Preparing For Your First Craft Show

Preparing for your first craft show will be one of the most nerve wracking experiences of your life.  Ok, well I don't know how it stacks up against like, having a baby or something like that, but I can imagine it's close.  xD  First of all, you need to decide which show to do first.  Depending on your means I would recommend working towards two to start with.  Preferably in different markets.  For example, my first show was here in Green Bay, but my next show is two hours south in Milwaukee.  It's a bigger, more diverse city, and I think that it will really help to have that kind of exposure.  Also, the drive isn't really that bad, I've done it tons of times, and if I need to drive a little ways once every month or two to make some money, I'm really OK with that.  Hopefully your lucky and you live in a big city where there is a lot of opportunity to try out different markets while still staying in your own city.  Green Bay isn't really like that.  It's big(ish), but it's not very diverse.  Also, don't do a show that is too expensive.  My first one cost $40 for a booth, even though for how that show went that was a little high, but $40 isn't bad for a booth. My next show is also $40, and they also charged $5 for electricity.  Although, this next show is going to be huge and epic.  They are doing major advertising, TV, radio, direct mail, Craigslist, sinage, etc.  It's in a 3 story building, and they actually just opened up their lower level to accommodate more vendors.  I'm on the third floor.  The first and second floors were a little more expensive, but they were already booked before I even found the show.  However, $45 for a show with that much exposure, that's definitely a bargain.  Or, hopefully it will be when I make tons of money! ^^ If you are going to do what I did, and do your first two in different cities, make sure your doing the local one first.  That way you probably have someone to come with you, where they won't have to travel with you.   Its much easier finding help when you are in the city you live in.  This first show I had my mom and my boyfriend, and my dad, stepmom and grandma were able to stop by the show.  For the next one I am actually driving 4 hours south to a little town called Monroe, staying with my friend Katlyn for the night, then we are both driving 2 hours northeast to Milwaukee for the show, then back to Monroe that night.  I don't know anybody in Milwaukee though, and Katlyn is like my best friend, so I for sure want her there with me!  

After you have found your shows, it's time to make a list.  I looked at like 30 different lists online, and I complied them to make one for what I need.  Here's my list:

1. SQUARE - This is a really easy and cheap way to accept credit cards.  The only cost involved is the processing fee, which is actually less than Etsy's fee.
   
2. Business Card Holders - Don't get caught without these.  Have two or three so they are easily accessible at all of your tables. 
   
3. Pens/Pencils
   
4. Sharpies (black!)
   
5. Stapler
   
6. Scissors
   
7. Tape (scotch, packing, duct)
   
8. Calculator - This is super important!  Don't rely on your phone or computer for a calculator because electronics can be faulty and you don't want that to happen. I bring a couple just in case.  I want to be focused on selling, not on doing math. 
   
9. Misc. Tools (Screwdrivers/hammer and nails/utility knife, jewelry tools/X-acto knife) - Basically whatever you need for your products and displays.  For example if you sell jewelry bring your basic tools, so that if something breaks, you can fix it. 
   
10. Gum/Mints - Bad breath does not make sales
    
11. First Aid/Aspirin - I'm sure you've been there before.  Stuck somewhere all day long with a headache that you can't do anything about.
    
12. Notebook/scratch paper
    
13. Custom Order sheets - Make sure you have these, because you might not have exactly what somebody wants.  A lot of my business is based on this, so I have a lot, but make sure you at least have a few, and never give away your last one.  It's better to give people notebook paper with all the info you need rather than trying to remember because you don't have any more sheets.  My custom order sheet is here. It is meant to be 2 pages front and back.  The first page for me and the second for the customer.
    
14. Money/Change - Bring at least $100 in change.  If all your products are even dollar amounts (i.e. nothing that is like "10.50", but just "10.00") don't bring coins.  They will just get in your way.  I recommend doing this, then it's easier to add stuff together. Check out the Pricing tips here.
    
15. Extra labels - I recommend printing off a sheet of labels with the word "Display" on them.  Just in case you sell out of one particular product, you have at least one example of it for custom orders.
    
16. Extra tags - Check out my Tag tutorial here.
    
17. Receipt books - Don't write a receipt for every single sale you make.  However, have a sales receipt book there in case somebody wants one. 
    
18. Business Cards - I get mine at VistaPrint.  It's really simple and quite cheap.
    
19. 10% off cards - I have these cards that say "Get 10% off your next order, can be used at our next craft show or on my Etsy shop, use this code" -ok well not exactly but basically. I only gave away one at my last show.  But you can either give them away with every sale, or only ones over a certain amount.  It's a good way to get people to come back to a show or visit your online shop.  Make sure you have your etsy shop, website, facebook and email on the card.  
    
