Hi Everyone,
I attended a craft show this past weekend, a two day event and it was my first time there. I am just over 48 hours post event and I feel the need to vent so I can let it go. (Is there a song by that name? LOL) I'd like to list the pros and cons as a way to get it out.
CONS
1) This show was much smaller than we realized. There were no photos on their website of past shows, more on that later, so we could not guage it by photos. There were about 30 boths inside and about 5 outside? We were inside and I did not go around and count everyone but that is pretty close.
2) The building was much smaller than we realized.
3) They did not charge admission. We did not realize this till after we got there, as did other crafters.
4) Too many jewelry booths for such a small event. There were at least 4 people selling jewelry.
5) Too little advertising. There were conflicting reports over advertising. Some say it was done, but what? Some say it wasn't. We saw a FEW yard signs along the high way but they were much to small, with a small font too boot, to be readable at highway speed. One would have to be stopped on the roadside to be able to read them. Someone said they did a couple radio spots. A couple is not nearly enough. No flyers, nothing.
6) The lack of advertising translated in to almost no attendance by shoppers. This show ran Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. By about 1:00 PM on Saturday, it DIED. I mean for the whole weekend. The event pretty much became a networking event/social for the crafters. We did meet some pretty cool crafters there.
7) I really came to detest those who barely glanced at my products, looked at my prices and rolled their eyes. Really, you're gonna do that at my booth where I can see you? Grrrrr.
8) There is a weekly craft show/farmer's market that goes on WEEKLY very near where this craft show was located. The weekly event was 1/2 block away!!! To hear locals talk, the weekly event is VERY popular and well attended. This weekend than had bands as well. I am not sure they have bands every weekend. Why hold something like this SO CLOSE to a very popular weekly event!!???
PROS
1) It appeared all the crafters were selling handcrafted items. We did not see any buy/sell.
2) We were indoors. Those outdoors experienced the rain and the heat.
3) There was only one other person selling something similar to us. Her product had features that I do not like for what I sell. It actually hinders the effectiveness of the product. Her products were lower priced by about $9.00 for the same amount of coasters. But other crafters who had booths told me they preferred my product to hers.
4) Clean bathrooms that were indoors.
None of the crafters were happy with how the day turned out. Only 1-2 made their booth fee back. We are in the hole all the way around. Usually by about 3 hours into a show we have made our booth fee back plus some, sometimes we make it back faster. This production company is going to have a hard time getting any of the current crafters to return.
This event had made mre even more determined to call or email ahead of applying with all sorts of questions. I am bound and determined that I will prevent this from happening again, if it's within my power. There are only so many weekends to work and I have only so much $$ to throw at booth fees. I could have stayed at home and at least I would not have gone in the hole.
I understand it's a gamble to attend but this was RIDICULOUS when all the crafters are in the same boat. It was not just us. 99% of us were in the same situation concerning being seriously in the hole. I have never had such a bad show since I started 2 years ago. They better not send me an email for feedback unless they are ready to hold on to their seats because I am tired of trying to be "nice" and sidestepping what I really think!!
Okay, I think I am done now. BTW, this was in Louisiana and I don't think any of y'all were there.
Replies
Cindy, I think everybody here could have written that review at one time or another. It's all part of the learning process.
Don't be afraid to "Jury" the promoter. Call and ask questions. like what will the advertising be? I've done shows where the promoter advertised on radio stations that had listeners who would attend the show. But some exhibitors claim they didn't hear any radio advertising because they listen to head banging stations.
I know one promoter who says they place the display ad in the local newspaper just for the exhibitors to see. They are well aware fewer people read newspapers anymore, and they do direct contact advertising instead. One promoter hates Rush Limbaugh, but places a local ad on his show simply because it's the number one radio show in the region.
When you ask about advertising, don't be afraid to tell the promoter about your experience with the tiny writing on the road signs. Tell them the signs should be big and concise enough to be easily read by someone driving by at 50 mph. Example: One or two placed out in front of the venue a week before the show saying:
CRAFT SHOW
OCT 11-12
A good promoter would welcome this input.
Chris,
Thanks for your reply and encouragement.
>>Cindy, I think everybody here could have written that review at one time or another. It's all part of the learning process.<<
I am sorry others have had bad shows but glad to know others could have written similar reviews. I don't feel quite so bad now to have some validation from someone outside my little circle here in Louisiana.
>>Don't be afraid to "Jury" the promoter. Call and ask questions. like what will the advertising be?<<
Oh, I am already compiling a list to ask. They just better watch out! Really, of course I'll be polite and try not jump to conclusions or assumptions.