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The season of craft shows is fast approaching are you ready? Maybe this is your first year doing a show, you have submitted your items, been approved and have paid your fees. Congratulation! I know with my first show I was rather exited and with the excitement came a tremendous nervous feeling! I am on my third year of shows and I still get panicky the day of the show. This year I am doing lots of yoga and getting my aggression out by listening to lots of metal - anything helps right?

Here are some tips that I hope pull you through your first show. Use my guide as a starting off point and see what works best for you and remember to breathe and listen to lots of fist pumping metal!!!

Pre set up prep: You should have the details of the space you are renting. Make sure you have a table that fits the requirements. If you cannot find a table to buy within your budget you can rent one at a party supply store, the rates vary but before I bought my table (thanks mom - thanks yard sale!) I was renting a card sized table for around $10. Also if you do not have folding chairs in your arsenal (again thanks mom for finding these for me - my mom is the yard sale queen!) You should look into buying some or again renting them, renting is about $2 a chair. Maybe you can stand up for five hours but more than likely you will need to sit for a bit. Look into lighting, it is crucial too see if the space is lighted and if not see about electrical outlets and bring a good light source. I once had a table at a craft show in a bar and the lighting was horrible...only if I thought to bring a light!

Paper or plastic sir?: If you are selling small items please spring for some bags to use for your paying customers to haul their stuff home. I have bought from vendors in the past that did not have bags thus making my items get squashed at the bottom of my purse, not cool! If you want to go the eco-green route buy some recycled paper lunch bags, stamp with water based ink and there you go. I have done this in the past. This year I stocked up on some cellophane bags printed with skulls for rather cheap that fits with the items I sell. Be creative with your packaging!

Info please!: Order business cards if you have not done so already. You can get affordable ones made, do a search for the best deals. I got cards specifically made for events this year saying ‘thanks for stopping by, please check me out on Etsy’ again with a skull matching my theme (I like skulls!). My first year of shows I did not have much money  but I was creative. I got my $9 sticker maker, printed out labels with contact info, made them into stickers and attached them to loteria cards. Last year I was feeling creative again and my boyfriend and I came up with fliers. This year I decided to work with business cards because I found a good deal.

Once I was at a show, I liked a girl’s product but not the colors she offered, she said she did custom work, so I asked for a card, she did not have any and we had to scramble around looking for a pen and paper! So not cool right? Get cards or fliers made.

Have your stuff ready: I try to keep all my items in a big rubber tub, small jewelry items in a organizer placed in the tub. There is no need to stress when you have all your items ready to go.

Freebies and promo items: Most people leave out buttons for passer buys to take. You can get 1" buttons cheaply made if you do not have a button press of your own. I use Button Guy (http://www.buttonguy.org/) because the prices are great and the service is super fast. I was leaving buttons out the last few years till I started getting fed up with people who just took them without even looking at my stuff. Now I give my buttons and other freebies to paying customers as a thank you bonus. Some people offer snack sized bags of candy, I have done this in the past as well with my fave vegan sugary sweets.

Set up: Make sure you arrive at the event 30 minutes to 60 minutes before it starts. This gives you time to check in and set your table up. I usually take 45 minutes because I put a lot of time into getting my stuff ready in bins and do a test set up.

Buddy system: If you have a friend who can help bring him/her along. That way you can take on more than one customer, have someone watch the table as you use the bathroom and you get to check out the show for yourself. Make sure your friend is accustomed to your products, this will help with sells. I went to a show a few times and the person crafting has her husband watch her table. On two occasions I have asked her husband about the products and he was clueless thus resulting in me not buying things. I take my boyfriend - he knows my stuff and people have gotten to know him.

$$$: Bring change. I only except cash, I do not have the skills to run a credit card machine and taking checks for me is a major no. Also do a bit of research to find the nearest ATM machines in the area, this can come in handy. Also bring something to stash your money in. I have used a lunch box in the past but this year I am buying a small $10 money organizer box.

Extras: If your table is less than gorgeous invest in a table cloth that covers up the wear and tear. Once I used a skeleton print  fleece blanket I bought for $10 as a table cloth! Be creative. Also if you have time make a banner or sign that has your shop’s name on it, this helps you stand out.

Last but not least: SMILE! As silly as it sounds a smile and a simple ‘hi’ goes a long way in getting people to buy from you. Customer service is what makes people eager to buy and remember you for future purchases.