Tips for selling
I have been to tons of art and craft fairs, but never to sell! I've also never seriously considered what it takes to sell. So, fresh from my first fair, here's my advice! (I did wait a couple of days to catch up on all the sleep I missed and chores I skipped…)
First, when you have lots of books to make, work in an "assembly line," as much as possible. If I had tried to switch back and forth between book forms, or complete one whole book before starting another, I would have made maybe half as many books finished. For instance, I did pamphlet stitch the first week. So, I did all my cutting, then all my scoring and folding. Then I would punch a half dozen books or so and then stitch them all. Then I punched and sewed some more. (Alternating kept me from getting too bored.) I waited until I had a small stack to do any embellishing.
Second, give potential customers lots of ideas on how they can use your wares! If you can think of some really unusual uses for your "stuff," display some samples or make a sign suggesting them. For instance, I used an accordian book to create a memory book when I graduated college. I had all my friends sign the pages before I made the book. Then I added rub-ons saying "have fun," "celebrate," and "friends," accompanied by photos. I displayed this one at my table, next to the brag books I was selling.
Third, clearly mark all your prices. You don't have to have an enormous tag or sign, but just make sure that potential customers can easily find it and read it. (Print out stickers if your handwriting is really bad! Or use an inexpensive picture frame and slip in a printout for a polished look with little fuss.) Many people will just keep on going if they can't find a price. (Fortunately, mine were all marked. Not that it helped that much.)
Finally, remember what you are selling: your incredible books…not the display! You've worked hard to create them, so keep it simple and let them be the stars. You want to showcase the beauty of your work, not eclipse it. Your props, table coverings, even your signs, should never compete with your work! A simple rule of thumb: if you can't justify its presence, dump it!
Xandria
First, when you have lots of books to make, work in an "assembly line," as much as possible. If I had tried to switch back and forth between book forms, or complete one whole book before starting another, I would have made maybe half as many books finished. For instance, I did pamphlet stitch the first week. So, I did all my cutting, then all my scoring and folding. Then I would punch a half dozen books or so and then stitch them all. Then I punched and sewed some more. (Alternating kept me from getting too bored.) I waited until I had a small stack to do any embellishing.
Second, give potential customers lots of ideas on how they can use your wares! If you can think of some really unusual uses for your "stuff," display some samples or make a sign suggesting them. For instance, I used an accordian book to create a memory book when I graduated college. I had all my friends sign the pages before I made the book. Then I added rub-ons saying "have fun," "celebrate," and "friends," accompanied by photos. I displayed this one at my table, next to the brag books I was selling.
Third, clearly mark all your prices. You don't have to have an enormous tag or sign, but just make sure that potential customers can easily find it and read it. (Print out stickers if your handwriting is really bad! Or use an inexpensive picture frame and slip in a printout for a polished look with little fuss.) Many people will just keep on going if they can't find a price. (Fortunately, mine were all marked. Not that it helped that much.)
Finally, remember what you are selling: your incredible books…not the display! You've worked hard to create them, so keep it simple and let them be the stars. You want to showcase the beauty of your work, not eclipse it. Your props, table coverings, even your signs, should never compete with your work! A simple rule of thumb: if you can't justify its presence, dump it!
Xandria
posted by Mirawyn | 12:58 PM
1 Comments:
These are REALLY good tips. I just wish I knew how to price my books. I put a lot of effort into them, but I'm so modest I know that I'd undercharge. Do you have a rule of thumb you go by in determining book prices?
Kelsey
aperfecttool501@aim.com
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