Local Craft Fairs, Farmers Market, Bazaars - Any Ideas

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various strategies and experiences related to finding and participating in local craft fairs, farmers markets, and bazaars. Participants share their personal experiences, successes, and challenges in engaging with these events to increase bookings and sales.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses a desire to find local craft fairs and bazaars in Montreal to increase bookings.
  • Another participant mentions using kijiji.com as a resource for finding local events.
  • Several users share that they have found success with local fairs compared to larger events like bridal shows, which they describe as costly and less fruitful.
  • One participant shares their experience of booking multiple events and emphasizes the importance of following up with leads.
  • Another participant discusses the effectiveness of offering a free cooking show as a draw for potential bookings.
  • One participant notes the difficulty in finding event listings in Quebec and suggests checking local papers for vendor opportunities.
  • Several participants agree on the value of smaller, local events over larger, more expensive fairs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of larger events versus local fairs, with some participants expressing dissatisfaction with larger events while others find them beneficial.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and insights based on their local markets, particularly in Montreal and Alberta, highlighting the variability in success rates and availability of events.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking to expand their presence at local events or seeking advice on effective strategies for participating in craft fairs and bazaars may find this discussion relevant.

Petra
Petra
Messages
9
Hello everyone,
I really would like to spread "my wings" in Montreal and area and looking to find local craft fairs and bazaars. Does anyone know where to find a listing on the internet to these local events?
For anyone that has done these local events in their comunity, how was the success rate on participating in these fairs regularly?
I really need to increase my bookings, since I seem to be at a stand still at this point.
I am greatful for any advise and insight that you could share!
Thanks!
Petra :love:
 
try kijiji.com
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Hi,
Thank you both very much for the links to kijiji and eventlister.
How successful have you been with attending Fairs and Bazaars?
Do you have any tips for a first timer?

Thanks,
Petra
 
Petra said:
Hi,
Thank you both very much for the links to kijiji and eventlister.
How successful have you been with attending Fairs and Bazaars?
Do you have any tips for a first timer?

Thanks,
Petra
Click to expand...
I have 3 of them coming up. They are either a hit or a miss. I prefer the local fairs opposed to the Home Shows and Wedding Expos. Those can cost a lot to be a part of and I don't find them any better for contacts then the ones locally that cost $30 to rent a table.
 
I agree with Kristin. The Homeshows and Bridal Fairs have been a flop and are VERY expensive. I'm good at local events and they are cheaper! One place to start too is your local grange. I don't know if you have these, but you can rent the building for cheap, invite others vendors, share the expense/clients they may bring in and have a holiday bazaar. Also, talk to gyms for health fairs, woman's events. I'm hooking up with a gym and I'm presenting healthy food choices. I usually walk away from an 8 hour event with about $200 in sales (no inventory there, just catalogs to order from). and my last outdoor event I booked 6 on the calendar right then and there. I followed up within 48 hours on my lead sheets, very important and booked 4 more. I do 3-4 fairs/bazaars during the summer. This keeps my business flowing. My one outdoor event has me booked solid Sep/Oct. You go girl! Let us know how you do.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Hi Krisin, Julie and Paulette,
Thank you very much for the info. I have to agree with all of you. Our Montreal team had rented a booth at the Montreal Women show in the last couple of years and it wasn't successful for any of us. We each got on average less then 1 booking each, which just barely paid for the booth.
I am now looking at the local bazaars which we have coming up for x-mas and hope to get a table at a few.
Julie, your sucess is truly encouraging! I can't wait to get started now!
Thank you all for sharing your wealth of expertise!!!
Petra
 
