From William T Lasley,
Your Guide to Arts / Crafts Business.
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While craft shows are a great way to market your crafts, there are hidden competitors at many events. These should be considered when considering which shows to attend. There are, of course the obvious expenses such as show fees, traveling/lodging costs and raw materials to build stock... But there are also some not-so-obvious factors that can come into play. These "hidden" competitors can take the money right out of your customers hands before they get a chance to spend it with you!

The Hidden Competition

Admission Fees -
Some shows and many "festivals" charge an admission fee to visitors. Some fees are not very expensive, but any fee can affect a customer's cash flow for the event.

Parking Fees -
In many larger "downtown" areas, at civic centers, fairgrounds and such, visitors have to pay for parking. This is yet another expense that can sometimes turn "buyers" into "browsers".

Concessions -
Everyone love to eat when they are on an outing. This is just as true at craft shows. For would-be customers with a limited cash-flow, this may mean having to decide between buying lunch for the family or buying your crafts.

Other Events -
While other events that are going on in the same area at the same time as your craft event can bring extra traffic, it also thins out the amount of money a crowd has to spend.

Season -
Even the time of year can affect your sales. For instance, the Christmas/Holiday shopping season might increase sales for someone selling gift items and ornaments, but at the same time could dramatically decrease sales for someone selling handmade patio furniture. Take into consideration what season your products sell best and try to base most of your show-circuit around this time.

Remember, none of these factors can make or break a show. For instance, an admission fee can also work to your advantage at a high-quality juried show, by weeding out the browsers from serious buyers. But, anything that your customer has to spend money on at a show should be taken into account. Determine ahead of time if a particular event will be right for your product. Over time, you will get a feel for which shows work best for you and watching for the hidden competitors will be come second nature. Good luck!

What do you think? Do other things visitors spend money on affect the sales of crafts? If you would like to voice your opinion on this subject, just visit our forum to let the world know what you think!