3 Steps To Planning Your Own Event

by Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank
http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com

If you have a hard time locating events in your area which are
reasonably priced, it may be time for you to start planning your own
event.

Planning your own event isn't as hard as you may think. While it is
time consuming and requires a lot of organization skills, it could
bring you a whole lot of local business.

Step 1 - Finding Vendors

The first thing you need to do is make sure you know enough vendors
to host your event. If you know other local home business owners,
get in contact with them and see if they can give you names. We've
been contacted several times because our name was passed on by
someone else who we met at a craft show.

Step 2 - Plan Your Costs

You'll need to rent a local community center or other space for your
event. Many are low cost, while others may cost you several hundred.
Go by your list above to figure out how much space you may need.
Remember not all those you have contact information for may contact
you, so it's best to over book than under book.

Be sure you also keep the cost of advertising in mind. Call your
local radio stations and newspapers to find out how much it will be
to run ads. You may want to kindly ask your vendors to let their
customers know they'll be attending your show. Don't make it a
requirement, but do ask. Many will do so automatically just because
it's easier for their customers to meet them at an event.

Step 3 - Set Your Date

Check for events around the area in the larger cities as well as
smaller towns to make sure you aren't holding your event on the same
day as another. We've had to turn down many offers because we were
attending another show. Not only will you be missing many vendors,
but attendance will be lower as well. NEVER book your event on the
same day as another craft show or similar event. Booking around
other events in town which compliment your event is fine though.

Once the date is set, you can now start collecting money from your
vendors and booking spaces. Keep your cost as low as possible, but
do as much advertising as you can as well. Low cost options such as
signs in town work wonders and help you stretch your advertising
budget. Depending on the size of the town, you won't want to charge
more than $10-20 per space. The more you do your event though, the
more you will be able to charge since locals will begin to expect
the show every year.

While organizing shows can be a lot of work, it can be a wonderful
way for you to build a bigger customer base within your own town.

Have fun!

5 Tips for Holiday Craft Shows

by Kara Kelso & Anita DeFrank
http://www.DirectSalesHelpers.com

Attending craft show can be a profitable experience if you use the following tips:

1. Show off your best products
Have an eye catching product? Don't leave it at home! They may not sell, but they'll bring more to your table. Make sure what you are showing off is an item you sell, and not just a prop.

2. Keep your table simple
Flashy lights, decorations, and tons of shelves are not needed. Keep your focus on your products.

3. Talk to your customers
While walking around we noticed not a lot of vendors were talking with their customer and encouraging them to buy. You don't have to be pushy, but ask them what they are looking for. You might have what they want, but they may not see it right away!

4. Have nice brochures
This is something free they can take home to look at later, so you want to make sure it outlines your business and products well. If your company brochures are expensive, design simple ones at home to print and take to your show. Keep the company brochures to include with orders.

5. Smile!
More than just interacting with your customers, be friendly as well. A smile can go a long way!

Craft shows may take time to get use to and profit from, but once you do they can be your best friend. As the old saying goes, "practice makes perfect", but with these tips you will have a good jump start!