshire, England
Hi Meeshee!

I have 0 experience of craft fairs but wanted to say I hope it goes really well and you make lots of sales!! I get what you mean about finding a good middle ground. I hate pushy sellers who make you feel uncomfortable but you don't want to be ignored either do you! I'm sure you'll do fine though :mrgreen:

Sarah

Edited just to say I've spoken to you before on another forum, but your name and my name is different there lol! My name is Sayuri on the forum, I tend to not go on that one though. Like this one much better :)

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 11:19 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:37 pm
Posts: 1007
Location: Barksdale AFB, La.
Hi, again, meeshee!

I thought of something else (besides your sparkling personality) to bring to craft shows. I like to make a list of all of my soap types/fragrances and make a mark each time I sell a particular one. It's helpful to somehow keep track for double-checking your money when you go to separate your profits and the sales tax you collected from your change bank, especially if you charge different prices for different things. Plus, it's useful to see what sold well and what didn't. And take a couple of pens with you!

It seems most people pay with cash, especially when we're talking about $5 bars of soap. I have taken several personal checks and so far no problems. It's a bonus to be able to take credit cards, but don't sweat it too much if you can't. Like RappelWelch said, it seems most people come to the fairs with cash.

And you're welcome, by the way! You have a very nice blog. You connected the dots between my name here and over there much faster than I did with you. I checked out your blog last weekend via your signature line here and wondered why "Melusine" sounded so familiar. And then I saw my blog on your blogroll. That was when it slowly (very slowly :roll: ) dawned on me that I knew that name from the list of followers on my own blog! Forgive me, I can be a little slow sometimes. I just didn't make the connection. I guess I need to pay more attention to the signature lines around here. Like YummyMummy pointed out, we all seem to have different names at different websites! So thanks for following my blog, too! I put you on my blogroll. :D

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:28 am 
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Location: Somerset, England


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:33 am 
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:42 am 
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Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:17 am
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Location: Western Australia
Hi Michelle. Good luck with the fair :D

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 7:55 am 
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Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:33 pm
Posts: 296
Location: San Diego, CA
Hi Meeshee!
Congrats on doing a craft fair! It will be a lot of work but I bet you'll have a lot of fun. There's nothing like seeing thrilled customers up close and personal!

For me, I always stressed about my display the most. Here is a great resource for tons of craft fair booth displays - and they're all soap makers! http://www.flickr.com/groups/soapbooths/

Have a great show!

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PostPosted: Thu May 20, 2010 4:31 am 
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Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:00 pm
Posts: 402
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Hey meeshee - how did it go???

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PostPosted: Sun May 30, 2010 12:10 am 
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Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:35 am
Posts: 70
Location: Somerset, England
Oh hey!
Sorry, I haven't been on the forum for a while and only just noticed that my thread was still active!

It went really well thank you. I had a great day and so did my hubby and daughter who both helped me out. I sold half of my stock and also secured a pitch at 2 more craft fairs! One in June and one in September.

I've got a little write up on my blog about it, with pix! http://melusinesoap.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... w-and.html

M x


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PostPosted: Sun May 30, 2010 12:41 am 
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Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:00 pm
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
Lovely to read all about it. Was happy to hear that you sold half your stock - way to go! Hope you do as well at the next two :wink:

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