A to Z Challenge – 2019 – P is for Promotion

Posted on April 18, 2019 by scr4pl80

Any good business person knows that in order to sell their products they need to promote them in some way.  I have an Etsy site and whenever I make something new I take pictures and post them on the site, here on my blog and to Instagram and Facebook to let people know about them.  I know that Pinterest is a good way too and I am learning how to navigate that as well. 

Another way I have used for the last few years to promote my crafts is by signing up for craft fairs and Holiday Boutiques.  I had never tried anything like that before but I know that with my type of crafting, sometimes it is better if people can touch the products so I decided to give it a try.  The Etsy site has teams that you can join and one of the teams I was in posted different upcoming events we could register for.  My first one was at an Elks Club event.  My husband had been an Elk in the past and so I was familiar with the building and felt comfortable in the area.

This was my display table from that first vendor event.  It was held in conjunction with an Antique Car show and there was a lot of activity in and out of the showroom.  I didn’t make very much money but it was definitely a learning experience and it showed me some things about how to place my items so they would attract attention.  It also helped me get over my nervousness.

The next one I did was an outside event.  Because my crafts are mostly paper, I wasn’t sure how the outside would work but fortunately it was a nice day and it was okay.
I made a double-sided banner with the name of my Etsy site, “A Smile 4 U from Janet.”

I learned that I could use different things to make my cards more visible.  The cards at the end of the table are actually clipped on a jewelry stand so it can turn around.    

The next event was inside again.  I have an 8 foot table here and it is much nicer to be able to spread out a little.  

It was a Holiday Boutique so I switched the banner to the gold side to make it more festive.

After the fourth or fifth show I began to get really comfortable.  This is another Holiday Boutique and now I even have poles to hold my wreaths, not to mention the top hat!


The events cost money to participate in, anywhere from $30 to $60 depending on the size of the table you get.  I try to feature as many things on the table as I can without having it look too cluttered.

I have a little cup at the end of the table that has my business cards in it and am getting better and better at the displays I think, making it easy for people to pick up things and/or ask questions.

I really have fun doing these craft fairs even if it is a lot of work setting up and taking everything down.  Fortunately most of the time I don’t have to trek too far from my car to the set up area or my husband helps me.

Almost every time I have at least made back the money I spent to reserve the table.  If I do that I call it a win.  At the last Holiday Boutique I actually had a request for some custom made items and that was really exciting.  I have a “Square” device that I can put on my phone or tablet to be able to collect payment with credit cards and that is great.  It also syncs with the Etsy site so if I sell something at an event, it automatically takes it out of my stock online.  I almost had a snafu though because while I was selling at the boutique, someone online bought some cards.  I had to make sure and take them off display right away so someone else wouldn’t try to buy them!  Good thing my phone sends me a notice when I make an Etsy sale!

I am also using this A to Z Challenge as a promotion since I am linking to my Etsy site with each letter.  So far no sales – come on people ~~ just kidding ~~ not really.  Please feel free to share the links with anyone you might think of who likes this personal touch to their cards and gifts.

Okay, enough promotion.  Now on to the letter “Q.”

#AtoZChallenge 2019 Tenth Anniversary blogging from A to Z challenge letter

from Blogger http://asmile4ufromjanet.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-to-z-challenge-2019-p-is-for-promotion.html
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About scr4pl80

I'm a 60-ish, married, mom to 3, creative soul looking to make the world a better place one smile at a time.
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20 Responses to A to Z Challenge – 2019 – P is for Promotion

  1. Shelley says:
    April 18, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    WOW – your displays are so nice and professional looking. All of the Etsy store stuff is so new to me…I’d be lost. I’m glad you’ve figured it out and that it works with your phone too. You’re doing well from what I can tell. Keep up the promotion!! Hats off to you, dear! šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

  2. John Holton says:
    April 18, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    Craft fairs are a big thing here between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are some exhibitors that I swear are at all of them. I can’t imagine working all week then spending the weekends doing craft fairs, but there are those who seemingly can’t get enough.

    Liked by 1 person

    • scr4pl80 says:
      April 18, 2019 at 3:08 pm

      Yes, John. I have seen the same vendors over and over too. I think that the “professionals” really make their money from the craft fairs so it is their job. I’m no where near that stage yet but I can hope šŸ™‚

      Like

  3. ghostmmnc says:
    April 18, 2019 at 1:10 pm

    Your table displays are really nice, with lots of products for people to look through. Seems like you’re having a lot of fun at these craft fairs! I like the top hat, too. Probably gets a conversation going, and hopefully a sale. šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Cathy Kennedy says:
    April 18, 2019 at 11:33 am

    Janet,

    Wonderful art/craft presentation! I often wondered how one might do with something like this but is it really worth it to only break even? What benefit is there other than the fun? Do you repeat customers from these fairs who shop at your Etsy shop? I’m full of questions, aren’t I? Oh well…all that matters is this is something you enjoy doing, right? Great post! šŸ˜‰

    A2Z Little Mermaid art sketch ‘Pearl’

    Liked by 1 person

    • scr4pl80 says:
      April 18, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      All good questions, Cathy, and ones that I ask myself all the time. I am hoping that the more I do of them the more I will sell of course. I was encouraged by the last one where I actually had a special order for two of my mini-albums. It is something that I enjoy doing and with the new studio I’m hoping to be able to branch out even more. My transcription business is going through some peaks and valleys so I’m having more time to work on my crafts, which will be helpful.

      Like

  5. Donna B. McNicol says:
    April 18, 2019 at 10:53 am

    Just an FYI, the link at the top of your blog’s sidebar to your FB page isn’t working. I found you there via a search (and liked the page and invited my daughter and another friend).

    DB McNicol, author
    A to Z Microfiction: Parachute

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Ally Bean says:
    April 18, 2019 at 9:58 am

    That’s one nice hat you got there! I worked in merchandising for years and this is what I was told to do: Pile High & Deep. PHD. It looks like you’ve got that figured out.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. randombitsoftrialanderror says:
    April 18, 2019 at 9:53 am

    Your displays are beautiful! I also love your Etsy shop and your cards–they are so professional and simply LOVELY!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Lisa says:
    April 18, 2019 at 9:47 am

    I love crafts fairs! We don’t have them as much where I live now. In fact, I don’t think there are as many around as there were in the 70s. My father used to love the ones featuring ceramics. I still have some of the pots he bought.
    Your tables are very eye-catching.

    Liked by 1 person

    • scr4pl80 says:
      April 18, 2019 at 10:09 am

      Thanks Lisa. We have a few around here at various times of the year. Mostly around the holidays but I think I’m going to try and find some more during the summer months.

      Like

  9. Jill Weatherholt says:
    April 18, 2019 at 8:14 am

    Wow! You have quite the operation, Janet. Your tables looks so festive and I love the photo of you wearing the hat! šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

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