Tag: artists

November 26, 2018 10 Tips for Artists & Makers

10 TIPS FOR VENDORS AT FAIRS & SHOWS

Whether you are new to vending or a veteran, remembering all the little things that can make a great customer AND vending experience can be a lot to remember, especially during the busy holiday season. Using these tips and other adjustments that best fit your product, set you up for better chance of a sale.

And use our Square referral link and receive free processing on up to $1,000 in sales.

Sound off on the comments section about some of your favorite tips!

Consider the location of your table or booth.

Contact the organizer as soon as your spot is confirmed. Find out if you will be next to complimentary vendors, the type of lighting that will be available to you, and the proximity to an outlet or electrical source (if needed). It doesn’t hurt to ask the organizer BEFORE the show what is the best spot for you with regard to your items, especially if you have a display floor rack. Once the show has started it will be harder to move you and the organizer won’t be happy making last minute adjustments on the fly.

 

Make branding and styling a priority.

Make sure to have a banner with your logo, descriptive tagline, and website. All pricing signage should be clearly visible and legible for customers with consistent branding. Provide branded shopping bags, which can be just a sticker or stamp added to generic bags. You want to make sure people can tell it’s YOUR brand and can easily remember your store. Banners can get damaged, soiled or maybe the design is dated. Prep in advance to ensure your materials come in on time or to avoid rush fees. Usually October is a good time to access what you will need for the upcoming season.

 

Promote the Event

Although you often have to pay a fee to participate, it’s also your responsibility to let potential customers know about the fair. Invite people close to the venue know about it. Sharing the event invite and flyer on social media or around town. Let your customers know via newsletter about the upcoming fairs you are participating in. Post images and video during the event should others nearby see it and want to stop in, especially if it’s a multi-day event.

 

Maximize the full space available to you.

Just because you are limited by floor or table space you are usually not limited by height. It’s also sometimes an option to extend in front of your table. Use EVERY bit of space allowed--you pay for it! Make sure that everything is easy to grab and view. Showcasing options are great for customers to see, even if it means having duplicate items on your table. Invest in some display items. Getting a few quality displays really can help bring the whole look together. Try garage sales or second-hand stores for some cheaper alternatives. Or if you can’t purchase items, then make some of your own. Upcycle a wine box or fruit crate; they are usually free and incredibly versatile.

 

Bring items appropriate for the fair.

Choosing which items to bring can be daunting. Take a look at the roster of vendors or who may attend the fair. Ask the organizers if they can give you some insight into what the average price point is and what types of items are most popular in your category. Make sure to also bring enough stock and add items as they sell.

 

Be ready for all sales!

Cash is still King! So make sure that you have plenty of change. But don’t lose sales because you don’t take cards. Using Square or another mobile credit card payment system, make sure your items are in your system and to add in appropriate sales tax. If you only sell at craft markets, you don’t have to include prices in your item listing unless you make it available on the online store, that way you can adjust pricing on the fly but keep track of what items sold. Use our referral link, and receive free processing on up to $1,000 in sales.

 

Look attentive!

Sometimes the long days or slow sales zaps your energy to provide the same attentiveness to each person that walks by. You don’t have to necessarily stand the whole time but you want to make sure people know that you are ready for a sale. Just saying “hello” or Happy Holidays” can get the customer’s attention without you feeling like you’re coming on strong or desperate for a sale. Customers should feel welcome to touch your wares and engage in conversation with you.

 

Take a lap around the venue.

Besides meeting other vendors, study how things are laid out and what is and isn’t working for other vendors. Educate yourself with every fair to see what can work better for you next time. Usually at the beginning of the fair is the best time to go since it tends to be the slowest time. At the end of the fair, the tables may look different as the vendors sell off their wares.

 

Make sure potential buyers can find you after the fair.

Sometimes customers are gathering ideas and may not purchase right away from you. Have business cards or postcards with your contact info and website where they can buy from you later. Let them know that they can purchase from you online or maybe at another upcoming fair. And with every sale you make, include your card in the shopping bag. Having a newsletter sign-up sheet is also great way to follow up with potential customers! Using their email, you can potentially offer a special discount for those interested in your products and turn them into customers.

 

Have fun!

Try not to constantly ask how are sales for other vendors and compare yourself. Constant complaining creates a negative vibe and customers can feel it. Making it a fun experience leaves a good impression on the customer, even if they don’t buy from you. And the other vendors will appreciate your encouragement too! Sometimes encouragement comes in a bottle of red wine that you sneak in 😉

 

November 10, 2017 Magazine Post a Comment

How To Ask for Help with Your Art

You’ve faced this conundrum before. Maybe you’re having difficulty following your map, and you’re reluctant to ask the car next to you at the stoplight for directions. Maybe you’re too proud to ask your parents for help with this month’s rent. And if you’re an artist, or you want to be an artist, you might have found yourself hesitant now or at some point when it comes to seeking out help with your art.

There’s no shame in asking for help. After all, nobody becomes a skilled artist overnight. Vincent Van Gogh famously practiced sketching day and night, year after year, before he even let himself attempt to paint with a brush. Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais studied for years under John Ruskin, taking much inspiration (as well as Ruskin’s wife) from him.

Although there are many people who certainly seem to have a knack for creating art, bear in mind that they had to start somewhere, and that drawing, painting, sculpting, or any other artistic skill can be learned. But if you’re too proud, you won’t be able to take advantage of the greatest resource that an aspiring artist could ask for: the help of others.

Here are five ways to ask for help with your art:

1. Contact an artist whose work inspires you

Who knows? Maybe that famous artist will respond to your email and you’ll have found a mentor who can not only give you some tips on improving your craft, but also advice on breaking into the art world. If you don’t get a response, don’t be discouraged! They’re probably very busy.

2. Talk to your art teachers, former or present

Are you taking art classes currently? Did you take them some time ago, in high school or college? There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to reach out to your art teachers. Their advice could prove very helpful. After all, they already taught you some of what you know! If they’re available locally, stop by, or drop them an email if that’s easier. If you’re still in school and taking art classes, talk to your teachers after class. They can give you one-on-one advice that makes the class all the more worth it.

3. Join a local art community

Try to see if there’s a local community with artists who have similar interests to yours. It could be something hyper-specific, like a collective of Etsy pottery artisans, or something broader, like a local arts center. But look around, because you can learn just as much from your peers as you would from a mentor figure.

4. Join an online art community

If you cannot find an art community locally, join an online one. There are online art communities such as DeviantArt, as well as online forums such as Reddit that promote discussion and constructive criticism between artists. It’s also very cool to know that if you join an online community, people from all over the world will be seeing your art! You can either ask for help with your art or just post it and see what people say.

5. Go to one of Westchester’s art establishments

If you live in Westchester, there are a number of resources at your disposal. The Bott Shoppe has materials for all sorts of art, as well as lessons, tutorials, and exercises to help you develop your skills and portfolio. There are classes and workshops at ArtsWestchester, and the Mamaroneck Artists Guild is a great community with around two hundred members that you can join if you’d like to get your work out there.

The art community can seem intimidating and at times extraordinarily pretentious, but if you talk to artists, you may find that many of these people would enthusiastically give you a helping hand if given the opportunity. Whether they’re tutoring you in technique, providing you with resources to learn and grow as an artist, or just provide moral support, it’s always good to have somebody in your corner.

Although your art is all yours, and depending on your medium of choice, may not be collaborative, it’s still very helpful to have somebody there to critique or advise you. Don’t be scared to reach out to artists in your community, or stop by a local establishment of the arts where you can get all the encouragement and help that you need to get your art career rolling!