What Vendors Want Most from Show Promoters
If this is your first foray into promoting a craft show or you are looking for ways to make your shows more successful, you have come to the right place. Understanding what vendors expect of you can be quite tricky. While promoting a show can seem like a piece of cake, the truth is that vendors are going to look to you if there are few customers or if the show does not go as planned. With so many expectations, it can be easy to forget how much fun a show can be. What follows is a bit of a guide to what your vendors are really looking for.
The most important thing for you to do as a promoter is, well, promote. Advertise the show in any way you can think of, and when you believe you are done, advertise some more. Word of mouth and newspaper ads are excellent, but they are only a small part of your job. Create postings on online message boards, advertise with local TV or radio stations, and even put up signs and flyers. Get your name out there and make sure that you are bringing in customers.
When creating advertising, you need to realize that your job is twofold. Bringing in customers is crucial for your vendors, but your job is also to bring in as many vendors as possible. Use craft fair sites, art school message boards, and any other means available to help you get the word out. The more vendors that attend your fair, the higher the turnout will be. Customers are not going to pull over for a single booth with one or two vendors.
Another job will be to create variety. Don't just bring in fifteen painters, mix it up. Offer woodworkers, food vendors, and any other type of craft vendors you can find. No matter what type of show you have, the most success will be found when your event offers a wide selection of wares.
Last, you want to create an attractive and comfortable fair. This means offering well placed tables and adequate lighting. Outdoor fairs are great, but setting up tarps or tents to protect against wind and rain can help to draw in larger crowds and will keep your vendors happy. Take the time to make sure that your fair is well designed for vendors and customers alike.
Once you manage these basics, you will find that your shows are much more successful. Vendors do not expect every show to be the biggest and best they have ever seen, but they do expect it to be well advertised. Take the time to make your show as visible and varied as possible, and you will find that your vendors are willing to work with you again in the future.
