Does Anyone Have This Same Problem

[Humble Beginnings]

I'm really trying to put a business plan together to include booths at festivals. What I'm finding is that a lot only allow hand made items. Others I have found are super expensive almost 400.00 to set up. I only found maybe 2-3 around me that allow PC and they already have PC reps. Has anyone else experienced this and what advice can you give me. I really need to start doing this to get out there and meet people.

 

[pcchefjane]

Watch for any small local things. My daughter and I were driving down the road last week doing errands and there was a banner on a fence about the Keep America Beautiful fundraiser on Labor Day here in town at one of the elementary schools. There was a phone number so I called immediately and got a booth there. It was only $20 to set up. The lady said they always have a good turnout.

Offer to do Stop N Shop fundraisers at local schools. What you do is get together home-based business vendors (Avon, PC of course, Tupperware, etc.) on a Saturday for a 4-6 hour session. The cost is $20 per space plus 10% of the sales made there. The PTO can have a food booth with items for sale as well. The orders are placed with each vendor then the vendors return the items to the schools in 2-3 weeks. The PTO then passes them out to the purchasers. Parents don't have to try to get together with a bunch of different people and get great gifts besides. You are showing the Community you care about them by donating money and your name gets out. The one in the next County has raised over $1000 every year. The PC person there said she always had around $300 in sales. Granted last year was bad because it was so dry and since that county depends on farming, it was not as successful. My DD who does Close to my Heart did get $80 in sales but more importantly, she has one customer who steadily brings her $80-100 in orders at least every other month. We do these in November since it is closer to Christmas. We have sent out letters to the 17 local elementary schools this year and hopefully will get business from each of those. Since she is the only CTMH rep within this area, she sent the letters in case there is a parent or staff member that does PC.

A local lady here has started a website called "Fun and Frugal" where she lets local vendors advertise for $5 a month. She asks for a $25 gift certificate donation for each month. She sends out information daily. The one today had the information that I was giving away the registration for the September Kids in the Kitchen Workshop. I have already "met" 4 ladies who have signed up and 2 of them are taking the flyer to their children's preschools. One lady volunteered her kitchen and invited 4 of her friends so now it has turned into a cooking show for her! I gave her half-price for the one being held at her home.

I have found my Kids in the Kitchen Workshops have attracted a lot of attention as well. Ladies tell other ladies about the fun their child had. I send out the flyer to my contacts who pass it on to their contacts.

If you would like more details on what I have done, email me at [email protected].

 

[noelskitchen]

I've noticed booths have been extremely expensive. In my area since I work full time in an 3 person office it's hard to meet other people. I signed up for Paint The Town Pink in Oct, that was $295 plus supplies, giveaways, I'm splitting this cost with two other team members. I'm doing another 2 day expo in September by myself, that's a few hundred right there. I checked in to the bridal fairs and those booths are a few hundred as well, and some are more. If the turn out that I'm expecting is good than leads and hosts are possibilities. How else do you put yourself out there?

 

[gingertannery]

I usually look for church bazaars.. school fairs.. These are cheap and usually only cost a nice door prize in leiu of a booth fee. Once I go I talk to the other venders and ask if they know of other venues coming up. I am usually the only PC person for some reason. Most only allow one PC person etc. Many churches just put up a banner in front of the cherch. I even have a few ladies that look for me and e-mail me info when they find a bazaar. (how sweet) Mnay of the larger venues are very expensive. I try to choose one or two per year to attend. At least you can write off the expense. I find I get better response from the little church bazaars because it is usually church members or affiliates.. and schools with the teachers and parents. I have gotten some great parties from them including great catalog shows. Keep looking.. and good luck

 

[DebbieJ]

Churches and schools are your best bet. Fees of $25-75 are reasonable. Everyone in my area has found that the bridal fairs are not worth the expense--they are WAAYYYYYY too much money with very little return.Part of being successful at a booth is also WORKING IT well. You can't sit behind your table and wait for people to stop. You have to engage them! Stand out in front and put a smile on your face!