petra
i use to offer a $25 gift certificate for my draw got tons of entries no/few bookings
now offer free cooking show alot less leads but more serious about booking
also the follow is so important
if u pm me your email i can send you a referral for a cdn company like post calls. they offer a 50 call/30 day trial and you could send a msg thanking and letting everyone know you will be following up with them in the next few weeks
i usually find fairs in my local paper "looking for vendors"
good luck
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Hi Heather,
I love the idea to offer a free cooking show for the draw. You must have been reading my mind, I was just thinking about what I have at home to give away!
I would appreciate it if you could send me the refferal for the cdn company. My email is [email protected]
It has been incredible hard to find any bazaar or other event listings in QC. I live and breath google for anything that I am looking for, but in this case we really don't have any event listings here (not like craftlister.com).
I actually serached the website of each individual city around Montreal to try and find any event listing. I do remember a few bazaars I used to go to when I did handicrafts, but other then that they are really hard to find here.
So far I have found 2 good onces that I will follow up with on Tuesday and hopefully I will still be able to get a table.
Most of our bazaars are in either schools or churches and they really are not looking for vendors in the local papers. I wish they would!
Thanks again for your ideas!
Petra
 
petra
your welcome i will send you a referral for the company
if they are not advertsiting then give them a call and see if they have christmas bazars
i think every church in my town does
try searching canadian craft shows on google
hth
 
Heather,I too do the free cooking show give away, with another item I'm giving away. Isn't it amazing how such a simple idea works! As they are filling out the slip, I ask if they are entering for the free cooking show. If they are, I get my calendar and book them right there. My last event I booked 6; sent them with their host packet in a decorative bag with PC clear sticker on, so they carried PC advertisement around the rest of the event.
 
Kristen is so right on the big fairs being a flop. I did a $400 Bridal Fair a couple years ago (3 of us split the cost so not tooooo bad)...but got hardly anything out of it. I do much better at smaller events and have gotten really lucky at the bridal shop here by simply taking in a white basket filled with our wedding registry info, my business cards and cookies for the shop owner! I tied a pretty tulle bow on top. Things like that, the personal touch, really work!
 
Hi Petra,I live in Alberta and I have to say that Kijiji is the best source for finding community events. I check on a weekly basis. I act upon them quickly to be the first one and get a spot right away.Julie
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective strategies for selling Pampered Chef products at local craft fairs?

To effectively sell Pampered Chef products at local craft fairs, consider creating an inviting booth display that showcases your products in action. Offer live demonstrations to engage potential customers and highlight the benefits of the products. Additionally, provide samples of food prepared with your tools to entice visitors. Collect contact information for follow-up and consider offering exclusive fair discounts to encourage immediate purchases.

How can I attract more customers to my booth at a farmers market?

To attract more customers to your booth at a farmers market, use eye-catching signage that clearly communicates what you offer. Engage passersby with friendly greetings and offer samples of food prepared with your products. Utilize social media to promote your presence at the market and consider partnering with local farmers or vendors for cross-promotion. Having a visually appealing layout and interactive elements can also draw in more visitors.

What types of Pampered Chef products are best suited for bazaars?

At bazaars, consider showcasing popular and versatile Pampered Chef products that appeal to a wide audience. Items like the Quick Slice, Stoneware, and various kitchen gadgets tend to attract attention. Additionally, seasonal products or gift sets can be great options for holiday bazaars. Focus on items that demonstrate convenience and quality, which resonate well with shoppers looking for practical kitchen solutions.

How can I effectively promote my participation in local craft fairs?

Promote your participation in local craft fairs by leveraging social media platforms to announce your booth location and what products you will showcase. Create event pages and share them with your network. Consider using flyers or business cards that you can distribute in your community. Engaging with local groups or forums can also help spread the word and attract more visitors to your booth.

What should I prepare before attending a local craft fair or farmers market?

Before attending a local craft fair or farmers market, ensure you have all necessary supplies, including product inventory, display materials, business cards, and promotional materials. Prepare a list of prices and any special offers you plan to provide. Additionally, bring a cash box or mobile payment options for transactions. Lastly, practice your sales pitch and product demonstrations to engage customers effectively.

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