Top 5 Expert Tips to Make $1000 Selling at Craft Markets

Hey Rockstars! Jamie here, founder of yarnybox, and I want to share with you the most important things I have learned from selling at 100+ craft markets. 

Are you ready to make some serious cash at handmade markets? Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these 5 tips will help you increase your sales and make at least $1000 per market. Let's get started!

 

1. Invest in Quality Markets

First things first, if you want to make bank at craft markets, you need to invest in quality markets. This is the most important tip! Some markets are much better than others, so talk to vendors and find out which ones are worth your time and money. Don't waste your time at a market that doesn't attract your target audience. It's like the saying goes, "you gotta spend money to make money." So go ahead and empty out your piggy bank for that fancy market booth - it'll pay off in the end! I've found that most of my best markets were also my priciest! 😬

Another way to judge a market is to check their social media following. Do they have a loyal follower base, are they well established, does it look like they do a good job of promoting their markets? Sometimes you can get a good idea of this from their Instagram page.

Depending on what city you are in, you can use services like Vendorbridge to see all of the available markets in your area and when they are.

 

2. Come up with a Unique Product

You need to stand out if you want to make money. And no, I don't mean just slapping some glitter on a mug and calling it "unique." Get creative! Make something so mind-blowingly cool that people can't help but stop and stare.

You don't always have to reinvent the wheel either, for example, if soap making is your passion, try to focus on scents and packaging that other people haven't tried yet, or maybe a new target market! Soap for dogs? Heck yeah! Soap for aliens? Even better! Think outside the box and get creative! Your product should be eye-catching and memorable. 👍

 

3. Invest in Quality Branding

Your table should look professional and beautiful. It should look like it was set up by Martha Stewart on steroids. Get some flashy signage, a cute tablecloth, and maybe even some pyrotechnics (okay, maybe not the pyrotechnics). Make sure everything is clean and well-organized. Customers are more likely to buy from a vendor who takes pride in their setup and feels established and trustworthy.

Companies like Vistaprint and Staples can make all manner of custom banners for your business. Vistaprint can also make custom packaging to give your products a special flair! Or, check out your local printing shops to see if they can help! 🎁

 

4. Constantly Re-evaluate What is Working

After every market, re-evaluate what is working and what isn't. Focus on adding one new product each market and getting rid of one product that isn't selling well. That way, you're always improving your product line and getting better at giving customers what they want.

It's good to make a rule for yourself and stick to that rule. For instance, make a promise that you will change and try a new product layout every single market or that you will invent at least 1 new product per market and hold yourself to that.

 

5. Come up with a Compelling (But Authentic) Sales Pitch

Come up with a compelling (but authentic) sales pitch. Look, we all know that nobody likes a pushy salesperson. But if you can come up with a genuine and heartfelt story about your brand, people will be more inclined to buy from you. Just don't go making up some sob story about how you were raised by wolves or something (unless it's true, in which case, you go, wolf-child!).

Your sales pitch should tell the story of your brand. How did you come up with these amazing ideas? How did you decide to start your business? Generate a narrative that lets people feel comfortable and puts a human face onto your business. A good and honest story sells! People are inherently good, and they will want to support you on your journey, but the only way they can do that is if you first fill them in on how far you've come!

 

FAQ

Can I make money at craft markets if I'm just starting out? Absolutely! Follow these tips, and you'll be well on your way to making money at craft markets. But be mindful that it takes patience and lots of hard work to eventually crack the code and make a good living at this. Trust the process and keep trying things!

• How do I know which markets are worth my time and money?

Talk to vendors who have sold at the markets you're interested in. They'll be able to give you valuable insights. Don't be afraid to invest in more expensive markets once you feel like your product and pitch are working. Some markets like the Stampede are thousands of dollars to participate in, and yet many vendors pay the fee. What does that tell you about the quality of the market!

• What should I do if my product isn't selling well?

Try something new, and just keep trying. It's not uncommon for makers to have gone through many attempts before settling on a product line that people want.

• What should I aim for, in terms of sales?

As long as you've made enough money to be happy and feel like your time was well spent, then the market was a success. But if you want concrete numbers, I usually try to sell 6-8x the cost of the booth. So if a booth is $200, the market would have been very good if I sell $1200 or more. This number is different for everyone, though, and you cannot always expect to hit it!

• How can I come up with a compelling sales pitch?

Tell the story of your brand. How did you come up with these amazing ideas? How did you get into this industry? Generate a narrative that lets people feel comfortable and puts a human face onto your business. A good and honest story sells! People are inherently good, and they will want to support you on your journey, but the only way they can do that is if you first fill them in on how far you've come!