I just did my first craft fair this past weekend. What a craft fair with only 5 vendors!! My wife & I were 2 of them!!! I was the only one to make money. I was pitching Svengalis & worms. You couldn't even call it a pitch, it was more like a magic demo, there wasn't enough people to buld a tip!! I would probably say 40 people total attended the fair.

I have another one this weekend, which I know is better attended. I'm hoping to do about $500.

This was my first time pitching, so I guess it was a good place to be "bad". I did $75, it paid for my spot & stock with a little left over for profit.

I can't wait till this weekend to see how I do in a situation with a real crowd of people.

Mark

Yeah, sometimes these "craft fairs" are not well attended -- usually because they aren't well promoted. Some show organizers think that once they have made up the registration form and collected the money, their job is done. Heck, it hasn't even started -- they still need to promote the thing properly. Otherwise, the show will be a flop.

Well, at least you got some practice, and you'll know where NOT to go next time! If your next show is a REAL craft fair, ask some of the other vendors for advice on good upcoming shows. They are usually helpful, because your stuff (magic tricks) doesn't compete with theirs, and it's to their interest to have plenty of different vendors at a show.

Congrats to you for making the best of a bad situation, for not blanking, and for making your nut! SETH

Good gooing Mark.I never did well at craft shows.A lot of them won't let you in unless you made what you are going to sell.Before anybody says I have known Svengali pitchman that made their decks but sorry that dosen't get it.I really don't like craft shows so them not letting me in works just fine with me.

Later,Don

I have managed to get into a few craft shows by arguing that even though I didn't make the tricks myself, I'm selling a craft -- the art of magic. Sometimes that gets me in.

But in general I agree with Don, because my experience has been that I don't do all that well at craft shows. Too many old ladies and not enough kids. Give me a street fair or an Xmas Bazaar instead!! SETH

I'm a little leary of craft fairs myself. I seen a lot of them won't have you
as Don mentioned above. One thing I do when I talk to the person organzing the
event is ask how many vendors were there last year and how many so far. This
gives me an indicator. I also ask how many people came last year and how many
expected this year.

I'm no expert by the way, I've only done one Bazaar so far and 0 craft fairs...

It's always good to ask -- and sometimes you even get truthful answers!!

I signed up for one so-called "Xmas Bazaar" last year. It turned out to be a rummage sale.

Let me tell you, if there's anything worse than a flea market, it's a rummage sale. Never again! SETH