 

[floccies]

Keep looking. I am finding shows in my area that I had never heard of -- look at the websites of/call the chamber of commerce of neighboring towns and find out when there events are. How about large car shows etc? (I did a 3 day booth there, inside, for $60 and booked at least 3 shows with the potenetial for more). What about firehall craft shows?

Keep trying. There is also a website called Eventlister that is helpful.

 

[thebowman]

Local businesses too! I have past hosts that call when they are doing something at work like this Friday at Curves, there is an Open House and I will be there 2 hours and Demo the new Chicken Chili (on the cover of Seasons Best) and there is no charge for my table. I agree school functions are great too. Chin up

 

[ltkacz]

Did you think about splitting the price of a more expensive booth with others in your cluster?

As far as getting them on your own - my advice - keep looking. And once you get in, make a great first impression so they ask you back immediately. I landed one this past spring - and within the first 2 hours of the event, the coordinator had already asked if I wanted to come back this fall.

 

[Humble Beginnings]

Ok it took some searching but I booked my first booth!!! :sing:I'm so excited. It's Oct 11th and was only $15.00 for one table set up:thumbup:. It will be in our downtown area and is the first Fall festival we have here. I couldn't believe it, no other PC signed and it was so cheap. I really hope to get bookings from this. I know some mention offering a drawing for a free cooking show but how does this work for everyone? I would love to hear some booking lines and what you say to people to get them over to your booth.

 

[lockhartkitchen]

Start your own bazaar. Last year I rented my local grange for only $100. I invited other vendors and crafters in to rent a table for $30. The money collected not only covered the grange, but I had enough to have professional signs made and advertise the event in the local paper. This year I anticipate double the vendors.

 

[kspry]

rented my local grange

Well, I wish I had me a local grange! I could probably find one, if I was willing to drive 70 miles. That's a good idea, though.

 

[etteluap70PC]

Start your own bazaar. Last year I rented my local grange for only $100. I invited other vendors and crafters in to rent a table for $30. The money collected not only covered the grange, but I had enough to have professional signs made and advertise the event in the local paper. This year I anticipate double the vendors.

I have done this as well... (Not at the grange hall but you get the idea...)

 

[paigev71]

Start your own bazaar. Last year I rented my local grange for only $100. I invited other vendors and crafters in to rent a table for $30. The money collected not only covered the grange, but I had enough to have professional signs made and advertise the event in the local paper. This year I anticipate double the vendors.

I have no idea what a "grange" is but this gave me a great idea. I have not been too successful getting my name out at my church yet. I was thinking of seeing if I could put together a craft fair (with DS companies like me as well) at my church and make it a fundraiser for the youth camp fund. If we charged $20 a booth and then had a bake sale along with it, I think it would bring in a good bit of money as well as give me and others who make things/sell things a way to showcase our stuff.

 

[cathyskitchen]

Churches and schools are your best bet. Fees of $25-75 are reasonable. Everyone in my area has found that the bridal fairs are not worth the expense--they are WAAYYYYYY too much money with very little return.

Part of being successful at a booth is also WORKING IT well. You can't sit behind your table and wait for people to stop. You have to engage them! Stand out in front and put a smile on your face!

I have to totally agree with Deb - churches and schools have been GREAT for me, and Bridal Fairs have been a total bust (NOTHING!).

WORKING your booth is also key - make that connection with the people you meet and you can sell them anything!! Good luck!

 

[allisonserna]

what I have noticed is for the more pricier events you can "work off" the cost...

Esp bridal events if you can bring 10 friends (doesn't have to be PC consultants) to stuff bags, help set up, take tickets, usually they will let you have 13 X 13 booth for free. Not all of the bridal companies will let you do that but if you ask if there is any ways to get a discount - try it.

Also churches are great - they are always lower costing events and they usually advertise in their monthly newsletters and on the bulletin boards about their events = great turn out.

if a crafting events wants something hand made - ask if you can sell $1.00 food samples and make up some of the new recipes. Show some of the new season tools and take down their info - if they wont let you put out catalogs.

it really just takes some keeping an eye out mentality.

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