This question always prompts me to think on the last day of the show.
Are you looking just only the total net sales (minus all expenses) of the events or some other factors? Some artists told me that the present of the artists also could lead to the after-the-show sales as well.
However, a few artists also told me that customers who bought pieces of the artworks, likelihood, will not purchase them again on the following years.
Some of the shows have more lookers and browsers rather than actual buyers. (Talk about the lookers, many of them always asked for the business cards, which I knew that they won't even contact us back. I always come back home with the empty box of business cards. But I hardly receive any calls or emails from these folks./)
Go back to the original question... Seriously, what would be your factors of considerators whether to return to the same show next year? I do appreciate if you can share the thoughts. Thanks.
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I can put up with crappy logistics as long as the sales are high enough. I did a new show for me, starting three years ago in Peoria. Easy set up, great organizers, close by parking. The first year was the Unicorn Year coming off Covid. Sales were my all time highest in 33 years and won a large prize check to boot. The next year I was moved to a different spot and sales dropped by half. Disappointing but still okay. This past year I was moved once again, and sales dropped again by half down to the point where I lost money. I've tapped out the market for my work, and won't return this year. Last year was bad for others around me and they won't return either.
For 2-3 day shows: 1. Minimum daily or average daily sales of $1K-$1.5K, 2, Minimum margin of 50%, 3. Easy set up and good management, 4. Less than 8 hours travel time, and 5. Was it fun, interesting clients, lots of friendly dogs, neat art for me to buy. My medium is wester style leather goods: belts, holsters, personal, K-9 and equestrian. After some 30 years, I now only do 4-5 summer shows in Colorado resort areas, and most are repeats every summer. I get invited back because of the tax revenue I generate for the towns. These are mini vacations with cabin/condo rental with hot tub. Rates have increased which leads to creative housing solutions, i.e. cheap motel night before and after show, cabin/condo during show. This and eating in increase the margin.
1. Energy - If a show has little energy, sales die
2. Location - In an alley or dead street area is a non-starter
3. Attendance - No reason to go to a show if nobody shows up
4. Promoter - If the promoter is good at their job.
Glass artist, 25 yrs doing shows. Price range $20-$500, Retired since 2019.
I'd go back to a show if..
1. easy drive up, setup the night before. 2. On-site parking for my van, that I sleep in. 3. No buy/sell. 4. Other artists I know are in the show. 5. If I get a good vibe & good shoes. 6. Cover expenses and make the drive & my time worth it. Back in the 90's when I started, the rule of thumb was to make 10x's your booth fee, not sure these days with the increase in booth fees, if that's still feasible.
I also gave out lots of business cards, but I'd usually put on the back 10% off, above $100, with the date and good till the end of that show only. That usually gave me a few more slower Sunday sales.
Hope that helps, enjoy your future shows.
I remember some years ago going to an event for the first time and we had small sales. I noticed that it was a very homogeneous group of buyers, dressed very similarly. We had fine art photography, they couldn't seem to Think of photography as anything except family portraits, nothing conceptual. Those two factors told us this was not a show for us.