Can anyone offer any info regarding sales trends for 2010 so far and if there is any comparison or contrast to the trends? In other words do you have any ideas to offer as to why sales might be down (bad weather) or just the opposite (finally having a space where there is better foot traffic). I want to think positive every show I do, but not having done a show yet this year, I feel a bit "out of the loop" and very much want to be in the loop.
Michelle
By the Bay Botanicals
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
P.S. I haven't done any shows yet as money flow is slow and have been working on some private label stuff, but have some coming up this summer and then in the Fall and winter. I just don't have much success in the Spring time, unless it is around Mother's Day - which is when I have my first show of the year.
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Having said that I love doing the bigger more expensive shows - the people -my people! are there, they are indoors (most of them - a big plus), usually last Friday - Sunday, and so many other good factors. I do believe you can get good sales from $400 shows, but have also learned that a show let's say Kutztown Festival (which has a fee of $25-50 or so + 15% commission) can yield thousands in revenue over a 7 day period - the show is a full week long show. I did a wine festival last year and was floored the fee was only $25 (+ 10% commission) and it was a juried art show and made about $500 at it. I could have done more if I had more to sell too - especially with what I am making now. For me, it is about NOT spending over your means, but making wise choices with money that will benefit you down the road. The days of spending beyond our means is what got our economy in this mess - people not being able to afford their homes (doing 0% down), credit card debt that people are not able to pay off, etc. AND this is what works for me - I cannot and will not poo-poo others ideas on how to make money or handle debt - but I do feel there is a smart and patient way of doing so and there isn't. - Michelle
It turned out that on average, I sold $2000 per weekend, so if I did 20 shows a year (which I do), that would be about $40K in sales, far more than I have ever earned in my life. Now, I know that this is not actual income, and that business expenses, both direct and indirect, will cut that nearly in half, but in the beginning it was all about CASH FLOW and debt service. I have now reduced my debt to $12,000 on only two credit cards, and am very confident that it will be eliminated within two years.
I realize this approach may not work for everyone, but it is another way to approach the problem of reducing debt.
And to answer the initial question posed, in my experience sales trends are UP for 2010. I have done nine shows this year and my average is $3000 per show. The balance of big ticket versus small stuff sold varies widely and seems to depend on the market (no surprise there).
I apply to mostly less expensive shows - under $100 booth rents. I also do a few mid range shows - under $300 and 1 or 2 expensive shows $400 to $500 shows. I can't swing anything more expensive than that. So far most of the shows that I have been accepted into are the low and mid range shows. I figure that if accepted I can swing 1 or 2 expensive shows and 1 or 2 fewer inexpensive shows each year and then look at the averages over the year rather than looking per show. I think the upscale shows are larger and give you more earning potential. I think it may be a way to slowly edge up. Just my thoughts.
So to recap - when I have more money - and am done paying down debt, you can expect me to be at more shows - and the goal is to do this so I can do some REALLY GOOD shows this Fall/Winter. If I am lucky, I MIGHT try and do one or two in the south this winter, has to be after Christmas during my down time though. I have a few friends and family in Florida now so it is now just traveling expenses, and cutting down overnight expenses. Do know, I am not retired and still need to stick close to home as I do work part time for people I REALLY LOVE working for and provides extra income as they buy my work wholesale and it sells in their store too. My husband works full time at a job he loves and makes good money - this is something I can't rock the boat on too. However we might be able to take 1 week off or so and try a few "southern shows" and see what happens.
Michelle
P.S.
We've known each other for a number of years now, and although we have never met in person I know we're friends.
So as one friend to another, isn't it about time you got off the sidelines and dove into some good shows on a fairly regular basis?
You certainly know what you're doing, as you have a craft blog and are always there to give good advice. But it seems to me that other than a RenFair, you are hesitant. Why?
You're doing $25 and $50 shows. I do too, but only on an off weekend and the show is within 25 miles.
Those are the "Hey, that's $500 more than if I sat home doing nothing" shows.
Michelle, it's time to take the plunge. There are some excellent promoters within a few hours drive of you. C'mon. Sign up for some good shows and become the true professional we all know is inside you.
I'll give you one.
www.chestercraftshow.com
It's a decent show in a Revolutionary War town in northwest NJ that's been going on since the 70s. I first did it in 1984. It's in a suburban middle class area and the fee is reasonable. Good hotels are about 20 minutes away too. As with every other show, sales aren't what they used to be, but I'll still travel 5 hours to make $3,000. Wouldn't you?
C'mon. Take the plunge. Meet the gang.
If I had to make a judgement or guess, I'd say that 2010 is going to be a little better than 2009, and possibly a turnaround year. Smaller priced items are moving better than big tag items, but at least they are moving.
At the last show, where I sat and made notes in my journal way too often (bad sign, right?), the people next to me and 2 booths down were selling their jewelry non-stop all day long. It might have been price (I heard one say, “and you can have the ring, the bracelet, AND the necklace for only $75!!!!). Being by myself, I couldn’t stroll over to look, but price was probably not the only variable. Were they in better shade than me (yes)? New to the show (yes)? Other factors? Undoubtedly, yes.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t be observant. But one person’s experience does not necessarily extrapolate to yours.
James Sewell said:
I have done two shows this year now, one I have done previously the other was a new show. What is very fresh with me when it comes to comparing shows from at least this past year and this year is last year the weather was really bad - either tornado watches, hot and oppressive, or high winds and other inclement weather. My first show had high winds - the space was $25 and got $65 out of it and had to leave early as my display fell over (no damage to my display or products, but wasn't going to stick around to see if I could). So I walked away with some money - not hundreds or thousands, but again was lucky.
My last show was a strawberry festival and one I loved doing last year as I did make 10 times my booth fee - easy. And the fee was $35 for 2 10x10 spaces. This year, as it was with last year, was hot hot hot and much of the crowd died when 1:00/1:30 came around. The previous year the crowds died around 2:00/2:30.
What I have learned - as every show can and most likely will be a learning experience - is that it isn't always about the economy or how a show is promoted. The past two were on the same weekends as in previous years, same booth fee and admission was free... much of everything is the same however the weather was different. And the weather can make or break a show. As always there are die hard buyers that will brave heavy rains or come early if the weather will get hot to buy, but that doesn't cover everyone.
As I do have another outdoor show in the middle of August - I am really looking forward to those indoor ones!
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