FIRST TIME VENDOR
I know I am not the first one (nor will I be the last) to write about being a first-time vendor, but I wanted to document my experience as it may help someone in the future.
Starting your own business is definitely not an easy task. You have to be clever in figuring out how to market your business. One thing I decided to try was being a vendor at an expo. Here's what I learned...
START SMALL
I'm speaking specifically to those with businesses that just started. If your business is up and running and producing income, this will not apply to your situation and you would probably be good at any venue. But for those that are maybe in their first year and want to drive sales or even just market your company, this is a great way to go. Just be cautious!
I had the opportunity to be a vendor at one of the largest expos for women. I had experience with the show since I had attended previous years as a customer. So I have seen the number of people the expo brings. And I remember how much I spent when I attended. However, what I was not expecting is that a lot of people were looking for freebies or more beauty-type products. Unfortunately, not only did I not hit the goal I set for myself, but I did not break even either. cue the pity music
So because of the significant cost of these larger shows, I would recommend a hard pass as a first show. I would, however, recommend finding out about those smaller, less-known fairs/ markets. These are great introductions to being a vendor at a craft fair and will help you figure out what works best for your business. You just have to know where to go or who to contact. One of the best things that happened to me at my first event was the ability to network. One of the ladies I chatted with informed me about a vendor Facebook page in our local area. What a game-changer. This was perfect because I was able to see the many different fairs being held and also familiarize myself with the main POCs. Just wish I would have known about it beforehand.
UNDERSTAND THE EVENT
Researching the event will go a long way in the end. As I said previously, I was familiar with the expo, so I thought I had an idea of what to expect. But, I was thinking of it from a personal perspective and not as the general population. I did not do enough research to determine the type of attendees to expect and therefore, what would be a great product to sell. For those who have a set type of product, it is a no-brainer. You do not have to think about the product, just about the amount. But those who are artisans/crafters will need to build the appropriate products and ensure they have an adequate amount. I shot for the moon and ended up having way too much inventory. Again, that was a direct result of the minimal research I performed beforehand. Understanding demographics and looking at previous results will go a long way.
Another thing to consider is the current market. Although the event has no control over that, considering current market conditions is beneficial as it will also help determine the types of items to make. Had I really taken the time to think about the market, I would have produced smaller/cheaper items So definitely take the time to gain an understanding of the average consumer expected to attend the event so you can cater your products to them.
ASK FOR HELP
Being a vendor is not an easy task. There are so many things you have to do in preparation beforehand and during the event.
I would not have been able to make it through that first day without help from my friends. It helps to have an additional person so your booth is not vacant and you will not miss a sale. But it is also helpful because it allows you the opportunity to talk to customers about your product/brand/ idea while your assistant can take payments or work on restocking.
Something as simple as getting help with setup to make sure your layout makes sense is also beneficial. So enlist help whenever you can get it.
HAVE A PLAN
I do not know how I would have made it through my first expo without having a plan. I found a great planner specific to crafters on Etsy. That was perfect for me as it had all the necessary information to ensure I stayed organized and well-prepared for the event. Of course, there is no one plan that fits all situations. But here are some of the things I found helpful in the planner:
Section for all important business documents - they may not be necessary, but it is a good idea to have them in one central location just in case you need them.
Checklists - These are great to help you keep track of anything you need to get done or what you need to bring for the show. Writing it down is helpful as things will get busy and it is so easy to forget something.
Countdowns - This planner had a weekly countdown list that started five weeks out. I used these to help me stay on track for completing certain projects while keeping me focused for the big day.
Social media trackers - If your business relies heavily on social media, this is a great way to gauge the effectiveness of the event in boosting followers/page likes.
Money logs - To truly gauge how well you performed, you'll need to track all of your expenses and sales. This planner had several different logs that were helpful for me to track the money.
Design/layout section - The most important part of your booth is the layout. It has to be inviting to the customers, so having a space where you can draw out the overall booth as well as the design of individual tables.
Again, find a planner that works for you, but anything is better than nothing.
SLEEP TIGHT
Getting a good night's rest before the event is so important. You will not be any good to your business or to your customers if you are tired. And you do not want a yawn to escape while you are talking to someone. It could also be a turn-off to someone walking by that see you dozing off. The last thing you want to do is drive away sales because you stayed up late stressing out.
As always, do not forget to have fun. There is nothing greater than being able to talk to people about the amazing things you do. Be proud and let that shine through. Have a dynamite day!
