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8 tips of craft show etiquette

by nick

Here are a few tips for newcomers to the craft show world related to both customer relations and general best practices.

  1. Keep your identity as a craftsperson. Be friendly. People are buying you as much as your work.
  2. The customer isn’t always right, but keeping the illusion alive can be beneficial to everyone involved.
  3. Say thank you when someone compliments your work. Compliments eventually turn into sales.
  4. The answer to ‘How are you doing?’ is always positive.  People are attracted to success and people who aren’t miserable.
  5. If you hear the same suggestion three times… do it.
  6. Dress for weather and pack for alternative weather since the weatherman rarely gets in right. Pack extra socks
  7. Never, never read or look bored while in your booth.
  8. Always smile.

These tips come from Guild members at our October craft show.

      6 comments

      1 tara - scoutie girl { 01.28.10 at 9:31 am }

      As a craft show attender and not exhibitor, I can say these tips are spot on! I get so frustrated when I walk up to a booth and the craftsperson isn’t interested in saying “hi” to me or telling me a bit about their process.

      I’m sure it gets pretty boring! But it’s new to me and I’m totally interested!!

      2 Joseph { 01.28.10 at 3:09 pm }

      Watch what you say! Asking a client “can I help you?” gives them the chance to simply answer “no.” Asking a client “how can I help you?” can open the door to a conversation.

      3 Brad Sears { 01.28.10 at 4:33 pm }

      Amen – to both the suggestions and the follow-up comments!

      I would add that, as an exhibitor, I want to be attentive to my patrons, but allow them their space.

      4 Jodi { 01.28.10 at 5:16 pm }

      I’d also add, don’t be afraid to come outside of your booth to interact with people.

      5 paula lewis { 01.29.10 at 9:54 am }

      What is a good strategy when a booth visitor seems to want information with the intent of replicating the artist’s work instead of buying it? As a show visitor, I overhear this kind of discussion and it makes me uncomfortable for the artist. Since I am not exhibiting, I am wantering the aisles, where folks are not guarded about their intent.

      6 nick { 02.02.10 at 1:34 pm }

      paula: you (or the exhibitor) should not permit photography and limit the details in which they share. it might be hard to truly spot it, but if you sense replication is possible, i would say be guarded in your response.

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