Craft Fair Psychology

A bit about the uniqueness of each product may spark gift ideas!

The Happy Hollydays Bazaar is just around the corner! November 7th and 8th. We participated last year, really enjoyed our experience, and decided at the last minute to dive in again this year. Why the last minute? Well, craft fairs, despite the cute little booth with a pair of smiling vendors, are a lot of work! Come Thursday evening next week we will be over-caffeinated and navigating our way through pathetic arguments, and will go to bed around 3:00 AM Friday morning.

But that's okay, it's part of the fun.
(And this year we will have our dear friends from Degno di Nota right next to us!)

{Last year I created a list of things to bring; it may be helpful to you if you are a craft fair person yourself.}

Today I wanted to share about "Craft Fair Psychology". I find myself often psychoanalyzing customers. I am sure pretending to be a psychologist and a statistician come into play for anyone that sells a product. Does a psychostatistician exist?

{Daily I am coming up with formulas that help us measure growth and production, like dollars earned/customer view. It's actually really fun!}

Here is what we learned last year, and what we will be changing (based on our consumer psychostatistics)...

U-Shape Booth - This is what we will do this year...

1. Display

Last year our booth prevented customers from moving about, and they questioned what was for sale. We needed a space to sit/receive payment, and this became exhausting and difficult when there was a rush of customers.

Last Year

2. Pricing

Last year instead of price tags on individual items, we used small signs. This year we will tag all the items. We thought that having price tags might seem tacky or impersonal, well it backfired. Even though we had prices printed out near the products, the customers still asked. It's like anywhere you go, you always check the price, and usually do what you can to avoid asking someone in a store.

Prices are written on the little cards...

3. Options to Buy

This year we will bring a variety of options for customers, and a variety of price points. Customers like to search about, touch products, and compare prices. They also respond well to a sense of urgency (maybe?). At craft fairs if it's too easy to "come back later" they usually will disappear. If we limit quantity of each option, and have a variety (price and selection), the urgency to buy will be greater.

We will have a limited collection of vintage one-of-kind dispensers. 

4. Marketing/Informational "Stuff"

Last year we created all of these various informational cards for customers. In the moment of taking payment, talking to a customer, packaging, you really forget so much. So this year we decided that have all of our marketing info already attached to the merchandise. 

Business card and Information card - already attached

5. Packaging

Customers are drawn to pretty and creative packaging, and we are drawn to the easiest and most cost-efficient options, that also tie in to our brand/aesthetic. We are still problem solving how to package our large items beautifully and efficiently, but as for the jars, this is about as easy as we could make it. 

We don't know how things will turn out at the HHB; we do know where our trust is seeded, and this freedom allows us to simply enjoy the two days of Christmas music and holiday shoppers.

In reality, we wish we could control sales but we must trust vulnerably and respond with grace.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Prov. 3:5&6