My name is Denise Johnson, a life long artist and seller at shows. For 40 years I have sold different things at every kind of show there is. Currently, my husband & I make a living selling our garage crafted Corian cutting boards and my artwork at shows and on our websites. This year, we'll do around 25 art and craft shows. We must be doing something right because we've stayed married, haven't killed each other (come close a few times tho) and we're making money. You can be darn sure everything you'll read in this guide is written with firsthand knowledge, honesty and hard earned experience. Read my Guide and you should be able to detour around some of those bumps in the show road and wrong turns we've taken over the last 40 years. This is your chance to learn from our mistakes.
This 40+ page show guide is something I’ve wanted to put together for a long time. Sometimes at shows I'll casually offer a suggestion to a new seller about their display or how they could maybe tweek this or that to make something work better for them. I want them to be successful and gladly share what I know could help their sales. After all, we're all in this together right? Most of the time, my suggestion is welcomed, sometimes not so much.
Writing this Guide gave me the freedom to say it like it is and be very frank. I didn't have to worry about offending anyone. Really kinda liberating! So, that's the reason for the Guide, to tell the truth and help and well, to guide! I've put everything I know about selling at shows into it. There's good meaty information, great tips, honest advise. All this stuff has been accumulating in my brain over the last 4 decades of selling at shows. I figured I better get it out of there before it disappears. Getting older has not improved my memory whatsoever.
In the Guide you’ll read about the “do this, never do that” things, lots of honest wisdom and good advice picked up over a lifetime of selling at all kinds of venues. While I talk about ink art in this guide, the information applies to whatever you sell - be it arts, crafts or winky dinks of your own making. The Guide explains some of the reasons why customers do what they do. It will help you deal with those squirrely ones that sometimes are a real challenge, like when they say "Oh, that's SO expensive!" I've given you a great comeback for that one.
So you're not a natural salesman? Well, I give you examples of what to say in what situation and how to say it-that's the Art of Selling chapter. Not sure how to price your work? I can help with that for sure. In the Guide you'll find examples and suggestions on how to increase your sales. Unsure of what kind of show you should go to first? I explain all the different types of shows; farmers markets, flea markets, home, craft, fine arts & crafts and fine arts, and the pros and cons of each. Booth setup - that's covered with images of my booth. I explain what's going to bring your customers in and what's going to scare them away. Also addressed is the B.S. (buy/sell) issue that you're probably not even aware exists.
So get yourself a beverage, a comfy chair and kickback and read the guide. Takes notes, I'm big on taking notes. Take your time, reread sections that really strike a chord. Refer back to the guide when you need to, keep it handy. The checklist is invaluable. Refer to it for every show you do. Think of it this way - if you get one extra sale from something you've learned in my Guide, it will have paid for itself. It's a good investment.
Imagine what you could change, or do, or be when it comes to selling your arts and crafts at shows. Learn from it. Gain confidence. You can do this! You're a creative person or you wouldn't consider selling at shows...you wouldn't have anything to sell, right! So get to it and do it! I really look forward to hearing back from you!
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You will be able to download the 40+ page PDF file just as soon as you have completed your purchase. It's a one time download for your own personal use.
Tags: selling guide, art shows, craft shows, sell
