Home Party Plan Network Message Boards

Has anyone done and had success with street fairs? I am a consultant for a jewelry line. Our jewelry is not inventoried and is ordered. I was thinking of doing our local summer street fair (it goes once a week for the entire summer) There is a $50.00 per week, 4 week min. requirement. Is this normal? Are they worthwhile? Do you do anything special for the event, like raffles etc to draw people to your booth?

I would appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks,
Tracy

I do Craft shows ALL the time - will be gone this weekend for one
I have lots of cash n carry tht I sell, most times when folks go to these things they want to get things while there - I have a hard time getting people to place orders - there are others though that do good with it

I usually pay about $25 for a space some shows run 1 day some run 4 days - the most I paid was split a $95 space with a friend was a 2 day show an I did GREAT

But usually stick with the less costly - cause by the time you figure in all the costs - catalogs, business cards, samples, canopy(to keep you covered) tables, table coverings, shelves, storage containers, lights(night time hours) gas to and from - food - tape, bags, pens, paper, signs, ink for whatever you might print off, price tags - there is alot of little things that ad up in our type of Biz - You want to make back what you have put out

I have at some shows had a win me raffle - free chances and then some were $1 chance - some shows allow raffles some do not -

I do not hound people to have parties - there are some Reps I have been placed next to that drive folks away by being too pushy - I have out a sign up sheet for them to check if they would like to get next catalog via us mail - be notified of sales via us mail or email - woud like to talk about a home party- would like to talk about a catalog party - I let the customer decide what they want, gets more leads for me this way - might not work for others

So there is my spill on them I LOVE them do them ALL the time - my best ones are Sept(Labor Day 4 days-cost $35-includes electricity) October( County Fair- 2 days cost is $25) and Nov(catholic churches Liver dumplings pre holiday shopping extravaganza- 2 days $25)

Just make sure to ask ALOT of questions on the do's and don't's MANY do NOT like Party plan direct sales reps - say that the crafters complain about us - BUT I hav only been turned away from 1 show when I applied - and hav met some GREAT crafters who share about other shows they know of ANd they watch my space while I use the restroom LOL

Let us know what you decide
Tonja

Hi Tonia,

Thanks! I will let you know how it goes.

Take Care,
Tracy

I just completed a vendor show this weekend and it went okay. A question that I've learned to ask is how many other companies that sell jewelry (for instance) will be attending so that I can better prepare myself for the day. If there's many others which sell my same product there, I will pass on the invite. But, you have to know when to pass and when it will most benefit you. This you will only learn through time. Good luck.