Show Tips From Our Jackalope Artisan Community

With holiday season prep underway, and shows upon shows all just around the corner, we thought it would be a great time to share some tips on how to make the best at any event.

And who better to hear tips from than artisans who have been in your shoes?  Our Jackalope community has a wide array of knowledge and show experience to be shared.  Here are some of the top tips for show day:

1) "Great advice given to me: "Sitters don't sell" I keep a high stool in my booth so I can get off my feet if there's a slow moment, but makes it easy to get up and talk to people." - Wendy Osmundson: Granola Mama's Handmade

The Vintage Grooming Company @ The Jackalope Denver Summer 2016 Fair

2) "Really think about your display! Customers will be drawn into your booth when they can visualize how your product will look in their home. People will notice all of the hard work you put into your product!" - Laura Rodriguez, Beyond and Back Vintage

The Happy Pantry @ Jackalope Pasadena Fall 2015 Fair

3) "Make sure to bring proper weights - there are great DIY videos on YouTube to make your own. Just the right gust or monsoon can be devastating but with weights... Sooo much less so. 😃 " - Heather DeSimone, Leetie Lovendale

Tumeric and Old Lace Healing Essentials @ Jackalope Denver Summer 2016

4) "Smile big and welcome everyone the same way. Don't prequalify your customers. You never know which ones will buy and how much they will spend." - Jennifer Enck, Drinks and Crafts

5) "Bring your craft or something to work on during the show. Customers love to see the work that goes into the products they're shopping for. And you'd be surprised at how many people ask if you make the product!" - Ashley Rutstein, Apparently Ashley

6) "Do a practice set up of your booth ahead of the show. Makes the best use of your space, and saves so much time at setup." 
- Amy Godinez, SnickyB Handmade

7) "1. Do not eat at your booth, it looks unprofessional and people don't want to interrupt your meal so they keep walking. 2. No cell phones, again it's unprofessional and people feel you are too busy to engage with them. You aren't present when on your phone. 3. Don't sit, if you can, stay standing and available during the event. Be ready to engage with a vibe of positivity. 4. If applicable, have dog treats in your booth. We met so many cute furry friends and dog treats were very appreciated by owners and a great way to start a conversation. 5. Price your goods. People really liked our little price tags and table signs. Easy to read information is key" - Jamie Lynn, PrinEle Designs

8) "If you have the option, create a walk-up display vs a walk-in display. For example, vendors who use a table to showcase their products, like a single 6 or 8 foot table, move that table to the front of the booth and stand behind it. People are more likely to stop and browse the items on the table at the front of a booth than they are to walk in to a tent. There's a level of commitment in entering a canopy that not everyone is prepared to make, but taking a look at a table as one walks past or approaches, that's low pressure on the customer."  - Mark Brunner, HumanTreeRobot

Lutume @ Jackalope Pasadena Fall 2015 Fair

9) "It can really be worth it to leave your stuff out, and not start packing up until the show is officially over. Some of my biggest sales have happened at the last minute." - Jennifer Wedgle, WillowSwitch Designs

Laura Ann's Jams @ Jackalope Pasadena Fall 2015

10) "Keep energy high! Remember good healthy snacks & water. It will keep your mind clear and a smile on your face. A beautiful booth wont help if you are crabby or sluggish.

Also, CARDS. I can't tell you how many booths I go to that dont have biz cards. You might not close a sale that day but with your card and a good memory of you, they may order online or pass it onto a friend later!" - Laura Ann Masura, Laura Ann's Jams

11) "I have a checklist of essentials that I keep and print it off before each show. It has saved my butt many times. I also keep an "emergency" backpack full of supplies - from paper clips to pens to a hammer and screwdriver." - Cari Ann: Wuve

12) "Utilize vertical space.  Using varying heights is more interesting to the eye and makes it easier to scan your products.  Also try raising your tables up by placing them on bed risers.  This makes it so customers don't have to lean over uncomfortably to shop." - Carmen McNiel Voelpel: Jewelry by McV

13)  "I found it really helpful to have pieces at a lot of different price points.  Sometimes there will be a customer who really likes your work but doesn't have a huge budget.  Likewise, if you have all lower priced items, you're going to have to sell so much more to profit." - Laura Jones Martinez: Line & Dot by Laura Jones Martinez

14) "Be thoughtful of your shoppers and offer small or medium paper bags with handles for their purchases from your booth. Put your name and logo on the bag and it's free advertising as well!" - Rondo Mieczkowski: Coldwater Canyon Provisions

15) "Be kind and courteous to your fellow artists attending the show with you and the organizers, everyone is there at the same place for the same reason, to share our passion with the world!  When you remember that, everything runs smoothly and you will have a good show!" - Jenilyn Bailard: The Painted Ladies