Making the Most Out of Fairs

via so into vintage

Fair Displays That Work

Hi all. Hope this Friday finds you well. Raining here but that makes for a good day to get some work done without sun as distraction. Also a good day for thinking about the set up we're going to put together for the fair we're doing on October 20th. Now, it's only the second year of the fair, and I have no idea how many people will attend, but that's no reason not to put together the best booth we can. I have lots of ideas swirling around my head. Since it is a craft fair, I don't think we can display our vintage stuff unless it's something we've done something to - like refinished/painted furniture, but I need to check on that.  Of course, that doesn't mean I can't take inspiration from both vintageers (I know, I know....I just made up another word, but I really like that one), artists and crafters alike.

I'd like to give it as much of a 'mercantile' feel as possible to play on and brand our business- Bates Mercantile Co. It also needs to pull together our eclectic variety of products which include my illustrations (which can often have a sometimes have a modern slant), Gar's concrete home and garden decor, jewelry that I've made, stars made with my original paper designs, my stationery designs, and some refinished furniture pieces (working on finding some to refinish!).

Keeping all of this in mind, here are some displays that I like from....let me put my Speakeasy hat on.......a marketing perspective. 

Here's some points to consider:

1. product storage/display 

via needlebook (via workroom via indiefixx)

I've seen suitcases used a variety of ways by different sellers. What I like about the ones above and below, are that they don't just plunk stuff into the suitcase, but rather used the suitcase as a backdrop for displays within a display.  Needlebook added a small bookshelf for extra display space (love that), a box to lift her pieces up for better viewing (talk about a simple idea), and still had room for an 'in suitcase' display section for her items that were bigger. It all adds so much interest. 

The miniature clothesline strung in this one utilizes the top of the suitcase another way that packs a punch. Again, another really easy as pie idea. Also make note of the easy to read pricing of these fabrics.

via melindajoise (via the workroom, via indiefixx)

Consider what would work best for your products.  Julie from Julie Ann Art repurposed a pallet simply by adding some small shelves to the front for her cards.

via Julie Ann Art

2. Depth For Visual Interest

When planning a fair booth, you don't want it to look flat and one dimensional. Even if your product is something like my illustrations which are by nature, flat, you don't want your display to feel that way to your potential customers. One way create more visual interest is to display things at varying heights and depths.

via chateau de fleurs

Note the use of the suitcase for display again. More importantly, all of the differing heights and depths makes you feel like there is so much to discover.  If you're thinking, 'what if all I have is a table at the craft fair?. Don't let that stop you. You can employ this visual merchandising tactic on a table top. (side note: use this tip when arranging a buffet table too for your next party. use upside down boxes and cover with cloth napkin or fabric).

via oh hello friend

via chateau de fleurs

If you're selling things that have drawers use them to display smaller items if possible.

via chateau de fleurs

3. Brand Your Booth

Now, obviously you should identify your booth with signage, but what I'm really talking about here is that your booth should reflect your brand. Remember how I said I wanted to give our booth a 'mercantile' feel to represent our brand? If you sell jewelry with a vintage feel, then your display should speak to that. 

via oh hello friend

If your items have a 'homey feel', make sure your booth does too, displaying things as they might be displayed in the home. 

via rebecca broome

If you sell cute stuff, make it cute.  You get the drift.

4. Think Out of the Box, Or In It

Be creative and use things you have at your disposal in new ways.  

Pallets.......

via swirl marketing

via swirl marketing

  

Ladders...........

via craft fair displays

via the knot.com via oh hello friend

Boxes!......

via recycled box

4. Make It Welcoming

You want people to feel comfortable as they approach your booth.  Think about this from your customer's perspective. Even if you just have a table, you can still dress it up so it says 'look at me'.  Make sure that your items are easy for your customers to handle and feel, after all this is on of the advantages of selling in person as opposed to online.

via chateau de fleurs



via swirl marketing

People don't like to ask about pricing, it makes them feel uncomfortable. Make it easy to find and read.

via so into vintage

Think of your booth not simply as a booth, but as your own little pop up store. What would you want your brick and mortar store to look like if you had one and go from there.

Last but not least, dress and act the part and the most important part of that is a smile and hello.

If you have any booth ideas that have worked for you, please share in the comments. I'd love to hear them and I'm sure there are others reading this that would too.

Freeform Friday

Rainy day here. Time for some Dylan.  If you're reading by email click here.

Happy Friday.  I'll be doing a little work at my desk this weekend, as well as making paper stars.  Was hoping for a campfire but I think it's supposed to be rainy which is a bummer.  Maybe we'll have a first inside fire of the season instead.  Got any plans? 

ttfn,