20. INVENTORY
    
21. Merch Bags - I got these plain white bags that just say 'Thank You' on them.  I got them off of Amazon.  250 for like $13.  Then I went to Walmart and got some clear treat bags for my smaller items.  They cost like $3 for 50 of them. 
    
22. Guest Book - I took a plain white binder, and printed off some pages so that people could sign up to subscribe to my blog.  Put an incentive on there to sign up.  Make sure you have pens. 
    
23. Banner - Also from VistaPrint.  Matches my business cards. 
    
24. Price displays - Check out my Displays tricks here.
    
25. Mirrors - If you have hair pieces, jewelry, etc, make sure you have mirrors so that people can see what it looks like on them.  
    
26. Windex/Paper Towels - You want people to be able to see themselves in your mirrors.
27. Tables - here.
    
28. Shelves - see above.
    
29. Tablecloths - see above.
    
30. Small Displays - see above.
    
31. Board display - This one probably doesn't pertain to you.  Check it out here.
    
32. Chairs - Folding chairs work best.  My advice is to stand and be engaged with your customers, but give yourself somewhere to rest during the down times.
    
33. Laptop/Charger/Mouse 
    
34. Phone/Charger - especially if you are using something like SQUARE.
    
35. Cooler with drinks - I recommend waters, maybe one or two sodas or energy drinks for partway through the day, but you don't want to get dehydrated. 
    
36. Small snacks/lunch - Make sure it isn't something that is going to make your breath smell bad, or something that will get stuck in your teeth.  Not a good way to sell stuff. xD
    
37. Garbage bags - Most places won't have a garbage right near you.  Bring a small garbage can or at least some extra bags to throw away your trash.  
    
38. Sample shipping boxes - Especially if you do a lot with custom orders.  That way if somebody wants more than one thing you can accurately gauge a shipping price for them.  I use USPS flat rate shipping for a lot of my stuff, and I have the prices for each box written right on the box so I don't have to look anything up. 
    
39. Wallet/Purse - Bring what makes you feel comfortable. You may need to buy yourself lunch or something though.  If you are taking it out of your costs for the show you can use the money right from your bank.
    
40. Heels - I'm short, so I wear heels.  Don't feel obligated to do this.  But on this topic, make sure that you wear something comfortable, professional, but fun.  Don't come in full business attire.  But look nice.
    
41. Comfy shoes - If you are planning on wearing heels, make sure you have other shoes.  You do not want to haul in your items and set up wearing heels, and you want to have the option of taking them off. 
    
42. Sweatshirt - In case it gets cold. 
    
43. Hairbrush/Bobby Pins/Hairspray - You don't want to have to deal with a bad hair day, so make sure you're prepared
44. Makeup - It it's a long craft show, your makeup might start wearing off. I know when my makeup does that, the outside corners of my eyes just start to look really droopy, like I was crying or something.  Don't be the sad clown lady at booth 134. 
45. Lotion - Dry skin and hang nails are no laughing matter.
    
46. Lipbalm - Either are dry cracked lips.  You want to look clean, and like you take care of yourself.  Cracked hands and lips sort of come with the job, believe me I get it, and I have super duper dry skin, but you look better with soft smooth skin and lips, and people like talking to you more.  I know it sucks sometimes but people are naturally shallow.
    
47. Deodorant - You're either outside on a hot day or in a building with tons of other vendors and customers, and they're moving and talking and it gets hot. You're going to sweat.
    
48. Handi-wipes - Just in case you get sticky fingers or they get dirty or something, you probably won't have time to run off to the bathroom. 
    
49. Lint Roller - Not only for you but your tablecloths
50. Camera - Make sure you take lots of pictures of your booth.  Not only is is a keepsake, but there are a lot of shows that want pictures of your booth before they let you in.
51. Sellers Permit - This is important, because it is illegal to sell things without a sellers permit.  Even at craft shows.  Some states are different, but I know mine cost $20, and it lasts for 2 years.  Yes, that means you have to pay taxes on your items.  It sucks but it's not hard to figure out, and if you want to do this for a long time (which I'm guessing you do) you need to run it legitimately, or when it comes time for taxes next year, you're going to be upset.

I know this seems like a lot to bring with you.  I have a three drawer rolling cart to put all my office supply stuff in.  Modify this list to what suits you and your products.  I just gave you this as a starting point.  The next step is Inventory and Pricing, here!