Are you a maker looking to sell your handmade products but unsure of where to start? We’ll explore the various types of events you can sell at, and share tips for finding the best ones for your business. Plus, stick around for a bonus tip that’s sure to help you find the top markets in your area.🤩 Let’s dive in!
Defining Terms
You Can Sell at Many Events, Not Just “Craft Shows”
If you are a handmade business owner, you might have heard the term “craft show” before. This term refers to events where only handmade items are sold, both indoor and outdoor. However, did you know that there are other types of events that you can sell your products at besides “craft shows”?
Craft Shows and Craft Fairs
Craft shows and craft fairs are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference between the two. Craft shows are events where only handmade items are sold, while craft fairs are events that also feature commercial vendors, food vendors, and entertainment. Craft fairs are usually held outdoors at big locations, such as fairgrounds.
Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are events where mostly local farmers sell fresh produce. These events are typically held outdoors. However, some farmers markets also have handmade business owners as vendors.
Pop-up Shops
Pop-up shops are typically events held by local businesses that want to support other small businesses and bring more traffic to their store. These events can be held by hairdressers, boutiques, and other small businesses.
Although all of these events are different, they are all great options to sell your handmade products at. I use the term “markets” to refer to all of these events as a whole.
Tips for Finding The Best Shows
Now that you know about the different types of events you can sell at, let’s go over some tips on how to find the best shows.
Target audience
Make sure that the people who will buy your products will be at the event you are considering. For example, selling baby products to young families at a teen music festival might not be the best fit.
Credibility
Do your research to ensure that the event is credible. Look for events held by local businesses or annual events.
Location
Consider whether the event is in a popular or easily accessible location.
Contact event organizers
Ask event organizers for information about the amount of traffic and vendors they are looking for.
Attend as a customer
Attend the event as a customer first to get a better sense of the traffic, shoppers, and vendors.
Consider fees
Look for events with reasonable fees. For your first market, a fee of $50-$100/day is reasonable. However, just because an event is expensive does not mean that it is good!
Top 3 Ways to Find Shows in Your Area
1. Google search
When searching for events in your area, it’s important to use relevant keywords and location information to get accurate search results. For example, if you’re looking for craft shows or markets in your local area, you might use keywords such as “craft fair,” “market,” or “vendor event” along with your city or town name.
One effective way to search for events is to use Google’s events feature. This feature allows you to search for events in your area based on specific criteria, such as date, location, and type of event. By using this feature, you can get more accurate and targeted search results that are relevant to your interests.
To use Google’s events feature, simply go to the Google search bar and type in “events near me” or “craft fairs near me” along with your city or town name. You can also use more specific keywords, such as “holiday craft show” or “outdoor market” to narrow down your search results.
By using relevant keywords and location information to search for events, you can find a wide range of opportunities to sell your handmade products and grow your business.
2. Facebook groups
Facebook is a great resource for finding local vendor groups and events. You can also try broader terms like “craft vendors” or “artisan markets.”
Once you find relevant groups, join them and start engaging with other members. Introduce yourself and let them know what you sell. You can also ask for recommendations on upcoming events or ask if anyone knows of any events that are looking for vendors.
Another benefit of joining these groups is that you can network with other vendors. You may find opportunities to collaborate on events or even share a booth space to save on costs. Plus, it’s always helpful to have a community of like-minded individuals to bounce ideas off of and get support from!
3. Craft show directories
Craft shows and markets are often advertised on various websites, making it easier to find events in your area. Websites such as craftmasternews.com, festivalnet.com, and artfaircalendar.com are great resources for finding upcoming events, not just in your local area but also across the country. These websites offer event listings sorted by location, date, and type of event, so you can easily find events that fit your needs.
Craftmasternews.com is a comprehensive directory of arts and crafts shows, fairs, and festivals across the United States. The site allows you to search for events by state, month, and category, such as fine art, home decor, jewelry, and more. It also includes detailed event information such as dates, times, location, and contact information for event organizers.
Festivalnet.com is another great resource for finding events. The site offers a searchable database of over 26,000 festivals, art shows, craft shows, music festivals, and more across North America. You can search for events by location, date, and event type, and even sign up for a free account to receive email notifications about new events in your area.
Artfaircalendar.com is a comprehensive directory of juried art shows and craft fairs across the country. The site allows you to search for events by state, month, and type of event, such as fine art, contemporary crafts, and holiday markets. It also includes detailed event information such as dates, times, location, and contact information for event organizers.
By using these websites, you can easily find events in your area and beyond, and even apply to participate as a vendor at some of these events. So don’t hesitate to check them out and start exploring the exciting world of markets!
Bonus Tip!!! WOrd of mouth!
Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways to find the best markets in your area. It involves reaching out to other vendors and asking for recommendations. When you attend markets, take the opportunity to network with other vendors and ask them about events they’ve attended in the past.
You can also ask vendors at these events about other markets they’ve participated in and what they liked about them. Many of these people set up at shows all year and have a wealth of knowledge about upcoming events, which they are often more than willing to share. You can learn a lot from the experiences of others and use this information to find the best events for your handmade products. By building relationships with other vendors, you can also create a support network that can help you navigate the world of markets and craft shows. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and recommendations – you never know what opportunities you might uncover!
In conclusion, there are many different types of events that you can sell your handmade products at. Make sure that you consider your target audience, the event’s credibility, location, and fees before committing to any event. Use these 3 ways to find shows in your area, and don’t forget to ask other vendors for recommendations! Good luck finding your shows, friends!
